When Baruch son of Neriah wrote on a scroll the words Jeremiah the prophet dictated in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, Jeremiah said this to Baruch: “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to you, Baruch: You said, ‘Woe to me! The Lord has added sorrow to my pain; I am worn out with groaning and find no rest.’ But the Lord has told me to say to you, ‘This is what the Lord says: I will overthrow what I have built and uproot what I have planted, throughout the earth. Should you then seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them. For I will bring disaster on all people, declares the Lord, but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.’”
The prophets of God are an amazing group of people. Being called to be a prophet was a great honor, but the burden that went with the honor was also great. Since we are talking about prophets, and in light of the events that have been in the news recently, I wanted to share this short passage from Jeremiah.
No other prophet that I can think of had as faithful a sidekick as Jeremiah did. Baruch was there for him through thick and thin. If Jeremiah said, “Baruch, I want you to take this scroll you have written, and go into the middle of the most dangerous part of town, and read it out loud,” Baruch would do it. If Jeremiah said, “Baruch, I know you just wrote all of this stuff down once, but since the king has burned up the first scroll we are going to copy it all down again,” Baruch would do it. Baruch was faithful and brave. The very best friend that a man could have.
After God’s prophesies about Jerusalem’s demise had come to pass, Jeremiah and Baruch are saddled with the remnant of Jews that are left. When they ask for God’s guidance, they spurn it and head for Egypt. Both Jeremiah and Baruch know that no good will come from going there. I suspect that Baruch was finally getting discouraged. While taking dictation from Jeremiah on yet another scroll, Jeremiah suddenly stops, looks at Baruch, and says, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to you, Baruch….”
Whoah! That must have set him back on his heels!
Remember that God doesn’t speak to our words as people do. Instead, God speaks to our hearts. Like when Jesus responded to Nicodemus in John 3.
First, God restates what Baruch has said. Baruch may have spoken this out loud but it is also possible that God was revealing Baruch’s private thoughts. Then God says this:
“I will overthrow what I have built and uproot what I have planted, throughout the earth. Should you then seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them. For I will bring disaster on all people, declares the Lord, but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.” (Jeremiah 45: 4b-5)
What is important to you? Are the things you have more important than your life? Is your life no longer worth living if God allows everything to be taken away? The Book of Job wrestles with this question in detail. Although unhappy, Job remains faithful to God even when everything including his health is taken away. What about you? How would you fare in Job’s place? If you were given a message like Baruch, would you be grateful or angry?
In these days of turmoil, everything is at risk. Everything that is except our faith in God if we hold tight to our Lord Jesus. Is that enough?
Application: Take a quick inventory of everything you have. Where does the value of your life fall in that list?
Food for Thought: Is there any hope in God’s message to Baruch?
I think so. Baruch is assured that God will spare his life. In that time, keeping one’s life was even less of a guarantee than usual. This also demonstrates that God personally cares about Baruch. He knows his fears, concerns and the desires of his heart and can minister to him. God also helps Baruch to keep things in perspective. He reminds Baruch to seek God first rather than great things for himself. All of these are true for us in our relationship with God as well. When we hear God speak to Baruch, there is an echo of application through time to us.
Rich,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts today. I was also impressed with God’s concern for Baruch. That in itself is a very touching part of this story.
The physical things, systems of this world are temporary and will one day be destroyed by God. Do not seek to obtain things of this world.
God will bring judgement upon all people of this world, but gives life to those who follow Him, wherever they are.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:33, But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.
Make living in God our highest priority and we have His word, He will provide all our needs.
Ron,
Thank you! I think one of the things we might find confusing in this world is the difference between wants and needs. I read a story recently about a man who grew up in a small village in Africa. Soldiers came and destroyed his town. He and his family walked for days across empty wilderness to escape. They had nothing. No material possessions. No food. No prospects. His memory of this time astounded me. He was so grateful that God had provided the tiny amount of water they found on their journey. It was enough to survive, and he was grateful for that. Eventually he went on to become a pastor.
Great example Jeff. Thanks!
I think there is comfort in knowing God will be with you, even if things will be bad around you.
Hi Robert! Welcome!!
That is a great take on today’s passage. I find it interesting that I can get so focused on the details that I miss the BIG picture. You are absolutely right! 🙂
👍🏻
Yes I hope ther is hope in Gods message to Baruch and a little message to the Baruch in all of us.