Logos: Jeremiah 32:1-15

The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the tenth year of King Zedekiah of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar. At that time the army of the king of Babylon was besieging Jerusalem, and the prophet Jeremiah was confined in the court of the guard that was in the palace of the king of Judah, where King Zedekiah of Judah had confined him.  Jeremiah said, The word of the LORD came to me: Hanamel son of your uncle Shallum is going to come to you and say, "Buy my field that is at Anathoth, for the right of redemption by purchase is yours."
 (...and in the presence of all the Judeans who were sitting in the court of the guard.)  In their presence I charged Baruch, saying, 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 jar, in order that they may last for a long time. For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land.  (portions of Jeremiah 32:1-15)

 As you read that passage, did you catch that these words of Jeremiah are from a time when the Army of Babylon was attacking Jerusalem? And do you remember what happens next? Judah is exiled. The people are removed from the land. Imagine that - I imagine Jeremiah is buying this piece of land with the full knowledge that he won't be there to use it or enjoy it. The redemption of the land (for it belongs to his family) is only done as a sign. God has told him to do it, and told him to store the deeds in a place where they will "last a long time." Why? As a sign that "houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land."

Would you do it? Would I? Would you redeem land that you could not possess, knowing that you will be leaving? And do it only as a sign to a future generation? A sign of hope?

Have you ever considered that we are the caretakers for the future church? That what we do today isn't only for the church of today - isn't only for the community and people of today, but is also for the church of the future, yet to be born?

What will be our legacy? Do we have enough faith to obey God to make it happen?