Jeremiah 32: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Jeremiah 32 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Jeremiah is imprisoned by Zedekiah, king of Judah, who questions his prophecy about the fall of Jerusalem to Babylon (vv. 1-5). God commands Jeremiah to buy a field from his cousin Hanamel in Anathoth, affirming his right to redeem it (vv. 6-15). Jeremiah obeys and purchases the field, signing the deed and having witnesses present (vv. 8-12). He then prays to Yahweh, expressing his doubts about the purchase given the city's destruction (vv. 16-25). God responds, asserting His power and announcing the city's imminent fall to the Chaldeans (vv. 26-34). He also reveals His plans for restoration, promising to gather His people back and make a new covenant with them (vv. 35-44). He assures that fields will again be bought and sold in the land, affirming hope for the future.

Key verse

“Behold, I am Yahweh, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for me?”
Jeremiah 32:27 (WEB)

Outline

Jeremiah 32:1–5 Jeremiah’s Imprisonment and Prophecy
Jeremiah 32:6–15 The Command to Buy a Field
Jeremiah 32:16–25 Jeremiah's Prayer and Doubts
Jeremiah 32:26–34 God’s Response and Assurance
Jeremiah 32:35–44 Promise of Restoration and Covenant

Discussion questions

In v7, who is instructed to come to Jeremiah with a message?
What does Jeremiah do with the deed of the purchase in vv. 11-12?
Jeremiah's prayer in vv. 17-23 centers on God's past actions: what tension arises regarding the current siege?
In v25, why does Jeremiah express concern about buying land during the city's imminent destruction?
When have you acted in faith despite overwhelming circumstances, like Jeremiah buying the field?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Jeremiah 32: Luke 1, Matthew 19, Ephesians 3.

Before next time: read Jeremiah 33.