Jeremiah Chapter 45

While reading chapter 45, some might feel that this chapter has such a stark contrast against the preceding or subsequent chapters. Chapter 45 contains God’s assurance to Baruch, compared to other chapters which contain judgements against various groups of people such as the Egyptians, Philistines, Moabites, and the list goes on. One of the groups of people which did not escape God’s punishment was the Israelites, God’s own people. 

In Jeremiah 45:4, God says “Behold, what I have built I will break down, and what I have planted I will pluck up, that is the whole land”. This judgment was not sudden or without any cause. If we look back at Jeremiah 42:10, God had told His people through Jeremiah to remain in the land. 

“If you will still remain in this land, then I will build you and not pull you down, and I will plant you and not pluck you up. For I relent concerning the disaster that I have brought upon you.”

Jeremiah 42:10

But from the subsequent verses, we see how the people blatantly rejected the message and disobeyed God by going to Egypt (Jeremiah 43:1-7).

The people’s disobedience could also be contrasted against Baruch’s obedience. In chapter 36, Baruch was Jeremiah’s secretary who faithfully wrote the messages of God on scrolls, not only once but twice as King Jehoiakim burned the first one (Jer 36:27-32).

For Baruch’s contribution, God promised him a special mercy “But I will give you your life as a price of war in all places to which you may go” (Jeremiah 45:5)

In our lives today, our obedience towards Him will also determine how God will treat us. Therefore, let’s be an obedient believer who does not only selectively obey Him.

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