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"A Deed and a Promise"
Jeremiah 32

Wednesday AM Bible Study
March 30, 2005

Chapters 32 and 33 contain prophecies given to Jeremiah while in prison. The background for these prophetic words seems to be found in chapter 37. (See especially 37:4. As you've probably noticed, many of the events described in the book of Jeremiah is not in chronological order.)

After King Zedekiah assumed the throne, the armies of Egypt became a threat to the Babylonians; so they temporarily departed from their siege on Jerusalem. It was at that time that a word from the Lord came to Jeremiah to Zedekiah. God said that Egypt would return to its land, and the Chaldeans would come back to destroy Jerusalem; and the king was not to deceive himself into thinking that it wouldn't happen (37:7-10). As soon as the armies of Babylon left off the siege, Jeremiah was arrested while trying to leave Jerusalem to claim a piece of land that was his. The accusation was that he was defecting to the Babylonians.

While in prison, a relative of Jeremiah's comes to him with business regarding property rights. God uses this as an opportunity to give the assurance of hope to the people of Israel of the hope He has in store for them. A key to this passage is the twice-repeated affirmation that nothing - no matter how impossible in human terms - is ever too hard for God (vv. 17, 27).

I. THE CIRCUMSTANCES BEHIND THE PROPHECY (vv. 1-5).

A. It was at a time near the end - just before Babylon would finally come and destroy the city. The siege had apparently been resumed while Jeremiah was still in prison (vv. 1-2).

B. The reason for Jeremiah's imprisonment was because of his word to Zedekiah from the Lord (vv. 3-5). Zedekiah refused to believe it - although it happened exactly as God promised (2 Kings 25:1-17).

II. THE PROPHECY ILLUSTRATED THROUGH BUYING A FIELD (vv. 6-15).

A. Jeremiah's relative (the word used can either mean uncle or cousin) Hanamel came to him, calling upon him to claim his property rights over a piece of land in Benjamin. This was in keeping with the command of God regarding the redemption of property, as spelled out in Leviticus 25:23-34). It was made clear to Jeremiah that this was of God (vv. 6-8).

B. Jeremiah went through the entire legal process of buying the field; and he told his assistant to be sure to place the deed in an earthen vessel, so that it would be kept for a long time (vv. 9-14).

C. This was to illustrate a word from God - that the land would be restored and purchases again made (v. 15).

III. THE PROPHET'S CONFUSION ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATION (vv. 16-25).

A. Jeremiah worships God in this; affirming God's goodness to the people (vv. 16-22).

B. But he is confused as to why God would promise Israel's destruction by the Babylonians, but then call him to buy land (vv. 23-25).

IV. THE MESSAGE OF THE ILLUSTRATION EXPLAINED (vv. 26-44).

A. God answers that everything that Jeremiah says is true (vv. 26-35).

B. But God answers that He still has a future and glorious hope for Israel. This is affirmed in the fact that many will one day do just as Jeremiah has done (vv. 36-44).

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Is there anything too hard for God? When He promises to do something, He does it. When He places His love on someone, that love is forever! His promises are promises we can count on!

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