Jeremiah 32:26-44
Q.1. What did God’s command for Jeremiah to redeem the land mean? Why was the Lord determined to destroy Judah? – (Jer.32:26-35)
Jeremiah instinctively knew that the Lord would restore His people, when God told him – ‘Buy for yourself the field with money and call for witnesses’ – although the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans (Jer.32:25). God again confirmed that He was about to destroy the city and scatter the people, declaring – Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; Is anything too difficult for Me (Jer.32:27). He documented their provocations against Him (Jer.32:28-32). His teaching to them had been to no avail because they refused to listen to His instructions (Jer.32:33). They even – caused their sons and daughters to pass through fire to Molech, which I had not commanded them nor had it entered My mind that they should do this abomination … (Jer.32:34-35). This confirms that the Lord would never have allowed Abraham to offer up Isaac as a sacrifice, but always had intended to provide a substitute (Gen.22:1-2, 12-14). There would only ever be one sin-bearer and substitute, His One and Only Son.
Q.2. What did Jeremiah’s purchase of land declare? On what basis will God restore the fortunes of Israel? – (Jer.32:36-44)
Jeremiah perceived that because he was asked to redeem the parcel of land, this meant that the Lord intended to bless His people in the Promised Land despite the pending judgment of Judah (Jer.32:41-44). This promise of restoration was totally unexpected. After the exile God declared – 37 Behold, I will gather them out of all the lands to which I have driven them in My anger, in My wrath and in great indignation; and I will bring them back to this place and make them dwell in safety. 38 They shall be My people, and I will be their God; 39 and I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me always, for their own good and for the good of their children after them (Jer.32:37-39). This promised everlasting covenant would be the natural outworking of the unconditional Covenant that God had made with Abraham, which still stands. It is not at all like the Covenant made with Israel through Moses at Mount Sinai. The new Covenant of the heart would be unbreakable – I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; and I will put the fear of Me in their hearts so that they will not turn away from Me (Jer.32:40 c.f. Jer.31:31-34; 32:39).