Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.
Jeremiah 32:43-44 (NIV)
“Once more fields will be bought in this land of which you say, ‘It is a desolate waste, without people or animals, for it has been given into the hands of the Babylonians.’ Fields will be bought for silver, and deeds will be signed, sealed and witnessed in the territory of Benjamin, in the villages around Jerusalem, in the towns of Judah and in the towns of the hill country, of the western foothills and of the Negev, because I will restore their fortunes, declares the Lord.”
Jeremiah 32:43-44 (MSG)
“Fields are going to be bought here again, yes, in this very country that you assume is going to end up desolate—gone to the dogs, unlivable, wrecked by the Babylonians. Yes, people will buy farms again, and legally, with deeds of purchase, sealed documents, proper witnesses—and right here in the territory of Benjamin, and in the area around Jerusalem, around the villages of Judah and the hill country, the Shephelah and the Negev. I will restore everything that was lost.’ God’s Decree.””
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“Fields will be bought in this land of which you say, “It is desolate, without man or animal; it is given into the hands of the Chaldeans.” People will buy fields for money, sign deeds, seal them, and call in witnesses in the land of Benjamin, in the places around Jerusalem, in the cities of Judah, in the cities of the hill country, in the cities of the lowland, and in the cities of the South (the Negev); for I will restore their fortunes and release them from exile,’ says the Lord.” -AMPLIFIED
“Men shall buy fields for money — This is a reference to the symbolical purchase mentioned at the beginning of the chapter; that may be considered by them as a sure sign of their restoration, not only to the same land, but to their respective inheritances in that land. This the power of God could alone perform.” ~Adam Clark
As we looked at yesterday’s text, we were reminded that the Heavenly Father disciplines those He loves, but He does so tempered with His love. God’s Message to Jeremiah:
“For this is what the Lord says: Just as I have brought all this terrible disaster on these people, so am I about to bring on them all the good I am promising them.” -Jeremiah 32:42(CSB)
“Property will be bought and sold once again in this land about which you say, “This land is a wasteland—not fit for man or beast—for it has been handed over to the Chaldeans.” Property will be bought and sold once again for silver—deals will be made and deeds signed in the presence of witnesses—in the territory of Benjamin, in the vicinity of Jerusalem, in the villages of Judah and the hill country, in the villages of the western hills, and in the cities of the Negev. In all these places I will restore them from their exile.” So says the Eternal.” -(VOICE)
As this particular Message from the Lord finishes out, we find Adonai confirming to Jeremiah that He already knew what the outcome for Israel would be. Our of His goodness, He would restore them, and once again life would return to “normal”.
“Men will buy fields for money: When God brought the restoration – either the near restoration under Ezra and Nehemiah or the ultimate restoration under the new covenant – life would be so safe and secure in Israel that real estate transactions would again happen as normal.” ~David Guzik
Think back to the beginning of the chapter, where Jeremiah bought that piece of property. The field purchase was symbolic. The Lord instructed Jeremiah to buy it to emphasize to those who were watching Jeremiah that Adonai knew not only what was about to happen to them, Babylon conquering them, but He knew what the future would be for them.
One day, the children of Israel would return home. And when that day came, the people would once again buy and sell property. Deeds would once again be signed, sealed and witnessed, in Benjamin, Jerusalem, and in all the land.
How could this be? It would happen because the Lord God would personally return the exiles to their homes and restore them. This would happen, just as the Lord had foretold, for God already knew what the future held for Israel and Judah.
“Fields will again be bought and sold in this land now ravaged by the Babylonians, where men and animals alike have disappeared. Yes, fields shall once again be bought and sold—deeds signed and sealed and witnessed—in the country of Benjamin and here in Jerusalem, in the cities of Judah and in the hill country, in the Philistine Plain and in the Negeb too, for some day I will restore prosperity to them.” -(TLB)
“God counteracts this despair by promising that the Jews will once again be able to buy, sell, plant, and harvest land just as they have done in the past. God, through His foreknowledge, is able to address one’s concerns and worries before they even arise. He wants to give the answer to the problem before it occurs so that when one is faced with the problem, one will remember God’s words and be able to meet the problem with confidence and assurance in victory through obedience to His words.” ~Melissa Beaty
God knows what the future holds for all of us. There are no surprises for Him. He is never in the dark about what is about to happen. God is omniscient, All-Knowing.
