In the biblical narrative, cities often serve as centers of human culture, commerce, and community. According to Jeremiah, believers are called to seek the welfare of the cities where they reside, praying for their prosperity. The book of Hebrews looks forward to a heavenly city, with Abraham seeking a city whose architect and builder is God, and believers acknowledging that they are strangers on earth, seeking a better homeland. Psalms also highlights the importance of cities, noting how God satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things, including the establishment of cities for them to inhabit.
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Seek the prosperity of the city to which I have sent you as exiles. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
For here we do not have a permanent city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.
Instead, they were longing for a better country, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
He causes the hungry to settle there, that they may establish a city in which to dwell.
O Lord, confuse and confound their speech, for I see violence and strife in the city. Day and night they encircle the walls, while malice and trouble lie within. Destruction is within; oppression and deceit never leave the streets.
Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain.