Bible Question:
Does the verse in Jeremiah 29:13 apply only to Israel?
Bible Answer:
God spoke the words recorded in Jeremiah 29:12-13 to Israel through the prophet Jeremiah. This is a wonderful promise that states if Israel would seek God, He will let them find Him. This is a divine principle that also applies to everyone. Throughout the Bible we can find statements that reveal God wants us to seek Him and search for Him. If we will, He will let us find Him.
Seek Me and Search For Me – Old Testament
In the Old Testament there were a number of men who seriously wanted to know God and have a deeper relationship with Him. One of those men was Enoch whom we will discuss later.
In Exodus we find another man called Moses who seriously begged that God would reveal Himself. As you read the following verses sense Moses’ desire to know God.
Then Moses said to the LORD, “See, You say to me, ‘Bring up this people!’ But You Yourself have not let me know whom You will send with me. Moreover, You have said, ‘I have known you by name, and you have also found favor in My sight.’ Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight.” Exodus 33:12-13 (NASB)
Here Moses begged that God would let Moses know Him more. God responded by promising that Moses would be able to know God’s ways so that he could understand Him and Psalm 103:7 reveals that God did that. For a wonderful study about Moses’ desire to know God and the ways of God listen to the message, “Moses – Call To Faithfulness.”
In Deuteronomy Moses promised the Israelites that if they seek and search for God, they could find Him. Moses had learned that God will respond to those who seriously long to know God. This is a wonderful promise, but it requires that we seek God with all our heart.
But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29 (NASB)
While King David was alive he told his son, Solomon, the following. Notice the universal promise is repeated.
As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. 1 Chronicles 28:9 (NASB)
In the Psalms we find the same principle is repeated.
When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You,”Your face, O LORD, I shall seek.” (NASB) Psalm 27:8 (NASB)
O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. (NASB) Psalm 63:1 (NASB)
How blessed are those who observe His testimonies,
Who seek Him with all their heart. Psalm 119:2 (NASB)
In the prophets, the principle is repeated.
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. “I will be found by you,” declares the LORD . . . Jeremiah 29:13-14 (NASB)
Seek Me that you may live. Amos 5:4 (NASB)
Seek the LORD that you may live . . . Amos 5:6 (NASB)
So far, we may have discovered that seeking the Lord includes finding Him and knowing Him deeper. Next, we will look at the New Testament.
Seek Me and Search For Me – New Testament
In the New Testament we discover that the apostle Paul, who was already a Christian, longed to know more about God. Notice how strongly he longs to know Christ Jesus.
More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ . . . (NASB) Philippians 3:8
This reveals that a growing Christian will want to know more about God. Paul’s statement is truly amazing since he wrote many of the books in the New Testament; still he wants to know God more.
Do you want to please God? Then seek Him. Enoch was taken to heaven early because of his faith in God and because he sought God.
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 (NASB)
Conclusion:
Jeremiah 29:12-14 are wonderful verses. God wants us to seek Him, to know Him, and to love Him. Matthew 11:25 hints at the fact that God hides Himself from us. Isaiah 45:15 also hints that God hides Himself.
Truly, You are a God who hides Himself,
O God of Israel, Savior!
Isaiah 45:15 (NASB)
Why? Because He wants us to seek Him as a man seeks for gold. God wants us to seek a relationship with Him. Do you want one with Him? I would encourage you to read, “God’s Great Passion.”
Suggested Links:
God's Great PassionMoses – Call To Faithfulness