6 Jeremiah said, "The word of the LORD came to me: 7 Hanamel son of Shallum your uncle is going to come to you and say, 'Buy my field at Anathoth, because as nearest relative it is your right and duty to buy it.'
8 "Then, just as the LORD had said, my cousin Hanamel came to me in the courtyard of the guard and said, 'Buy my field at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. Since it is your right to redeem it and possess it, buy it for yourself.'
26 Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: 27 "I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? 28 Therefore, this is what the LORD says: I am about to hand this city over to the Babylonians and to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who will capture it. 29 The Babylonians who are attacking this city will come in and set it on fire; they will burn it down, along with the houses where the people provoked me to anger by burning incense on the roofs to Baal and by pouring out drink offerings to other gods. 30 "The people of Israel and Judah have done nothing but evil in my sight from their youth; indeed, the people of Israel have done nothing but provoke me with what their hands have made, declares the LORD.
37 I 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. 38 They will be my people, and I will be their God. 39 I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them. 40 I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. 41 I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul.
Obeying God's call in your life, generally leads to a higher level of struggle with the enemy, our emotions within and oppression from without. Dealing with doubt and oppression, sometimes seem overwhelming and often frustrates even the most dedicated.
Each of us must clearly understand 1 point in our following God's plan, HE prepares those HE calls for their part in serving HIM.
In the previous chapters of Jeremiah, we find God has given the Prophet Jeremiah a clear WORD as to the near future of Judah. For having turned away from God in disobedience, the Babylonians have beseiged Jerusalem. For having obediently spoken God's WORD to the people of Judah, King Zedekiah had imprisoned Jeremiah, first in a dry well or cistern, and them moved him into the courtyard of the palace. When opposition presents itself, we must listen to Holy Spirit for quidance and instruction, God chooses to show HIMSELF in ways that our carnal minds often find strange. Through spiritual understanding, are to find God at work on our behalf.
Hanamel, the son of Shallum, a cousin of Jeremiah's came to him with a request. God revealed to Jeremiah beforehand of the proposition to purchase a parcel of land, which belonged to their family. Traditionally, a relative would purchase from relative in order that the inheritance be kept in the family. Christ purchased our souls with a ransom too steep for any man to pay. Reclaiming us as family, restoring us into fellowship and relationship with God our Father.
As Jeremiah was obviously ridiculed for his seemingly useless purchase of land that would soon become part of the Babylonian conquest, obedience to God proved that a far greater purpose was in God's plan. Returning from exile many years later, the relatives of Jeremiah's family could lawfully reclaim this property and thus fulfill the right of inheritance. Just as we become heirs and joint heirs with Christ, through HIS purchase with HIS own blood, we are entitled to our inheritance of eternal life by way of HIS sacrifice 2000 years ago.
As Jeremiah records for us to read and see how God allowed the Israelites to become captives of the Chaldeans, of which Nebuchadnezzar was King of Babylon, it is of great importance to understand God's reasoning for this. Because the Israelites had turned away from worshiping Jehovah God, and were worshiping and sacrificing to other gods, oppression and persecution came upon them in 587 B.C. when Jerusalem was captured and the people were taken captive for some 50 years.
Often we see trials that are as equally disturbing, yet God's plan takes shape, and we are eventually delivered from the enemy. This reaffirms HIS faithfullness to us, in that we lay our burdens and cares upon HIM, trusting HIM totally for our safety and provisions. Just as the Israelites were persecuted and even killed because of disobedience, God restored them to their rightful inheritance when they returned to HIM in submission and obedience. This is symbolic of what God promises us when we are disobedient for a time, yet through conviction of Holy Spirit, we come back to HIM to receive forgiveness and restoration.
God has a purpose for each of us in HIS Kingdom, and HIS plan requires our obedience in service to HIM. For a result of an increase in HIS Kingdom, such as the farmer that plants the seed and cultivates the soil, we are to be doing our part in HIS work.
Allowing Holy Spirit to reveal God's plan to us is of major importance, just as it was for Jeremiah to listen and then do what God told him to. Actions are the result of our faith, where God will bless those who are faithful, punish those who are unfaithful and disobedient, and restore us into fellowship under the Covenant HE established throught Christ.
We may not fully understand God's plan, but we can know for sure and without doubt, God DOES have a Plan for our lives!!!
