Flirting with Prosperity: The Abuse of Jer. 29:11

05-03-2017

In 2014 Christianity Today asked the online Bible site YouVersion which Bible verses are the most popular in the world. Out of the 160 million users surveyed Jer. 29:11 came in fourth. It didn’t get a podium finish, but as a consolation the weeping prophet did take the gold in Canada, Australia, England and of course South Africa. One might feel sorry for Jer. 29:11 losing out to Romans 12:2 and the old favourite Philippians 4:6-8, but at least he can take courage in the fact that ‘The Lord has plans for you...to prosper...plans to give you hope and a future’.

Having said that, spare a thought for the remaining 32 verses in Jer. 29 - always being discarded and left behind. They are the real stars of the show, as a matter of fact they are the guys and girls giving verse 11 its meaning!