Jeremiah's Prison Ministry
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INTRODUCTION: Jeremiah was in prison in Jerusalem. The city was besieged by the Babylonians. According to Jeremiah’s own prophecy, Jerusalem would soon be destroyed and the people of Israel would be taken into captivity. In the midst of this turmoil, the Lord commanded Jeremiah to buy a field from his cousin in his home town of Anathoth. Jeremiah was unlikely to get any benefit from the field, but he was to buy it anyway. God used this event to promise future restoration of Israel. Fields would again be bought and sold in the land. This was a message of hope and promise in a time of destruction.
- THE PURCHASE OF THE FIELD (Jeremiah 32:1-15 [1] The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar.
[2] For then the king of Babylon's army besieged Jerusalem: and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison, which was in the king of Judah's house.
[3] For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, Wherefore dost thou prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;
[4] And Zedekiah king of Judah shall not escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans, but shall surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, and shall speak with him mouth to mouth, and his eyes shall behold his eyes;
[5] And he shall lead Zedekiah to Babylon, and there shall he be until I visit him, saith the LORD: though ye fight with the Chaldeans, ye shall not prosper.
[6] And Jeremiah said, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
[7] Behold, Hanameel the son of Shallum thine uncle shall come unto thee saying, Buy thee my field that is in Anathoth: for the right of redemption is thine to buy it.
[8] So Hanameel mine uncle's son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the LORD, and said unto me, Buy my field, I pray thee, that is in Anathoth, which is in the country of Benjamin: for the right of inheritance is thine, and the redemption is thine; buy it for thyself. Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD.
[9] And I bought the field of Hanameel my uncle's son, that was in Anathoth, and weighed him the money, even seventeen shekels of silver.
[10] And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances.
[11] So I took the evidence of the purchase, both that which was sealed according to the law and custom, and that which was open:
[12] And I gave the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, in the sight of Hanameel mine uncle's son, and in the presence of the witnesses that subscribed the book of the purchase, before all the Jews that sat in the court of the prison.
[13] And I charged Baruch before them, saying,
[14] Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Take these evidences, this evidence of the purchase, both which is sealed, and this evidence which is open; and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may continue many days.
[15] For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land.
See All...) - The Time of the Purchase (Jeremiah 32:1-5 [1] The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar.
[2] For then the king of Babylon's army besieged Jerusalem: and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison, which was in the king of Judah's house.
[3] For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, Wherefore dost thou prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;
[4] And Zedekiah king of Judah shall not escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans, but shall surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, and shall speak with him mouth to mouth, and his eyes shall behold his eyes;
[5] And he shall lead Zedekiah to Babylon, and there shall he be until I visit him, saith the LORD: though ye fight with the Chaldeans, ye shall not prosper.
See All...) - During the siege of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 32:1-2 [1] The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar.
[2] For then the king of Babylon's army besieged Jerusalem: and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison, which was in the king of Judah's house.
See All...) - In the 10th year of Zedekiah (Jeremiah 32:1The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar.
See All...) - In the 18th year of Nebuchadrezzar (Jeremiah 32:1The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar.
See All...) - As the king of Babylon’s army had besieged Jerusalem (Jeremiah 32:2For then the king of Babylon's army besieged Jerusalem: and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison, which was in the king of Judah's house.
See All...) - During the imprisonment of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 32:2-3 [2] For then the king of Babylon's army besieged Jerusalem: and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison, which was in the king of Judah's house.
[3] For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, Wherefore dost thou prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;
See All...) - In Jerusalem (Jeremiah 32:2For then the king of Babylon's army besieged Jerusalem: and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison, which was in the king of Judah's house.
See All...) - In the court of the prison, which was in the king of Judah’s house (Jeremiah 32:2For then the king of Babylon's army besieged Jerusalem: and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison, which was in the king of Judah's house.
