Nov. 15, 2012  Jeremiah 29
Jeremiah was instructed by God to send a letter to the exiles in Babylon telling them to settle down, build houses and raise their families.  It will be 70 years before anyone returns to Jerusalem.  That is God's plan,  His plan for their welfare and the future of Israel.  They will call on Him and He will answer.  They will seek Him and He will be found, but not until that time.
Again, false prophets go against Jeremiah and even call him a madman.  But those who have spoken lies are the ones who God will judge.  He does not leave the guilty unpunished.
Zedekiah and Ahab were 2 in Babylon who were heading towards an awful death at the hand of Nebuchadnezzar - they would be "roasted in the fire" - they spoke in the Name of the Lord falsely, while committing adultery with their neighbor's wives and acting foolishly.  Another man,  Shemaiah  was also stirring up trouble for Jeremiah and causing the people to believe a lie, preaching rebellion, would be not only killed, but would leave no descendants to come back to Israel.
God does not leave the guilty unpunished.  Ex. 34: 6-7  God meets Moses up on Mt Sinai to replace the stone tablets that had been broken.  Moses has asked God to show Himself to him.  This is God's description of Himself " The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious ( to bend and show mercy and kindness to an inferior, to bestow favor), slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps ( guards and protects) lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished..."
Moses bowed down and worshiped the Lord in response to His presence and revelation of Himself.  His prayer was one that I will gladly make my own " I pray, let the Lord go along in our midst, even though the people are so obstinate; and do Thou pardon our iniquity and sin, and take us as Thine own possession".  Ex. 34:9