“Jeremiah said, ‘The word of the LORD came to me: Behold, Hanamel the son of Shallum your uncle will come to you and say, “Buy my field that is at Anathoth, for the right of redemption by purchase is yours.”’” (Jeremiah 32:6–7 ESV).
Jeremiah received this word from the Lord while imprisoned in the court of the guard in Jerusalem. The Babylonians surrounded the city, and Judah’s defeat was imminent. Yet in this hopeless situation, God told Jeremiah to buy a field from his cousin Hanamel in Anathoth. Humanly speaking, it was a pointless investment—land about to be conquered—but spiritually, it was a prophetic act of faith.
The “right of redemption” referred to the ancient law in Leviticus 25:25, which allowed a close relative—called a “goel” in Hebrew, meaning kinsman-redeemer—to redeem family land so that it remained within the clan. By redeeming the field, Jeremiah acted as the family goel, publicly demonstrating his faith in God’s promise: “Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land” (v.15). His obedience became a living sign that even after judgment, God would redeem and restore His people.
Jeremiah’s act of redemption pointed forward to a far greater Redeemer. When sin left us enslaved, our true Goel, the Lord Jesus Christ, became one of us by His incarnation. And by His blood, He paid the full price for our redemption.
Even in our darkest days, when everything seems lost, we can live with Jeremiah’s kind of faith. Our Redeemer lives and reigns. Just as Jeremiah’s sealed deed testified to future restoration, the Word of God testifies that our redemption is sure. Let us trust God’s promises and live in hope, knowing that what He redeems, He restores forever.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for giving us hope through our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. When all seems lost, help us remember that You are still at work, buying back what was lost and restoring what was ruined. Strengthen our faith to trust Your promises and to live as those who have been redeemed. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.