NOTE: To be omniscient means that God holds all knowledge, He knows everything. He has infinite and complete knowledge of everything. And guess what, He alone is the only Being who has this quality.
God’s foreknowledge is infallible.
“From the beginning I declare how things will end; from times long past, I tell what is yet to be, saying: “My intentions will come to pass. I will make things happen as I determine they should.” -Isaiah 46:10 (VOICE)
Keep in mind, there is no one else in the world that has His ability.
“If you know any God like Me, tell it now. Declare and demonstrate any who can compare to Me. Or if you know and have announced events before their time, told what is to come, then speak so now.” -Isaiah 44:7 (VOICE)
Knowing this fact, we should not be worrying about anything.
“Here is the bottom line: do not worry about your life. Don’t worry about what you will eat or what you will drink. Don’t worry about how you clothe your body. Living is about more than merely eating, and the body is about more than dressing up. Look at the birds in the sky. They do not store food for winter. They don’t plant gardens. They do not sow or reap—and yet, they are always fed because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are even more precious to Him than a beautiful bird. If He looks after them, of course He will look after you. Worrying does not do any good; who here can claim to add even an hour to his life by worrying? Nor should you worry about clothes. Consider the lilies of the field and how they grow. They do not work or weave or sew, and yet their garments are stunning. Even King Solomon, dressed in his most regal garb, was not as lovely as these lilies. And think about grassy fields—the grasses are here now, but they will be dead by winter. And yet God adorns them so radiantly. How much more will He clothe you, you of little faith, you who have no trust? So do not consume yourselves with questions: What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? Outsiders make themselves frantic over such questions; they don’t realize that your heavenly Father knows exactly what you need. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and then all these things will be given to you too. So do not worry about tomorrow. Let tomorrow worry about itself. Living faithfully is a large enough task for today.” -Matthew 6:25-34 (VOICE)
If God already knows what our future holds, then we have no reason be to anxious or to fret.
“Don’t be anxious about things; instead, pray. Pray about everything. He longs to hear your requests, so talk to God about your needs and be thankful for what has come. And know that the peace of God (a peace that is beyond any and all of our human understanding) will stand watch over your hearts and minds in Jesus, the Anointed One.” -Philippians 4:6-7 (VOICE)
Instead, of anxiety, stress and worry, let us be still and wait patiently on the Lord to set things right.
“Be still. Be patient. Expect the Eternal to arrive and set things right.” -Psalm 37:7a (VOICE)
“God is omniscient and knows everything. He has known everything from the beginning. Nothing is a surprise to God, nor does He ever come into possession of new knowledge. Thus God knows all people.” ~J.P McBeth
My friend, have you been caught in a cycle of anxiety, stress, and worry? Stop, still yourself in the presence of the Lord, and wait on Him. Remember, your Heavenly Father already knows what lies ahead. He is already aware of what you are in need of, and He is already working on the answer to your need. Will you trust Him with your tomorrows? Remember what it means to have faith: “Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].” -Hebrews 11:1 (AMP) Have faith in your God who knows all things.
“Great is our Lord, and of great power: His understanding is infinite” (Ps. 147:5). God not only knows whatsoever has happened in the past in every part of His vast domains, and He is not only thoroughly acquainted with everything that is now transpiring throughout the entire universe, but He is also perfectly cognizant of every event, from the least to the greatest, that ever will happen in the ages to come. God’s knowledge of the future is as complete as is His knowledge of the past and the present, and that, because the future depends entirely upon Himself. Were it in anywise possible for something to occur apart from either the direct agency or permission of God, then that something would be independent of Him, and He would at once cease to be Supreme.” ~A. W. Pink
My Prayer:
Adonai Elohim, my Great Lord, you are the only One who knows the Beginning and the End. You are Omniscient, All-Knowing. And I am reminded once again that there are no surprises for you. I wonder at myself sometimes, why I choose to worry and stress over things that you are already well aware of, and at work taking care of. Forgive me, Lord. Help my faith in you to grow. Help me to remember that you are always at work in the background, working out the details, because you love me and want what is best for me. You are the God of my yesterdays, todays, and tomorrows. Thank you for loving me so much, and caring. You are so good to me, and I am so blessed. ❤
Growing with God 