Jeremiah 45
1 The word that Jeremiah the prophet spake unto Baruch the son of Neriah, when he had written these words in a book at the mouth of Jeremiah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, saying,
2 Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, unto thee, O Baruch;
3 Thou didst say, Woe is me now! for the LORD hath added grief to my sorrow; I fainted in my sighing, and I find no rest.
4 Thus shalt thou say unto him, The LORD saith thus; Behold, that which I have built will I break down, and that which I have planted I will pluck up, even this whole land.
5 And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the LORD: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest.
Common Questions About Jeremiah 45
Who is Baruch, and what message does he receive in chapter 45?
Baruch was Jeremiah's faithful scribe who recorded his prophecies, and in this short chapter God addresses Baruch's own discouragement and exhaustion, acknowledging his sorrow and pain amid the turmoil surrounding Jeremiah's ministry.
What comfort and caution does God give Baruch?
God tells Baruch not to seek great things for himself, since disaster is coming on the whole land, but promises to preserve his life wherever he goes, offering him personal safety without necessarily removing the difficulty around him.
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Questions to Think About
- Baruch served faithfully behind the scenes and still struggled with discouragement. How do you support yourself, or others, in the often unseen work of faithful service?
- God's promise to Baruch was survival amid hardship, not necessarily comfort. How do you find contentment when God's provision looks different than what you hoped for?
Ask the Bible Chat Bot below if you'd like to talk through any of these.
