Today's first reading promises the defeat and destruction of several of the region's kingdoms, including Judah. Even more, after this defeat at the hands of Babylon, the people will become subject to the will of the Babylonian kings for 70 years. Then, Babylon will fall to another nation, and its people will become subject to the will of the conquerors. (And, those they captured will be freed, including the Jews.)
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The second reading presents the text of a letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent to the Jews who were taken into exile in Babylon after the capture of Jerusalem. In it, Jeremiah shares God's instructions that those in exile are to live full lives. They are to marry and raise children. They are to be loyal subjects of the Babylonians. Any advice or instructions to do otherwise can only come from false prophets. God will take care of those in exile and their children, eventually restoring them to their land.
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Reading the Bible in Its Entirety
If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Jeremiah 25-35 today.
If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Jeremiah 25-35 today.
