Jeremiah Chapter 45 — A Message to Baruch
God provides a personal message to Jeremiah's scribe, Baruch, addressing his exhaustion and sorrow during a time of national judgment.
1The 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,
2“The LORD, the God of Israel, says to you, Baruch:
3‘You said, “Woe is me now! For the LORD has added sorrow to my pain! I am weary with my groaning, and I find no rest.” ’
4“You shall tell him, the LORD says: ‘Behold, that which I have built, I will break down, and that which I have planted I will pluck up; and this in the whole land.
5Do you seek great things for yourself? Don’t seek them; for, behold, I will bring evil on all flesh,’ says the LORD, ‘but I will let you escape with your life wherever you go.’ ”
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Jeremiah 45:3
“You said, “Woe is me now! For the LORD has added sorrow to my pain! I am weary with my groaning, and I find no rest.””
This verse captures Baruch's deep emotional distress while serving as the scribe for Jeremiah's prophecies.
Jeremiah 45:5
“Do you seek great things for yourself? Don’t seek them; for, behold, I will bring evil on all flesh,’ says the LORD, ‘but I will let you escape with your life wherever you go.’”
This verse contains God's direct instruction to Baruch to remain humble and his promise of personal safety.
Chapter Summary
Jeremiah Chapter 45 is a brief yet personal oracle directed to Baruch, the son of Neriah, who served as Jeremiah's scribe. Set in the fourth year of King Jehoiakim, the chapter recounts Baruch's despair and exhaustion as he records the difficult prophecies of judgment against Judah. Baruch laments his sorrow and lack of rest, feeling overwhelmed by the weight of the message he is writing. In response, the Lord reminds Baruch that He is the one breaking down what He built and plucking up what He planted throughout the entire land. God warns Baruch not to seek 'great things' or personal advancement for himself in a time of widespread disaster. However, God offers a promise of protection, assuring Baruch that while judgment falls on the nation, his life will be granted to him as a prize of war, ensuring his survival wherever he must go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Baruch, the son of Neriah, was the personal scribe and assistant to the prophet Jeremiah. He was responsible for writing down Jeremiah's dictated prophecies and reading them to the people.
Baruch expressed despair because he was overwhelmed by the messages of judgment he was recording and the suffering of his nation. He felt weary and unable to find rest amidst the pain and sorrow he perceived the Lord was adding to him.
God promised Baruch that although He was bringing judgment upon the whole land, Baruch's life would be spared. God assured him that his life would be granted to him as a prize of war, ensuring his safety wherever he went.
Study Note
This chapter is chronologically out of order, as it dates back to the fourth year of Jehoiakim, roughly eighteen years before the fall of Jerusalem.
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