Living as Exiles: Navigating a Babylon-like World

Living as Exiles in a Babylon-Like World

As Christians, we often find ourselves feeling like exiles in this world. The values and priorities of the world around us are often at odds with our own. We long for a better country, a heavenly one, and yet, we are called to live in this world for a time. So how do we navigate this tension? How do we live as exiles in a Babylon-like world?

In the book of Jeremiah, we find a letter written by the prophet to the exiles in Babylon. These were God's people who had been taken captive and sent into exile. And in this letter, God gives them instructions on how they are to live in this foreign land. He says to them, "Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare" (Jeremiah 29:4–5, 7).

Building houses and planting gardens may seem like ordinary, mundane tasks, but God tells the exiles to do these things. He wants them to settle down, to make a life for themselves in Babylon. And not only that, but He also tells them to seek the welfare of the city, to pray for its well-being. In doing so, they will find their own welfare.

But what does it mean for us as Christians living in this Babylon-like world? How do we seek the welfare of the city where God has placed us? How do we pray for its well-being?

Firstly, we must recognize that we are sent by God to this place for His glory. We are not here by accident or by chance. God has a purpose for us being where we are, and it is our responsibility to seek out that purpose and live it out. We are to be ambassadors of Christ, representing Him in all that we do. Whether we are building houses or working in an office, we are called to do it all for the glory of God.

Secondly, we are to pray for the city. We are to intercede on its behalf, asking God to bring about great and good things for the city. We should pray for its physical well-being, for safety and prosperity. But more importantly, we should pray for its spiritual well-being, for the salvation of souls. We should pray that people would come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and that the city would be transformed by the power of the Gospel.

In our prayers, we should never lose sight of the ultimate good that the city needs. While material prosperity and physical well-being are important, the greatest danger every city faces is eternal suffering. As Christians, we care about all suffering, especially eternal suffering. We should be burdened for the lost, for those who do not know Christ. Our prayers should reflect this concern, as we cry out to God for mercy and salvation.

But seeking the welfare of the city does not mean that we become indifferent to our exile orientation. We are still sojourners and exiles in this world. Our citizenship is in heaven, and our ultimate allegiance is to God and His kingdom. We must guard ourselves against being conformed to the patterns of this world and getting caught up in its beguiling attractions.

Our values and priorities should be shaped by the city that is to come, the Jerusalem above. We should be more concerned with the eternal than the temporal, with the souls of men and women than with material possessions. By keeping a steadfast freedom from the attractions of this world, we will serve our city best. We will be a light in the darkness, pointing people to the hope and joy that can only be found in Christ.

So let us live as exiles in this Babylon-like world, doing good and seeking the welfare of the city. Let us build houses, plant gardens, and work with excellence in whatever we do. Let us pray fervently for the city, asking God to bring about His purposes and His glory. And let us never lose sight of our ultimate citizenship and our ultimate hope. May our lives be a testimony to the goodness and grace of our King, so that others may come to know Him and join us in the city that is to come.