Stroll through Scripture for July 13, 2025

Based on Jeremiah 32:1-15

Let’s set the stage – Babylon is besieging Jerusalem.  They have conquered all the land of Judah and continue to threaten the city.  God has pronounced judgement on Jerusalem and declares that the city will fall, the Temple will be destroyed, all who remain will be exiled.  And during such horror, God has Jeremiah buy land.  He not only is buying land, but he’s going through all the legal requirements, almost comically.  Jeremiah’s cousin, who is selling the land to Jeremiah, must think his cousin is nuts.  While the land technically belongs to him, it really doesn’t anymore. It belongs to Babylon.  Jeremiah’s cousin is just trying to recoup some of the impending loss – to get something before it is completely worthless.   And Jeremiah falls for it.  Or so it seems.  

If this scene were a play, it would look ridiculous.  There would soldiers in the background, literally on the land that is being bought and sold.  There would be devastation.  There would be despair in the city.  And Jeremiah goes to great lengths to ensure that every i is dotted and every T is crossed.  There can be no questioning his integrity, just his sanity.  

Who goes and buys a field that is occupied?  Who goes and buys a field when doom is knocking on the door?  Jeremiah, through God’s instruction.  

While the people think all is lost, God has a different plan.  The devastation will come.  It will not be good for Jerusalem.  But God will not abandon the people and has made a promise to return the people after 70 years.  God’s plans are not our plans.  God’s understanding of time is far different than our own.  What is 70 years to God after all?  

And so, Jeremiah does the crazy thing and follow’s God.  Or maybe it’s not that crazy.  Maybe the crazy thing is ignoring or willfully resisting God.  That never seems to work out.  Yet, God always keeps God’s promises.  Why is it that humans have such difficulty with trusting God, even though God always comes through?  

Questions for further reflection:

• What would seem crazy in our context today, but is an act of faithfulness?
• If this were rewritten to 2025 in America, what would God command his prophet to buy that seems insane to the masses, but actually represents God’s promise?