21 August

Bible In 365 Days                     

Jeremiah 32-34

Jeremiah 32

The next of the prophecies of hope consists of the account of Jeremiah's purchase of a field in Anathoth, with the interpretation of the suggestiveness of the action. While he was still in prison through the opposition of Zedekiah, the word of the Lord came to him, informing him of the coming of Hanamel his cousin, requesting him to buy a field in Anathoth. Knowing that this was the will of God, he purchased the field, and declared in the presence of witnesses that his purchase was a sign that houses and fields and vineyards would yet be bought in the land.

Notwithstanding this, the outlook seemed so contrary to any such expectation that Jeremiah inquired of the Lord how the prophecy he had uttered could be fulfilled. This inquiry was introduced by an ascription of praise to God, and a description of the wonder of His dealing with His people.

Jehovah's answer to his inquiry consisted, first, of an all-inclusive general affirmation of His Being and power, coupled with an inquiry whether anything was too hard for Him. The word of the Lord then proceeded to declare to Jeremiah the certainty of the judgment which he had already foretold, and the reasons for it.

Finally, that word of the Lord announced the divine determination to gather His people together from all the countries, and declared the resulting restoration of prosperity, so that what Jeremiah had declared to his cousin and the witnesses would become true.

Jeremiah 33

Following the story of the purchase of the field in Anathoth, with its signification, is a song of the ultimate restoration therein foretold.

The song first celebrates the restoration of the people and the cities. This is described in its moral and material aspects, and in that order. The people are to be cleansed from their iniquity, and the city is to become "a name of joy" to Jehovah in the consciousness of all the peoples of the earth. The moral restoration will be manifested in a material one. The place, waste and desolate and without inhabitant, will again become the center of family life, and of joy and of prosperity. The establishment of the restored order is to be associated with the coming of One who is described as the "Branch of righteousness." In His Person the two offices of King and Priest are to be united, and the result of His administration will be that Judah shall be saved and Jerusalem dwell safely.

Again the promise is confirmed by, the solemn affirmation of Jehovah that if men can break His Covenant of day and night, then also may His covenant with David and with the priests he broken. The promise is not only sure but gracious, and as the host of heaven cannot be numbered so will the seed of His servant be multiplied. Jehovah declares Himself to be conscious of the murmuring and unbelief of the people which finds expression in their declaration that Jehovah has cast off the kingly and priestly families. He declares again that in spite of such unbelief, His Covenant with His ancient servants is as sure as day and night.

Jeremiah 34

Chapters thirty-four and thirty-five contain prophecies of the siege. The armies of Nebuchadnezzar were round about Jerusalem, and Jehovah declared to Zedekiah that the king of Babylon would be successful, that the city would be taken and burned with fire, and that he himself would be carried captive to Babylon. Nevertheless, the word of Jehovah concerning Zedekiah was that he should not die by the sword, but in peace.

The next prophecy is a denunciation of the king for the false covenant he had made with the man servants and maid servants. Freedom had been promised to them, but they had been compelled to return to subjection and to slavery. This was a sin against the express Covenant God had made with His people, that the slaves should be set free every seventh year.

Because of this breaking of the Covenant and oppression of the people, Jehovah would fling them out, as the prophet satirically declared, to the liberty of the sword, pestilence, and famine. In this prophecy one of the sins which characterized the times is clearly manifest-oppression of the poor and helpless, against which the indignation of Jehovah is graphically set forth.