Bible Pathways 8/23/2000
August 23
Jeremiah 32 -- 33
Jeremiah had foretold numerous times that the ungodliness of the Israelites would result in the destruction of their nation by the Babylonian Empire. He continued to proclaim that the people would be driven from their country and that they all would be made prisoners. When the King of Babylon's army besieged Jerusalem . . . Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison (Jeremiah 32:2). Yet under such adverse circumstances when the destruction of the nation was imminent, the Lord said to Jeremiah: Buy the field with money, and take witnesses; for the city is given into the hands of the Chaldeans (32:25). Without hesitation Jeremiah paid for the land, took receipts, registered the purchase, had duplicates made out, and handed over the documents in the presence of many witnesses (32:9-12). Jeremiah's faith went beyond his preaching doom and destruction. By this business transaction he expressed his faith in the promise of God of the nation's future restoration.
This action would surely have seemed inconsistent to those who heard his warnings of approaching captivity. But Jeremiah had also publicly proclaimed that the people would be restored to the land, and this purchase of land was evidence of his faith that God was in control of Israel's destiny.
Although he could not see how God would bring it to pass, Jeremiah's decision was based on the unfailing Word of God, which assured him: Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for Me? (32:27). He also recalled Israel's history -- how God had redeemed His people from Egypt, provided for them, protected them, and settled them in the Land of Promise (32:21-22). Then Jeremiah turned his thoughts to the perplexing facts of the moment -- the actual judgment of God coming upon the nation for its wickedness. How, in the face of all this, would God's promise of restoration be fulfilled after 70 years (32:36-44)?
Jeremiah could not understand all of the ways of God, and neither can we. Furthermore, God has said: My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways (Isaiah 55:8). Then He gave Jeremiah a fresh assurance of the truth of His Word: Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, wherever I have driven them in My 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 (Jeremiah 32:37). How wonderful to know that, in the midst of the most unpromising circumstances, we can rest assured that God will be merciful and bring good out of evil. His Word remains true today: Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know (or understand) (33:3). Where there is godly living and regard to the instructions of His Word, God will honor and answer the one who prays.
God reveals Himself and His will to men in His Word, so our faith in the Word of God can be measured by the influence it has upon our conduct. We should all ask ourselves: "Does my faith mold my daily decisions? Is there any difference in my life because of my faith in the Scriptures?" The answers to these questions will reveal whether our faith is truly genuine or is just traditional "religion." If our everyday conduct is inconsistent with our public profession of faith, it proves our "faith" to be false. Faith cannot be confined merely to times of assembled worship. If it is real, it will be the fundamental principle upon which all that we do is based. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also (James 2:26).
Christ Portrayed:
By Jeremiah who acted as a kinsman-redeemer by purchasing the land of his cousin Hanameel even though he was in prison (Jeremiah 32:6-14; see also Leviticus 25:25,49; Ruth 2:20; 3:12-13). Jesus is our Kinsman-Redeemer who purchased our freedom from sin, hell, and the grave with His own blood on Calvary (I Corinthians 6:20; Hebrews 13:12).
Word Study:
32:4 mouth to mouth means face to face; 32:10 evidence means deed; 32:44 subscribe evidences means sign deeds.
BPM Staff: Ken Sharp · Pray for YWAM Discover Africa and Joseph Zintseme · Pray for the Bible Pathway International Radio Broadcast sponsored by the Lord's disciple · Country: Barbados (258,000) on the island farthest east in the West Indies · Major language: English · Religious freedom · 79% Protestant; 8% Roman Catholic · Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to reveal His will and fill you with His Spirit (Ephesians 5:17-18).
Optional Reading:
I John 5
Memory Verse for the Week:
II Thessalonians 2:11
