Today’s selected reading continues in the Old Testament prophetic book of Jeremiah, and more specifically, is found in verses sixteen through forty-four of the thirty-second chapter. This passage of Scripture immediately begins with context—context which is centered upon what is written and recorded in the previous eight verses. “Now when I had delivered the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed unto the Lord” (Jeremiah 32:16). NOW WHEN I HAD DELIVERED THE EVIDENCE OF THE PURCHASE UNTO BARUCH THE SON OF NERIAH, I PRAYED! Pause for a moment and consider the context surrounding this particular verse. If you journey back to the sixth verse of this chapter you will discover the word of the Lord coming unto Jeremiah—a word which not only revealed that one who would come unto him, but also very specific instruction concerning what Jeremiah was to do when that individual came to him. “And Jeremiah said, The word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Behold, Hanameel the son of Shallum thine uncle shall come unto thee, saying, Buy thee my field that is in Anathoth: for the right of redemption is thine to buy it” (Jeremiah 32:6-7). THE VISIT AND THE INSTRUCTION! I can’t help but first notice that Jeremiah not only speaks of the visit he would receive, but also the instruction that visit would require. The word of the Lord came unto Jeremiah and not only revealed who would come unto him, but also what the reason and nature of that visit would be. Essentially Hanameel was the cousin of Jeremiah, for Scripture reveals that he was the son of Shallum thine uncle, which reveals that it wasn’t just anyone who came unto Jeremiah, but it was his own kindred and family that would come unto him. It would be because of this relationship that Hanameel would come to Jeremiah asking him to agree to the right of redemption—a right that was afforded unto him because of His relationship with Shallum his father, and himself. Pause for a moment and consider that for a moment—the reality that relationship not only was the source and foundation of the visit, but relationship was also the foundation for the right to redeem that which was present in the earth. Jeremiah held the right to redeem this piece of property for no other reason than the fact that he was related to, and bore relationship with those who owned the field. I can’t help but find this to be absolutely incredible when I think about it, for relationship not only served as the source of visitation, but relationship also served as the source of redemption as well. WHEN RELATIONSHIP SERVES AS THE SOURCE OF VISITATION! WHEN RELATIONSHIP SERVES AS THE SOURCE OF REDEMPTION! Hanameel came to Jeremiah first and foremost because of the relationship the two of them shared—a relationship that carried with it the reality that they shared some of the same blood. When Hanameel came to Jeremiah, he didn’t come solely based on the right of redemption, but based on the relationship the two shared. As I sit here and consider this passage of Scripture, I can’t help but think of the fact that relationship may often times demand and require visitation, for relationship will draw others to us. Jeremiah wasn’t expecting Hanameel to come unto him as he was shut up in the court of the prison, yet it was there in that place of bondage Jeremiah would experience this visitation. It’s actually quite interesting that relationship warranted a visit from Jeremiah’s cousin—not when Jeremiah was free as he moved throughout the city and streets of Jerusalem. This visitation came when Jeremiah was shut up in the court of the prison. It was while Jeremiah was shut up in that place of prison that a relative of his would come to him speaking of the right of redemption. How incredibly interesting it is to consider that it was while Jeremiah was shut up in the court of the prison that the word of the Lord came to him revealing his right of redemption to purchase a field. There is a part of me that can’t help but wonder if there aren’t times within our lives when despite the fact that we are in our own prison, the relationship we share and the relationship we have with others will bring us to the place where we are called upon the give of ourselves. Notice that Hanameel didn’t come to Jeremiah while he was shut up in the court of the prison offering him this field free of charge, but came to him, saying, “Buy thee my field that is in Anathoth.” Picture the scene if you will, for Jeremiah was shut up and secured in the court of the prison, and yet the word of the Lord revealed unto him that he was going to be approached by his cousin to purchase that which did not belong to him. There in the court of the prison Jeremiah would be asked to purchase a field that did not belong to him—a reality that is actually interesting when you think about it. What possible use and purpose would Jeremiah have to purchase the field of his cousin while he was shut up in the court of the Lord? Why on earth would Jeremiah—while shut up in the court of the prison purchase a field in the land of Judah—a land that was invaded by the adversary, and a land that would ravaged and devastated by the enemy and adversary? The request for Jeremiah to purchase this field not only came while he was shut up in the court of the Lord, but also while the city was under siege by the Babylonian army. What possible use would Jeremiah have for a field when he himself was shut up in the court of the prison, and while the city of Jerusalem was under siege?

