“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?”

As recorded in Jeremiah 32, King Zedekiah asked Jeremiah why he was prophesying that Jerusalem would be destroyed. So, Jeremiah related to him what the LORD had said and done. Context-wise this verse comes when God had told Jeremiah to purchase a plot of land, to which he had right of redemption. The LORD told him to make it a public transaction, in the gate of the city. And, He told Jeremiah to take steps to preserve the documentation of the sale.

At the same time, Nebuchadnezzar and his army surrounded the city. Jerusalem was under siege. In about three years the city would be taken and destroyed. This was in keeping with the prophecies that the LORD had given to Jeremiah for the people of Jerusalem and King Zedekiah. Just prior to the verse above Jeremiah asked the LORD, “Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans, … and what thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold, thou seest it. And thou hast said unto me, O Lord GOD, Buy thee the field for money, and take witnesses; for the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans.” (Jeremiah 32:24, 25) Jeremiah wondered about God’s command.

It seemed foolhardy to buy land and document and secure the purchase when the city and the land were soon to be given to invaders, according to God’s Word. Why would He give this direction to Jeremiah?

Through Jeremiah’s answer to Zedekiah’s question, the LORD wanted Zedekiah to know that He is God, and that He would turn events according to His will. In Daniel 4:25 the same Nebuchadnezzar told about learning that God sets over every kingdom leaders of His choosing. For now, because of the idolatry of the people of Jerusalem, they would be under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar. This was God’s will because of Israel’s sin against Him.

It is recorded three times in the book of Jeremiah that the LORD promised that captivity would last seventy years (Jeremiah 25:11, 12, and 29:10). In Jeremiah 29:10 we read, “For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.” Not only would the end of their captivity come, but God promises a return to their land, and His blessing in it. We read in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” His presence and blessing were promised.

In Daniel 9:1, 2, Daniel wrote, “In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans; in the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.” He realized that the seventy years had finished, and he began praying to the LORD to do what He had promised.

In the verse above, Jeremiah was graciously told that God can do anything, “…is any thing too hard for me?” May it never be! Nothing is outside of His might. It didn’t matter what Nebuchadnezzar was doing. God promised that the time would come that the land of Israel would be restored, and the Israelites would again own land. Jeremiah was given foreknowledge against the day when they would be back. He would be the first one with real estate, even though he endured the siege with the rest of the residents of the city.

As we look at our immediate circumstances, we may conclude that there is no way through. It may look as if God cannot, or will not, do anything about them. Will things ever get back to how they should be? Do we hear a strange request from Him? Do we think He is leading in an incredible direction? Our part is to obey God’s Word, no matter how it may seem in our circumstances.

Though it was a promise to Israel, Jeremiah 29:11 can be taken by the church, because God is unchanging, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” He is good for His word, He can be trusted. Remember God’s word to Jeremiah, “Behold, I am the LORD,… is there any thing too hard for me?”

Nothing is too hard for Jesus,

He the roughest road hath trod;

He can aid us in our trials,

Safely bring us home to God.

 

Refrain

 

Nothing is too hard for Jesus,

Tell the news all around;

Quickly spread the joyful message,

Wheresoever man is found.

 

Nothing is too hard for Jesus;

Tempted one and sorely tried,

Satan hath no power to conquer,

If in Christ thou dost abide.

 

Refrain

 

Nothing is too hard for Jesus;

Friend, the Savior speaks to thee,

I will give thee life supernal,

Lasting as eternity.

Refrain (Charles W. McCrossan)