Teach About the Bible

Chapter Summary

Jeremiah 32 presents a powerful and dramatic contrast between despair and hope. With the Babylonian army at the gates of Jerusalem and the prophet Jeremiah himself in prison, God gives him a seemingly absurd command: buy a piece of land. This tangible act of real estate investment becomes a living parable, a concrete sign that God's judgment is not the final word and that He is fully committed to restoring His people to their land.

Core Passages from Jeremiah 32
Jeremiah 32:15For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land.’
This is the punchline of Jeremiah's strange land purchase. It declares that normal life - buying houses, fields, and vineyards - will one day return, making his act a powerful symbol of future hope.
Jeremiah 32:27"Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?"
God responds to Jeremiah's confusion with a foundational truth. This question reminds the prophet, and us, that the entire plan of restoration rests on God's unlimited power.
Jeremiah 32:40-41I 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. 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.
Here, God reveals the heart behind His promise. He will make an 'everlasting covenant,' changing their hearts from the inside out and taking personal joy in planting them securely in their land.

Finding hope in the darkness, trusting that God's judgment is not the final word, but a precursor to restoration and redemption

Historical & Cultural Context

A Prophet in Prison, A City Under Siege

The scene opens in the final, desperate days of the kingdom of Judah. The mighty Babylonian army is besieging Jerusalem, and its fall is imminent. Inside the city walls, the prophet Jeremiah is not a free man offering comfort but a prisoner, confined to the court of the guard. He was imprisoned by King Zedekiah for prophesying the very disaster that is now unfolding - that God would give the city over to Babylon.

An Illogical Investment in a Divine Promise

Into this bleak setting, God gives a bizarre instruction. He tells Jeremiah to buy a field from his cousin Hanamel in their hometown of Anathoth, which was already under Babylonian control. This act of obedience required Jeremiah to invest his own money in land that was, for all practical purposes, worthless. The purchase was not done in secret but was a public, legal transaction with deeds and witnesses, designed to be a powerful and unforgettable sign of God's promise to restore Israel.

Trust in God's promise of restoration brings hope to a desolate land

A Prophetic Land Deal

Jeremiah 32 unfolds like a drama in three acts. It begins by establishing the dire circumstances in Jerusalem, with Jeremiah imprisoned for speaking God's truth (vv. 1-5). The story then pivots to a strange command from God, leading to a very public real estate transaction that seems to defy all logic (vv. 6-15). This act of obedience is followed by Jeremiah's honest prayer of confusion and God's detailed response, which affirms both the coming judgment and the guaranteed future restoration.

The Setting: A Prophet Imprisoned (Jeremiah 32:1-5)

¹ The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar.
² At that time the army of the king of Babylon was besieging Jerusalem, and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the guard that was in the palace of the king of Judah.
³ For Zedekiah king of Judah had imprisoned him, saying, “Why do you prophesy and say, ‘Thus says the Lord: Behold, I am giving this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall capture it;
⁴ Zedekiah king of Judah shall not escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans, but shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and shall speak with him face to face and see him eye to eye.
⁵ And he shall take Zedekiah to Babylon, and there he shall remain until I visit him, declares the Lord.

Commentary:

Jeremiah is imprisoned by the king for prophesying Jerusalem's imminent fall to Babylon.

This section sets the stage, grounding the prophecy in a specific historical moment: the tenth year of King Zedekiah's reign, as Nebuchadnezzar's army surrounds Jerusalem. We learn that Jeremiah is under arrest precisely because he has been faithful to his calling. His prophecy of defeat and exile was seen as treason by the king, but it was the unvarnished truth from God. This context of personal suffering and national crisis makes the message of hope that follows even more powerful.

The Sign: Buying a Field (Jeremiah 32:6-15)

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.' Then I knew that this was the word of the Lord.
⁹ So I bought the field at Anathoth from Hanamel my cousin, and weighed out the money to him, seventeen shekels of silver.
¹⁰ I signed the deed, sealed it, got witnesses, and weighed the money on the scales.
¹¹ Then I took the sealed deed of purchase, containing the terms and conditions and the open copy.
¹² And I gave the deed of purchase to Baruch the son of Neriah son of Mahseiah, in the presence of Hanamel my cousin, in the presence of the witnesses who signed the deed of purchase, and in the presence of all the Judeans who were sitting in the court of the guard.
¹³ And I charged Baruch in their presence, saying,
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.’

