Jeremiah 45:1-5 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: “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, to you, O Baruch: 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.’ 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. 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.”
According to Scripture, each believer has a gift to be used to advance God’s kingdom. And what a joy and privilege it is to serve Him! There is nothing quite like it, yet our service can be hindered or even corrupted by thoughts of grandeur. Such was the condition of the prophet Jeremiah’s co-laborer Baruch.
Jeremiah was front and center as a prophet, while Baruch, the scribe, worked behind the scenes. Both were vital callings, but brewing within the scribe was a desire for some of Jeremiah’s limelight, and God knew it.
Baruch may have kept his hopes to himself, or he may have voiced them aloud. Scripture doesn’t say what prompted the Lord’s strong words, but one thing is certain: If we want notoriety and applause from people, self-seeking will follow, and no one is exempt from that. John the Baptist’s disciples experienced this when they felt overshadowed by the rise of Jesus’ ministry, “Behold, He is baptizing, all are coming to Him!” (John 3:26). John’s response is a healthy reminder to all those serving God, “He (Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).
God’s admonition to Baruch wasn’t easy to hear, but it came with this promise, “‘…behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh,’” says the LORD. “‘But I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go’” (Jeremiah 45:5b). Like Baruch, we have the precious promise of salvation. Let us determine to glory in that alone. (Hibbs)
