Build Houses, Plant Gardens, Eat Their Fruit
May 20, 2026
“Jeremiah 29:5 Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit.”
Reflection
10th June 2024 I was led by the Spirit to read Jeremiah and Ezra in relation to the vision of the dead stick coming alive (see previous post). In Jeremiah chapter 29, the prophet warned the exiled people of Israel of the following false prophecies (of Ahab and Shemaiah) – that they would be slain in Babylon; and that every man who considered himself a prophet (God’s spokesman) should be put in prison. This was in contrast with Jeremiah’s word from God, saying, “This captivity is long; build houses and dwell in them, and plant gardens and eat their fruit.” (Jeremiah 29:28) The false prophecies would have caused the people to doubt God’s love and providence for them, whereas Jeremiah’s prophecy had the opposite effect. Through Jeremiah, the people of Israel would find the strength to keep on living, even though they were captives in a foreign land. Not only that, they would continue to multiply and live under God’s grace, having shelter and food. This was no different from my present circumstances. I had been uprooted from my comfortable life and relative position of influence. I had been taken to alien territory and reduced to a lowly status of unemployment, devoid of position. Yet, God wants me to continue bearing fruit for Him. My strength comes from the Lord, not from my status or earthly wealth. In Ezra 3:11b-13, Then all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. But many of the priests and Levites and heads of the fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this temple was laid before their eyes. Yet many shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people, for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the sound was heard afar off. God was reminding me not to dwell on my ‘past glory’ or what had been lost as a result of my trials. Do not cry or fret, He said. Instead, fix my eyes on Him and His promise to give me a hope and a future. Hallelujah! These are the days that He has made. I shall rejoice and be glad in them. So how did these two passages in Jeremiah and Ezra tie in with the vision of the dead stick coming alive? Simply that I, too, was in a state of transition. I once was dead, but am now alive. And not only alive, but bearing fruit! This was not a time for tears of sorrow. No, this called for tears of joy!
Application
God puts us in seemingly impossible situations because of HIs love for us. By HIs grace, we will learn to trust in Him, rest in Him and be renewed by His strength. Indeed, His divine love and strength will lift us out of our despair, enabling us to become even more fruitful in service to Him. When in our darkest hour, we are called to build and to plant, to dwell and to eat! In so doing, the fruit of our labour will be multiplied a hundred-fold, not by our strength, but by His grace.
Abba Father, thank You for loving me and sustaining me by Your grace. Let me not be afraid when I am sinking in the miry clay. Set my feet upon the rock - Your rock of salvation. Establish my foothold, strengthen me and help me build my faith in You, one obedient step at a time. In Jesus' name, Amen.