A Blessing for the Exiles

May your spiritual eyes

Be unimpressed with Babylon,

Child of God—

You are designed to be dazzled

By your Creator,

Not the counterfeits.

The Lord spoke plainly

Through Jeremiah to the

Soon-to-be-deported exiles:

“Do not learn the ways of the nations

Or be terrified by the signs in the heavens…” (Jer. 10:2)

When invaders burn

Your homes

And sack your city walls

And desecrate your temple

And resettle you in

A new empire,

Do not learn the ways of

The prosperous pagans.

Do not marvel at their buildings.

Do not covet their accomplishments.

Do not bow to their gods!

In a foreign land,

Remember,

“God made the earth by his power;

He founded the world by his wisdom

And stretched out the heavens

By His understanding!”  (Jer. 10: 12)

This culture has more idols than Babylon.

I bless your spiritual eyes to see them,

Call them and crush them.

God is impressive—Babylon is not.