See All...) - Where Zedekiah had shut him up for preaching the word of the Lord (Jeremiah 32:3-5 [3] For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, Wherefore dost thou prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;
[4] And Zedekiah king of Judah shall not escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans, but shall surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, and shall speak with him mouth to mouth, and his eyes shall behold his eyes;
[5] And he shall lead Zedekiah to Babylon, and there shall he be until I visit him, saith the LORD: though ye fight with the Chaldeans, ye shall not prosper.
See All...) - The city would be given into the hand of the king of Babylon (Jeremiah 32:3For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, Wherefore dost thou prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;
See All...). - Zedekiah would not escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans (Jeremiah 32:4And Zedekiah king of Judah shall not escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans, but shall surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, and shall speak with him mouth to mouth, and his eyes shall behold his eyes;
See All...). - Zedekiah would be led to Babylon (Jeremiah 32:5And he shall lead Zedekiah to Babylon, and there shall he be until I visit him, saith the LORD: though ye fight with the Chaldeans, ye shall not prosper.
See All...). - The Call to Purchase (Jeremiah 32:6-7 [6] And Jeremiah said, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
[7] Behold, Hanameel the son of Shallum thine uncle shall come unto thee saying, Buy thee my field that is in Anathoth: for the right of redemption is thine to buy it.
See All...) - Hanameel, Jeremiah’s cousin, would pay Jeremiah a visit (Jeremiah 32:7Behold, Hanameel the son of Shallum thine uncle shall come unto thee saying, Buy thee my field that is in Anathoth: for the right of redemption is thine to buy it.
See All...). - He would ask Jeremiah to buy his field in Anathoth (Jeremiah 32:7Behold, Hanameel the son of Shallum thine uncle shall come unto thee saying, Buy thee my field that is in Anathoth: for the right of redemption is thine to buy it.
See All...). - The right of redemption belonged unto Jeremiah (Jeremiah 32:7Behold, Hanameel the son of Shallum thine uncle shall come unto thee saying, Buy thee my field that is in Anathoth: for the right of redemption is thine to buy it.
See All...). - His right by reason of his family relationship
- A picture of the inheritance which is our right because of our entry into the family of God by salvation (Romans 8:32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
See All...; Ephesians 2:10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
See All...) - The Purchase (Jeremiah 32:8-9 [8] So Hanameel mine uncle's son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the LORD, and said unto me, Buy my field, I pray thee, that is in Anathoth, which is in the country of Benjamin: for the right of inheritance is thine, and the redemption is thine; buy it for thyself. Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD.
[9] And I bought the field of Hanameel my uncle's son, that was in Anathoth, and weighed him the money, even seventeen shekels of silver.
See All...) - The confirmation of the word of the LORD (Jeremiah 32:8So Hanameel mine uncle's son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the LORD, and said unto me, Buy my field, I pray thee, that is in Anathoth, which is in the country of Benjamin: for the right of inheritance is thine, and the redemption is thine; buy it for thyself. Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD.
See All...) - Hanameel came unto Jeremiah.
- Hanameel asked Jeremiah to buy his field.
- Jeremiah knew it was the word of the LORD.
- Jeremiah purchased the field in obedience to the LORD (Jeremiah 32:9And I bought the field of Hanameel my uncle's son, that was in Anathoth, and weighed him the money, even seventeen shekels of silver.
See All...). - He bought the field.
- He weighed him the money, 17 shekels of silver.
- Abraham paid 400 shekels for the cave of Machpeleh (Genesis 23:9-16 [9] That he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath, which is in the end of his field; for as much money as it is worth he shall give it me for a possession of a buryingplace amongst you.
[10] And Ephron dwelt among the children of Heth: and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the audience of the children of Heth, even of all that went in at the gate of his city, saying,
[11] Nay, my lord, hear me: the field give I thee, and the cave that is therein, I give it thee; in the presence of the sons of my people give I it thee: bury thy dead.
