Jer 32:6-16 | KingComments | STEP | While Jeremiah is in prison because Zedekiah no longer wants to hear His service, the word of the LORD comes to him ( ). A prison is no hindrance to the LORD passing on His word to His prophet. He tells Jeremiah that he will be visited by his cousin Hanamel ( ). His cousin will ask him to buy his field, because he has the right of redemption ( ; ). The enemy has already taken possession of the entire land, including Anathoth. Only Jerusalem has yet to be taken. That the enemy already possesses Anathoth makes the request to buy the land remarkable. As the LORD has said, it happens. Hanamel comes to Jeremiah in his captivity and makes him the offer to buy his field ( ). He adds where the field is and why Jeremiah is being offered the field for sale. Jeremiah acknowledges in what is happening the hand of the LORD. It is a remarkable message. It is not a command, for we do not read the LORD telling Jeremiah to buy that field. All the circumstances indicate that buying a piece of land is a foolish investment. The enemy is in front of the city and it will soon be destroyed. Anathoth is already in the hands of the enemy. Jeremiah himself is in prison. Now in such a situation and with such a prospect, what is one to do with buying a piece of land? However, it is not a foolish investment if you believe that the LORD will give restoration. Rather, it is then a testimony of faith. Jeremiah also spoke of that restoration and not just the removal and destruction. The simple purchase of a field becomes an act of faith because of the circumstances.

‏ Jeremiah 32:6-16

Offer to Buy a Field

While Jeremiah is in prison because Zedekiah no longer wants to hear His service, the word of the LORD comes to him (Jer 32:6). A prison is no hindrance to the LORD passing on His word to His prophet. He tells Jeremiah that he will be visited by his cousin Hanamel (Jer 32:7). His cousin will ask him to buy his field, because he has the right of redemption (Lev 25:23-28; Rth 4:1-6). The enemy has already taken possession of the entire land, including Anathoth. Only Jerusalem has yet to be taken. That the enemy already possesses Anathoth makes the request to buy the land remarkable.

As the LORD has said, it happens. Hanamel comes to Jeremiah in his captivity and makes him the offer to buy his field (Jer 32:8). He adds where the field is and why Jeremiah is being offered the field for sale. Jeremiah acknowledges in what is happening the hand of the LORD.

It is a remarkable message. It is not a command, for we do not read the LORD telling Jeremiah to buy that field. All the circumstances indicate that buying a piece of land is a foolish investment. The enemy is in front of the city and it will soon be destroyed. Anathoth is already in the hands of the enemy. Jeremiah himself is in prison. Now in such a situation and with such a prospect, what is one to do with buying a piece of land?

However, it is not a foolish investment if you believe that the LORD will give restoration. Rather, it is then a testimony of faith. Jeremiah also spoke of that restoration and not just the removal and destruction. The simple purchase of a field becomes an act of faith because of the circumstances.

Jeremiah Buys a Field

Jeremiah, recognizing the word of the LORD through his cousin’s visit and offer, buys the field (Jer 32:9). He pays the outweighed price for it. Although Jeremiah is a prisoner, he apparently does have some freedom of action. The amount is not high. That will have to do with the situation at the time.

The transaction is recorded in a deed of purchase that Jeremiah signs (Jer 32:10). He then seals the deed and has witnesses confirm that he has paid the correct amount. The deed consists of two deeds: a sealed deed and an open deed (Jer 32:11). The sealed deed provides security; the open deed can be seen by anyone to prove that the deal was done entirely as agreed.

The sealing is regulated by law. Jeremiah gives both deeds to Baruch. Everything happens with the greatest openness (Jer 32:12). Everything is transparent and observable by all. There is no suspicion that anything is happening with hidden intentions. At the same time, it is also a testimony of faith. Jeremiah buys a piece of land also as proof of his trust in the LORD that He will give restoration.

When Jeremiah hands the deeds to Baruch, he adds a command (Jer 32:13). Baruch is to put the sealed deed and the unsealed deed in an earthenware jar (Jer 32:14). Jeremiah gives him this instruction in the Name of “the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel”. The power of God and that He is the God of His people are for faith the guarantee of His promises (cf. Jer 27:4). They are to be put into an earthenware jar, in order that both deeds may be kept for a long time and that they may be legible after that long time. When they are brought out after a long time, it will be seen that the deed left open and the sealed deed have the same content. The purchase will still be in full force.

That they will be brought out is certain. For the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says that a time will come when houses and fields and vineyards will be bought again in this land (Jer 32:15). Jeremiah’s purchase is a purchase in faith. He is doing in faith what will soon be possible for the whole land.

What happens to Jeremiah is a picture of what happens to Christ. Christ has not only been in prison, but has purchased the field, the world, with His blood (Rev 5:1-13). We see Him breaking the seals of ownership of the world because He is the rightful Owner (Rev 6:1-17). Then He comes to claim His inheritance and all believers may be present at that moment (Rev 19:11-21).

Jeremiah’s Doubts and Prayer

When the purchase is done, Jeremiah is overcome by despair and prays to the LORD (Jer 32:16). He does not report his doubts to people, but does the only right thing. He turns to the Lord GOD, Adonai Yahweh, which is the sovereign Ruler (Adonai) and the God of the covenant with His people (Yahweh) (Jer 32:17). He remembers Who the LORD is. He is the Creator of the heavens and the earth, which He made by His great power and His outstretched arm. For that great, all-powerful Creator, nothing is too difficult. That Creator proves Himself both in lovingkindness and in repayment of the iniquity to men (Jer 32:18). Also in these acts He proves to be the “great and mighty God”.

This God is “great in counsel and mighty in deed”, precisely in His ways with men to thereby give to each what is due him as a result of his actions (Jer 32:19). He is not an unmoved spectator of all that men do. Often we think so, but that is because of our limited view. That He is concerned with what happens on earth and especially with His own, He has shown in the signs and wonders He performed in Egypt, at the deliverance of His people from it (Jer 32:20). He has also shown it in Israel and to all people on earth, as it was visible at that time.

With His people He has gone a special way. He has always proven Himself to His people as the God Who has been working for them since He led them out of the land of Egypt (Jer 32:21). He has brought them into the land which He swore to their fathers to give them, the good land flowing with milk and honey (Jer 32:22). Briefly Jeremiah summarizes: “They came in and took possession of it” (Jer 32:23). Immediately he adds how they behaved in it. They have not done what the LORD has said and therefore He has made all this calamity they are now experiencing to come upon them (Neh 9:22-35).

Jeremiah, with the exclamation “behold, the siege ramps “ directs the LORD’s attention to the current situation (Jer 32:24). At the same time, he justifies the LORD. What He has said that should happen is happening. After all, the LORD sees it Himself.

Then comes his desperate question that always plays in the background of everything he has said before about the LORD and His people. How is it possible, when the situation is so hopeless because of the people’s unfaithfulness, that he had to buy a certain field with witnesses to it (Jer 32:25)? Surely the LORD does see that this purchase seems to be of no use because the city has been given into the hands of the Chaldeans, doesn’t He?