Commentary:

God tells Jeremiah to buy a field as a tangible sign that the people will one day return to their land.

Here we see the chapter's central, symbolic act. God instructs Jeremiah to buy a field from his cousin, fulfilling his family duty as a 'kinsman-redeemer.' Jeremiah meticulously follows the legal procedures of the time, signing and sealing a deed, weighing out the silver, and securing witnesses. He then instructs his scribe, Baruch, to place the deeds in a clay jar for long-term preservation. This was not a private transaction. It was a public demonstration of faith that God's promise in verse 15 - 'Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land' - was absolutely certain.

The Prayer: A Prophet's Confusion (Jeremiah 32:16-25)

¹⁶ After I had given the deed of purchase to Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed to the Lord, saying:
¹⁷ ‘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.
¹⁸ You show steadfast love to thousands, but you repay the guilt of fathers to their children after them, O great and mighty God, whose name is the Lord of hosts,
¹⁹ great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the children of man, rewarding each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds.
²⁰ You have shown signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, and to this day in Israel and among all mankind, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day.
²¹ You brought your people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs and wonders, with a strong hand and outstretched arm, and with great terror.
²² And you gave them this land, which you swore to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey.
²³ And they entered and took possession of it. But they did not obey your voice or walk in your law. They did nothing of all you commanded them to do. Therefore you have made all this disaster come upon them.
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.

Commentary:

Jeremiah prays, praising God's power but expressing confusion over why he was told to buy land that is about to be captured.

After obeying, Jeremiah turns to God in prayer, and it's a beautiful mix of praise and perplexity. He starts by affirming God's immense power, recounting His faithfulness in creating the world and rescuing Israel from Egypt. But then he lays out the contradiction he's struggling with: 'You have said to me, “Buy the field”... though the city is given into the hands of the Chaldeans.' This is an honest prayer from someone who trusts God but cannot reconcile God's command with the grim reality he sees before him.

The Reason: Judgment for Sin (Jeremiah 32:26-35)

²⁶ The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah:
²⁷ "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?"
²⁸ Therefore thus says the Lord: Behold, I am giving this city into the hands of the Chaldeans and into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he shall capture it.
²⁹ The Chaldeans who are fighting against this city shall come and set this city on fire and burn it, with the houses on whose roofs offerings have been made to Baal and drink offerings have been poured out to other gods, to provoke me to anger.
³⁰ For the children of Israel and the children of Judah have done nothing but evil in my sight from their youth.
³¹ For this city has aroused my anger and wrath, from the day it was built to this day, so that I will remove it from my sight
³² because of all the evil of the children of Israel and the children of Judah that they did to provoke me to anger - their kings and their officials, their priests and their prophets, the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
³³ They have turned to me their back and not their face. And though I have taught them persistently, they have not listened to receive instruction.
³⁴ They set up their abominations in the house that is called by my name, to defile it.
³⁵ They built the high places of Baal in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to offer up their sons and daughters to Molech, though I did not command them, nor did it enter into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.

Commentary:

God confirms that Jerusalem's destruction is a just punishment for the people's long history of idolatry and disobedience.

God's response begins by reaffirming His absolute power: 'Is anything too hard for me?' He then confirms that Jerusalem's destruction is indeed happening and that it is a direct consequence of the people's persistent and deep-seated sin. God provides a detailed list of their offenses, from idolatry on their rooftops to the horrific practice of child sacrifice. This section makes it clear that the coming judgment is not random or unjust. It is the painful result of generations of turning their backs on the God who loved and taught them.

The Promise: A Joyful Restoration (Jeremiah 32:36-44)

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.
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 And 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 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.’

Commentary:

God promises to gather His people, give them new hearts, make an everlasting covenant, and joyfully restore them to their land.

After explaining the 'why' behind the judgment, God reveals His ultimate plan. The same people He is scattering in anger, He will gather back in love. He promises a return to the land and a transformation of the heart through an 'everlasting covenant.' God will give them 'one heart and one way,' putting a desire for Him within them so they will not turn away again. He concludes by promising to 'rejoice in doing them good' and replanting them in the land, connecting back to Jeremiah's purchase and confirming that fields will indeed be bought and sold once more.

