There are many interesting side-stories in the Bible, especially the Old Testament. We typically focus on the main characters–kings, prophets, leaders–but that misses some of the supporting cast. Today’s passage is about Baruch who was the scribe taking dictation of Jeremiah and writing out the text. Baruch spent his time alongside Jeremiah and has the dubious task of delivering the message to audiences. Remember: hand-written, longhand, on course scrolls, tedious, laborious, time-consuming, word-for-word without error.
Jeremiah 36 tells the story preceding the ‘woe-is-me’ of today’s passage; the word of the Lᴏʀᴅ comes to Jeremiah who is charged to ‘take a scroll and write on it all the words’ God has spoken; then Jeremiah reminds Baruch Jeremiah has been banned from the house of God and that Baruch will be the one to take the message and read to the crowds gathered at the house of God. The importance of faithfully delivering the message is emphasized so that the Jews will have opportunity to repent. Baruch does as told, reads the text and answers the questions of the temple officials as to the author. 1 The message is then relayed up to the royal court who tell the King of what has happened. The King then calls to hear this same text:
There you go, your manuscript arrogantly burned to a crisp. Gone. Done. Kaput. Finished. But not quite. God does emphasize the fate of those who disregarded the words He gave through the scroll but God still wants the written record:
Woe is me! Pity party time. Write it all out again? When Baruch wallows down into his pity party about having to do it all over again, God forces Baruch to refocus on what is lasting and not on his momentary displeasure—there is something of much greater significance being performed and Baruch needs to take God’s perspective:
Yes, the Lᴏʀᴅ will take care of Baruch but Baruch does need to cooperate with God in making God’s purposes known. It is not all about Baruch’s desire or even his comfort. The eternal purposes of God are being worked out and participation is necessary for the fulfillment of God’s revealing of His plan—how else will Israel know that it is God bringing this to pass?
Do we every get caught up in ourselves and overlook the purpose God is working out in and through our participation with Him? Just how much emphasis do we expect upon our desires over God’s eternal desires for all mankind? Do we want God known or ourselves self-satisfied? Let us serve the Lord.