[12] And Abraham bowed down himself before the people of the land.
[13] And he spake unto Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, But if thou wilt give it, I pray thee, hear me: I will give thee money for the field; take it of me, and I will bury my dead there.
[14] And Ephron answered Abraham, saying unto him,
[15] My lord, hearken unto me: the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.
[16] And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant.
See All...). - David paid 50 shekels for the threshingfloor and oxen of Araunah (2 Samuel 24:24And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
See All...). - The price of 17 shekels for the field seems low and odd.
- It was a time when the country was disintegrating.
- Jeremiah was in prison in Jerusalem.
- Perhaps it was all he could afford.
- The Legality of the Purchase (Jeremiah 32:10-14 [10] And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances.
[11] So I took the evidence of the purchase, both that which was sealed according to the law and custom, and that which was open:
[12] And I gave the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, in the sight of Hanameel mine uncle's son, and in the presence of the witnesses that subscribed the book of the purchase, before all the Jews that sat in the court of the prison.
[13] And I charged Baruch before them, saying,
[14] Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Take these evidences, this evidence of the purchase, both which is sealed, and this evidence which is open; and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may continue many days.
See All...) - The evidence (Jeremiah 32:10-11 [10] And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances.
[11] So I took the evidence of the purchase, both that which was sealed according to the law and custom, and that which was open:
See All...) - Sealed evidence
- Subscribed by Jeremiah and the witnesses (Jeremiah 32:10And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances.
See All..., 12) - Sealed by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 32:10And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances.
See All...) - Sealed according to the law and custom (Jeremiah 32:11So I took the evidence of the purchase, both that which was sealed according to the law and custom, and that which was open:
See All...) - Open evidence – Very likely the same as the sealed evidence only open to the public view (Jeremiah 32:10And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances.
See All..., 14) - The transfer of money (Jeremiah 32:10And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances.
See All...) - The delivery of the evidence (Jeremiah 32:11-12 [11] So I took the evidence of the purchase, both that which was sealed according to the law and custom, and that which was open:
[12] And I gave the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, in the sight of Hanameel mine uncle's son, and in the presence of the witnesses that subscribed the book of the purchase, before all the Jews that sat in the court of the prison.
See All...) - Delivered by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 32:11So I took the evidence of the purchase, both that which was sealed according to the law and custom, and that which was open:
See All...) - Delivered unto Baruch the scribe (Jeremiah 32:12And I gave the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, in the sight of Hanameel mine uncle's son, and in the presence of the witnesses that subscribed the book of the purchase, before all the Jews that sat in the court of the prison.
See All...) - Delivered in the presence of witnesses (Jeremiah 32:12And I gave the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, in the sight of Hanameel mine uncle's son, and in the presence of the witnesses that subscribed the book of the purchase, before all the Jews that sat in the court of the prison.
See All...) - Hanameel
- The witnesses that subscribed the book of the purchase
- All the Jews that sat in the court of the prison
- The preservation of the evidence (Jeremiah 32:13-14 [13] And I charged Baruch before them, saying,
[14] Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Take these evidences, this evidence of the purchase, both which is sealed, and this evidence which is open; and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may continue many days.
See All...) - Charged to Baruch (Jeremiah 32:13And I charged Baruch before them, saying,
See All...) - Preserved in an earthen vessel (Jeremiah 32:14Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Take these evidences, this evidence of the purchase, both which is sealed, and this evidence which is open; and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may continue many days.
See All...) - Preserved for many days (Jeremiah 32:14Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Take these evidences, this evidence of the purchase, both which is sealed, and this evidence which is open; and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may continue many days.
See All...); Note: The evidence was to be preserved only until it would no longer be necessary. The Lord promises to preserve His word forever (Psalm 12:6-7 [6] The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. [7] Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
See All...). - The Message of the Purchase (Jeremiah 32:15For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land.
See All...) - The diligence to purchase legally suggested that it will matter in the future.
