Jeremiah 45, Message to Baruch (DRAFT)

(This DRAFT study has been done fairly quickly, without the further guide of commentaries. I hope to improve on it later.)

Baruch, the scribe of Jeremiah, has been a supporter. Here he is given a message of hope.

Jeremiah 45:1-3, Baruch's lament

This is what Jeremiah the prophet told Baruch son of Neriah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, after Baruch had written on a scroll the words Jeremiah was then dictating: "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to you, Baruch: You said, `Woe to me! The LORD has added sorrow to my pain; I am worn out with groaning and find no rest.'" 

Baruch, after writing out (twice) the dictation of Jeremiah, is discouraged. He has sorrow and pain, which he feels has come from YHWH.

Jeremiah 45:4-5, Don't seek great things

[The LORD said,] "Say this to him: `This is what the LORD says: I will overthrow what I have built and uproot what I have planted, throughout the land. Should you then seek great things for yourself? Seek them not. For I will bring disaster on all people, declares the LORD, but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.'"

Baruch is to be assured that he will be protected. But he is not to seek out great things. He is not to take advantage of the chaos. (I am reminded, in these instructions to Baruch, of Psalm 131.)