By Eugene Garner

JEREMIAH - CHAPTER 32

REDEEMING PROPERTY AT ANATHOTH

- an Act of Faith in God

    The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar. 2 For then the king of Babylon's army besieged Jerusalem: and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison, which was in the king of Judah's house. 3 For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, Wherefore dost thou prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it; 4 And Zedekiah king of Judah shall not escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans, but shall surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, and shall speak with him mouth to mouth, and his eyes shall behold his eyes; 5 And he shall lead Zedekiah to Babylon, and there shall he be until I visit him, saith the LORD: though ye fight with the Chaldeans, ye shall not prosper.

    1. The words recorded in this passage are precisely located in "the tenth year of Zedekiah", and the eighteenth of Nebuchadnezzar, (vs. 1; 2 Kings 25:1-2).
    2. The army of Babylon has Jerusalem under siege, and Jeremiah is being held captive in the court of the guard, which is located in the courtyard of the king's palace, (vs.2; 37:21; comp. Neh. 3:25).
    3. In verses 3-5 Zedekiah states his reason for making Jeremiah a prisoner of his own nation; he had faithfully delivered the Lord's word concerning Judah - her king and her people - and they were not willing to follow the word of Jehovah, (comp. 26:8-9; Amos 7:12-13).

    6 And Jeremiah said, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 7 Behold, Hanameel the son of Shallum thine uncle shall come unto thee, saying, Buy thee my field that is in Anathoth: for the right of redemption is thine to buy it. 8 So Hanameel mine uncle's son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the LORD, and said unto me, Buy my field, I pray thee, that is in Anathoth, which is in the country of Benjamin: for the right of inheritance is thine, and the redemption is thine; buy it for thyself. Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD. 9 And I bought the field of Hanameel my uncle's son, that was in Anathoth, and weighed him the money, even seventeen shekels of silver. 10 And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances. 11 So I took the evidence of the purchase, both that which was sealed according to the law and custom, and that which was open: 12 And I gave the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, in the sight of Hanameel mine uncle's son, and in the presence of the witnesses that subscribed the book of the purchase, before all the Jews that sat in the court of the prison. 13 And I charged Baruch before them, saying, 14 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Take these evidences, this evidence of the purchase, both which is sealed, and this evidence which is open; and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may continue many days. 15 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land.

    1. Before the event took place the Lord had informed Jeremiah that his cousin, Hanameel, the son of Shallum, would be coming to him, as a nearest relative, to request that he redeem the family land so as to keep it within the family, (vs. 6-7).
      a. It is not known why Hanameel wanted to sell the property - though financial straits often forced men to sell their land.
      b. Provision had been made, under the law of Moses, for the nearest, able, kinsman to redeem such property, to keep it from being sold outside the family, (Lev. 25:25-28; Comp. Ruth 4:1-12; I Kings 21:3).
      c. Yet, it is possible that this is one of the kinsmen of Anathoth who has plotted against Jeremiah, because of his persistent roaring against the sins of Judah, and is now testing the sincerity of his prophecies of hope for Judah - beyond the imminent captivity and deportation to Babylon.
    2. According to the Lord's word, Hanameel did appear; and Jeremiah knew that it was in accord with what the Lord had told him - implying the caution of faith to test everything by the word of the Lord, (vs. 8-9a).
    3. It appears that this transaction took place during a brief lull in the siege (37:11-12) - perhaps while the army of Babylon was distracted by the approach of the Egyptian army, which briefly considered coming to the aid of Judah, but then decided against it.
    4. By faith, Jeremiah purchased the field - weighting out 17 shekels (almost 7 ounces) of silver, (vs. 9); here is a real venture of faith.
      a. The act of faith sometimes appears ridiculous because it is based on a higher knowledge than the observer has been able to comprehend.
      b. This principle is well illustrated by: Noah, in building the ark; Abraham, in the offering of Isaac; and Moses, in choosing to cast his lot with the people of God, rather than go after the fleeting pleasures of sin and treasures of Egypt, (Gen. 6:13-22; 22:1-19; Heb. 11:24-27).
    5. Signing and sealing the deed, before witnesses - the commitment of faith - Jeremiah then delivered both the sealed deed and a copy thereof, into the hands of Baruch (his scribe) with instructions to place them in a clay jar - thus, showing concern for their safe-keeping, and to preserve them against the tampering designs of wicked men, (vs. 10-14).
    6. This purchase was another of Jeremiah's SYMBOLIC ACTS - demonstrating his confidence, in the word of the Lord, that houses, fields and vineyards would once again be bought and sold in Judah, (vs. 15, 43-44; 30:18; 31:5; Amos 9:14-15; Zech. 3:10) - however remote such a possibility might appear at the moment, and though he knew that he would not live long enough to see the end of the matter!
    7. Though faithful to denounce the wickedness of his beloved nation, and to hurl warnings of impending judgment upon an unrepentant people; Jeremiah was, nevertheless, a messenger of HOPE in the midst of a seemingly hopeless situation! (Heb. 11:6).