- The purchase was God’s promise that Israel would again live in the land.
- THE PRAYER OF THE PROPHET (Jeremiah 32:16-25 [16] Now when I had delivered the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed unto the LORD, saying,
[17] Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:
[18] Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name,
[19] Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:
[20] Which hast set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, even unto this day, and in Israel, and among other men; and hast made thee a name, as at this day;
[21] And hast brought forth thy people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs, and with wonders, and with a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with great terror;
[22] And hast given them this land, which thou didst swear to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey;
[23] And they came in, and possessed it; but they obeyed not thy voice, neither walked in thy law; they have done nothing of all that thou commandedst them to do: therefore thou hast caused all this evil to come upon them:
[24] Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans, that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence: and what thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold, thou seest it.
[25] And thou hast said unto me, O Lord GOD, Buy thee the field for money, and take witnesses; for the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.
See All...) - His Person – Who He Is (Jeremiah 32:16-19 [16] Now when I had delivered the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed unto the LORD, saying,
[17] Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:
[18] Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name,
[19] Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:
See All...) - He is all-powerful (Jeremiah 32:17Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:
See All..., 27; Luke 1:37For with God nothing shall be impossible.
See All...). - He made heaven and earth by His great power and stretched out arm.
- There is nothing too hard for Him.
- He is just (Jeremiah 32:18Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name,
See All...). - He shews lovingkindness unto thousands; this speaks of God drawing men to repentance and to Himself through various trials (Psalm 107).
- He will recompense the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children.
- His has an exalted name (Jeremiah 32:18Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name,
See All...). - The Great
- The Mighty God
- The LORD of hosts
- He is all-wise (Jeremiah 32:19Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:
See All...; Romans 11:33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
See All...). - He is great in counsel.
- His eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men.
- To give every one according to his ways
- To give every one according to the fruit of his doings
- His Work – What He Does (Jeremiah 32:20-25 [20] Which hast set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, even unto this day, and in Israel, and among other men; and hast made thee a name, as at this day;
[21] And hast brought forth thy people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs, and with wonders, and with a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with great terror;
[22] And hast given them this land, which thou didst swear to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey;
[23] And they came in, and possessed it; but they obeyed not thy voice, neither walked in thy law; they have done nothing of all that thou commandedst them to do: therefore thou hast caused all this evil to come upon them:
[24] Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans, that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence: and what thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold, thou seest it.
[25] And thou hast said unto me, O Lord GOD, Buy thee the field for money, and take witnesses; for the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.
See All...) - He reveals Himself to man (Jeremiah 32:20Which hast set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, even unto this day, and in Israel, and among other men; and hast made thee a name, as at this day;
See All...; Psalm 65:2O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.
See All...). - He set signs and wonders.
- In the land of Egypt
- In Israel
- Among other men
- He made Himself a name.
- He delivers man from harm (Jeremiah 32:21And hast brought forth thy people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs, and with wonders, and with a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with great terror;
See All...; Psalm 4:8I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
See All...). - He brought Israel out of Egypt.
- He delivered them by multiple means.
- With signs and wonders
- With a strong hand
- With a stretched out arm
- With great terror
- He keeps His promises (Jeremiah 32:22-24 [22] And hast given them this land, which thou didst swear to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey;
[23] And they came in, and possessed it; but they obeyed not thy voice, neither walked in thy law; they have done nothing of all that thou commandedst them to do: therefore thou hast caused all this evil to come upon them:
[24] Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans, that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence: and what thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold, thou seest it.
See All...). - To give blessings (Jeremiah 32:22And hast given them this land, which thou didst swear to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey;
See All...; Luke 19:10For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
See All...) - He gave Israel their land.
- According as He had promised their fathers
- To bring judgment (Jeremiah 32:23-24 [23] And they came in, and possessed it; but they obeyed not thy voice, neither walked in thy law; they have done nothing of all that thou commandedst them to do: therefore thou hast caused all this evil to come upon them:
[24] Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans, that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence: and what thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold, thou seest it.
