Jeremiah 32:6-14"
TITLE: "...the Right of Inheritance is thine, and the redemption is thine; buy it for thyself." (32:8)
V. 8: the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah about a field in Anathoth that was to be purchased. The right of inheritance was his, as well as the redeeming of it, but why did he have to purchase it?
Back in the old days, most inheritances, if not directly involving sons, were bought for a price. Just as Jesus died for us on the Cross of Calvary. His blood paid the ultimate price for the sins of Man. Just as WE need to pay the price for our salvation: CARRYING HIS CROSS! It is never so easy as to just accepting the inheritance. It's yours to have but there will always be sacrifices to be made. We also have to remember that we aren't God's children to begin with. We are Gentiles, adoptive Jews.
V. 10 mentions that after the purchase of the field of inheritance, the evidence was subscribed, sealed, was witnessed, and the money weighed in. What do these mean?
As Christians who received salvation in the Name of Jesus Christ, how is it evident that we have received the one true God? Evidence is clearly seen. Were we not baptized in water and of the Spirit? Were these not seals of our redemption? But it doesn't end there. It never does. It would be so easy if people born into His Kingdom could just do these two commandments and forevermore be content. No! The Lord will weigh us in, determine the validity and truthfulness behind our acceptance. He knows our hearts, the very cores of our beings. He'll put us in the balances. And how about these witnesses? Not only are they the other Christians around us...more importantly, the world that surrounds us. They need to know that something has indeed been inherited. They should be able to see the changes that that inheritance has wrought. The evidence that a new being has indeed been brought into the Light.
V.11: "So I took the evidence of the purchase, both that which was sealed according to the law and custom, and that which was open."
Two documents according to the law and custom, were sealed, while the others were to remain open. As aforementioned, both evidences are our baptisms in Water AND Spirit! Again these seal us and are IN us. Our sins were washed away, the Old Man destroyed. And into us came the Spirit of God, sealing us into His Kingdom. These evidences cannot be seen by human eyes. They happened IN us and THROUGH us. So what was the evidence that was to remain open or seen? Simply the lives that we live because of our acceptance of our Lord and Savior! Are we living holy, as He is holy? Outside and in? Can people see that we are trying to be true Christians--to be Christ-like in our everyday dealings?
Our final important verse says, V.14: "Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel; Take these evidences, this evidence of the purchase, both which is sealed, and this evidence which is open, and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may continue many days."
In the days of old, documents of extreme importance were to be placed in earthen vessels for safe-keeping. What does this mean for us Christians? Just these words: GUARD YOUR HEART, MIND, SOUL, AND SPIRIT! The devil is out trying to steal us sheep away from the safety of our fence. He is a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. How does one safeguard the sacred treasures, OUR inheritance, from being stolen? Let's keep our hearts and minds on Jesus. Let's pray, fast and do whatever it takes to keep the seals of our redemption safe from the wiles of the devil. Believe me, he will do what he can. Let's do what we can as well!