    16 Now when I had delivered the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed unto the LORD, saying, 17 Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee: 18 Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name, 19 Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings: 20 Which hast set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, even unto this day, and in Israel, and among other men; and hast made thee a name, as at this day; 21 And hast brought forth thy people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs, and with wonders, and with a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with great terror; 22 And hast given them this land, which thou didst swear to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey; 23 And they came in, and possessed it; but they obeyed not thy voice, neither walked in thy law; they have done nothing of all that thou commandedst them to do: therefore thou hast caused all this evil to come upon them: 24 Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans, that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence: and what thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold, thou seest it. 25 And thou hast said unto me, O Lord GOD, Buy thee the field for money, and take witnesses; for the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.

    1. From this section it is clearly evident that Jeremiah was perplexed over the Lord's requiring him to exhaust his dwindling resources in purchasing title to the field that, under present circumstances, was worthless! - the questioning, or doubting of faith.
    2. But, he sought comfort and assurance in a prayer of remembrance (comp. 12:1; Gen. 32:9-12; Phil. 4:6-7) - recalling the faithfulness, lovingkindness, mercy, power, counsel, judgments and adequate provisions of his all-sovereign Lord, in His past dealings with this people, (vs. 17-24).
      a. He addresses the Holy One as: Jehovah, Lord Jehovah, Almighty God and Jehovah of hosts.
      b. He recalls God's ability to accomplish what He purposes, (from creation to redemption) by the power of His almighty arm, (Rom 4:17; 9:11; Eph. 1:11).
      c. He Lauds Him for His faithfulness to perform what He has promised, (Josh. 23:14; Rom 4:20-22).
      d. And He acknowledges the sins of Judah which have led to the present siege - recognizing that God has brought this judgment upon them.
    3. At the command of the Lord, Jeremiah has redeemed the field of Hanameel; but he clearly does not quite understand - this very prayer bearing eloquent witness to that fact, (vs. 25).
      a. It is NOT that Jeremiah questions either the willingness or ability of God to rebuild and restore what Nebuchadnezzar is about to take and destroy.
      b. But, he knows that God cannot consistently do so unless there is a drastic change in the people; they must so repent as to be cleansed and healed; yet, in 40 years of faithfully pouring out his heart in preaching to them, Jeremiah has not seen the slightest evidence of genuine repentance!
      c. The prophet is near the point of losing all hope for the salvability of his beloved people!

    26 Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying, 27 Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me? 28 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the Chaldeans, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and he shall take it: 29 And the Chaldeans, that fight against this city, shall come and set fire on this city, and burn it with the houses, upon whose roofs they have offered incense unto Baal, and poured out drink offerings unto other gods, to provoke me to anger. 30 For the children of Israel and the children of Judah have only done evil before me from their youth: for the children of Israel have only provoked me to anger with the work of their hands, saith the LORD. 31 For this city hath been to me as a provocation of mine anger and of my fury from the day that they built it even unto this day; that I should remove it from before my face, 32 Because of all the evil of the children of Israel and of the children of Judah, which they have done to provoke me to anger, they, their kings, their princes, their priests, and their prophets, and the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 33 And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction. 34 But they set their abominations in the house, which is called by my name, to defile it. 35 And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.

