Jeremiah 29:5

“Build ye houses, and dwell [in them], etc.] Intimating hereby that they must not expect a return into their own land in any short time, but that they should continue many years where they were; suggesting also, that as they had ability, so they should have liberty, of building themselves houses; nor should they be interrupted by their enemies; nor would their houses be taken from them, when built; but they should dwell peaceably and quietly in them, as their own; which they might assure themselves of from the Lord, who gives these, and the following directions: and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; and live as comfortably as you can in a foreign country; plant your gardens with vines…”

“Build . . . houses--In opposition to the false prophets' suggestions, who told the captives that their captivity would soon cease, Jeremiah tells them that it will be of long duration, and that therefore they should build houses, as Babylon is to be for long their home.”

“As the exile was God’s doing for their good, they were to make the best of their position, and acquire wealth and influence; whereas if they were always restlessly looking out for the opportunity of returning home, they would rapidly fall into poverty and dwindle away. Jeremiah 29:7 Seek the peace of the city ... - Not only because their welfare for seventy years was bound up with that of Babylon, but because it would have degraded their whole moral nature to have lived as conspirators, banded together against the country that was for the time their home. return to 'Top of Page'”

“29:5-7 Jeremiah urged the exiled people to plan to stay in Babylon for a long time. God wanted them to become productive citizens, concerned and praying to the Lord for the welfare of the Babylonian communities in which they lived, so their population could grow. They should not listen to false prophecies such as Hananiah’s, promising that they would be coming home shortly.”

“Jer 29:10, Jer 29:28; Eze 28:26 Jeremiah 29:6”