FRAMEWORKS:
Jeremiah 45: A
word to Baruch
[Preliminary
Comment: In chapter 36 Jeremiah had been commanded by
the Lord to write down his prophecies on a scroll. This short
chapter is the start of the miscellaneous prophecies of most of
the remaining chapters and recaps what went on back then. It is
a personal word that the Lord had for Baruch who acted as Jeremiah's
scribe. Baruch had felt down as a lonely believer, perhaps, but
the Lord challenges him to have confidence that God is in control
as He brings judgments on the earth.]
v.1
Context: when Jeremiah had to write a scroll in Jehoiakim's reign
v.1
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:
v.2,3
Baruch had confessed to feeling downcast
v.2
‘This
is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to you, Baruch:
v.3
You
said, “Woe to me! The Lord has added sorrow to my pain; I am worn
out with groaning and find no rest.”
v.4,5
He is challenged to see his life in the context of God's great
judgments
v.4
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.
v.5
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.”'
Continue
to Chapter 46