 I actually find the fact that Hanameel came to Jeremiah while the city was under siege, and while Jeremiah was shut up in the court of the prison to be quite powerful. I can’t help but consider the fact that this encounter with Hanameel serves as a powerful prophetic word to us in this generation. I can’t help but think about how many times the Spirit of the Lord will call on us to stand and do something that seems absolutely and utterly absurd. There are times when the Spirit of the Lord will ask us to do something—even when everything of us is screaming and yelling because of our circumstances. Hanameel came to Jeremiah while he was shut up in the court of the prison asking him to buy his field, and I can’t help but wonder why Hanameel would come to Jeremiah in the first place. What’s more, is the fact that I can’t help but wonder why Hanameel would come to Jeremiah while he was shut up in the court of the prison and ask him to buy his field. Is it possible that Hanameel understood that which was taking place during those days and wanted to secure the field—a field which undoubtedly could have been his inheritance? Is it possible that Hanameel wanted to preserve and protect that field, for it was an inheritance that was his because of his relationship to his father? Is it possible that Hanameel came to Jeremiah asking him to buy his field for he wanted to preserve his inheritance during a time when the city was under siege, and during a time when the enemy and adversary had surrounded the city? PRESERVING THE INHERITANCE WHEN THE CITY IS UNDER SIEGE! PRESERVING THE INHERITANCE WHEN THE ADVERSARY HAS SURROUNDED THE CITY! PRESERVING THE INHERITANCE WHEN THE ENEMY IS AT THE GATE AND OUTSIDE THE WALLS! I believe with everything inside of me that there is a powerful prophetic reality that is found within this passage of Scripture—one that is not only centered around the right of redemption, but also around the concept of preserving the inheritance when the enemy is at the gate and outside the walls. The word of the Lord would come to Jeremiah concerning this transaction and would declared unto him that his purchase of this field would stand as a portent and prophetic declaration that houses, and fields, and vineyards would be possessed again in the land. Jeremiah’s purchase of this field would stand as a powerful prophetic declaration to those who had been taken captive by the Babylonians that the day would come when houses, fields, and vineyards would once more be possessed within the land. The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah concerning this transaction and purchase, for it was the divine will, plan and purpose of the Lord for Jeremiah to undertake this transaction.

 In the eighth verse of this chapter we find something truly remarkable, for it’s within this verse that Jeremiah acknowledges that what had taken place was the word of the Lord. “So Hanameel mine uncle’s son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the Lord, and said unto me, Buy my field, I pray thee, that is in Anathoth, which is in the country of Benjamin: for the right of inheritance is thine, and the redemption is thine; buy it for thyself. THEN I KNEW THAT THIS WAS THE WORD OF THE LORD” (Jeremiah 32:8-9). THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION! THE RIGHT OF INHERITANCE! When the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah concerning this field, the word of the Lord came to him speaking of “the right of redemption,” yet when Hanameel actually came to him in the court of the prison, he spoke to Jeremiah concerning “the right of inheritance.” I am completely and totally convinced that it was the divine word of the Lord that Jeremiah purchase this field, for it would be his purchasing of this field that would preserve the inheritance. Jeremiah’s purchase of this field would preserve the inheritance in the midst of the siege of the adversary upon the city of Jerusalem. Jeremiah’s purchase of the field would be the means whereby this inheritance would be preserved—despite the fact that the adversary was outside the walls and gates of the city. I believe that it was the divine will, plan and purpose of the Lord for Jeremiah to redeem the inheritance, for the inheritance would be preserved despite the enemy’s devastation of the land. What an incredibly powerful concept it is to think that even though the enemy was at the gate and outside the walls, the Lord was still concerned with preserving inheritance, and proclaiming possession! PRESERVING INHERITANCE AND PROCLAIMING POSSESSION! When I read this particular encounter between Jeremiah and his cousin, I can’t help but think that this transaction was not only centered upon the preservation of inheritance, but the proclaiming of possession. It would be because of Jeremiah’s agreement to purchase the field that he would preserve the inheritance, but it would also be because Jeremiah purchased the field that possession would be proclaimed within the land. Despite the fact that the enemy was at the gates and outside the walls, the Lord was still concerned with revealing to His people that houses, fields and vineyards would once more be possessed in the land. It’s actually quite interesting to think that Jeremiah purchased this inheritance from his cousin, for it was in the purchasing of the inheritance that Jeremiah would take possession of it. It was in the act of purchasing that Jeremiah would take possession of this field within the land—a reality that would stand and serve as a powerful prophetic declaration to those who were taken captives into the land of the Chaldeans.

