Jeremia 45

1 Het woord, dat de profeet Jeremia gesproken heeft tot Baruch, den zoon van Nerija, als hij die woorden uit den mond van Jeremia in een boek schreef, in het vierde jaar van Jojakim, den zoon van Josia, den koning van Juda, zeggende:

2 Alzo zegt de HEERE, de God Israels, van u, o Baruch!

3 Gij zegt: Wee nu mij, want de HEERE heeft droefenis tot mijn smart gedaan; ik ben moede van mijn zuchten, en vind geen rust!

4 Zo zult gij tot hem zeggen: Zo zegt de HEERE: Zie, dat Ik gebouwd heb, breek Ik af, en dat Ik geplant heb, ruk Ik uit, zelfs dit ganse land.

5 En zoudt gij u grote dingen zoeken? Zoek ze niet; want zie, Ik breng een kwaad over alle vlees, spreekt de HEERE; maar Ik zal u uw ziel tot een buit geven, in alle plaatsen, waar gij zult henentrekken.

Jeremia 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.

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.