Walk the Talk

For years, Jeremiah preached about the destruction and restoration of Jerusalem. In the chapters before Jeremiah 32, he announced the good news of return, the New Covenant, and God's good plan for the people despite their present turmoil. Now, in Jeremiah 32, the prophet is asked a curious question. 

Jeremiah 32:6–8 (ESV) Jeremiah said, “The word of the LORD came to me: 7 Behold, Hanamel the son of Shallum your uncle will come to you and say, ‘Buy my field that is at Anathoth, for the right of redemption by purchase is yours.’ 8 Then Hanamel my cousin came to me in the court of the guard, in accordance with the word of the LORD, and said to me, ‘Buy my field that is at Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, for the right of possession and redemption is yours; buy it for yourself.’ Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD.

Jeremiah follows through. He buys the field and calls his assistant Baruch to put the deed of purchase in a long-lasting container. 

Jeremiah 32:13–15 (ESV) I charged Baruch in their presence, saying, 14 ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Take these deeds, both this sealed deed of purchase and this open deed, and put them in an earthenware vessel, that they may last for a long time. 15 For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land.’

The strange thing is that Jeremiah is buying conquered land from a future exile. This purchase would mean nothing if the Word of the Lord proved false that he has spent so many years preaching. What God is asking Jeremiah to do is simple: Walk the Talk. 

It is not enough for preachers and teachers of the Word to tell others what God is doing or has done. They must believe it and live it. They must bank their lives on it. In Jeremiah's case, he has to pay the price for the land and publicly show the people he was 100% confident of the restoration of this nation to the promised land.  

As James wrote:

James 2:26 (ESV) For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

After the purchase, Jeremiah PRAYS to the LORD.

Jeremiah 32:16–17 (ESV) “After I had given the deed of purchase to Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed to the LORD, saying: 17 ‘Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.

The following verses are an incredible proclamation of all that God has done for Israel from Egypt to this point. When you act on faith, the best thing to do is worship and glorify God. Don't talk to people; they may only tear you down or get you to question what you've done! Prayer keeps us focused on the One we aim to please and reminds us that He is greater no matter what we face. Nothing is too hard for Him!

Jeremiah then summarizes the nation's sins again and reminds them that this exile is the result of turning their backs on the Lord. In case you feel the Lord was too harsh, verse 35 puts their evil in perspective. 

Jeremiah 32:35 (ESV) They built the high places of Baal in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to offer up their sons and daughters to Molech, though I did not command them, nor did it enter into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.

Finally, Jeremiah 32 ends with a reconfirmation that God will return the people to the land. 

Jeremiah 32:37–40 (ESV) Behold, I will gather them from all the countries to which I drove them in my anger and my wrath and in great indignation. I will bring them back to this place, and I will make them dwell in safety. 38 And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. 39 I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. 40 I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me.

The present circumstance in which Jeremiah wrote was bleak! His purchase of the land seemed foolish. But so are the actions of those who know that in spite of the many troubles we may face in this world, our heart is lifted up because we know the end of this world is ultimately the presence of God among His people in peace! We are pressed but not crushed because we know how it ends, and our hope keeps pressing on when the world seems so out of whack.