Jeremiah 32:1-25
Q.1. How was the prophet Jeremiah treated by Israel’s king? What was odd about God’s instruction to Jeremiah to redeem his right to a property in Anathoth? What point was God making to His people? – (Jer.32:1-15)
King Zedekiah had broken his agreements with Nebuchadnezzar. This brought a renewed attack from the Babylonian army. Jeremiah had continually insisted that Judah should submit to Babylon. This message infuriated Zedekiah. As a result, he had the prophet jailed in the court of the guard, which was attached to his palace (Jer.32:1-5). God told Jeremiah that his uncle, Hanamel’s son, was coming to offer him a parcel of land in the territory of Benjamin – Buy for yourself my field which is at Anathoth, for you have the right of redemption to buy it (Jer.32:7). When this happened as God had told him – I knew that this was the word of the Lord (Jer.32:8). Jeremiah then – signed and sealed the deed, called in witnesses, and weighed out the silver … to pay for it at the agreed seventeen shekels of silver (Jer.32:9-11). This was enacted – before all the Jews who were sitting in the court of the guard (Jer.32:12). He then instructed his faithful scribe Baruch to place the sealed deed in an earthenware jar, so it would last a long time as a testimony of God’s promise – Houses and fields and vineyards will again be bought in this land (Jer.32:15). This bore testimony to the reason for the exile: not for God to reject His people, but rather, to discipline the nation.
Q.2. How did Jeremiah view God’s character? What did God’s dealing with Israel reveal about Him? In what way had God kept His word? Why did Jeremiah have to call witnesses to his purchase? – (Jer.32:16-25)
By telling Jeremiah that he should purchase land in the condemned territory, God gave proof that He planned a future for His people. This did much to restore the prophet’s spirits. He declared – 17 ‘Ah Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You, 18 who shows lovingkindness to thousands, but repays the iniquity of fathers into the bosom of their children after them, O great and mighty God. The Lord of hosts is His name (Jer.32:17-18). Previously as God had promised, Israel had been redeemed from slavery in Egypt and had settled in the Promised Land. Since they later disobeyed His commandments, the Lord had removed them from the land, as He had warned them that He would do (Jer.32:18-24). Jeremiah was overwhelmed when God told him – Buy for yourself the field and call witnesses – although the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans (Jer.32:25). The palace was a place with many witnesses to his transaction. Jeremiah’s purchase showed that he believed Israel had a future, in spite of Zedekiah’s retaliation against him and his prophecies.