Jeremiah 32 _ Great Hope

Text: Jeremiah 32:36-38 (chapter 32)

Title: Great Hope

Intro: The school system in a large city had a program to help children keep up with their school work during stays in the city's hospitals. One day a teacher who was assigned to the program received a routine call asking her to visit a particular child. She took the child's name and room number and talked briefly with the child's regular class teacher. "We're studying nouns and adverbs in his class now," the regular teacher said, "and I'd be grateful if you could help him understand them so he doesn't fall too far behind."

The hospital program teacher went to see the boy that afternoon. No one had mentioned to her that the boy had been badly burned and was in great pain. Upset at the sight of the boy, she stammered as she told him, "I've been sent by your school to help you with nouns and adverbs." When she left she felt she hadn't accomplished much. But the next day, a nurse asked her, "What did you do to that boy?" The teacher felt she must have done something wrong and began to apologize. "No, no," said the nurse. "You don't know what I mean. We've been worried about that little boy, but ever since yesterday, his whole attitude has changed. He's fighting back, responding to treatment. It's as though he's decided to live."

Two weeks later the boy explained that he had completely given up hope until the teacher arrived. Everything changed when he came to a simple realization. He expressed it this way: "They wouldn't send a teacher to work on nouns and adverbs with a dying boy, would they?"

Define: That’s what Hope is, acknowledgement of a future. F.F. Bruce “expectation of a bright future.

I have talked with people who today feel hopeless, their business are closed, they have no income, a loved one is sick and they think the only light ahead of them is that of an oncoming train.

Orientation: Jeremiah is book with great tension between judgment on sin and salvation yet to come, making Jeremiah a book of great hope for those living in difficult times.

CPS: Even during the seemingly most difficult and hopeless times there is still hope to be found in God alone.

Hope is not found in our circumstances but is the results of the workings of God. Vs. 1-15 Read 1-8

The darkness of the siege and destruction. Vs. 2-5

A seemingly hopeless situation. (God had already given Judah over, it is as though it had taken place already) Eye to Eye confrontation… as his punishment he was forced to watch the deaths of his sons then blinded.

The Bright future of the buying of a field vs. 6-8

Redeeming obligations of family members of land so that the field will remain in the extended family of the clan… why would that matter if Judah was given over to Babylon? Because they would return! The copies of the deed is relative, the unsealed was for public inspection the sealed for archives. There was a public record for those in Judah to see and a sealed copy in the archives to view at a later time! Jeremiah wanted to do everything he could to preserve his deed for the future.

Ill: Imagine it Aug. 6th 1945 and you are in Hiroshima Japan and you know what is about to take place. As the Enola Gay is flying overhead you are instructed to buy a field for 1 ½ years salary in order for your family to own property.

Hope is found as results in our Relationship with God. Vs 16-45

Jeremiah’s prayer as to why buy the field. Vs. 16, 24-25

Jeremiah knows the wonder working power of God as seen in Israel’s history now he looks out at the siege ramps and asked God. “Why did you have me buy the field if the land has been given to Babylon for destruction?”

God’s response of hope “I will be their God and they will be my people” Vs. 37-38, 42

God answers, IS THERE ANYTHING TO DIFFICULT FOR ME? Yes He will give the land to the Chaldeans (AS DIVINE JUDGMENT) because of the sins of the people. He gives Judah what they deserve But, He will take it back, bring Judah home and make them prosperous again.

(Know the loving merciful nature of God) God sends judgment to turn our hearts… I will be their God and they will be my people

Conclusion: You are right to say “this is hopeless” because apart from God there is no hope on doom, wrath, destruction. But in His infinite mercy He brings about these trying times to turn our hearts away from the worthless things of this world and to turn our hearts towards Him. Will you to turn to Him today? How….. Jesus.

Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. Luke 22:20 The New Covenant was far superior to the Mosaic covenant they had violated