Jeremiah 31 - 32

Chapter 32:
God had pronounced judgment on Judah and Israel. He said that they would be take captive because of their sins. Yet, in His love, God was already promising them many good things after they had spent 70 years of captivity in Babylon. God is still like that today. He requires faithfulness and obedience. But, even when he chastens us it is for our good. He wants to bless us. He wants to give us all His good things. So, even in the middle of all these judgments, we have a chapter that is full of promises of good things.
In verses 29 and 30 he makes a very profound statement. He says, in essence, that everyone is responsible for their own sin. Everyone has a chance to serve God. No one is doomed to sin, addiction or a certain lifestyle just because of the way their parents lived. Each person makes a choice on their own and they will live with the consequences of that choice. Although children certainly may suffer because of the wrong choices their parents have made, it is their own choices that determine their destiny.
In the end of the chapter, he gives us a glimpse of the New Covenant that God will make with His people. It is a look forward to the time when Jesus will come. He also speaks about having the Law (Holy Spirit) in our hearts. He tells us that every man will teach his neighbor to serve the Lord. He also promises forgiveness for our sins that is better than the Old Testament sacrificial system. He also speaks of a time when Jerusalem shall be a much larger city than it currently was.

Chapter 32:
Jeremiah was in a very unfortunate situation. Not only was the whole city besieged by the Babylonians, but also, he was shut up in prison within the city. He could have had every reason to be discouraged, but it seems that he was not. For, he was still in communion with God, because God told him that someone would come to sell him a field. This happened and Jeremiah bought the field. Jeremiah than wondered how it would be possible that this field could be useful, seeing that they would all be taken captive, but the Lord told him to seal up the deed in a clay pot because eventually they would return and farm the land. In the end of the chapter, God continues to pronounce judgment. Yet, He interjects promises about their return from captivity. God is a very just God and He does not tolerate sin. Yet, is His love for us, He works very hard to give us every chance to serve Him. Thank you, Lord, for your patience with us. Help us to always serve you whole-heartedly.