July 10, 2020

This is a confusing passage of Jeremiah. The ESV Study Bible summarizes it as,  “This chapter resolves around God’s commanding of Jeremiah to purchase the land in Judah even though exile from the land is imminent. This seemingly irrational command (v.1-15) leads Jeremiah to question God and receiving a firm response (v.16-35) and to God’s pledge to bring the exiles home (v.36-44) [ESV Study Bible, pg. 1432].

This chapter starts out with Babylon coming against Jerusalem, which is just what God said would happen through Jeremiah. While he was imprisoned God told him that his cousin would come and ask him to buy his land and it happened… just as God said, “in accordance with the word of God” (v. 8). 

Just like we said earlier. This was a confusing purchase. The city was about to be captured. Why buy land?

Because God said so. 

We often spend so much time questioning God. We question why and act like we can see the big picture. We cannot. We can only see what is right in front of us. 

Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” When we are on a dark path with a lamp we cannot see the end of the path, we can only see the next step. God sees the end of the path. He shows us our next step. Jeremiah obeyed simply because God said so… not because it made sense.

 God had a grand plan in place to use this land for good. He had a plan for His people to return here (v.15). Thank goodness Jeremiah obeyed!

But as we see with Jeremiah… Obedience DOES NOT EQUAL clarity.

Jeremiah, even though he obeyed God, was still confused. Most of the time, in our lives, when we are confused after obedience we just give up. Not Jeremiah. He went to God and expressed his confusion.

1. He PRAISED GOD for who He is (v.16-23)

He acknowledged that God was supreme. That He is in control. That ultimately He knows what He is doing. This is a crucial step. If we start expressing confusion to God without reminding ourselves of God we often start to believe we are God. Expressing confusion to God is welcomed as long as we God is in the right place in our hearts… on the throne. 

2. He EXPRESSED confusion (v.24-25)

He clearly told God why he was confused. And He waited for God to answer. He was going to accept the answer God gave him. He was not going to argue. He was looking to the source of clarity in the midst of his confusion. We need to do this as well!

And as we will see tomorrow… God answered.

• Is there somewhere that God is asking you to obey that does not make sense?

• Express that to Him and ask Him for strength to obey.

By: Nick Parsons — Pastoral Ministry Associate – College