Jeremiah 45:1-3 – Stay focused on God, not on self.

The backdrop to Jeremiah 45 can be found in Jeremiah 36:1-8 where Baruch was engaged to record the prophet’s 23 years of prophecies. Sometime after he had the prophecies dictated to him, Jeremiah had a message from the Lord to Baruch. This portion of the Scriptures tells us about the struggles of Baruch for being involved in recording the message of God, He was entertaining self-pity knowing that he would be in trouble because Jeremiah’s message was not accepted by many. God spoke to him to correct his attitude and orientate his mindset. Hence, this chapter is not about Jeremiah, it’s about Baruch.

By the way, the name Baruch means blessed. He was Jeremiah’s scribe. In Jeremiah 32 we understand that after the prophet had bought a piece of land from his cousin, he gave it to Baruch for safekeeping. And in Chapter 36, we are told that Jeremiah had Baruch recorded his prophecies. Since the prophet was barred from entering the temple, he sent Baruch to read what was written to those who would listen. After ascertaining what they have heard, some leaders became fearful and reported it to King Jehoiakim. The concerned leaders realizing the danger of both Jeremiah and Baruch then advised them to go into hiding. When what was read to the king, he had the scroll sliced up after each portion was read to him and had them fed to fuel the fire. We learned that Jeremiah had Baruch re-record the prophecies a second time.

We are not told at which juncture Jeremiah gave Baruch the message, but we know that the latter was complaining about his predicament. Given the hostile circumstances and Jeremiah’s tough message, it’s not difficult to see why he should feel the pressure and discomfort concerning his role in it. Rather than see the importance of his task, Verses 1-3 describe how Baruch griped and complained and engaged in self-pity.

On deeper reflection of what Baruch was saying, we cannot miss the fact that he was blaming the Lord for putting him in this predicament. His precise words in verse 3 were “Ah, woe is me! For the Lord has added sorrow to my pain; I am weary with my groaning and have found no rest.” He was not only tired he was also discouraged. We cannot exclude his emotional anguish as he struggled with the opposition he had to encounter.  

What happened to Baruch can also be our experience. Hence, we need to have a proper orientation and appreciation of what God has called us to do. The world to which we are sent to minister is not always receptive and approving of the message we have for them. We must learn not to take offense. Most of all, not to take offense with God.

My prayer is that these words of Annie Johnson Flint would keep our hearts focused on God and our hands fulfilling the task He has assigned us:  

God hath not promised skies always blue,

Flower-strewn pathways all our life through;

God hath not promised sun without rain,

Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

 

God hath not promised we shall now know

Toil and temptation, trouble and woes;

He hath not promised we shall not bear

Many a burden, many a care,

 

God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,

Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;

Never a mountain rocky and steep.

Never a river turbid and deep.

 

But God hath promised strength for the day,

Rest for the labor, light for the way,

Grace for the trials, help from above,

Unfailing sympathy, undying love.