Is There Anything Too Hard for the LORD? (Jeremiah 32)

Scripture reading – Jeremiah 32

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* Please note that words and phrases in brackets are the author’s amplification.

Our study of the Book of Jeremiah brings us to “the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar” (Jeremiah 32:1). Historical records confirm this was 587 B.C. In 586 B.C., Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed by fire. Those who survived the siege were led away to Babylon as captives. Yet despite Judah’s sins, Jeremiah assured the people that the LORD would not forget them (Jeremiah 29:11-13). Nevertheless, they were told to accept the consequences of their sins, including the seventy years of captivity in Babylon (Jeremiah 29:10).

Jeremiah 32  

The Prisoner (Jeremiah 32:1-5)

Babylon was encamped outside the gates of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 32:2), but where was Jeremiah? We read that “the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison, which was in the king of Judah’s house” (Jeremiah 32:2b). Rather than heeding the prophet’s warnings, King Zedekiah imprisoned Jeremiah in the court of the king’s house. By isolating the prophet, the king effectively curtailed Jeremiah’s warnings and diminished his authority among the people (Jeremiah 32:2).

After hearing Jeremiah’s prophecies, the king demanded, “Wherefore dost thou prophesy, and say, Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it?” (Jeremiah 32:3). Instead of falling on his face and repenting of his sins, the king rejected the LORD’s words. Jeremiah prophesied that Jerusalem would fall and that Zedekiah would be Nebuchadnezzar’s prisoner (Jeremiah 32:4-5).

The Patron (Jeremiah 32:6-15)

With Jerusalem under siege and the rest of Judah fallen, the LORD instructed Jeremiah to buy a field from a cousin in Anathoth, his hometown (Jeremiah 32:6-12).

Why buy land at such a time? Although buying a field seemed foolish at the time, Jeremiah obeyed, thereby expressing his faith that Israel would return after the captivity. He purchased the land with witnesses, and the deed was sealed and stored “in an earthen vessel” (Jeremiah 32:14). Jeremiah’s actions demonstrated his confidence that Israel would be restored as the LORD promised (Jeremiah 32:15). 

The Prayer (Jeremiah 32:16-25)

After purchasing the field, Jeremiah prayed and worshiped the LORD (Jeremiah 32:16). He acknowledged the LORD as the Creator and sovereign of heaven and earth. He declared, “There is nothing too hard for thee” (Jeremiah 32:17). He remembered that the LORD was both merciful and just, for He had shown “lovingkindness” and rewarded His people according to their iniquity (Jeremiah 32:18). 

Though imprisoned, Jeremiah rejoiced in “the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts…Great in counsel and mighty in work” (Jeremiah 32:18-19). He was reminded that the LORD is a righteous judge. His “eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings” (Jeremiah 32:19).

Jeremiah then reminded the people that the LORD redeemed Israel and brought them out of Egypt. He gave Israel the land He promised Abraham and his sons would inherit (Genesis 13:14-15), “a land flowing with milk and honey” (Jeremiah 32:22; Exodus 3:8). The LORD gave Israel all He promised, yet the people disobeyed His law and failed to walk according to His commandments (Jeremiah 32:23). 

Having broken their covenant with the LORD, Israel forfeited God’s blessing and protection, and it was He who brought forth the Chaldeans (Babylon) as promised (Jeremiah 32:24).

The Prophesy (Jeremiah 32:26-35)

The LORD then rehearsed to Jeremiah the sorrow that would come upon Israel and Judah because of the people’s sins (Jeremiah 32:26-44). Nebuchadnezzar would destroy Jerusalem by fire, and the people would suffer from disease and famine (Jeremiah 32:26-29).

Should anyone question why Judah was left desolate, Jeremiah was reminded that the people’s sins and wickedness provoked the LORD’s wrath (Jeremiah 32:30-32). All the inhabitants of Jerusalem had backslidden and refused to heed the LORD’s words (Jeremiah 32:33). They defiled the Temple with idols and sacrificed their sons and daughters to Molech (Jeremiah 32:34-35). There was no hope for Jerusalem, for the LORD declared that He had determined to deliver the city and its people to Babylon (Jeremiah 32:36). 

Despite the nation’s wickedness, the LORD promised He would neither forget nor forsake His people (Jeremiah 32:37-44). He assured them that the day would come when He would gather them “out of all countries…[and]bring them again” to Jerusalem and “cause them to dwell safely” (Jeremiah 32:37). 

Closing thoughts –

How would Judah and Israel find their way back to the LORD? The answer is found in Jeremiah 31:21, where we read, “Set thee up waymarks, make thee high heaps: Set thine heart toward the highway, Even the way which thou wentest” (Jeremiah 31:21).

“Waymarks” and “high heaps” marked the path through the wilderness and back to the LORD. Spiritually, “the waymarks” were God’s Laws and Commandments. Seventy years later, the Jews were freed to return home. They rebuilt the Temple and then Jerusalem. More importantly, they re-established their covenant with the LORD.

Are we like Israel and Judah, finding ourselves far from the LORD? As He waited for Israel to repent of her backslidings, the LORD waits for His children to repent and return to Him (1 John 1:8-9). He chastened His people and longed for them to turn to Him. Perhaps He is chastening you. Remember, “no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Hebrews 12:11).

The LORD is waiting!

Copyright © 2026 – Travis D. Smith 

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