Jeremiah 32

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Purchase of the Field

Verse 1 of Jeremiah 32 confirms the date of the events of this chapter as 587 BC. What was already taking place in Jerusalem at that time?
We know from the prophecies in this chapter that Zedekiah would see king Nebuchadnezzar. However, in Ezekiel 12:13, God said that Zedekiah would not see Babylon, even though he would die there. How are these two portions of scripture harmonized?
The Lord told Jeremiah to redeem a piece of property for Hanameel. What relation was Hanameel to Jeremiah? Under the Law (Leviticus 25) we see that a near relative was to redeem family property that had been ______ or ______. In this case, the redemption of the property was unusual because the property was already in __________ hands.
The property to be redeemed was in the town of Anathoth, which was the hometown of _____________.
One of the important details of God’s prophetic promises in verse 37 confirms that this promise does not refer to the return of the Jewish people to their land after the 70 year captivity. Identify the phrase in verse 37 which includes this confirming detail.

The events of this chapter were occurring at the same time as the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem (v2).
Zedekiah did see (and speak with) Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah, which was a staging area for prisoners before being taken to Babylon. It was there that Zedekiah’s eyes were put out and he was then transported as a blind captive to Babylon. Therefore, he did see Nebuchadnezzar, but he never saw Babylon.
Hanameel was Jeremiah’s cousin. According to the Law, a near relative was to redeem property that had been lost or sold for some reason. The redemption was unusual in this case, as the property to be redeemed was in enemy hands.
Anathoth was the hometown of Jeremiah.
In verse 37 of Jeremiah 32, God promised that He would gather His people “out of all the countries where I have driven them.” After the 70 year captivity, His people would be gathered only from Babylon. Today the Jewish people are returning to the land from around the world (“all the countries where I have driven them”), but the in-gathering is still not complete. This prophecy is only beginning to be fulfilled.

Consider the many times in your life when you may have been uncertain about God’s leading or instructions (as was Jeremiah in verse 25). Have you sought confirmation from Him? Was God’s response to you a reminder that there is nothing too hard for Him? Discuss those instances in your life when God has proven this.

How did you respond to the most recent test of your faith regarding the generous giving of your money to the Lord’s work? Has your faith been so strengthened that even in unusual situations (such as Jeremiah faced), your response has been one of joy and obedience rather than one of hesitancy and doubt?

“They shall be My people, and I will be their God; then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them.” Jeremiah 32:38-39