Jeremiah 32:17
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Jeremiah 32:17
17 Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:
Chapter Context
Jeremiah 32 is a prophetic oracle chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of sacrifice, discipleship, judgment. Written during the final years of Judah and early exile (c. 627-580 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Prophesied during Judah's final years as Babylon became the dominant power.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-44: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it illustrates divine judgment and mercy in response to human actions. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Jeremiah and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Jeremiah 32:17
17 Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:
Analysis
After completing the purchase, Jeremiah prays, beginning with worship of God as Creator. 'Thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm'—this grounds everything that follows. The God who spoke creation into existence by His word has unlimited power. The phrase 'there is nothing too hard for thee' (lo yippale mimeka kol davar, לֹא־יִפָּלֵא מִמְּךָ֖ כָּל־דָּבָֽר) literally means 'nothing is too wonderful/difficult/extraordinary for you.' No situation exceeds God's ability; no problem lacks solution; no promise is impossible to fulfill.
This confession of God's omnipotence frames Jeremiah's struggle to understand how the field he just purchased has any value when Babylon will conquer the land (vv. 24-25). He doesn't doubt God's promise—he purchased the field in obedience—but he struggles to comprehend how God will fulfill it. This models mature faith: we trust God even when we don't understand His ways. Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us that God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours.
Paul echoes this confidence in God's power: with God 'all things are possible' (Matthew 19:26); He 'is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think' (Ephesians 3:20). When God promises something, His power guarantees its fulfillment regardless of obstacles. When we doubt whether God can fulfill His promises, we should remember: He created everything that exists. Compared to that, what is too hard?
Historical Context
Jeremiah lived through catastrophic events—the destruction of Jerusalem, the temple's razing, the people's exile. From human perspective, these events seemed to negate God's covenant promises. How could God be faithful when His city was destroyed, His temple in ruins, His people enslaved? Jeremiah's appeal to God's creative power reminds himself and us: the God who made everything can certainly restore what was lost. Nothing is too hard for Him.
Reflection
- How does remembering God as Creator strengthen our confidence in His promises, especially when circumstances seem impossible?
- What promises of God do you struggle to believe are possible—and how does 'nothing is too hard for thee' address those doubts?
- How can we hold together trusting God's promises (like Jeremiah did in buying the field) while honestly expressing our struggles to understand His ways?
Word Studies
- Heaven: שָׁמַיִם (Shamayim) H8064 - Heaven, sky
Cross-References
- References God: Jeremiah 32:27, Matthew 19:26, Luke 1:37, 18:27
- References Lord: Genesis 18:14
- Creation: Jeremiah 27:5, Exodus 20:11, 2 Kings 19:15, Isaiah 45:12
- Parallel theme: Job 42:2