Jeremiah Overwhelmed With Temptation to Doubt

After arranging for the preservation of the written records, the faith of Jeremiah was now sorely tried. Had he acted presumptuously? Had he given ground for false hope? Could the promises to the chosen nation ever meet with complete fulfillment?SS 244.4

Perplexed in spirit, the prophet appealed to God for further enlightenment concerning the divine purpose. Nebuchadnezzar's armies were about to take the walls of Zion by storm. Thousands were perishing in a last desperate defense of the city. More thousands were dying of hunger and disease. The besieging towers of the enemy's forces were already overlooking the walls. “Behold, the siege mounds,” the prophet prayed to God, “have come up to the city to take it, and because of sword and famine and pestilence the city is given into the hands of the Chaldeans who are fighting against it. What Thou didst speak has come to pass, and behold, Thou seest it. Yet Thou, O Lord God, hast said to me, ‘Buy the field for money and get witnesses’—though the city is given into the hands of the Chaldeans.” Verses 24, 25, RSV.SS 244.5

The prayer was graciously answered. “The word of the Lord unto Jeremiah” in that hour of distress was: “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for Me?” Verses 26, 27. Soon the city's gates and palaces were to be burned; destruction was imminent and the inhabitants were to be carried away captive; nevertheless the eternal purpose of the Lord was yet to be fulfilled. The Lord declared concerning those on whom His chastisements were falling:SS 245.1

“I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely: and they shall be My people, and I will be their God: I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them, and of their children after them.”SS 245.2

“Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them. And fields shall be bought in this land, whereof ye say, It is desolate without man or beast; it is given into the hand of the Chaldeans. Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal them.” Verses 37-39, 42-44.SS 245.3