See All...; Acts 17:31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
See All...) - The Israelites disobeyed the Lord in the land (Jeremiah 32:23And they came in, and possessed it; but they obeyed not thy voice, neither walked in thy law; they have done nothing of all that thou commandedst them to do: therefore thou hast caused all this evil to come upon them:
See All...). - Therefore the Lord had caused evil to come upon them (Jeremiah 32:23-24 [23] And they came in, and possessed it; but they obeyed not thy voice, neither walked in thy law; they have done nothing of all that thou commandedst them to do: therefore thou hast caused all this evil to come upon them:
[24] Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans, that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence: and what thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold, thou seest it.
See All...). - By the sword
- By the famine
- By the pestilence
- His Present Working (Jeremiah 32:25And thou hast said unto me, O Lord GOD, Buy thee the field for money, and take witnesses; for the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.
See All...) - He spoke to Jeremiah.
- He instructed Jeremiah to buy a field with witnesses to suggest a future restoration.
- Even though the city was currently given into the hand of the Chaldeans
- THE PROMISES OF THE LORD (Jeremiah 32:26-44 [26] Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying,
[27] Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
[28] Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the Chaldeans, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and he shall take it:
[29] And the Chaldeans, that fight against this city, shall come and set fire on this city, and burn it with the houses, upon whose roofs they have offered incense unto Baal, and poured out drink offerings unto other gods, to provoke me to anger.
[30] For the children of Israel and the children of Judah have only done evil before me from their youth: for the children of Israel have only provoked me to anger with the work of their hands, saith the LORD.
[31] For this city hath been to me as a provocation of mine anger and of my fury from the day that they built it even unto this day; that I should remove it from before my face,
[32] Because of all the evil of the children of Israel and of the children of Judah, which they have done to provoke me to anger, they, their kings, their princes, their priests, and their prophets, and the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
[33] And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction.
[34] But they set their abominations in the house, which is called by my name, to defile it.
[35] And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.
[36] And now therefore thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city, whereof ye say, It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence;
[37] Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine 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:
[38] And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:
[39] And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:
[40] And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.
[41] Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul.
[42] For thus saith the LORD; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them.
[43] And fields shall be bought in this land, whereof ye say, It is desolate without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.
[44] Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal them, and take witnesses in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountains, and in the cities of the valley, and in the cities of the south: for I will cause their captivity to return, saith the LORD.
See All...) - The Foundation of the Promises (Jeremiah 32:26-27 [26] Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying,
[27] Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
See All...) - The promises given by the Lord (Jeremiah 32:26Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying,
See All...) - The promises stand or fall upon the Lord (Jeremiah 32:27Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
See All...). - He is the LORD.
- He is the God of all flesh.
- Nothing is too hard for me.
- The Deliverance of Jerusalem to the Babylonians (Jeremiah 32:28-29 [28] Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the Chaldeans, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and he shall take it:
[29] And the Chaldeans, that fight against this city, shall come and set fire on this city, and burn it with the houses, upon whose roofs they have offered incense unto Baal, and poured out drink offerings unto other gods, to provoke me to anger.
See All...) - The Lord will give Israel into the hand of the Chaldeans (Jeremiah 32:28Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the Chaldeans, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and he shall take it:
See All...). - The Lord will give Israel into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar (Jeremiah 32:28Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the Chaldeans, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and he shall take it:
See All...). - The judgment was in response to idolatry (Jeremiah 32:29And the Chaldeans, that fight against this city, shall come and set fire on this city, and burn it with the houses, upon whose roofs they have offered incense unto Baal, and poured out drink offerings unto other gods, to provoke me to anger.
See All...). - The Disobedience of the People of God (Jeremiah 32:30-35 [30] For the children of Israel and the children of Judah have only done evil before me from their youth: for the children of Israel have only provoked me to anger with the work of their hands, saith the LORD.