Core Truths in a Time of Crisis

God's Sovereignty Over All Things

This chapter powerfully demonstrates that God is in complete control of both judgment and salvation. He is the one giving Jerusalem into the hands of the Babylonians, and He is also the one who will bring them back. His sovereignty means that even the most devastating events are part of His larger, redemptive purpose.

Hope Anchored in God's Character

Jeremiah's purchase of the field is a masterclass in hope. It's not a flimsy optimism based on changing circumstances, but a rugged confidence based on the unchanging character and promises of God. The act itself declares that God's word about the future is more real than the present disaster.

The Promise of Heart Transformation

The chapter looks beyond a mere physical return to the land and points to a deeper spiritual restoration. The promise of an 'everlasting covenant' where God gives His people 'one heart' is a promise to fix the root problem of their sin. He will change them from the inside out, ensuring their future faithfulness.

Trust in God's promise of restoration and redemption, even in the midst of uncertainty and chaos, as He weaves a tapestry of hope and faithfulness, as spoken in Jeremiah 32: 40 'I will make an everlasting covenant with them, and I will never stop doing good for them, and I will put the fear of me in their hearts, so that they will never turn away from me.'

Living Out Hope Today

What does Jeremiah 32 teach about the nature of God?

This chapter shows you a God who is both just and merciful. He takes sin seriously and allows consequences, as seen in Jerusalem's fall. Yet, His ultimate desire is to restore and bless, and He promises to do so with His 'whole heart and soul' (v. 41). He is powerful enough to do anything (v. 27) and faithful enough to keep every promise He makes.

How can I apply this to my faith or worldview?

Jeremiah 32 encourages you to anchor your hope in God's promises, not your circumstances. When you face a situation that seems hopeless - in your finances, relationships, or health - remember Jeremiah buying a field. Your act of faith might be continuing to pray, serving others when you feel empty, or giving generously when things are tight. These are modern-day ways of 'buying the field' and declaring your trust in God's future restoration.

What does 'light in the darkness' mean in my life?

In this chapter, the 'light' is the deed to a field, a small, tangible symbol of a future that no one else could see. The 'darkness' was the overwhelming reality of war, famine, and exile. In your life, the 'light in the darkness' is any promise from God that you choose to hold onto when your feelings or circumstances tell you to despair. It is the quiet confidence that God's plan for your good is still at work, even in the middle of the mess.

God's Promise in a Time of Crisis

Jeremiah 32 declares that God's promises are more real than our problems. Through the dramatic act of buying a doomed piece of land, God shows that His plan for restoration is not a distant dream but a future certainty. The message is that even in the face of judgment and collapse, God's ultimate intention is to redeem, rebuild, and rejoice over His people. Our hope is secure because it rests on His unlimited power and His wholehearted commitment to do good to us.

What This Means for Us Today

Jeremiah 32 is an invitation to invest in a future that only God can guarantee. It calls us to perform our own acts of 'buying the field' - acts of faith, hope, and obedience that seem counterintuitive now but declare our trust in God's coming restoration. We are invited to live as people who know that the darkness is temporary, but God's promises are forever.

What 'field' is God asking you to buy as an act of faith in His promises?
Where do you need to shift your focus from the 'siege' in your life to the certainty of God's restoration?
How can you, like Jeremiah, preserve the 'deed' of God's promises to look back on during future trials?

Trusting in God's plan even when the future seems uncertain, just as Jeremiah did when he obeyed God's command to buy a field in a land under siege, as written in Jeremiah 32:15, 'For this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Houses, fields and vineyards will again be bought in this land.'

Discussion Questions

God commanded Jeremiah to do something that seemed financially and logically foolish. When has God prompted you to do something that didn't make sense to the world but was an act of faith?
Jeremiah's prayer in verses 16-25 is both full of worship and honest confusion. How can his example help us be more honest with God when we struggle to understand our circumstances?
The purchase of the field was a public sign of hope. What are some practical, visible ways we can be signs of God's future hope to the people around us today?