Jeremiah 45 - Introduction

Jeremiah 45:1-5. Rebuke and promise to Baruch

The date assigned in Jeremiah 45:1 is rejected by Gi., Du. and Erbt on the ground that in Jehoiakim's fourth year, when the Roll was issued, the future of the Southern kingdom was not yet despaired of. Moreover, "these words" might naturally be referred to those of ch. 44, and Baruch might be expected to place extracts such as this from his memoirs in due chronological order. But modesty might easily have led him to the present arrangement, as well as the fact that so personal a reference as this would consort ill with the contents of the Roll, dealing as it did with the nation collectively. Co. maintains the date given in Jeremiah 45:1. Baruch was filled with grief at the prophecies which had produced so profound an impression on the king and princes. He is here reminded that "the age is one in which he must not expect great things for himself, but must be content if he escapes with his bare life; even Yahweh (Jeremiah 45:4) is obliged to destroy the work of His own hands." Dr. The ch. is in metrical form.

The ch. may be summarized as follows.

Jeremiah 45:1. Baruch, on writing the Roll, bewails the guilt and the coming fate of his loved nation. Jehovah rejoins that He has no alternative but to overthrow and uproot Judah, even though it is His chosen people. He bids Baruch seek no great thing for himself, but promises him that in the midst of disaster his life shall be preserved.