Jeremiah 45

Jer 45:1-5.

JEREMIAH

COMFORTS

BARUCH.

After the completion of the prophecies and histories appertaining to the

Jewish people and kings, Jeremiah subjoins one referring to an

individual, Baruch; even as there are subjoined to the epistles of Paul

addressed to churches, epistles to individuals, some of which were prior

in date to the former. Afterwards follow the prophecies referring to

other nations, closing the book

[GROTIUS]. The date of the events here

told is eighteen years before the taking of the city; this chapter in

point of time follows the thirty-sixth chapter. Baruch seems to have

been regularly employed by Jeremiah to commit his prophecies to writing

(Jer 36:1, 4, 32).

1. these words--his prophecies from the thirteenth year of Josiah to

the fourth of Jehoiakim.

3. Thou didst say, &c.--Jeremiah does not spare his disciple, but

unveils his fault, namely, fear for his life by reason of the suspicions

which he incurred in the eyes of his countrymen (compare

Jer 36:17),

as if he was in sympathy with the Chaldeans

(Jer 43:3),

and instigator of Jeremiah; also ingratitude in speaking of his

"grief," &c., whereas he ought to deem himself highly blessed in being

employed by God to record Jeremiah's prophecies.

added--rescued from the peril of my first writing

(Jer 36:26).

I am again involved in a similar peril. He upbraids God as dealing

harshly with him.

I fainted--rather, "I am weary."

no rest--no quiet resting-place.

4. that which I have built . . . planted I will pluck up--

(Isa 5:5).

This whole nation (the Jews) which I founded and planted with such

extraordinary care and favor, I will overthrow.

5. seekest thou great things for thyself--Thou art over-fastidious

and self-seeking. When My own peculiar people, a "whole" nation

(Jer 45:4),

and the temple, are being given to ruin, dost thou expect to be

exempt from all hardship? Baruch had raised his expectations too high

in this world, and this made his distresses harder to be borne. The

frowns of the world would not disquiet us if we did not so eagerly

covet its smiles. What folly to seek great things for ourselves here,

where everything is little, and nothing certain!

all flesh--the whole Jewish nation and even foreign peoples

(Jer 25:26).

but thy life . . . for a prey--Esteem it enough at

such a general crisis that thy life shall be granted thee. Be content

with this boon of life which I will rescue from imminent death, even as

when all things are given up to plunder, if one escape with aught, he

has a something saved as his "prey"

(Jer 21:9).

It is striking how Jeremiah, who once used such complaining language

himself, is enabled now to minister the counsel requisite for Baruch

when falling into the same sin

(Jer 12:1-5; 15:10-18).

This is part of God's design in suffering His servants to be tempted,

that their temptations may adapt them for ministering to their fellow

servants when tempted.