““And I bought the field at Anathoth from Hanamel my cousin, and weighed out the money to him, seventeen shekels of silver. I signed the deed, sealed it, got witnesses, and weighed the money on scales. Then I took the sealed deed of purchase, containing the terms and conditions and the open copy. And I gave the deed of purchase to Baruch the son of Neriah son of Mahseiah, in the presence of Hanamel my cousin, in the presence of the witnesses who signed the deed of purchase, and in the presence of all the Judeans who were sitting in the court of the guard.”
Jeremiah 32:9-12 ESV
Through the Bible: Jeremiah 32-34
In 1867, Andrew Johnson’s Secretary of State William Seward purchased the Alaska Territory from Russia for $7.2 million— around two cents an acre.
At the time, this decision was ridiculed as a waste of money. The newspapers called it “Seward’s Folly” or “Andrew’s Icebox,” after President Andrew Johnson. Nobody thought it was a good idea at the time. But that all changed when gold, and later oil, were discovered in Alaska. And when Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump met in Anchorage this week, some joked that Putin was going to ask for it back.
In Jeremiah 32, the prophet did something that looked just as foolish as “Seward’s Folly.” While Jerusalem was under siege by Babylon—when land was worthless and the people were about to be dragged into exile—Jeremiah bought a field in Anathoth. He signed the deed, sealed it, and had it stored away for safekeeping. Then he declared, “Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land” (Jer. 32:15).
On the surface, it was the worst investment imaginable. But it was really a down payment on hope. Jeremiah’s action was a defiant proclamation that God’s promises of restoration were more real than Babylon’s armies.
Faith Is More Than Words
Jeremiah didn’t just say God would restore His people—he acted like it was true. His purchase was a sermon lived out in real estate.
That’s what faith looks like: not only agreeing with God in theory, but staking your future on His word.
What About Us?
We say we believe in God’s promises. But do we live like we believe them?
- If we truly believe God will provide, do we keep hoarding like He won’t?
- If we truly believe God forgives, do we keep carrying shame like He hasn’t?
- If we truly believe heaven is real, do we keep living like this world is all there is?
Faith isn’t just nodding along with a sermon. It’s buying the field. It’s making choices that only make sense if God is faithful.
Living Like You Believe It
Jeremiah’s purchase teaches us that hope is costly, but it’s also concrete. To live like we believe means:
- Choosing integrity when compromise looks easier.
- Staying faithful in relationships when walking away looks tempting.
- Investing in God’s kingdom even when the world says it’s foolish.
Every time we act in line with God’s promises, we declare to a watching world: “I believe this will not end in exile. God will restore. His word will stand.”
Anyone can say they believe in God’s promises. The difference is whether we live like it.
Jeremiah signed the deed and sealed it in a jar because he trusted God more than he trusted Babylon’s armies. That was faith with dirt under its fingernails.
What about you? Maybe your “field” is forgiving someone who hurt you, or giving generously when money is tight, or staying faithful when loneliness bites hard. Whatever it is, the world may call it folly. But heaven calls it faith.
This blog will always be a free resource for anyone who wants to grow in their love for God’s Word. If it has blessed you and you would like to support the ministry of 66in52, please consider a one time or recurring donation. Thank you!
Leave a Reply