Jeremiah 45

Message to Baruch

1 This is the message which Jeremiah the prophet spoke to ¹Baruch the son of Neriah, when he had ²written down these words in a book at Jeremiah's dictation, in the ³fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, saying:

2 "Thus says the LORD the God of Israel to you, O Baruch:

3 'You said, "Ah, woe is me! For the LORD has added sorrow to my pain; I am ⁴weary with my groaning and have found no rest."'

4 "Thus you are to say to him, 'Thus says the LORD, "Behold, ⁵what I have built I am about to tear down, and what I have planted I am about to uproot, that is, the whole land."

5 'But you, are you ⁶seeking great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I am going to ⁷bring disaster on all flesh,' declares the LORD, 'but I will ⁸give your life to you as booty in all the places where * you may 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.

Cross References

• 1. Jeremiah 32:12, 16; Jeremiah 43:3, 6
• 2. Jer 36:4, 18, 32
• 3. 2 Kings 24:1; 2 Chronicles 36:5-7; Jeremiah 25:1; Jeremiah 36:1; Jeremiah 46:2; Daniel 1:1
• 4. Psalms 6:6; Psalms 69:3; 2 Corinthians 4:1, 16; Galatians 6:9
• 5. Isaiah 5:5; Jeremiah 1:10; Jeremiah 11:17; Jeremiah 18:7-10; Jeremiah 31:28
• 6. 1 Kings 3:9, 11; 2 Kings 5:26; Matthew 6:25, 32; Romans 12:16
• 7. Isaiah 66:16; Jeremiah 25:31
• 8. Jeremiah 21:9; Jeremiah 38:2; Jeremiah 39:18

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "from the mouth of Jeremiah"

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.