Jeremiah Overwhelmed With Temptation to Doubt

After arranging for the preservation of the written records, Jeremiah found his faith severely tested. Had he acted presumptuously? Had he given the people ground for false hope? Could the promises to the chosen nation ever meet with complete fulfillment?RR 167.3

Perplexed in spirit, the prophet appealed to God for further light 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 siege towers of the enemy’s forces were already overlooking the walls. “Look, the siege mounds!” the prophet prayed to God. “They have come to the city to take it; and the city has been given into the hand of the Chaldeans who fight against it, because of the sword and famine and pestilence. What You have spoken has happened; there You see it! And You have said to me, O Lord God, ‘Buy the field for money, and take witnesses’!—yet the city has been given into the hand of the Chaldeans.” Verses 24, 25.RR 167.4

God graciously answered this prayer. “The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah” in that hour of distress: “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 would still be fulfilled. The Lord declared concerning those on whom His judgments were falling:RR 167.5

“I will bring them back to this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely. They shall be My people, and I will be their God; then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them.”RR 167.6

“Just as I have brought all this great calamity on this people, so I will bring on them all the good that I have promised them. And fields will be bought in this land of which you say, ‘It is desolate, without man or beast; it has been given into the hand of the Chaldeans.’ Men will buy fields for money, sign deeds and seal them.” Verses 37-39, 42-44.RR 167.7