Jeremiah 32

CHAPTERS 32 AND 33THEME: Imprisoned Jeremiah buys real estate; coming Kingdom as promised to DavidIn chapter 32 Jeremiah is in prison, and Jerusalem is under siege by Nebuchadnezzar; yet Jeremiah buys a piece of real estate in Anathoth!

Jeremiah 32:1

Notice how Jeremiah pinpoints the time: it was “the tenth year of Zedekiah,” the year Nebuchadnezzar breached the walls of Jerusalem and destroyed it. It was a dark day indeed.

Jeremiah 32:7

The Lord told Jeremiah that he would have the opportunity to buy a piece of land from his relative, Hanameel.

Jeremiah 32:9

At the darkest hour in Judah’s history, Jeremiah buys real estatethis was the time to be selling real estate! I imagine that the real estate men in Jerusalem and the surrounding country were dumping all the real estate they possibly could. Why did Jeremiah buy this piece of land at this time? It was to show the people he believed God when He said that they were going to return to the land. This is very remarkable. But Jeremiah had a question which was too hard for him to answer, and in the following verses he brings this question to the Lord in prayer.

Jeremiah 32:16

Jeremiah’s question is too hard for him to answer, but it is not too hard for God. In verses Jer_32:18 through Jer_32:23, Jeremiah recounts the way the Lord has protected and provided for Israel down through her history, but now the situation is very grave.

Jeremiah 32:24

Jeremiah is no hypocrite. He trusts the God who made heaven and earth, the God who had so wonderfully cared for Israel. But now the Chaldeans are right outside the city and are going to take it; yet God told Jeremiah to buy a field. He obeyed, but it didn’t make good sense to him. So he brings his question to the Lord. My friend, there is nothing wrong with asking why. If you have a doubt or a question, talk to the Lord about it. That is what He wants us to do. Just don’t put up this pious hypocritical front that we sometimes see. While he says he trusts the Lord, he is crying and complaining and asking why. Let’s be honest like Jeremiah. He obeyed the Lord, but he admitted his doubts, taking them to the Lord in prayer. God answers Jeremiah’s prayer in verses Jer_32:26 through Jer_32:44.

Jeremiah 32:26

The Lord begins by putting down the axiom that nothing is too hard for Him.

Jeremiah 32:36

God is delivering the city over to the Chaldeans, and in His own time He will deliver the city from the Chaldeans.

Jeremiah 32:41

Now Jehovah is delivering Judah unto judgment. In a future day, He will deliver them in mercythis is His promise. When we go to God and let Him know how we feel, He will encourage our hearts as He did for Jeremiah. Oh, my friend, He wants you to come to Him. The day is very dark for Judah, but God allows Jeremiah to look down through the tunnel to where light can be seen at the other end. In chapter 33 God confirms and reaffirms the covenant that He made with David. There is a day coming when He will restore the people to the land of Israel and to fellowship with Himself.