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Text: Jeremiah 32
There is no question in Judah and Jerusalem in 587 B.C. that the Babylonian empire will destroy Judah and Jerusalem. Many Jews don’t want to accept this including the king himself. But Jeremiah’s clear explanation of the enemy facing his nation made him a traitor according to his government. There’s no question about what’s going on in anyone’s mind. But when Jeremiah says this is the hand of God’s judgment, that message is blasphemy to the Jews. So the prophet Jeremiah is imprisoned.
Faith is an investment (vss 6-12)
- As the nation deteriorates into a war, and Jeremiah sits in prison for the reproach associated with Jesus Christ, his cousin comes to him in prison with an offer to buy land. The investment advice from God is to buy the land in a warzone.
- This will be a work of faith. There is no visible reason Jeremiah should buy land in a warzone from prison.
- God’s instruction is confirmed when Jeremiah sees things happening the way God said they would.
- Faith is an investment in God’s faithfulness. It’s an investment in God’s words. The faithful must believe that God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
- As an investment, that means it has a cost. Tell the personal story of giving up a 6-figure job to pastor. The cost is measurable. It’s evidence and substance of things hoped for yet unseen.
Investment for the day of redemption (vss 13-15)
- There is no value currently to this title. So store this paperwork that is signed and sealed until the day of redemption when there is full possession of the land.
- So much of Christianity is this way that the value can’t be realized until the future. So you hold the treasure in an earthen vessel until the redemption is accomplished.
- Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
- For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
Faith and doubt (vss 16-25)
- Jeremiah is not clear on how God will work this out. He has already paid for the land by faith, but he has questions.
- Destruction is thorough on a nation God called his own in verses 22-23.
- The second problem is disobedience is the reason for the judgment. So how do you build anything back on disobedient people?
Nothing too hard for the LORD (vss 26-44)
- The city is the mother of harlots, but God will bring his true people back to this city. And this group will come from all over the world.
- Led captivity captive (vss 36-44)
- One heart, unity
- One way
- Everlasting covenant
