Lingering Doubts

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Jeremiah 32:16-44

 

James 1:6

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

(ESV)

 

Today is Easter Sunday, a day set aside in the Christian faith for celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, for there to be a resurrection from the dead, Jesus had to endure a brutal crucifixion. The weekend of Easter is a roller coaster of spiritual emotions from the grief of Good Friday to the reflection of Saturday when one considers why Jesus had to die, and Easter Sunday celebrating the conquest of death by Jesus. The resurrection means everyone can have eternal life (John 3:16). Please take a moment to watch these video clips from David Crowder and Don Francisco that remind us of the importance of this day in our faith.

 

Jeremiah has obediently purchased a plot of land in Anathoth (Jeremiah 32:1-15). This purchase represents a step of faith for it is based on the word from the Lord that the exile would last seventy years. The question of this post is were the actions of Jeremiah doubts that his purchase of the land came from God or the seeking of understanding the significance of his actions. Jeremiah 32:16-44 teaches us the importance of,

 

1)      Counsel (Jeremiah 32:16-25) – It is wise to seek Godly counsel when doing something, especially something major like a major purchase. The purchase of a plot of land in an area about to come under siege by an enemy army seems crazy on the surface but Jeremiah has confidence in the word he previously received from the Lord and knows his descendants will need a place to live once the people return to the land (Jeremiah 25:1-14). However, he may have some lingering doubts and seeks understanding about why God has instructed him to make the purchase. Jeremiah may believe this understanding will eliminate any lingering doubts and strengthen his faith. It is also possible Jeremiah remembers the account of Israel’s defeat by Ai (Joshua 7:1-9) and wants to ensure he has heard from God.

2)      Context (Jeremiah 32:26-35) – God’s response to Jeremiah places the events about to happen in context with a reminder of why Israel and Judah are going into exile. The nations of Judah and Israel have been disobedient to the First Commandment and worshipped other gods. Deuteronomy 28:15-68 clearly states the consequences of such rebellion so the exiles have had warning and should be unsurprised at what is about to happen. However, God has also promised the duration of the exile will only be seventy years (Jeremiah 21:1-14) meaning it is not crazy to purchase a plot of land for the people will return to their land.

3)      Celebration (Jeremiah 32:36-44) – God then demonstrates His grace and provides hope promising the exiles will return home (Jeremiah 32:36-37). God goes on to remind us that even though they were rebellious, the people of Judah and Israel are still His people and He is still their God (Jeremiah 32:38). Like a parent of a disobedient child, God is displeased with the actions of His children but does not disown them as his children and instead disciplines them during seventy years of exile, bringing them to repentance and restoration.                           

 

A purchase of a plot of land in an area about to come under siege from an invading army seems illogical and perhaps why Jeremiah seeks an understanding of his purchase (Jeremiah 32:16-25). Jeremiah obediently did what the Lord commanded and now seeks an understanding of his actions after making the purchase (Jeremiah 32:16). In the previous post covering Jeremiah 32:1-15, the actions of Jeremiah in purchasing a plot of land constituted a step of faith and not a leap of faith because it has a Scriptural basis. This leads to the question of why Jeremiah who took a step of faith based on what the Lord had shown him would now seek understanding for his actions.

 

Since the passage is unclear as to why Jeremiah seeks understanding, we can only surmise why. Perhaps Jeremiah has self-doubts about his actions being from the Lord or done in his self-interests to ensure his descendants owned land upon returning to Israel. Jeremiah may have also sought confirmation for his actions because of persecution he had suffered from other prophecies he had spoken. The important thing to note here is Jeremiah took a step of faith upon hearing from the Lord and only sought understanding after his act of obedience.

 

After taking a step of faith, one may experience lingering doubts as to whether the path chosen by our step of faith is the right path. While we should not doubt God (James 1:6), James 1:6 also reminds us to ask in faith. Jeremiah is not doubting what God asked him to do when seeking understanding but is asking for understanding, perhaps to deal with some lingering doubts about his actions. This is not a weakness of faith but seeking understanding to strengthen faith. Since the truth, specifically the truth regarding God’s Word, sets one free (John 8:32), we should seek a greater understanding of God’s Word and specifically the steps of faith God directs us to take. However, we should take these Biblically supported steps of faith like Jeremiah did and seek understanding after taking the steps to strengthen our faith.

 

The first step of faith taken by anyone is a step of faith in accepting Jesus Christ as one’s personal savior. Every person needs a savior for all of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s standard for our lives (Romans 3:23). Sin is a serious issue for it carries a death penalty with God but God has provided the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ (John 3:16; Romans 6:23). Acceptance of the gift of salvation provided by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ comes through a public declaration of faith (Romans 10:9-10). If you have never taken this first step of faith, I encourage you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

I encourage those that just prayed to make their declaration of faith public by either commenting on this post or calling someone to let them know about your declaration of faith. We need to grow in our faith by gaining an understanding of the Bible through finding a church or Bible study teaching the Bible and applying its teaching to our lives. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.