PRESERVING THE INHERITANCE AND PROCLAIMING POSSESSION! How absolutely wonderful and incredible it is to think that even though Jeremiah was shut up in the court of the prison, the Lord was still concerned with preserving the inheritance and proclaiming the possession of that which was within the inheritance. How absolutely remarkable it is to think that even though the enemy was at the gates and outside the walls of the city, the Lord was still concerned with preserving inheritance and proclaiming possession. What’s more, is that this inheritance would be preserved in the midst of a captivity that would last for seventy years. Jeremiah’s purchase of this field would not only preserve the inheritance when the adversary was at the gates and outside the walls, but Jeremiah’s purchase of this field would preserve the inheritance during seventy years of captivity. The Lord was not only concerned with preserving the inheritance when the enemy was at the gates and outside the walls, but the Lord was concerned with preserving the inheritance when the enemy had departed, the devastation and destruction had been done, and the land now lie in ruins. Jeremiah’s purchasing of this field reveals the Lord’s interest in preserving the inheritance of his people in the midst of captivity and exile. I believe that this single field would stand as a powerful prophetic sign to the people of God that even though the land would lie fallow and in ruins for seventy years, the Lord would still preserve the inheritance. Despite the fact that they would spend seventy years living as captives in a strange and foreign land, the Lord would still watch over, protect and preserve their inheritance. How absolutely wonderful and amazing it is to think that the Lord is concerned with the preservation of our inheritance—both when the enemy is at the gates and outside the walls, and even after the enemy has departed and the land lies in utter and complete ruins. We seem to think that the Lord preserves the inheritance while we are still enjoying and experiencing it, yet the truth of the matter is that simply isn’t the case. There is something vastly different from possessing the inheritance, and preserving the inheritance. The Lord would preserve the inheritance for seventy years, yet once those seventy years were completed, the Lord would require His people to possess the inheritance. When it comes to the inheritance, we must recognize and understand that it is the Lord who preserves the inheritance, but it is we who possess the inheritance. What’s more, is the fact that it is the Lord who prepares the inheritance for us, but it is we who possess the inheritance.

 This is actually something quite remarkable to think about and consider, for when it came to the land of Canaan prior to the children of Israel entering into it, the Lord had prepared the inheritance for them. PREPARING THE INHERITANCE TO POSSESS! Consider the fact that for close to five-hundred years the Lord preserved the inheritance for the children of Israel, so when the time would come, they could possess the inheritance. POSSESSING THAT WHICH HAS BEEN PREPARED! It’s worth noting that when the children of Israel entered into the land of Canaan, they entered into and possess that which had been prepared for them by the Lord of hosts. It was the Lord of hosts—and not themselves—who had faithfully prepared the inheritance for them to enter into and possess. With that being said, the Lord of hosts would preserve the inheritance for the children of Israel to once more possess as they returned. PREPARING THE INHERITANCE FOR US TO POSSESS IT UPON ENTRANCE! PRESERVING THE INHERITANCE FOR US TO POSSESS IT UPON RETURNING! Scripture indeed reveals two types of possessing the inheritance—the first being possessing the inheritance after it had been prepared by the Lord of hosts, and the second being possessing the inheritance after it had been preserved by the Lord of hosts. It was the Lord of hosts and not the children of Israel who preserved the inheritance while they were in captivity, and it was the Lord of hosts and not the children of Israel who prepared the inheritance while they were in slavery. Notice that both in slavery and in captivity, the Lord was very much concerned with the inheritance, and was concerned with the preparation and preservation of the inheritance. What’s more is that it all comes down to one single concept—possession. The Lord both prepared the inheritance for possession, and the Lord preserved the inheritance for possession. What’s more is the fact that the Lord was faithful to preserve the inheritance for His people while they were in captivity, for their captivity would not prevent them from once more possessing the inheritance. The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah concerning his purchase of the field, and that word was that the people of God would once more possess houses, fields and vineyards within the land.

