As Christians we view what the world does sometimes as foolish or stupid compared to what God has taught in the Bible. We need to take note of our own actions sometimes and realize that they too often seem as foolishness to the world in a similar manner. The difference is that the non-believing world either follows a god of their own making or no god at all and still they do what appears to be odd or foolish things. Sometimes for no other reason than on impulse or by reaction. The believer on the other hand if they have a true relationship with Christ is compelled by the Holy Spirit or through actions dictated with Christ in mind or with and intent to honor Him. It is often the power of Christ that compels us to do things that appear at odds with what the fallen world considers the "norm" or "status quo". We avoid teaching our children that is okay to abort children and we call abortion murder. We tell kids that we do not need the next great toy from corporate America because the neighbors have it. The newest iPhone, Wii, etc. We believe that integrity matters even at the cost of self-sacrifice, we will not cheat to win a $10 trophy. We believe that being inundated with sexual imagery and sexual innuendo everywhere we turn in society is unacceptable. That sex is for marriage and laying down our lives or loving our neighbors is more important than loving ourselves. We believe getting drunk every weekend, stoned or whacked out of our gourd is an unacceptable condition. The world sometimes views this with a tilted head and doesn't get it. The finger points and accusations of "prude", "kook", "Bible thumper" and "holy roller" often enter our personal lexicon as insults because we make no attempt to conform to the world, just as it happened in the early church...and it happened in Jeremiah's time also. Although he may not have been called a prude or holy roller, I'm sure they had unflattering labels for Jeremiah similar to "kook" from the culture that surrounded him at the time of his ministry in Jerusalem.
When we get to Jeremiah 32 in the Bible we see Jeremiah perform what the world around saw as a “stupid” or kooky nonsensical act. Jeremiah bought a field while the Babylonians were besieging Jerusalem and less than a year from overrunning it. Furthermore, Jeremiah at the time of the purchase was imprisoned in the courtyard of the guard in the royal palace for prophesying the way that he did (negatively; dark in tone). What was a man in prison in the royal palace of a besieged king going to do with land, plant flowers? In making this purchase Jeremiah put his money where his mouth was. He had faith in what God had promised regardless of the decline and destruction around him. In doing so he got some people to pay attention. Jeremiah expected to not be in prison for long nor did he have doubts that God would prosper him if he bought land. People were probably figuring he had lost his mind. The land transaction based on what the scripture states was binding and legal. Jeremiah then request that they paperwork/deed be sealed away so that it will last a long time...Jeremiah states that God of Israel had said that “Houses, fields and vineyards will again be bought in this land”.
Jeremiah then prays to the Lord starting with worship, praise of Him keeping His promises. He also prays about his trials and doubts and turns it over to Him. God tells Jeremiah that He is about to turn the city over to Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon who will capture it, set it on fire and level it to the ground because of their idolatry and rebellion against God. Some of the sins are then listed in the following verses. God also promises that He, “will surely gather them from all the lands where I banish them in my furious anger and great wrath; I will bring them back to this place and let them live in safety. They will be my people, and I will be their God.”
God will also make an everlasting covenant with them. He will never stop doing good to them, and He will inspire them to fear Him, so that they will never turn away from Him again. Then we get to the assurances about Jeremiah’s field. God will give them all the prosperity He has promised them. “Once more fields will be bought…Fields will be bought for silver, and deeds will be signed, sealed and witnessed in the territory of Benjamin, in the villages around Jerusalem, etc , etc … because I will restore their fortunes, declares the LORD."
The buying of the land is a “living example” or “faith in action” (a la James 2). Jeremiah is instilling hope in those that realize their days in Jerusalem and the nation of Israel in general are numbered. It is clear that in the immediate future Nebuchadnezzar will take over. But as is the case with all men, all of men’s institutions and and all nations...they eventually die. God and God’s promises because God never backpedals on His promises, will outlast them all because He is from everlasting to everlasting. God outlives all institutions and all empires. Jeremiah knew and believed this so he essentially bought “beachfront property in the everglades” when he bought the deed to a field that was about to be possessed by Babylon. He knew Babylon’s grip on the land would only be momentary in the timescales of empires. A blink of an eye in God’s eternity.
Additionally, there are “shades” of doubt interlaced in this chapter (especially v. 24-25). Jeremiah is not incredulous and disbelieving but rather perplexed. Judging by how scripture treats Jeremiah in this instance I seriously doubt that Jeremiah lost faith in whether God would restore Israel. I don’t think it was ever a matter of “if” for Jeremiah, only bewilderment over “how”.
Dyer, Charles., John Walvoord. "Jeremiah." Bible Knowledge Commentary Old Testament: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Bible Knowledge). Acambaro: Victor, 1985. 1169-1172. Print.
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