By Eugene Garner

JEREMIAH - CHAPTER 45

A WORD FOR BARUCH

    The word that Jeremiah the prophet spake unto Baruch the son of Neriah, when he had written these words in a book at the mouth of Jeremiah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, saying, 2 Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, unto thee, O Baruch; 3 Thou didst say, Woe is me now! for the LORD hath added grief to my sorrow; I fainted in my sighing, and I find no rest. 4 Thus shalt thou say unto him, The LORD saith thus; Behold, that which I have built will I break down, and that which I have planted I will pluck up, even this whole land. 5 And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the LORD: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest.

    1. This brief passage looks back to an event that occurred in 605 B.C. (vs. 1), in the fourth year of Jehoiakim's reign; in chronological order it would follow 36:8.
    2. The writing referred to is the scroll on which Baruch wrote "from the mouth of Jeremiah" who was being held captive in the court of the guard, (36:4, 18, 32).
    3. Baruch had been sent to read this prophetic message in the house of the Lord, as the people came in from the cities of Judah to observe a fast, (36:6-10).
    4. It appears that Baruch expected to make quite an impression as the spokesman of Jehovah on this occasion - persuading his fellow-countrymen to turn back to Jehovah their God.
      a. Here was a tremendous message from Jehovah, and he was the message bearer.
      b. When the hearts of the people were turned back to Jehovah, a great deal of the credit would go to him for the mighty impact of his delivery!
      c. He would be considered a great man - exalted in the eyes of the people.
      d. But the result was not exactly what Baruch had dreamed; the message was despised, the scroll destroyed, Baruch humiliated, and his very life placed in jeopardy!
    5. Jeremiah reveals the tendency of all human flesh, when its plans are frustrated, by unveiling the complaint of Baruch's discouragement: 0Woe is me now! for the Lord hath added grief to my sorrow!
      a. Not only had his hopes been frustrated, but his people were determined to destroy themselves!
      b. Wearied with his groaning, he could find no rest! (comp. 2 Cor. 4:1; 16; Gal. 6:9).
    6. Jeremiah unveiled for Baruch the sorrowing heart of Jehovah who, for the honor of His own name, must destroy the people He had so lovingly labored to preserve.
    7. The seeking of greatness for one's self lies at the very root of man's problem.
      a. Glory belongs to the Lord alone - though He will ultimately share it with those who have been faithful to Him in service, (Isa. 42:8; Rom. 8:18; Col. 1:27; 3:4; I Pet. 5:10; Rev. 21:23).
      b. Thus, the Lord commands Baruch not to seek great things for himself (comp. I Kings 3:9, 11-13; 2 Kings 5:26-27; Matt. 6:33; I Pet 5:6); those in whose eyes he desires to be great are about to be destroyed! What of such greatness then?
      c. How utterly foolish the man who tries to chart his own course through life! (Jer. 10:23; Prov. 3:5-6) He will end up trapped!
    8. But, the Lord promises to spare Baruch's life from the hands of his enemies; He alone is able to direct our steps wisely, and meet our every need, (Matt. 10:25-30; Phil 4:19; Heb. 12:14-17).