Day 233, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Jeremiah 21, 32–34
Hope in the Midst of Despair
Imagine that an apartment complex, house, or place of business is condemned. The foundation is not sound, the wiring and plumbing are old, and there are many chinks and cracks in the walls. It’s not a safe habitation. For a long time, the managers haven’t cared for the land or property. It has been turned into a place of prostitution, drug dealing, and cultic practices. The rest of the neighborhood also fell into a deplorable state, but it has been cleared away. Just one important building remains.
The residents don’t want to be evicted. They hire others to come and stop the destruction, which only helps for a short while. Now the demolition team is coming back.
For the long time occupants of the place, there is a sense of despair. Tomorrow everything familiar to them, and the one-time glorious building, will be destroyed. The gas, electricity, and plumbing have been turned off. The walls will soon be knocked down by a crane with its big destruction ball. The police will take any remaining residents of the neighborhood away to jail. Later, the destruction crew will come back and burn everything in their community. All that will be left is charred rubble.
Is all hope lost for them? Will their place ever be rebuilt? What about all the rubble—how will it be cleared? Will they ever return to this spot?
This story illustrates the situation of the city of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. when Zedekiah is king. Perhaps we can’t relate to that, but many of us have experienced other kinds of despair:
- Being kicked out of school
- fired from a job
- going through a divorce
- bankruptcy and the repossession of our property.
Is there any hope for us? Today’s Bible reading from Jeremiah is a message of hope in a time of despair.
Judah’s Dire Situation
Jerusalem is in trouble. She looks to Egypt for help against the siege of the Babylonians. Although she is given temporary relief, Babylon returns, and Egypt offers no more aid. Jerusalem’s hope and protection are gone. Are our hope and protection gone? Are we in despair? Let’s look to God for help.
Zedekiah hates Jeremiah’s message of doom. The LORD tells him Jerusalem’s only hope to stay alive and preserve the city is to surrender to the Babylonians. Zedekiah doesn’t listen to God.
A Strange Sign at a Strange Time
It is at this time that God instructs Jeremiah to do something odd. He tells him to purchase a piece of property from his cousin, who is coming to meet him. This happens exactly as the LORD said. Why is Jeremiah told to buy property when the city is doomed to destruction? Like most of the things that Jeremiah does as a prophet, the purchase of property is a sign from God.
What Does it Mean?
Jeremiah gives us the interpretation of the sign: After God destroys the land and its people by famine and sword and plague, God’s anger will subside. Because of his love and unconditional covenant with Israel, the LORD will restore them to their land.
The land is wasted; the real estate is worthless, but God promises to restore it in a coming day. There will be a partial fulfillment of this after Israel’s seventy years of exile, and there will be a complete fulfillment during the 1,000-year reign of Christ (Revelation 20:4). Once again, the Israelites will dwell in their own land. Land purchases between relatives in their tribes will be renewed.
Hope and Healing
The LORD says
“...I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security. I will bring Judah and Israel back from captivity and will rebuild them as they were before. I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me. Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it” (Jeremiah 33:6-9, NIV).
God’s Faithfulness
The temple will be rebuilt, and there will be sacrifices offered on the altar (we will discuss reasons for this an upcoming Bible study in Ezekiel). In a coming day (which refers to the millennial reign of Christ), God will renew an everlasting covenant he made with Israel. These are the fulfillment of his promises to Abraham (Genesis 15;5-21; 17) and to King David (2Samuel 7:16).The LORD will show compassion to the people, priests, and leaders of Israel and Judah. Once again, Israel will be a united nation. God will give Israel peace and restore her fortunes when she receives a new heart and forgiveness. Christ, the “Righteous Branch” will rule forever as the king.
Do any of us need a new heart or renewed favor with God? We can turn from our sins and look to him to save us (more...).
End note: The destruction of Jerusalem by famine and sword are the results of a Babylonian siege and attack, and the plague is possibly the locust invasion recorded in the book of Joel and referenced in Jeremiah 51:14 and 51:27
Discussion
Jerusalem was in distress and despair—Babylon was attacking her! What strange sign of hope did God give Jeremiah? What did it mean? What signs of hope has God given you?
When would God bring hope and healing to Israel? What lesson might we learn from this?
There is a condition of Israel’s hope and healing. What is it? What similar thing do we need to do for hope and healing in our lives?
Focus Verses
Jeremiah 33:5b-6 (NIV) God says, “I will hide my face from this city because of all its wickedness. Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rod, the author
Looking Ahead: Finally, the dreaded day arises for Judah—the Day of Disaster. How will she respond to it? How should we respond if it happens to us? Join us for our Next Lesson.
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