Baruch’s Attitude Adjustment

The prophet Jeremiah had a helper named Baruch the son of Neriah. Baruch took part in important prophetic acts, like conserving a sealed land deed of purchase in an earthenware vessel as a sign that God’s people would return to their land after Babylonian exile (Jeremiah 32.14-15). He diligently copied Jeremiah’s prophecies onto a scroll and read them in the temple (a place from which Jeremiah himself was banned), facing the abuse of his stubborn countrymen. After his scroll was burned by the king, Baruch went into hiding and painstakingly copied it out again (Jer. 36.32). Eventually, he was taken to Egypt with the band of rebellious Israelites who refused to listen to God’s instructions to stay in their land (Jer. 43.6). Just as Jeremiah did not enjoy the job of prophet (Jer. 20.7), Baruch apparently did not enjoy his job as Jeremiah’s helper! Note the personal message he received from God through the mouth of his mentor: “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, to you, O Baruch: You said, ‘Woe is me! For the Lord has added sorrow to my pain. I am weary with my groaning, and I find no rest.’ Thus shall you say to him, Thus says the Lord: Behold, what I have built I am breaking down, and what I have planted I am plucking up – that is, the whole land. And do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not, for behold, I am bringing disaster upon all flesh, declares the Lord. But I will give you your life as a prize of war in all places to which you may go” (Jer. 45.2-5). It is evident from the Lord’s message that Baruch had big plans for himself. Since he was a scribe, an upper-class occupation, he was evidently intelligent and highly-educated. Under normal circumstances he could have claimed important positions in Jewish society, perhaps even in the royal court. His country was crumbling, however, and his fate was tied to an extremely unpopular prophet. He required an attitude adjustment, to focus more on what the Lord was doing in the world than his own personal plans. The security of his life was assured, but his ideas about the future were not. How we need this message in our lives! Have you made plans for your life that can no longer be fulfilled in the way you envisioned? Like Baruch, do you “seek great things for yourself” in this world? We can look for strength in our economy, the stock market, our healthcare system, and governmental leadership, but none of these things have proven worthy of our unshakable trust. We are tempted to focus on carving out our own niche in our culture and forget that every country crumbles into ash and a new one rises to take its place. May we look to Jesus, who rules an unshakable kingdom (Hebrews 12.28) and will give His followers indestructible spiritual life.                         Nathan Combs