“And Jeremiah said, “The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 7 ‘Behold, Hanamel the son of Shallum your uncle will come to you, saying, “Buy my field which is in Anathoth, for the right of redemption is yours to buy it.”’ 8 Then Hanamel my uncle’s son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the Lord, and said to me, ‘Please buy my field that is in Anathoth, which is in the country of Benjamin; for the right of inheritance is yours, and the redemption yours; buy it for yourself.’ Then I knew that this was the word of the Lord. 9 So I bought the field from Hanamel, the son of my uncle who was in Anathoth, and weighed out to him the money—seventeen shekels of silver. 10 And I signed the deed and sealed it, took witnesses, and weighed the money on the scales. 11 So I took the purchase deed, both that which was sealed according to the law and custom, and that which was open; 12 and I gave the purchase deed to Baruch the son of Neriah, son of Mahseiah, in the presence of Hanamel my uncle’s son, and in the presence of the witnesses who signed the purchase deed, before all the Jews who sat in the court of the prison. 13 “Then I charged Baruch before them, saying, 14 ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: “Take these deeds, both this purchase deed which is sealed and this deed which is open, and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may last many days.” 15 For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: “Houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land.” ’” Jeremiah 32:6-15 NKJV
God who leads,
Jeremiah is in prison but still finding ways to prove he believes what You God are saying to him and Jerusalem. He is acting out his faith even wile in prison, the enemy breathing upon them and God not saving them on this occasion. . . . so why throw money away for land which will never be yours? But Jeremiah needs them to see that now is not forever. He knows You, God have sent his cousin Hanamel to sell him this land. They just want to liquidise their assets.
The answers from God sometimes can take many years. Our prayers are not like purchase requests on the promise of immediate postage. You God, know the timing for the right fulfillment. Jeremiah asks Baruch to keep the deeds in an earthen pot ensuring survival for some time, symbolic for those listening. The exile would not be ended or solved overnight! We do not know if Jeremiah ever got to live on his purchased land – as he was eventually taken to Egypt (Jeremiah 43:6,7.
Help us to see the things before us that we need to do. Help us to see when You show us what to do when things do not change. Help us to see that You are always with us, always listening and answering prayer, even if not as quickly or as we would want, right now.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 1st August 2026
Shawna wrote about this song, “One night I had an out-of-the-blue thought that I should write a song on prayer. I had a studio session scheduled in 3 days and wanted to record it then. I called my son Gary, he came over and stayed with me most of the night while we wrote this song together.”
If you need a steady hand to guide you
If it seems you’ve somehow lost your way
If you feel there’s no one you can turn to
Just look to God and pray
On your knees or standing at a crossroads
Late at night or in the light of day
In a crowd, a closet, or a chapel
Just look to God and pray
He is there when you’re searching for the answers
He is there when you need a little grace
Any time, anywhere you have a chance to
Seek the One who knows the way
Just pray
When His love continues to amaze you
When you feel your heart begin to change
When you know He gave his Son to save you
Just look to God and pray
Chorus
Bring your doubts, your worries and your faith
Share your hopes and dreams He is listening
There’s no time or distance in the way
The moment you begin, it’s just you and Him
He is there when you’re searching for the answers
He is there when you need a little grace
You’re His child and His love will never fail you
He is with you He will hear you He will stay
Just pray
Just pray
Lyrics: Shawna Edwards and Gary Edwards (2024)