Commentary on "Baruch: Building a Legacy in a Crumbling World"

PHIL HARRIS

 

Day 5: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 - Woe Is Me!

 

Overview

Today’s lesson is centered on Jeremiah chapter forty-five where “the LORD, the God of Israel” addresses a message to Baruch. Baruch, while apparently thinking of his own professional future, does say; “Woe is me”. Considering God’s message to Baruch, this is the chapter that could be titled; ‘Thwarted Ambitions’.

 

Observations

The lesson makes some very good points that apply to each of us, whatever our status in life may be. The lesson authors do seem a little confused concerning the chronology of this chapter in relation to chapter thirty-six. Both chapters begin with the phrase; “in the fourth year of Jehoiakim”. This indicates that both prophecies were received and recorded at about the same time. Chapter thirty-six, verse nine begins with the phrase; “in the fifth year of Jehoiakim” indicating the rest of this chapter was after, not before, chapter forty-five. Of course, this does serve to support the theme that Baruch’s ambitions were thwarted by the developing events of his time.

The main reference used in the lesson is Isa. 53:1-5 and shows that even our Savior was a person of sorrow. There is one major difference between our sorrow and that of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Our own sorrow and our own thwarted ambitions are a result of Adam’s sin that we each have inherited, while Jesus suffered because our sins that were laid upon him.

We should continue this reference by at least including verse six, to more fully understand why Jesus was a “man of sorrows”:

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned--every one--to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isa. 53:6 ESV)

Our sins were laid upon Jesus and carried to a place unknown, the place of the dead. Only because of Jesus can anyone be resurrected unto eternal life. We should also keep in mind that this promise of a coming Messiah was recorded many years, before Jeremiah’s time.

Now, returning back to Jeremiah:

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. 45:5 ESV)

Along with the admonition to not seek great things for himself, God promises Baruch that he will be safe and survive the coming disaster that is falling upon Judah.

 

Summary

1. Even if things are not as dramatic as in Baruch’s time, we all suffer times of stress, sickness, sorrow and death in our lives.
2. The lesson we can apply from Jeremiah chapter forty-five is that God will not abandon us in difficult times. Even as we face death, there is the promise of eternal life for those who Jesus Christ is their Savior, I Cor. 15:20-23.
3. Isaiah 53:6 teaches us that Jesus is our Scapegoat. He carried our sins to a place unknown nearly two thousand years ago. The promise of the resurrection applies to all the saints, in all generations, who “belong to Christ”. The promises made to Isaiah and to Baruch shows that this has always been God’s plan for those who belong to him.

 

GO TO DAY 6

 

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