[31] For this city hath been to me as a provocation of mine anger and of my fury from the day that they built it even unto this day; that I should remove it from before my face,
[32] Because of all the evil of the children of Israel and of the children of Judah, which they have done to provoke me to anger, they, their kings, their princes, their priests, and their prophets, and the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
[33] And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction.
[34] But they set their abominations in the house, which is called by my name, to defile it.
[35] And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.
See All...) - They have only done evil from their youth (Jeremiah 32:30For the children of Israel and the children of Judah have only done evil before me from their youth: for the children of Israel have only provoked me to anger with the work of their hands, saith the LORD.
See All...). - They have provoked the Lord to anger (Jeremiah 32:30-32 [30] For the children of Israel and the children of Judah have only done evil before me from their youth: for the children of Israel have only provoked me to anger with the work of their hands, saith the LORD.
[31] For this city hath been to me as a provocation of mine anger and of my fury from the day that they built it even unto this day; that I should remove it from before my face,
[32] Because of all the evil of the children of Israel and of the children of Judah, which they have done to provoke me to anger, they, their kings, their princes, their priests, and their prophets, and the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
See All...). - The means of provocation - By the work of their hands (Jeremiah 32:30For the children of Israel and the children of Judah have only done evil before me from their youth: for the children of Israel have only provoked me to anger with the work of their hands, saith the LORD.
See All...) - The participants of provocation (Jeremiah 32:31-32 [31] For this city hath been to me as a provocation of mine anger and of my fury from the day that they built it even unto this day; that I should remove it from before my face,
[32] Because of all the evil of the children of Israel and of the children of Judah, which they have done to provoke me to anger, they, their kings, their princes, their priests, and their prophets, and the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
See All...) - The city of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 32:31For this city hath been to me as a provocation of mine anger and of my fury from the day that they built it even unto this day; that I should remove it from before my face,
See All...) - From the day they built it
- Even unto this day
- That I should remove it from before my face
- All the children of Israel and of Judah (Jeremiah 32:32Because of all the evil of the children of Israel and of the children of Judah, which they have done to provoke me to anger, they, their kings, their princes, their priests, and their prophets, and the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
See All...) - Their kings
- Their princes
- Their priests
- Their prophets
- Their men
- They have turned their back unto the Lord (Jeremiah 32:33And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction.
See All...). - Their response
- They turned their backs unto God.
- They did not turn their faces unto God.
- They hearkened not to receive instruction.
- Note: The turning of the back or shoulder much like the stiffness of neck is a picture of rebellion and refusal to listen to the Lord (Jeremiah 2:27Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.
See All...; Jeremiah 7:24But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.
See All...; Jeremiah 18:17I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will shew them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity.
See All...; Zechariah 7:11But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.
See All...). - God’s efforts – He taught them, rising up early.
- They have worshipped other gods (Jeremiah 32:34-35 [34] But they set their abominations in the house, which is called by my name, to defile it.
[35] And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.
See All...). - They set their abominations in the Lord’s house (Jeremiah 32:34But they set their abominations in the house, which is called by my name, to defile it.
See All...). - They built the high places of Baal (Jeremiah 32:35And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.
See All...). - In the valley of the son of Hinnom
- In order to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech
- To cause Judah to sin
- The Deliverance of the People of God (Jeremiah 32:36-44 [36] And now therefore thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city, whereof ye say, It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence;
[37] Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine 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:
[38] And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:
[39] And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:
[40] And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.
[41] Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul.
[42] For thus saith the LORD; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them.
[43] And fields shall be bought in this land, whereof ye say, It is desolate without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.
[44] Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal them, and take witnesses in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountains, and in the cities of the valley, and in the cities of the south: for I will cause their captivity to return, saith the LORD.
