From Splendor to Shadow

Chapter 38—Not All Was Lost!

Through Jeremiah in Jerusalem, Daniel in Babylon, and Ezekiel on the banks of the Chebar, the Lord in mercy made clear His eternal purpose. That which He had said He would do for those who proved true to Him, He would surely bring to pass. SS 243.1

In the wilderness wandering the Lord had made abundant provision for His children to keep in remembrance His law. After settlement in Canaan the divine precepts were to be repeated daily in every home. They were to be set to music. Priests were to teach them, and the rulers were to make them their daily study. The Lord commanded Joshua concerning the book of the law: “Do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Joshua 1:8. SS 243.2

Had this counsel been heeded through the centuries that followed, how different would have been Israel's history! It was regard for the law that gave Israel strength during the reign of David and the earlier years of Solomon's rule. Through faith in the living word, reformation was wrought in the days of Elijah and Josiah. And to these same Scriptures, Israel's richest heritage, Jeremiah appealed in his efforts toward reform. He met the people with the plea, “Hear ye the words of this covenant.” Jeremiah 11:2. SS 243.3

As the armies of the Chaldeans came for the last time to besiege Jerusalem, hope fled from every heart. But God left not to hopeless despair the faithful remnant in the city. Even while Jeremiah was under close surveillance in prison, there came to him fresh revelations concerning Heaven's willingness to forgive and to save. SS 243.4

Jeremiah, by an acted parable, illustrated before the inhabitants of the fated city his faith in the ultimate fulfillment of God's purpose for His people. In the presence of witnesses, he purchased an ancestral field in the neighboring village of Anathoth. From every human point of view this purchase of land already under the control of the Babylonians appeared to be folly. The prophet himself had been foretelling the destruction of Jerusalem and a long period of captivity in Babylon. Already advanced in years, he could never hope to receive benefit from the purchase he had made. SS 244.1

However, he had a firm conviction that the Lord purposed to restore to the children of the captivity the Land of Promise. With the eye of faith Jeremiah saw the exiles returning and reoccupying the land of their fathers. Through the purchase of the Anathoth estate he would inspire others with the hope that brought comfort to his own heart. SS 244.2

Having signed the deeds of transfer and secured the countersignatures of witnesses, Jeremiah charged Baruch his secretary: “Take these deeds, ... and put them in an earthenware vessel, that they may last for a long time. For thus says the Lord of hosts ... : Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land.” Jeremiah 32:14, 15, RSV. SS 244.3