Bible Pathways - August 27, 2005

August 27

 

Read Jeremiah 45

 

In Today's Reading:

 

Jeremiah's message to Baruch; judgment against Egypt, Philistia, and Moab

 

Among all the prophecies of Jeremiah, the Lord included a personal message to just one man, Baruch, Jeremiah's discontented assistant. Thus said the LORD . . . to you, O Baruch; You did say, Woe is me now! for the LORD has added grief to my sorrow; I fainted in my sighing, and I find no rest (Jeremiah 45:2-3). Perhaps he had hoped that his service as a scribe would be a means of achieving national recognition, financial benefits, or other self-serving goals.

 

Baruch's grandfather Maaseiah had been governor of Jerusalem during Josiah's reign (see 32:12; II Chronicles 34:8). Did Baruch secretly think he was "overqualified" to be a mere scribe to an unpopular prophet?

 

Instead of rewards, or even words of sympathy for his frustrations, Baruch received a strong rebuke from the Lord: You seek great things for yourself? seek them not (Jeremiah 45:5).

 

Baruch expressed no heartfelt grief regarding the impending destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple of God or the pitiful slavery of the people, as Jeremiah had foretold. Instead, he only expressed sorrow over his own lack of personal fulfillment.

 

Although Baruch was recording the Word of God spoken through Jeremiah, he did not have the same spiritual concern or insight as the prophet. Jeremiah was deeply concerned for the people, desiring that they repent of their sins and avoid the coming judgment and destruction. Baruch should have considered it a great privilege to be a coworker in Jeremiah's ministry, but it appears that his concern was only for himself.

 

Our time and talents are precious treasures invested in us by the God of all creation in order to accomplish His will through us. True fulfillment comes when we acknowledge that God has arranged the circumstances in our lives

 

Baruch is typical of those who are dissatisfied with their circumstances or their position of less esteem than they think they deserve. In contrast are those whom God can use because they realize that godliness with contentment is great gain (I Timothy 6:6; also Hebrews 13:5-6).

 

Christ Revealed:

 

As the One who corrects His people (Jeremiah 46:28). Whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives (Hebrews 12:6).

 

Word Studies:

 

46:4 brigandines = armor; 46:11 daughter = people; 48:2 cut down = perish; 48:10 deceitfully = negligently; halfheartedly; 48:19 espy = watch; 48:41 Kerioth is = Cities are.

 

Prayer Needs:

 

Pray for Government Official: Rep. Marion Berry (AR) · Country: Madagascar (15 million) an island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Mozambique · Major languages: French and Malagasy · Increasingly anti-Christian · 43% witchcraft, ancestor worship, and some astrology; 21% Protestant; 21% Roman Catholic; 2% Muslim · Prayer Suggestion: Be grateful for your inheritance as a child of the King (I Peter 1:3-4).

 

Optional Reading: Revelation 1

 

Memory Verse for the Week: 2 Thessalonians 2:11