 It was while Jeremiah was shut up in the court of the prison that the Lord was concerned with preserving the inheritance, and it was while the city of Jerusalem was under siege by the enemy that the Lord was concerned with preserving the inheritance. Jeremiah’s purchase of this field would not only be the redemption of this field, but it would also lead to the preservation of this field after the enemy had left the land and returned the way they came. Even more than this, is that this field which Jeremiah would purchase carried with it an even greater application, for it would be this field that would be directly connected and linked to the Messiah. It would be this field which would be spoken of in the gospels—a field that would serve in the divine plan and purposes of the Lord. Despite the fact that Jeremiah was shut up in the court of the prison, the Lord would call upon him to purchase this field in order that through his purchasing of the field the inheritance would be preserved. I believe with everything in me that the reason Hanameel came to Jeremiah while shut up in the court of the prison was to guarantee that this field would be preserved—even after the enemy and adversary was long gone and had long separated from the land. Jeremiah’s purchase of this field would be the preserving of the inheritance in order that when the time would come, this inheritance could be possessed and used for its intended purpose and design. It’s worth noting that this field was purchased to preserve the inheritance, for the Lord was concerned with the possession of the inheritance. One of the most profound signs of an individual who has truly come out of captivity is their possessing the inheritance once more. It isn’t enough to simply return to the land, for once we return to the land, we must also rise up according to the word of the Lord and possess the inheritance once more. The Lord returned and restored us from our captivity in order that we might possess the inheritance which He Himself had preserved. I believe the fact that the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah concerning the purchasing of this field stands as a powerful declaration that the Lord was concerned with this inheritance. THE LORD IS CONCERNED WITH THE INHERITANCE—EVEN WHEN THE ENEMY IS AT THE GATES AND OUTSIDE THE WALLS! THE LORD IS CONCERNED WITH THE INHERITANCE—EVEN WHEN WE ARE SHUT UP IN THE COURT OF THE PRISON!

 The very fact that the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah while shut up in the court of the prison reveals just how concerned He was with the personal inheritance of one of His people. To help illustrate this even more, we must direct and turn our attention to the Old Testament account of Naboth, Ahab, Jezebel and the prophet Elijah. In the twenty-first chapter of the Old Testament prophetic book of First Kings, we learn of a man by the name of Naboth, and how Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel—a vineyard which was hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. Ahab saw this vineyard and asked Naboth to give it unto him in order that he might have it for a garden of herbs, for it was near unto his house. Ahab offered to give unto Naboth a better vineyard than this particular one, or if it seemed good to Naboth, he would give him the worth of the vineyard in money. Scripture describes how Naboth refused Ahab’s offer, for this vineyard was more than just a vineyard which he owned, but was the inheritance of his fathers. WHAT OTHERS SEE AS A VINEYARD IS ACTUALLY AN INHERITANCE! Ahab saw this vineyard merely as a vineyard which he could purchase for his own desires and intentions, yet what he didn’t realize was that this vineyard was the inheritance of another. BE VERY CAREFUL AND BEWARE WHEN YOU LOOK UPON A VINEYARD OF ANOTHER AND THINK IT TO BE A VINEYARD ONLY, FOR IT IS ACTUALLY AN INHERITANCE! Because Naboth refused to sell or trade his inheritance, Ahab became sullen, for he had been turned down and rejected concerning his heart’s desire. His heathen wife Jezebel discovered the source of her husband’s demeanor and declared unto him that she would get for him the vineyard. To accomplish this Jezebel would invite Naboth to an event at the palace, and then raise up false testimony and witness concerning and against him. As a result of these false testimonies and witnesses, Naboth would be taken out of the city and stoned to death. Immediately after Naboth died, Jezebel came to Ahab and instructed him to rise up and take for himself Naboth’s vineyard—take for himself an inheritance that didn’t belong to him. When you come to the seventeenth verse of this chapter, you will find that the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, which is in Samaria: behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it. And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the Lord, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine” (1 Kings 21:17-19).

