Subject: Hope - Jeremiah 32-36

Jeremiah 32:15 (ESV Strong's)
For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land.’

Subject:  Hope

Jeremiah had a tough job.  He was a prophet, sent by God, to tell the nation of Israel and, specifically, the city of Jerusalem, that God was going to take them into captivity.   His message was one of surrender.  The nation heard, "surrender to the army of Babylon.".  But, his true message was, "surrender to the plan of God.".  There is a difference.   The plan of God was to have the army of Babylon take the city and raze it.   Yet, the plan of God was to use this to discipline them and then, later bring the nation back.   This is the context of the above verses.  To demonstrate God's promise to bring them back, Jeremiah is told to purchase some land from his uncle.   He is to take the deed and put it away safely.   The picture here is powerful.   Jeremiah is in prison, himself.  He is under "siege.".  Yet, despite this captivity, he is instructed to purchase land and hide the deed for later.   This "hope" is what God has given to us.   We have our "hope" in Christ.   Despite the captivity of sin, we have this hope of final redemption.   This act of purchasing land and hiding the deed, is a visual picture of that hope.   They will, once again, return to the land to purchase land and live in the land.   God gives us a promise of hope.  We can rest upon that.  Despite the pain, suffering and tough times, we have this hope!!