An Attention Seeker
“And seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not; for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the LORD: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest.” Jeremiah 45:5
In Jeremiah 36, we find Jeremiah forbidden to enter the temple by Jehoiakim, king of Judah and one of King Josiah’s sons, who was placed on Judah’s throne by Pharaoh-nechoh of Egypt. The LORD told Jeremiah to write His prophecy in a book in order to warn the people of Judah of impending doom upon them because of their sin. Jeremiah summoned his secretary, Baruch, to come and write as he dictated God’s message. Once put to paper, Baruch was to go to the temple and read God’s message to all the people on the day of fasting. Hopefully, they would listen and heed the warning, repent, and return to the LORD. Baruch did just as Jeremiah instructed.
After several of King Jehoiakim’s staff heard the words of the book, they became fearful, and decided that the king needed to hear these words as well. They asked Baruch how he came to have this book in his possession, and he said that Jeremiah had dictated God’s words to him, and he wrote them down. They took the book from him and told him to go get Jeremiah and hide. The book was taken to the king, and Jehudi began to read it to him, but after just a few pages were read, King Jehoiakim tore pages out and threw them onto the hearth where a roaring fire was burning. He managed to burn the entire book. He called for his men to bring Jeremiah and Baruch before him, but God had hidden them where they could not be found. The LORD instructed Jeremiah to rewrite the book, which he did and added more to it.
Baruch was very afraid. God had a word for him because He understood that Baruch was fearful of the king for what the king might do to him. However, Baruch did not need to fear because Jehoiakim could do nothing to him unless God allowed him. God had heard Baruch’s lament over this situation. He was woeful. He blamed God for piling on this grief upon his pre-existing sorrow. He was like so many of us who become tired of being tired, worrying, and fretting over a situation that he couldn’t control. He couldn’t shake his anxiety, and Jeremiah had no idea how to help him. But God did. He began by reminding Baruch that He meant what He had said in His promise to destroy Jerusalem, the great city of His people for which He had provided shelter and a home in which to live and raise families, to live the “good” life if they kept everything in its proper perspective. Most importantly, that included loyalty, honor, worship, obedience, and service to Him and respect and care for one another. However, the people of Judah, as the people of Israel before them, had rebelled and turned to idolatry, thus justice had to be carried out. God would allow the enemy to destroy what He had built and planted. Just imagine how much that hurt God to have to destroy that which He had created.
God asked Baruch a question which implied that Baruch had a notion about this entire episode which did not fit God’s narrative. It seems that Baruch, in writing and presenting God’s word to the people, had some idea that he would somehow be a hero in his efforts to warn the people, that he would receive accolades, and much desired attention from the crowds and dignitaries. He likely desired a name for himself, but God said he had this all wrong. Because the people would not heed the words of warning, destruction would come upon them, and there would be no one left to honor him. Baruch was perhaps thinking that his ship was about to come in because of his efforts, but the entire “ship” of Jerusalem would sink. He was upset because his expectations far exceeded reality. But even with His rebuke, God promised to spare him, to give him his own life for a prey, the valuable spoils of war. God would not allow Baruch to lose his most precious possession–his life.
Christians sometimes have expectations that exceed reality. There is nothing wrong with setting goals, but they must be in keeping with God’s will. Some might see themselves as great soulwinners but find their efforts produced very little response which leads to discouragement. Some might see themselves as doing some great deed for the Lord, desiring attention for their efforts, but find that the task which was given to them was a very small and seemingly insignificant chore, working in the background, with little notice from anyone else. However, God notices. He doesn’t desire “glory hogs” to do His work on earth. Service done for Him is not to bring attention to the one doing the service, but to bring glory to the Lord. If one desires to have his or her efforts blessed by God, then he or she must get themselves out of the way and concentrate on the work God gives them to do. If they should be praised for their efforts, they must give God all the credit. Besides, without Him, no one can do anything (John 15:5).