Deeper Commentary
Jeremiah 45:1 The message that Jeremiah the prophet spoke to Baruch
the son of Neriah, when he wrote these words in a book at the mouth of
Jeremiah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah,
saying- The reference is to the words written in the roll or scroll of
Jer. 36:1. The book of Jeremiah isn't chronological but thematic; here, the
theme which continues from Jer. 44 is that of Baruch, who went with Jeremiah
to die with the apostate Jews in Egypt.
Jeremiah 45:2 Thus says Yahweh the God of Israel, to you, Baruch- God's
word to Baruch begins with a quotation from Baruch's own feelings (:3).
Jeremiah 45:3 You said, Woe is me now! For Yahweh has added sorrow to my
pain; I am weary with my groaning and I find no rest- In the historical
record of Jer. 36, Baruch appears to just do what Jeremiah tells him in
writing the record of Jeremiah's words. But this led him to risk death.
The "pain" was how he like Jeremiah felt the pain of the condemned people;
but he experienced additional "sorrow", reflected in his restless
groaning, perhaps related to fear of imprisonment and death for his work
in transcribing the prophecies. The Father was comforting Baruch that He
knows human words, even those said quietly in frustration. But even in
that 'finding no rest' he was fellowshipping Israel's experiences for
breaking the covenant, such was his identity with them (s.w. Dt. 28:65).
Jeremiah 45:4 You shall tell him, Thus says Yahweh: Behold, that which I
have built will I break down, and that which I have planted I will pluck up;
and this will be so in the whole land- Jeremiah's words had the power
to break down and pluck up; and indeed the words he had transcribed would
come about. There was no way to stop that; the time for changing outcomes
had passed.
Jeremiah 45:5 Do you seek great things for yourself? Don’t seek them; for,
behold, I will bring evil on all flesh, says Yahweh; but your life will I
give to you for a prey in all places where you go-
Baruch, the faithful scribe of Jeremiah 36, had to be reminded later to stop
seeking great things for himself.
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