What happens when God asks you to do something that doesn't make sense?
I don't mean the crazy faith-type stuff. I mean something that seems to go against everything you know and everything you see. Not the kind of thing people applaud you for, but the kind of thing people think is stupid. Not something that you'll get a big return on, but something that seems like a waste. It's not cute, it's not fun, and you're not sure God will come through.
In Jeremiah 32, we see Jeremiah tasked by God to do a seemingly trivial task with no apparent purpose.
At the time, he is imprisoned by his own king for prophesying the impending capture of their city, Jerusalem. The wild part is, his words were coming to fruition, and Jerusalem was under attack--but people want to believe what they want to believe, am I right? Although this was an "I-told-you-so moment," it's not what this chapter is about.
God has another word for Jeremiah, but it's not His typical message of judgment on Israel for their unrepentance. Instead, God tells Jeremiah to buy some property in his hometown because his cousin is selling it. The problem is, Jeremiah has been prophesying that their land is about to be lost for 32 chapters- the property was basically worthless. And on the off-chance you thought destruction wasn't actually coming, the attack had already begun. To buy that land would be the biggest waste of time and resources.
6 Jeremiah said, “The word of the Lord came to me: 7 Behold, Hanamel the son of Shallum your uncle will come to you and say, ‘Buy my field that is at Anathoth, for the right of redemption by purchase is yours.’ 8 Then Hanamel my cousin came to me in the court of the guard, in accordance with the word of the Lord, and said to me, ‘Buy my field that is at Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, for the right of possession and redemption is yours; buy it for yourself.’
Jeremiah 32:6-8a ESV
What would you do? Start a debate with God?
"God, I don't know if you know this but we're in the middle of a war."
"Maybe you haven't seen the numbers on the value of land these days."
"Also, what exactly am I supposed to do with property while I'm in prison?"
Debates with God about who knows the most don't usually go well. Remember God's response to Job:
2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Dress for action like a man;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.
4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.
5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
Job 38:2-5 ESV
Oof. That's not a conversation I'm trying to have, and neither was Jeremiah.
When his cousin showed up asking him to buy it, Jeremiah knew it was from God...
"Then I knew that this was the word of the Lord."
Jeremiah 32:8b ESV
As far as we know, Jeremiah obeyed without much resistance. He'd seen God show up time and time again, and he's not going to discount Him now. Let's buy a field.
Jeremiah not only bought it, he paid full price for it. He went through the appropriate channels, he filled out the correct paperwork, and he didn't cut any corners. All of this was done in front of witnesses, but these witnesses weren't just a formality for the purchase of property; they were a part of witnessing the prophecy.
Jeremiah's actions revealed his confidence in God's promise.
You see, God wasn't just asking Jeremiah to obey him for no reason. And I'm guessing you know He isn't asking you to do that either. God isn't some puppet-master pulling strings for His entertainment. He has a grand plan in place that He's inviting us to be a part of.
14 ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Take these deeds, both this sealed deed of purchase and this open deed, and put them in an earthenware vessel, that they may last for a long time. 15 For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land.’"
Jeremiah 32:14-15 ESV
What seemed pointless had a point.
What seemed like a waste of time was a word from God.
Now, Jeremiah has questions. I love this part because instead of asking God before he obeyed, he comes to God after he's done what God asked. He didn't wait for answers before obeying. He did the next thing God asked him to do.
But Jeremiah is human, and he was confused. He takes his confusion to God:
"Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you..."
Jeremiah 32:17 ESV
Jeremiah begins by acknowledging who God is and what He's done--he is not confused about that. His entire prayer is a glowing review of God. Jeremiah knows Who he is talking to and knows what He can do.
God can change it.
God can turn it around.
God can do it.
God holds all wisdom.
God sees what I don't see.
God has already done so much.
But God's people messed up, and the enemy is inside the city walls:
24 Behold, the siege mounds have come up to the city to take it, and because of sword and famine and pestilence the city is given into the hands of the Chaldeans who are fighting against it. What you spoke has come to pass, and behold, you see it. 25 Yet you, O Lord God, have said to me, “Buy the field for money and get witnesses”—though the city is given into the hands of the Chaldeans.’”
Jeremiah 32:24-25 ESV
Jeremiah is pointing out that what he just did doesn't make much sense from where he's standing. He obeyed, but what's going on?
"Why did I go through all of this if it's wasted?"
"I know you are all-powerful and all-knowing, but could you let me in on that?"
"I trust you, but I have questions."
You can have faith and take steps of obedience, but still want clarity. You can do what God's asking you to do without all of the answers, and you can go to God with your questions.
Jeremiah was just like us. He wants to follow God completely, but when it doesn't make sense, the questions start to creep in. I'm sure you know what it feels like to trust what God tells you to do and then almost immediately feel waves of fear, spirals of insecurity, and whispers of doubt.
Jeremiah doesn't necessarily ask a question, but in His kindness, God gives an answer:
“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?"
Jeremiah 32:27 ESV
God starts by reframing what Jeremiah said, "Nothing is too hard for You," as a question. It's almost as if God is making sure Jeremiah actually believes it.
God goes on to recount the plan for judgment on His people who have continued to disobey, ignore His warnings, and turn against Him altogether. This is the message Jeremiah has been preaching so far, but then God brings clarity.
36 “Now therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning this city of which you say, ‘It is given into the hand of the king of Babylon by sword, by famine, and by pestilence’: 37 Behold, I will gather them from all the countries to which I drove them in my anger and my wrath and in great indignation. I will bring them back to this place, and I will make them dwell in safety. 38 And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. 39 I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. 40 I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. 41 I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and all my soul.
42 “For thus says the Lord: Just as I have brought all this great disaster upon this people, so I will bring upon them all the good that I promise them. 43 Fields shall be bought in this land of which you are saying, ‘It is a desolation, without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.’ 44 Fields shall be bought for money, and deeds shall be signed and sealed and witnessed, in the land of Benjamin, in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, in the cities of the hill country, in the cities of the Shephelah, and in the cities of the Negeb; for I will restore their fortunes, declares the Lord.”
Jeremiah 32:36-44 ESV
Jeremiah, what you did will be a sign to My people that I will do this for them.
I will bring them back.
I will make it safe for them.
I will do good to them.
I will plant them.
I will restore them.
God wanted His people to see that there was more for them. He would restore what was ruined. They would return to their land, and more than that, they would grow again. God wouldn't just bring them back, he would build them back.
Jeremiah’s obedience pointed to God's promise.
We may never know what's on the other side of our seemingly small steps of obedience. God may not give us the clarity we ask for, but we can trust what He's already said.
What has God asked you to do?
What has God already done?
What is your obedience pointing to today?
