Jeremiah’s Land Purchase
Open Your Bible
Jeremiah 32:1-44, Psalm 62:11-12, 1 Peter 1:17-19
BY Claire Gibson
Confession: often, when I read the Bible, I’m less interested in what’s happening in the passage and more focused on what’s in it for me: What does this passage mean for me today? How can it help, comfort, console, or advise me right now? But rather than trying to turn it into a self-help book that is tailor-made to fix all of my own personal problems, I need to remember that the book of Jeremiah is a prophetic book written to a specific people at a specific point in history, though it also gives us a glimpse of the new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31–34).
In Jeremiah 32, something strange happens. Jeremiah dreams that someone will come and offer him the chance to purchase a field. Sure enough, his cousin comes to him and offers him the chance to buy a piece of land. However, the timing of this land purchase is odd; while the entire nation of Israel is in exile, away from the promised land, Jeremiah is reinvesting in it, doubling down on God’s promise. In essence, Jeremiah’s actions are saying that even though God’s people are in exile, He still has plans for the land and for His people. Jeremiah’s purchase is designed to demonstrate his faith in God’s promised restoration, and in purchasing the land, he participates in that restoration.
Jeremiah’s prayer is simultaneously one of great faith and confusion. At the end of his prayer of praise, Jeremiah rehashes all of the disaster that has come upon Judah. Their city is under siege, sword, famine, and plague, and yet God has asked the prophet to do this seemingly ridiculous thing: to buy a piece of land in the middle of a war zone. But God keeps His promises, something Jeremiah knew well. So while he was perplexed by God’s request, he continued to act on God’s orders anyway.
Though I should resist trying to translate this story directly to my own life, I cannot help but be amazed by Jeremiah’s willingness to follow the Lord in everything. He did not wait to completely understand God’s calling, to understand why, in order to obey Him. Obedience is hard, and the truth is, we need God to help us obey Him.
Lord, Your thoughts and ways are better than our own. Help us to trust you and strengthen us to obey You, even when we do not understand what You are doing.
60 thoughts on "Jeremiah’s Land Purchase"
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Our journey through the book of Jeremiah has had surprising parallels with current events. Though the circumstances and details are different, the spiritual truths are the same. God is sovereignly in control of every aspect of our individual and collective lives. He is broken-hearted that so many in our country and world have turned a blind eye and deaf ear to Him. He longs for us to turn our hearts to Him and live in the light of His amazing grace and boundless love. I am believing , praying for and trusting that the Lord will reap a bountiful harvest of souls when this chapter in our history has concluded. Love to you, my SRT sisters!
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Your prayer meant so much today. “Help us to trust You and strengthen us to obey You, even when we do not understand what you are doing.” What a concise prayer for us to pray. To follow God in blind faithfulness and trust requires so much faith in these times. I would also pray for wise discernment while listening to those who instruct us that we may see clearly God’s will.
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It’s amazing how our devotions are timely. We are reading what we are supposed to be reading in this present time as there is chaos in our world. I’m thankful that we are sisters can come together and pray for one another knowing that God has it all under control. I am so grateful for God‘s WORD, the timely devotions, and all of you sisters here. I’m off to work now to go finish off cleaning, sanitizing and whatever else we need to do at our school. Please pray as I may have to drive six hours south to pick up my son from the University. The ride that he had might not happen, but that’s OK. I wanted him to know that it’s OK and I know God will make away if I have to go get him. Blessings my dear sisters.
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Over and over, while reading through Jeremiah, the commentary has related Jeremiah’s experience to our current Covid-19 reality. Although I find reading Jeremiah difficult, the commentary has helped me to see that God had a plan—far into the future. Jeremiah did not know the plan or understand the tasks God presented to him; however, he was obedient.
I don’t know what the current plan holds for us—individuals, teachers, schools, economy, etc. There is so much uncertainty and no viable precedence. We are to turn to God in faith…in trust…in obedience. I am not sure what He asks of me, other than to continue to serve those around me—parents, students, neighbors, family. Lord, please give me the strength and insight to serve You by serving others. I know I cannot do it alone, just as I know I am not alone. Your will. Your timing.
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How amazing is it to know that in a world that constantly changes, where a tiny virus can turn everything on its head…that we serve the Almighty God of the universe?! He never changes and He is always faithful. We praise you, Lord God.
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I was really struck by God’s response in verse 27: “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” The answer then and the answer now are both no. This is a season. We will come through this because God is still good and sovreign. Hallelujah.
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Yes and amen.
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This devotional is perfect for today! The economy is crashing, we are living in a pandemic, and we are looking at the possibility of our comfortable way of life changing dramatically. Nothing is certain. But in uncertainty, God asks us to continue in faith knowing this has never been our true home. “Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” 2 Peter 3:11-13
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