Jeremiah’s message is for the whole world. God describes Jeremiah’s actions concerning the nations and kingdoms in four negative and two positive verbs: pluck up, break down, destroy, overthrow, build, and plant. It is clear (also from the order of the words) that Jeremiah will mainly announce judgment. But fortunately, he also spoke of repair and renewal.
Later, these words of this verse returned (see Jeremiah 12:17; Jeremiah 18:7–10; Jeremiah 31:28; Jeremiah 42:10; Jeremiah 44:4). Jeremiah 29:5 shows that building and planting began during the time of the captivity in Babylon. God’s future with his people will run through Babel! The repentance of the people will also play an important role in this.
10 See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”