READING: Jeremiah 32-34, Philemon
It might have seemed a strange word to hear, but the scriptures tell us that the Lord spoke to Jeremiah about buying a field: “The word of the Lord came to me: 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’” (Jer 32:6). Jeremiah himself wondered why he was to purchase the land, especially with the Babylonian invasion impending—though he was completely faithful to the Lord’s command, as we will see. Through this symbolic act, God was ultimately showing that He would bring His people back from captivity, and life would be back to normal under the blessings of God.
Here are the phrases that challenge me to know and obey the Word of the Lord today. First, Jeremiah said it was the Word of the Lord that came to him (Jer. 32:6). Second, as we might have expected, the Word of the Lord came true: “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.’” (Jer 32:8). The false prophets proclaimed words that would not come true, but Jeremiah’s God kept His Word.
Then, Jeremiah did what all of us must do when we know the Word: “I knew that this was the word of the Lord; so I . . . [obeyed Him]” (Jer 32:9). In Jeremiah’s case, his obedience meant buying a field. The explicit commands of the Lord might be different for us, but our commitment to obey the Word must be no different than Jeremiah’s. The Word of the Lord speaks, so we must follow.
PRAYER: “Help me, God, to obey You today. In all ways.”
DAILY ACTION STEP: No matter what the Word calls you to do today, do it.
TOMORROW’S READING: Jeremiah 35-38, Hebrews 1-2
