HARD AND SOFT EVIDENCE

HARD AND SOFT EVIDENCE!

           The English word “evidence” is used seven times in only two occasions. The first occasion of its use is when God told Jeremiah to buy a field from Hanamel. This was literally a piece of the battlefield that would determine the captivity of Israel to the Babylonians. I’m sure that everyone thought Hanamel was quite the shrewd business man because the land was, at that time, worthless. But Jeremiah had God as an insider trader. You can read all about it in Jeremiah 32. I won’t list the verses here because they are lengthy but please read it when you have time.

           Yes, the field would be worthless UNTIL God brought the captives back to Israel. Then only the people with a title deed to land could reclaim that land. Jeremiah had a “document” which is the meaning of the Hebrew word ciphrah. This had been placed in “an earthen vessel that they may continue many days.” This was hard evidence that Jeremiah owned the land. There would be a re-gathering.

Jer 32:37

37 Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely:

           The second occurrence of the use of the word “evidence” is found in Hebrews chapter 11. Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Here the Greek word is elegchos and it does not mean a document but a conviction. This is the soft evidence that causes us to say “I can’t prove it but I just know it!

           Would Jeremiah ever actually occupy the land he had bought? Would he die in captivity as an old man? Yet, as Warren Wiersbe comments, “That, however, is what faith is all about: obeying God in spite of what we see, how we feel, and what may happen. It's well been said that faith is not believing in spite of evidence but obeying in spite of consequence, and Jeremiah's actions illustrate that maxim.”

Dear Lord, we just know that everything is going to turn out all right. We can safely invest in you and your kingdom enterprises. It may seem foolish to others but we know that there will soon be a gathering. We will one day occupy what has been purchased. Thank you for the evidence of your Holy Spirit. AMEN