Does Your Life Seem to be Sitting Still?
May 19, 2022
Commentary
Jeremiah was placed in prison because he faithfully proclaimed that Babylon would conquer Jerusalem (vv. 1–5). King Zedekiah did not want to hear Jeremiah’s message because it exposed God’s judgment upon the nation. While Jeremiah remained confined, his cousin Hanamel offered him the opportunity to buy a field in Anathoth (vv. 6–8). Yet Jeremiah obeyed God and bought the field as instructed (vv. 9–12). This act demonstrated Jeremiah’s faith in God’s promise that one day the people would return and possess the land again. Even during difficult seasons, Jeremiah trusted God’s plans would still be fulfilled. This passage teaches believers to continue obeying God even when circumstances seem discouraging or confusing. God keeps His promises.
Jeremiah did not stop speaking God’s truth simply because obedience brought suffering and imprisonment. He remained faithful to God’s calling even when others rejected him. Sometimes believers may feel that life is standing still or that God’s promises are delayed. During those seasons, God still calls His people to remain faithful in prayer and obedience. Jeremiah refused to take an easy escape by changing God’s message to please the king. True faith trusts God’s Word when others misunderstand. God honors patient and faithful obedience.
Jeremiah’s purchase of the field reminds us that faith does not always produce immediate results (vv. 13–15). God instructed Jeremiah to preserve the deeds carefully because houses, fields, and vineyards would one day again be possessed in the land. Jeremiah acted in faith for a future he might never personally see. Believers are called to trust God’s promises even when answers seem delayed. God is always working according to His perfect plan, even when life appears uncertain.
Application
I am reminded to trust God even when life feels delayed or difficult. Am I still obeying God when answers do not come quickly? Do I remain faithful when others misunderstand me? Jeremiah trusted God’s promises while sitting in prison. Will I patiently obey God, believing He is working even when I cannot see His plans yet?
Jeremiah 32:1–15 (NET)
1 In the tenth year that Zedekiah was ruling over Judah the Lord spoke to Jeremiah. That was the same as the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar.
2 Now at that time, the armies of the king of Babylon were besieging Jerusalem. The prophet Jeremiah was confined in the courtyard of the guardhouse attached to the royal palace of Judah. 3 For King Zedekiah had confined Jeremiah there after he had reproved him for prophesying as he did. He had asked Jeremiah, “Why do you keep prophesying these things? Why do you keep saying that the Lord says, ‘I will hand this city over to the king of Babylon? I will let him capture it. 4 King Zedekiah of Judah will not escape from the Babylonians. He will certainly be handed over to the king of Babylon. He must answer personally to the king of Babylon and confront him face to face. 5 Zedekiah will be carried off to Babylon and will remain there until I have fully dealt with him. I, the Lord, affirm it! Even if you continue to fight against the Babylonians, you cannot win.’”
6 So now, Jeremiah said, “The Lord’s message came to me, 7 ‘Hanamel, the son of your uncle Shallum, will come to you soon. He will say to you, “Buy my field at Anathoth because you are entitled as my closest relative to buy it.”’ 8 And then my cousin Hanamel did come to me in the courtyard of the guardhouse in keeping with the Lord’s message. He said to me, ‘Buy my field that is at Anathoth in the territory of the tribe of Benjamin. Buy it for yourself since you are entitled as my closest relative to take possession of it for yourself.’ When this happened, I recognized that the Lord had indeed spoken to me. 9 So I bought the field at Anathoth from my cousin Hanamel. I weighed out seven ounces of silver and gave it to him to pay for it. 10 I signed the deed of purchase, sealed it, and had some men serve as witnesses to the purchase. I weighed out the silver for him on a scale. 11 There were two copies of the deed of purchase. One was sealed and contained the order of transfer and the conditions of purchase. The other was left unsealed. 12 I took both copies of the deed of purchase and gave them to Baruch son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah. I gave them to him in the presence of my cousin Hanamel, the witnesses who had signed the deed of purchase, and all the Judeans who were housed in the courtyard of the guardhouse. 13 In the presence of all these people I instructed Baruch, 14 ‘The Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says, “Take these documents, both the sealed copy of the deed of purchase and the unsealed copy. Put them in a clay jar so that they may be preserved for a long time to come.”’ 15 For the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says, ‘Houses, fields, and vineyards will again be bought in this land.’
Hudson Taylor – Faith Involves Risk
Hudson Taylor is accredited for saying, Unless there is an element of risk in our exploits for God, there is no need for faith. (www.sermoncentral.com, search using Taylor).