The Book of the Prophet Jeremiah
Jeremiah 45
Chapter XLV · Vol. III, pp. 1287–1288
1 Baruch being dismayed, 4 Jeremiah instructeth and comforteth him.
1 The word1 that Jeremiah the prophet spake unto Baruch the son of Neriah, awhen he had written these words in a book at the mouth of Jeremiah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, saying,
B.C. cir. 606.
1 This utterance belongs in point of time to ch. xxxvi., but is introduced here as an example and encouragement to the few that did still 'sigh and cry for all the abominations that were done in the land.' This, and similar dislocations throughout this book, are not to be considered as evidences that the arrangement of the several parts was without any principle of order. The principle is obvious: it is not time, but instruction.—C.
a ch.36.1,4,26,32.
3 Thou didst say, cWoe is me now! for the LORD hath dadded grief to my sorrow; I efainted in my sighing, and I gfind no rest.
4 Thus shalt thou say unto him, The LORD saith thus, hBehold, that which I have built will I ibreak down, and that which I have planted I will pluck up, even this whole land.
5 And jseekest thou great things2 for thyself? seek them not: kfor, behold, I will lbring evil upon all flesh, saith the LORD: but thy life will I give unto thee nfor a prey in all places whither thou goest.
j 2 Ki.5.26. Ps.4.6. Mat.6.34. He.13.5. 1 Ti.6.6.
2 The seeking of 'great things,' of increase of possessions, honourable rank, or profitable employment, is not the thing forbidden; it is the seeking of 'great things for thyself'— for a man's own selfish ends, without any regard to the good of a nation, or of the church, or any view or desire or effort for advancing the glory of God.—C.
k Lu.12.15. ch.25.26. Is.66.16; 65.12,13.
l Zep.3.8.
n ch.39.18; 21.9; 38.2; 15.11,21.
Notes
Reflections.—Alas, how unwilling our hearts are to take up our cross and follow Christ! Very small difficulties are apt to discourage young beginners in the service of God. And often it is more their unbelieving fears than their real dangers that make them to complain. If we had less desire after and less expectation from creatures, and more faith in Christ's word and views of the spiritual nature of his kingdom, external events would trouble us less. While therefore God so exactly observes me, let me never seek my own more than the public welfare. Let me never seek great things here, where everything is less than nothing and vanity, and as uncertain as a shadow or a vapour. If God preserve and protect me in evil times, it is more than I deserve, or perhaps could expect.