Jeremiah 45: Baruch and his plans for future

We read:

1 This is what Jeremiah told Baruch one day in the fourth year of Jehoiakim’s reign as he was taking dictation from the prophet:

Jeremiah is not in chronological order. It happened around year -609+4 = -605

2-3 “These are the words of God, the God of Israel, to you, Baruch. You say, ‘These are bad times for me! It’s one thing after another. God is piling on the pain. I’m worn out and there’s no end in sight.’

The Lord knows everything, our thoughts included. Although Baruch had the privilege to walk with Jeremiah, he was tired of living in bad times. So, the gracious Lord decided to say a message to Baruch.


4-5 “But God says, ‘Look around. What I’ve built I’m about to wreck, and what I’ve planted I’m about to rip up. And I’m doing it everywhere—all over the whole earth! So forget about making any big plans for yourself. Things are going to get worse before they get better. But don’t worry. I’ll keep you alive through the whole business.’”

The Lord said to Baruch that He would keep him alive in the middle of a great destruction; so comparing to many others who will die from war, sickness, hungry, etc. Baruch is in a good position. The Lord says that he should forget his big plans for himself. Interestingly, we pass our whole life making plans for ourselves; but near death we see the privilege to be alive.