30 More Days... Day 28

Jer. 32:16  “Now when I had delivered the purchase deed to Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed to the LORD, saying:
Jer. 32:17 “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.
Jer. 32:18 You show lovingkindness to thousands, and repay the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them—the Great, the Mighty God, whose name is the LORD of hosts.
Jer. 32:24  “Look, the siege mounds! They have come to the city to take it; and the city has been given into the hand of the Chaldeans who fight against it, because of the sword and famine and pestilence. What You have spoken has happened; there You see it!
Jer. 32:25 And You have said to me, O Lord GOD, “Buy the field for money, and take witnesses”!—yet the city has been given into the hand of the Chaldeans.’ ”
Jer. 32:26  Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying,
Jer. 32:27 “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?

When I was in high school there was a comedian named Arsenio Hall who did one of those late night TV shows. About the only thing interesting on the show was a segment that was called “Things That Make You Say ‘Hmm’”. In fact, I don’t remember anything more about it, nor can I say that I really watched it. I guess it is just evidence of the kinds of foolish, useless stuff we get loaded with if we aren’t careful. Anyway. This segment was based on things that people said or did or signs or other things that when you looked at them they didn’t see quite right. They were strange. They were funny. They were anything but logical. Therefore, they made you say “hmm”.

This is one of those “hmm” situations. Jeremiah has been prophesying “gloom and doom” for a while now. Specifically, he has been saying that God is going to hand the city of Jerusalem over to the king of Babylon and that it will fall to the siege. Of course, this is hugely unpopular prophesying ... especially to the King of Judah, and he has Jeremiah locked away for it. While Jeremiah is in prison, God tells him that his cousin will come and offer to sell him a field and that he should buy it. This is exactly what happens and Jeremiah surmises that this is all from the Lord so he buys the field.

After having bought the field and sealed away the deeds of ownership, after having obeyed what God had led him to do Jeremiah prays for understanding.

Jeremiah was saying “Hmm”. He does it in a very respectful way, but there is still no doubt that he is saying “Hmm”. God there is nothing too hard for you. You have brought your people out of Egypt. You brought them into the land as you promised. They have disobeyed and refused to follow You. Now you will turn them over to the king of Babylon. The city is turned over to the king of Babylon. So, what is with buying the field? It doesn’t seem like a very good investment in a time of national crisis and poverty when everything is scarce and expensive, and money could be needed for other uses.

An amazing thing has happened here. Jeremiah has obeyed God when it makes no sense at all. God has given Jeremiah insider information. Jeremiah has the “inside track”. The city will fall. The real estate market is about to burst...collapse. Foreign interests are about to take over and claims to land and heredity is likely not to be recognized for very long. But God has also given Jeremiah a tip. Buy! So Jeremiah does it.

How often I want everything to make sense! How often I want to be able to see the logical outcome of a course or action! How often I hold back or can hold back because things don’t add up. Jeremiah was in just this position. He obeyed before he knew why. He acted before God revealed everything to him.

God doesn’t always reveal the whole picture to us right away. He takes us step by step looking for us to be obedient to Him. This puts Jeremiah in stark contrast with most people of his day. They wanted to see. They challenged God’s prophesies and warnings. Here Jeremiah simply obeys because God said so. He doesn’t have to know everything. Just have the assurance that it is from the Lord.

His prayer reflects his faith and at the same time his lack of understand. God there is nothing to hard for you, but this city is given over to Babylon. Both are true but I can’t make them fit together.

God answers Jeremiah. You have said it exactly Jeremiah! There is nothing to hard for me. You are right and that is all the answer. Yes I will give the city away. The real estate market will crash. Foreign interests will take over. However, that is not the end of the story. I will also bring Israel back to this land. I will establish them in it and give it to them. Jeremiah, because of his faith had secured for his heredity an inheritance in the land. It was a testimony, not only of God’s intention for the restoration of the people of Israel, but also of God’s blessing to those that in faith obeyed Him with a sincere heart.

Prayer Request
* Pray for the coming month. There will be many things happening. The University semester will start and with it new opportunities for our Student Bible Study, and prayerfully, opportunities for new outreach. Olya is planning on starting a mommy’s english group. Christian’s B-day will bring opportunities to see friends and invite people. We will probably have a couple of game nights. We will host Amy Hill and she will visit and help us during her “round the world ministry trip”. There will also be a host of other things as well. Pray for the activities and for us to make good use of those opportunities.