Trusting the Promise

Jeremiah 32:13-15
(13) I charged Baruch in their presence, saying,
(14) '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 vessel, that they may last for a long time.
(15) For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land.'

This passage comes at the end of what could only be seen as a bad business deal on Jeremiah's part. Why would you ever purchase land in a nation under siege with God's promise for its exile? This would be akin to buying property from the Confederate States of America just before the treaty was signed to end the war. The Babylonians were under no obligation to respect this purchase, so it would have seemed like Jeremiah threw away 17 perfectly good pieces of silver.

Yet Jeremiah trusted in the promise. I suppose that this may have pastoral application today in light of the fundraising that my church has to do. However, I see this as being even bigger. Do we trust God's promises enough to pour ourselves into them? Do we trust that His way of spending our time is better than the endless hobbies we can pursue? Do we trust His provision enough to give our money sacrificially? Do we trust that we will get more satisfaction from serving others than from using our talents for our own selfish pursuits?

Jeremiah trusted that someday the land would have value again. He put his money where his mouth was. Are we doing the same?