Bible Commentaries
Jeremiah 45

Verse 1

CHAPTER XLV

This chapter is evidently connected with the subject treated of

in the thirty-sixth. Baruch, who had written the prophecies of

Jeremiah, and read them publicly in the temple, and afterwards

to many of the princes, is in great affliction because of the

awful judgments with which the land of Judah was about to be

visited; and also on account of the imminent danger to which

his own life was exposed, in publishing such unwelcome tidings,

1-3.

To remove Baruch's fear with respect to this latter

circumstance, the prophet assures him that though the total

destruction of Judea was determined because of the great

wickedness of the inhabitants, yet his life should be preserved

amidst the general desolation, 4, 5.

NOTES ON CHAP. XLV

Verse Jeremiah 45:1. The word that Jeremiah - spake unto Baruch — This is another instance of shameless transposition. This discourse was delivered in the fourth year of Jehoiakim, several years before Jerusalem was taken by the Chaldeans. It is a simple appendage to Jeremiah 36:32, and there it should have been inserted.

Verse 3

Verse Jeremiah 45:3. Thou didst say, Wo is me now! — All that were the enemies of Jeremiah became his enemies too; and he needed these promises of support.

The Lord hath added grief to my sorrow — He had mourned for the desolations that were coming on his country, and now he mourns for the dangers to which he feels his own life exposed; for we find, from Jeremiah 36:26, that the king had given commandment to take both Baruch and Jeremiah, in order that they might be put to death at the instance of his nobles.

Verse 4

Verse Jeremiah 45:4. Behold, that which I have built — I most certainly will fulfil all those threatenings contained in the roll thou hast written; for I will destroy this whole land.

Verse 5

Verse Jeremiah 45:5. And seekest thou great things for thyself? — Nothing better can be expected of this people: thy hopes in reference to them are vain. Expect no national amendment, till national judgments have taken place. And as for any benefit to thyself, think it sufficient that God has determined to preserve thy life amidst all these dangers.

But thy life will I give unto thee for a prey — This is a proverbial expression. We have met with it before, Jeremiah 21:9; Jeremiah 38:2; Jeremiah 39:18; and it appears to have this meaning. As a prey or spoil is that which is gained from a vanquished enemy, so it is preserved with pleasure as the proof and reward of a man's own valour. So Baruch's life should be doubly precious unto him, not only on account of the dangers through which God had caused him to pass safely, but also on account of those services he had been enabled to render, the consolations he had received, and the continual and very evident interposition of God in his behalf. All these would be dearer to him than the spoils of a vanquished foe to the hero who had overcome in battle.

Spoil may signify unlooked-for gain. The preservation of his life, in such circumstances, must be more than he could reasonably expect; but his life should be safe, and he should have it as a spoil, whithersoever he should go. This assurance must have quieted all his fears.