Dear RTB’ers,
…conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed … with the precious blood of Christ (vv. 1:17b-19a). Exile. [NOTE: The NASB translates “exile” as “stay on earth”.] Peter sees our born-again life here on earth as an “exile”, a time when we are living where we do not belong.
Perhaps he had in mind his forefathers’ captivity in Babylon, a time that we know as “the Exile”. With leaders like Ezra, Nehemiah, and Ezekiel the Jewish people were able to hold on to their faith. I can remember reading that this time in Babylon may have been the beginning of Jewish synagogues – building/locations/activities through which the Israelites could maintain their faith in the absence of Temple activities in Jerusalem.
Whether Peter had Babylon in mind or not, he clearly is telling his audience that they, themselves are “exiles”, that they are living in a temporary earthly home and that they should live in this home as if their real home is elsewhere. A good message for us today!
Blessings!
Fred