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Commentary on "Baruch: Building a Legacy in a Crumbling World"
Day 4: Tuesday, December 21, 2010 - Thwarted Ambitions
Overview
Today’s lesson is centered on Jeremiah chapter thirty-six. It begins in the fourth year of the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah. Jeremiah, under the direction of God, instructs Baruch to write the words of the Lord on a scroll. Since Jeremiah has been barred from entering the temple grounds he instructs Baruch to take the scroll and read the words of this prophecy on a day the people are fasting and praying to God. It is hoped that they will hear the word of God and repent of their sins. Later, in the fifth year and in the ninth month of his reign, the king has the scroll read to him and burns the scroll, piece by piece, as it is read to him. This is total arrogant rebellion against God. This action of the king assures the destruction of the nation of Judah. Any personal ambitions that Baruch may have had are clearly lost.
Observations
Before we make too much of what Baruch’s personal opinions about his own future may have been when we study Scripture, we must realize that we really don’t know much about him other than what has been recorded in the book of Jeremiah, chapter forty-five. Since that chapter is covered in tomorrow’s lesson we will remain focused on chapter thirty-six.
Verse two makes it clear that the actual writing of the scroll by Baruch was just as Holy Spirit led as when God communicated the message to Jeremiah.
Verses 4 through 6 make it very clear Jeremiah was God’s selected prophet and Baruch took his orders from him. Baruch, as a good servant, simply did as he was instructed.
The context of verses 19 and 20 imply that the temple officials were receptive to the message but were well aware of the danger represented by the king and his court, when they advised that Baruch and Jeremiah should hide before they took the scroll to the king.
After the first scroll has been destroyed by the king, God seals his fate by declaring that his body will be cast out and none of his offspring would ever sit on the throne of Judah, verses 30 and 31.
Jeremiah then simply has Baruch rewrite on a new scroll all of the original prophecy along with the added postscript, which proclaimed the details of the king’s personal doom.
Summary
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