Jeremiah writes in his letter what he had proclaimed some eight years earlier (see Jeremiah 25:11–12), that the Babylonian exile will last seventy years. Only then will the Lord visit
his people and fulfill his promise to bring them back to Jerusalem. This promise implies the end of Babylonian dominance which Jeremiah also prophesied (Jeremiah 25:12–13). The fact that 29:10 begins with the word for
makes it clear that the length of the exile and its ending are all according to the Lord’s plans and purposes.1
For the exiles already in Babylon (Jeremiah 29:1–2), the prophecy in Jeremiah’s letter means that they would not live to see the return to Jerusalem. This much should have already been made clear to them from the Lord’s instructions to build a life in Babylon for them and their children and grandchildren and to seek the welfare of Babylon. (Jeremiah 29:4–7)In fact, only by obeying the Lord’s commands would they give their children and grandchildren the opportunity to return to Jerusalem. This would of course mean that they have to reject the message of the false prophets who promised a return in just two years. It would also mean submitting to the rule of Nebuchadnezzar instead of rebelling.2
10 Mais voici ce que dit l'Eternel: Dès que soixante-dix ans seront écoulés pour Babylone, je me souviendrai de vous, et j'accomplirai à votre égard ma bonne parole, en vous ramenant dans ce lieu.