    1. Jehovah is, indeed, the kind of God to whom Jeremiah has born witness! (vs. 26-27).
      a. He is "the God of all flesh" (comp. Num. 16:22; 27:16).
      b. Is there any thing too hard for Him? (vs. 17; Matt. 19:26) any need that He cannot supply?
      c. Surely He SPECIALIZES in that which seems impossible to men!
    2. The Lord has, indeed, delivered Jerusalem into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar; the Chaldeans will fight against it, subdue if and burn it with fire - destroying the houses whose inhabitants have provoked Him to anger by their sacrifices to dumb idols! (vs. 28-29).
    3. From their youth, the children of Israel and Judah have done only evil - provoking the Lord to anger; by the works of their hands, (vs. 30; 3:25; 22:21).
    4. Jerusalem has so provoked the Lord to anger and wrath that He is removing it from before His face, (vs. 31-35).
      a. This has involved kings, princes, priests, prophets, the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, (comp. Ezra 9:7; Isa. 1:4-6).
      b. Though the Lord has faithfully and repeatedly taught them, they have turned their backs, stopped their ears and refused instruction! (2:27; Ezek. 8:16; Zech 7:11; Jer. 18:17).
      c. They have even dared to set up their abominable idols in the house which is called by His name - TO DEFILE IT! (7:30-31; 2 Kings 21:4-7).
      d. They have built high places for Baal-worship, and caused their children to pass through the fire - sacrificing them to Molech! (Lev. 18:21; 20:2-5; 2 Chron. 28:1-3; 33:6).
      e. Could one believe in the holiness and righteousness of a God who would NOT BE PROVOKED to anger and consuming wrath BY SUCH ABOMINATIONS?

    36 And now therefore thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city, whereof ye say, It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence; 37 Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely: 38 And 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 for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them: 40 And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. 41 Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul. 42 For thus saith the LORD; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them. 43 And fields shall be bought in this land, whereof ye say, It is desolate without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans. 44 Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal them, and take witnesses in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountains, and in the cities of the valley, and in the cities of the south: for I will cause their captivity to return, saith the LORD.

    1. It is true that sword, famine and pestilence have prevailed against Jerusalem (vs. 36), but, that is not the end of the matter!
    2. At the appointed time (and under specific conditions) the Lord will restore His people from all the lands to which He has scattered them, (vs. 37; Deut. 30:1-3; Isa. 11:11-16); He will also restore them to the relationship of covenant-fellowship with Himself - a relationship that was broken and forfeited through their unbelieving disobedience, (vs. 38; 30:22; Ezek. 11:19-20).
    3. When He restores them, Jehovah will bring unity to Judah and Israel; henceforth they will reverence and serve the Lord their God, forever, with singleness of heart, (vs. 39; 31:33; comp. Jn. 17:21; Acts 4:32).
    4. The benevolent wisdom of the Lord's way is clearly revealed in the ultimate end that He has purposed for His people, (vs. 40; comp. 31:31-34; Isa. 55:3; Ezek. 16:60).
      a. He will make with them an everlasting covenant wherein He pledges Himself never to turn away from doing them good, (50:5; Isa. 55:3; Deut. 31:6-8).
      b. He will so instill His fear within their hearts that they will never again turn away from Him, (31:33).

NOTE: Though "fear" may sometimes suggest dread, or terror (Deut. 1:29; 2 Chron. 17:10), it more often implies such reverence and respect as leads to loving, loyal and obedient service, (Psa. 2:11; 19:9; Deut. 10:12, 20; 6:13; Gen. 20:11; 2 Kings 4:1; Prov. 1:7; comp. Jer. 31:33).

      c. The Lord will greatly rejoice in bestowing His goodness upon them, (vs. 41a; Deut. 30:9; Isa. 62:5, 65:19).
      d. With faithfulness of heart and soul, He will plant them in this very land, wherein Jeremiah has just been commanded to redeem his uncle's field, (vs. 41b) - in the expectation of faith. (31:28; Hos. 2:19-20; Amos 915).
    5. Just as God has brought upon this people the promised judgment, so will He bring upon them the promised good - often such judgment brings men to repentance, (vs. 42-44).
      a. The land that is now desolated at the hands of the Chaldeans will again be purchased, (vs. 43; Ezek. 37:11-14).
      b. The people to whom the land was promised, by covenant, will again purchase fields - signing and sealing their deeds in the presence of witnesses - in the land of Benjamin, the environs of Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, (vs. 44a).
      c. The Lord will, indeed, restore the fortunes of His disciplined people! (vs. 44b).