Jeremiah's Prison Ministry

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INTRODUCTION: Jeremiah is in prison in Jerusalem. The city is besieged by the Babylonians. According to Jeremiah’s own prophecy, Jerusalem will soon be destroyed and the people of Israel will be taken into captivity. In the midst of this turmoil, the Lord commands Jeremiah to buy a field from his uncle in his hometown of Anathoth. Jeremiah is unlikely to get any benefit from the field, but he is to buy it anyway. God uses this event to promise future restoration of Israel. Fields will again be bought and sold in the land. This is a message of hope and promise in a time of destruction.

I.                     THE PURCHASE OF THE FIELD (32:1-15)

A.      The Time of the Purchase (32:1-5)

1.       During the siege of Jerusalem (v.1-2)

2.       During the imprisonment of Jeremiah (v.3)

3.       Facing the end of the kingdom (v.4-5)

B.      The Right of Redemption (32:7-8)

1.       His right by reason of his family relationship

2.       A picture of the inheritance which is our right because of our entry into the family of God by salvation (Romans 8:32; Ephesians 2:10)

C.      Bought to Please the Lord (32:8-9; Acts 9:6; Revelation 4:11)

D.      Paid the Required Price for the Field (32:9; Luke 14:27-30)

1.       Abraham paid 400 shekels for the cave of Machpeleh (Genesis 23:9-16)

2.       David paid 50 shekels for the threshingfloor and oxen of Araunah (2Samuel 24:24)

3.       The price of 17 shekels for the field in Anathoth seems low and odd

a.      It was a time when the country was disintegrating

b.      Jeremiah was in prison in Jerusalem

c.      Perhaps it was all he could afford

E.      Bought According to the Deed (32:10-11); a type of God’s word

1.       Sealed (Psalm 119:89)

2.       Open – meant to be understood

3.       In an earthen vessel (v.14); we take the word to others in our own earthen vessels (2Corinthians 4:17)

F.      Bought in the Sight of Witnesses (32:10-12)

G.     Preserved by the Promise of God (32:13-15; 1Peter 1:4)

II.                   THE POWER OF THE LORD (32:16-25)

A.      His Person – Who He Is (32:16-19)

1.       He is all-supreme (v.17; John 1:3; Psalm 115:15)

2.       He is all-powerful (v.17, 27; Luke 1:37)

3.       He is all-merciful (v.18)

4.       He is all-righteous (v.18); He will recompense iniquity

5.       He is all-wise (v.19; Romans 11:33)

B.      His Work – What He Does (32:20-25)

1.       He reveals Himself to man (v.20; Psalm 65:2)

2.       He delivers man from harm (v.21; Psalm 4:8)

3.       He provides man with salvation (v.22; Luke 19:10)

4.       He judges man for sin (v.23-24; Acts 17:31)

5.       He guides man to good (v.25; James 1:5)

a.      What to do – buy the field

b.      How to do – take witnesses

c.      Why to do – for the city is given (v.15)

III.                  THE PROMISES OF THE LORD (32:26-44)

A.      The Deliverance of Jerusalem to the Babylonians (32:26-29)

B.      The Disobedience of the People of God (32:30-35)

C.      The Deliverance of the People of God (32:36-44)

1.       Their return from captivity (v.36-37)

2.       The making of a covenant (v.38-40)

3.       The renewal of joy (v.41-42)

4.       The buying of fields (v.43-44)

MEMORY VERSES: Jeremiah 32:17, 27