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Not All Was Lost!
209
Already advanced in years, he could never hope to receive benefit
from the purchase he had made.
[167]
However, he had a firm conviction that the Lord intended to
restore the Land of Promise to the children of the captivity. With the
eye of faith Jeremiah saw the exiles returning and reoccupying the
land of their fathers. Through the purchase of the Anathoth property
he would inspire others with the hope that brought comfort to his
own heart.
Having signed the deeds of transfer and secured the signatures
of witnesses, Jeremiah instructed Baruch his secretary, “Take these
deeds, ... and put them in an earthenware jar, in order that they may
last for a long time. For thus says the Lord of hosts ...: Houses and
fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land.”
Jeremiah
32:14, 15
, NRSV.
Jeremiah Overwhelmed With Temptation to Doubt
After arranging for the preservation of the written records,
Jeremiah found his faith severely tested. Had he acted presump-
tuously? Had he given the people ground for false hope? Could the
promises to the chosen nation ever meet with complete fulfillment?
Perplexed in spirit, the prophet appealed to God for further light
concerning the divine purpose. Nebuchadnezzar’s armies were about
to take the walls of Zion by storm. Thousands were perishing in
a last desperate defense of the city. More thousands were dying
of hunger and disease. The siege towers of the enemy’s forces
were already overlooking the walls. “Look, the siege mounds!” the
prophet prayed to God. “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! 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.”
Verses
24, 25
.
God graciously answered this prayer. “The word of the Lord
came to Jeremiah” in that hour of distress: “Behold, I am the Lord,
the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?”
Verses 26,
27
. Soon the city’s gates and palaces were to be burned; destruction