Jeremiah 45

The Lord's Message to Baruch

1 [This is] the word that Jeremiah the prophet spoke to Baruch son of Neriah when he wrote these words on a scroll at Jeremiah's dictation^[a] in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah:

2 "This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to you, Baruch:

3 'You have said, Woe is me, because the Lord has added misery to my pain! I am worn out with^[b] groaning and have found no rest.

4 " 'This is what you are to say to him: This is what the Lord says: What I have built I am about to demolish, and what I have planted I am about to uproot^[c]-the whole land!

5 But as for you, do you seek great things for yourself? Stop seeking! For I am about to bring disaster on every living creature'-[this is] the Lord's declaration-'but I will grant you your life like the spoils [of war]^[d] wherever you go.' "

Jeremiah 45 Commentary

Chapter 45

An encouragement sent to Baruch.

- Baruch was employed in writing Jeremiah's prophecies, and reading them, see ch. ( Jeremiah 36 ) , and was threatened for it by the king. Young beginners in religion are apt to be discouraged with little difficulties, which they commonly meet with at first in the service of God. These complaints and fears came from his corruptions. Baruch had raised his expectations too high in this world, and that made the distress and trouble he was in harder to be borne. The frowns of the world would not disquiet us, if we did not foolishly flatter ourselves with the hopes of its smiles, and court and covet them. What a folly is it then to seek great things for ourselves here, where every thing is little, and nothing certain! The Lord knows the real cause of our fretfulness and despondency better than we do, and we should beg of him to examine our hearts, and to repress every wrong desire in us.

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit scroll from Jeremiah's mouth
• [b]. Lit I labored in my
• [c]. Jr 24:6
• [d]. Jr 21:9; 38:2; 39:18

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 45

This chapter contains a prophecy, delivered to Baruch for his personal use. The time of it is expressed, Jer 45:1; a reproof is given him for his immoderate grief and sorrow, Jer 45:2,3; the destruction of the land of Judea is prophesied of; and therefore it was wrong in him to seek great things for himself at such a time; however, he is assured of his own safety, Jer 45:4,5.