See All...) - Their return from captivity (Jeremiah 32:36-37 [36] And now therefore thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city, whereof ye say, It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence;
[37] Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine 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:
See All...) - The captivity (Jeremiah 32:36And now therefore thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city, whereof ye say, It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence;
See All...) - The victim of captivity – “this city”
- The enemy of captivity – Babylon
- The means of captivity
- By the sword
- By the famine
- By the pestilence
- The promise of return (Jeremiah 32:37Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine 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:
See All...; Ezekiel 11:17-18 [17] Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel. [18] And they shall come thither, and they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations thereof from thence.
See All...; Ezekiel 36:24For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
See All...) - I will gather them out of all countries.
- Whither I have driven them
- In mine anger
- In my fury
- In great wrath
- I will bring them again unto this place.
- I will cause them to dwell safely.
- The making of a covenant (Jeremiah 32:38-40 [38] And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:
[39] And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:
[40] And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.
See All...) - The paternal nature of the covenant (Jeremiah 32:38And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:
See All...; Ezekiel 36:28And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
See All...) - They shall be my people.
- I will be their God.
- Note: There are some aspects of this covenant that are also enjoyed by the church age saint, but the covenant should not be confused with God’s dealings with the church.
- The righteous nature of the covenant (Jeremiah 32:39And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:
See All...) - God’s efforts (Ezekiel 11:19-20 [19] And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
[20] That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
See All...; Ezekiel 36:25-27 [25] Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. [26] A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. [27] And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
See All...; Hebrews 8:8-13 [8] For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: [9] Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. [10] For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: [11] And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. [12] For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. [13] In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
See All...) - I will give them one heart.
- I will give them one way.
- God’s purpose
- For the good of them
- For the good of their children
- Note: The connection to Hebrews 8, specifically Hebrews 8:11And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
See All..., provides a connection to Isaiah 2 and Jeremiah 31:32-34 [32] Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: [33] But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. [34] And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
See All... proving that this covenant is the one given to Israel in the kingdom that will be established upon the earth. - The duration of the covenant (Jeremiah 32:40And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.
See All...) - I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
- I will not turn away from them (Hebrews 10:15-17 [15] Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
[16] This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
[17] And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
See All...). - I will do them good.
- I will put my fear in their hearts.
- They shall not depart from me.
- The renewal of joy (Jeremiah 32:41-42 [41] Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul.
[42] For thus saith the LORD; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them.
See All...) - I will rejoice over them to do them good (Jeremiah 32:41Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul.
See All...). - I will plant them in this land assuredly (Jeremiah 32:41Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul.
See All...). - With my whole heart
- With my whole soul
- I will keep my promise of restoration after chastening (Jeremiah 32:42For thus saith the LORD; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them.
See All...). - Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people
- So will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them.
- The buying of fields (Jeremiah 32:43-44 [43] And fields shall be bought in this land, whereof ye say, It is desolate without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.
[44] Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal them, and take witnesses in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountains, and in the cities of the valley, and in the cities of the south: for I will cause their captivity to return, saith the LORD.
See All...) - The contrast (Jeremiah 32:43And fields shall be bought in this land, whereof ye say, It is desolate without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.
See All...) - The future – “fields shall be bought in this land.”
- The present
- It was desolate without man or beast.
- It was given into the hand of the Chaldeans.
- The promise of restoration (Jeremiah 32:44Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal them, and take witnesses in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountains, and in the cities of the valley, and in the cities of the south: for I will cause their captivity to return, saith the LORD.
See All...) - The evidence of restoration – Men shall buy fields for money.
- They will subscribe evidences.
- They will seal them.
- They will take witnesses.
- The extent of restoration
- In the land of Benjamin
- In the places about Jerusalem
- In the cities of Judah
- In the cities of the mountains
- In the cities of the valley
- In the cities of the south
- The cause of restoration – “I will cause their captivity to return.”
CONCLUSION: The Lord is clear that judgment is brought upon the people of God because of their rebellion and idolatry, but He is just as clear that He will restore the people when the chastening is past. God is equally faithful to judge and restore. His word is on the line for both.