Jeremiah 45 Study Notes

45:1-5 Once again, 605 BC seems to be a marker for the history of Israel and Judah and for the grand story of the Bible (see notes at 25:1; 36:1). Following this last summary are messages to the nations about God’s actions in history, past and future.

45:1 Baruch (“Blessed”) son of Neriah (“The Lord is my lamp”) came from a notable family. He was the grandson of Mahseiah (32:12), governor of Jerusalem under King Josiah (2Ch 34:8, Maaseiah). The phrase these words is usually linked with the scroll that King Zedekiah burned in chap. 36. This could be the reason for Baruch’s depression in this chapter. His brother had attained status in government, but his work of writing down the dictated words from Jeremiah the prophet had gone up in smoke. He had nothing to show for his labors.

45:4-5 These verses say, in effect, from God’s viewpoint, “Baruch, if you think you have problems, what about me? I am about to tear down what I have taken centuries to build up.”

45:5 It is not clear what great things Baruch was pursuing for himself. He may have been guilty of self-serving ambition, which Ps 131:1 rebukes. On the other hand, he may have wanted to see the mighty deeds of God that were promised in Dt 10:21 (cp. Ps 71:19). The most God promised to Baruch was that he would grant him his life like the spoils of war. That was the same promise given to the Ethiopian eunuch who saved Jeremiah’s life (39:18).