Jeremiah 45 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Jeremiah 45

Message to Baruch

45:1 The word that Jeremiah the prophet spoke to Baruch the son of Neriah, when he wrote these words in a book at the dictation of Jeremiah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah: 2 “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, to you, O Baruch: 3 You said, ‘Woe is me! For the LORD has added sorrow to my pain. I am weary with my groaning, and I find no rest.’ 4 Thus shall you say to him, Thus says the LORD: Behold, what I have built I am breaking down, and what I have planted I am plucking up—that is, the whole land. 5 And do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not, for behold, I am bringing disaster upon all flesh, declares the LORD. But I will give you your life as a prize of war in all places to which you may go.”

Commentary

v1: Referring back to chapter 36, the fourth year of Jehoiakim. The promises of God were given to Baruch years before they fled into Egypt.

v2: Words specifically addressed to Baruch. The Lord knows those who are His, and he knows our specific circumstances, and speaks into them.

v3: Baruch had shared Jeremiah’s faithfulness, and had shared in his suffering. Their suffering actually surpassed that of the people because they cared deeply for them.

v4: The word of the Lord was to overthrow and uproot, see 1.10. Baruch should not trust in those things around him.

v5: Baruch must not seek great things for himself. God, however, promised him life and security; he would not be slaughtered with the rest of the people. We find our satisfaction in God, and in His promises for our lives.

Amidst the chaos and carnage of the Babylonian invasion, God’s hand was on an individual. We find hope in the same God would knows those who trust in Him.