God speaks further in these chapters about His plan to effect His people’s salvation from sin, and what that looks like. You may wonder what buying and selling land has to do with salvation. It speaks of transformation and hope. Think of the transformation of the land if it goes from a desolate, uninhabited and likely uninhabitable waste, to land that people want to buy. Buying and selling speaks of commerce, improvement, activity, life. Have you had seasons of life where you felt like a desolate waste? Perhaps you’re there now. That’s the effect of sin – not necessarily your own sin, but the effect of living in a sin-cursed world where such things happen. But that was never God’s design for us, and He doesn’t want that to be our end. Instead, He wants the desolate places rebuilt, bringing Him renown, joy, praise, and honor. That is quite a transformation. He wants salvation to make the same kind of dramatic change in your life. Would you call your life more a desolate waste or something built up for God’s renown, joy, praise and honor? If it’s the former, you are not living out the salvation God has provided for you.
As you read these chapters, contemplate the descriptions of restoration and what God is saying about what He wants to do for you. Consider how the salvation you’re experiencing measures up to the salvation He wants to give you. If it needs to look better, please don’t wait to confess that to God and ask Him to do the necessary transformation in you. Then trust Him to do it.
In any case, we all owe praise and thanks to God for His great salvation.