Bible Commentaries

JEREMIAH CHAPTER 45

Jeremiah instructeth and comforteth Baruch.

This chapter ought to have been annexed to the 36th chapter, or immediately to have followed it, for the writing of Jeremiah’s prophecies we read of there. It was eighteen years before this time that the prophet thus spake to Baruch upon the writing of those prophecies which, as we read there, brought both Jeremiah and Baruch into a great deal of danger, which probably gave Baruch the occasion of the complaint we shall read of, Jeremiah 45:3.

Jeremiah had in his former discourses revealed the will of God concerning nations, here he revealeth it as to Baruch his secretary or clerk, upon which account some compare him to Paul writing to Philemon as well as to churches.

Upon Baruch’s reading the prophecies after he had wrote them from the mouth of Jeremiah, both he and Jeremiah were sent for before the princes, and advised to hide themselves, as we read, Jeremiah 36:15,19. This probably disturbed Baruch, and made him lament his condition in such-like expressions, of which the prophet had heard, probably by revelation from God.

What great things Baruch was seeking is not expressed, and impossible to be determined with any certainty; they could not be honour or riches, the time of Jehoiakim’s reign was no time for any pious rational man to expect any thing of that nature; he might expect to have been a prophet, as Elisha was, who first was but a servant to Elijah. Or at least he might expect rest and protection, when others met with disturbance. But it may be the meaning is no more than, Dost thou expect what none meeteth with, or is like to meet with who feareth God? Never think of it.

I will bring evil upon all flesh; I am bringing calamities and misery upon the whole nation wherein thou livest.

But thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest; I will preserve thy life, that is all thou art to expect, and thou shalt live to see the time that thou wilt judge that a great booty, that thou shalt have lent thee, whithersoever the wind of my providence shall happen to drive thee. This message of God to Baruch teacheth us that God expects from his people a spirit suited to his dispensations, and that they should keep their spirits low in a time of public judgments, not making to themselves any great promises of freedom from their share in the public calamities of that nation or kingdom in which they are; but contenting themselves with such allowances as God proportioneth to them at such a time without discontent or murmuring, and blessing God for any marks of gracious providence which he in such times will please to set upon them, being thankful for them and satisfied with them.