 Please pay close attention to this passage of Scripture, for this passage of Scripture reveals just how passionate the Lord is concerning the inheritance of His people. The Lord was so passionate about the inheritance of Naboth, that after Naboth was murdered, and his inheritance seized, the Lord pronounced judgment upon the one who had seized the inheritance. THE LORD’S QUARREL WITH THOSE WHO SEIZE INHERITANCES THAT DON’T BELONG TO THEM! This passage reveals the incredibly powerful truth that not only is the Lord concerned with the inheritance(s) of His people, but the Lord can actually rise up against those who think that they can seize the inheritance of the people of God. The Lord was concerned with the inheritance of Hanameel, and so He spoke to Jeremiah concerning the purchase, the redemption and the possession of this inheritance. The Lord was zealous for Naboth’s inheritance, and so much so, that He pronounced judgment upon the one who had illegally seized his inheritance. The Lord was concerned with the inheritance of Hanameel, so He spoke to Jeremiah concerning the purchasing of the inheritance. It would be through this act of purchasing the inheritance the Lord would preserve the inheritance through the siege of the city and the silence of the captivity. The Lord was so concerned with this inheritance that He caused it to be preserved through the siege of the adversary, and even through the silence of captivity. I absolutely love this transaction, for this tiny, seemingly insignificant field within the land of Israel would be a powerful prophetic picture and portent concerning the inheritance of the people of God as a whole. This field would stand as a powerful prophetic declaration that the Lord would watch over and preserve the inheritance of His people in order that He might bring them once more into the land to possess it. Do you know that captivity doesn’t negate or disqualify you from possessing the inheritance? Though the people of God were removed from the inheritance, the Lord would preserve the inheritance in order that at the appointed time they could return to the inheritance. At the appointed time the people of God would return to the inheritance and would possess it according to the word of the Lord. Oh, please don’t miss the tremendous significance of this passage of Scripture, for the Lord carefully watches over the inheritance to preserve it, in order that we might return to and take possession of it once more.

 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! These were the words and instruction Jeremiah gave to Baruch the son of Neriah after he had not only purchased the field, but also sealed it with evidences. Jeremiah instructed Baruch to put the evidences in an earthen vessel, for it was there in the earthen vessel they would be preserved for many days. This is worth noting, for not only was the inheritance itself preserved, but the evidence of the preservation would be preserved as well. Jeremiah instructed the evidences of the inheritance to be put in an earthen vessel, in order that they might be preserved for many days. Is it possible that these evidences were preserved during the seventy years of captivity and exile, and upon their return to the land, the evidences would still be available? Is it possible that the evidences of this purchase would stand as a sign and portent of possessing houses, fields and vineyards, for it would be the evidences—evidences produced prior to the captivity—that would stand to declare the promise and word of the Lord as being utterly and completely true and reliable. PRESERVING THE INHERITANCE & PRESERVING THE EVIDENCES! The Lord not only sought to preserve the inheritance, but the Lord also sought to preserve the evidence of the inheritance as well. PRESERVING THE INHERITANCE AND PRESERVING THAT WHICH CONFIRMS THE PRESERVATION! The Lord not only wanted to preserve the inheritance in the land, but He also wanted the evidence of that preservation to stand as a prophetic declaration to those who returned to the land that they would once more possess houses, fields and vineyards within that land. How wonderful and how amazing is our God who not only preserves the inheritance, but also preserves the evidence of that preservation in order that we must place our trust, our confidence and our hope in Him and Him alone. Oh that we would read these words and understand the power of preserving the inheritance, and just how valuable the inheritance is before the Lord. Do you truly understand the value and worth of the inheritance which has been given unto you? Do you truly understand that the Lord is not only a God who prepares the inheritance, but the Lord is also a God who preserves the inheritance. The Lord prepares the inheritance for possession and the Lord preserves the inheritance for possession. Hallelujah to the One who preserves the inheritance for His people in order that they might possess it once more. There are those who right now are living in a place when the Lord is preserving their inheritance—not only when the enemy is at the gates and outside the walls, but also when the enemy has departed and all that is left is ruins. You might be finding yourself in a place where the enemy is at the gates and outside the walls, yet the Lord is preserving your inheritance. You might be finding yourself in a place where the enemy has departed and all that is left is ruin, yet the Lord has preserved your inheritance in the earth. Your inheritance has been and is being preserved in order that you might possess it at the appointed time.