Jeremiah 45: The LORD's Personal Message to Baruch

A short, personal chapter where God answers Baruch's grief with a promise to spare his life.

Jeremiah 45 - A Word of Comfort for Baruch

This brief chapter records a private message from years earlier, given when Baruch first wrote Jeremiah's scroll in the events recalled around Jeremiah 44. Baruch has cried out in sorrow, and the LORD answers his exhaustion directly.


The word that Jeremiah the prophet hath spoken unto Baruch son of Neriah, in his writing these words on a book from the mouth of Jeremiah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, saying:

`Thus said Jehovah, God of Israel, concerning thee, O Baruch:

`Thou hast said, Wo to me, now, for Jehovah hath added sorrow to my pain, I have been wearied with my sighing, and rest I have not found.

Thus dost thou say unto him: Thus said Jehovah: Lo, that which I have built I am throwing down, and that which I have planted I am plucking up, even the whole land itself.

And thou -- thou seekest for thee great things -- do not seek, for lo, I am bringing in evil on all flesh -- an affirmation of Jehovah -- and I have given to thee thy life for a spoil, in all places whither thou goest.'

God warns He is breaking down what He built, yet promises Baruch his life will be spared wherever he goes, a mercy similar to the one given Ebedmelech in <a href="/bible/ylt/jeremiah/chapter-39/18">Jeremiah 39:18</a>. The prophecies against the nations begin next in <a href="/bible/ylt/jeremiah/chapter-46">Jeremiah 46</a>.