Seeking Great Things for Yourself

Jeremiah had an assistant named Baruch throughout his ministry. We don't know much about him other than he wrote down much of what Jeremiah proclaimed during the kingdom's downfall. Baruch delivered the message to the leaders of Israel, who then delivered it to the King. Baruch saw the king tear up the scrolls he had written down and throw them in the fire. 

It must have been tough to serve with Jeremiah. Your boss is an outcast, and by association, so are you. Jeremiah was hunted by the king, and Baruch was too. So when Jeremiah 45 comes along, it's important to lean into what God has to say to this prophet's closest associate after serving with him for several seemingly fruitless decades. 

Jeremiah 45:1–3 (ESV) The word that Jeremiah the prophet spoke to Baruch the son of Neriah, when he wrote these words in a book at the dictation of Jeremiah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah: 2 “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, to you, O Baruch: 3 You said, ‘Woe is me! For the LORD has added sorrow to my pain. I am weary with my groaning, and I find no rest.’

First, we learn that Jeremiah assures Baruch that He (the Lord) has heard his groaning. Perhaps we can take comfort in knowing God hears us, too. But there's more from the Lord for this faithful servant. 

Jeremiah 45:4 (ESV) Thus shall you say to him, Thus says the LORD: Behold, what I have built I am breaking down, and what I have planted I am plucking up—that is, the whole land.

I wonder about this verse. Is this the first time Baruch heard of the mission God gave Jeremiah to pluck up the very things God Himself planted? Perhaps this is simply a reminder to the young associate not to forget the mission. Followers need more reminders that leaders realize. 

There's another word from the Lord to Baruch:

Jeremiah 45:5 (ESV) And do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not, for behold, I am bringing disaster upon all flesh, declares the LORD. But I will give you your life as a prize of war in all places to which you may go.”

The human heart is deceitful, and perhaps Jeremiah saw something in Baruch that hinted at more than God's mission purposes. Possibly Baruch had ambitions beyond Jeremiah's ministry. The point Jeremiah makes clear: This is no time for selfish ambition. 

Selfish ambition is a poison to God's workers. It poisons their ministry and pollutes their message. Because sometimes God's Word strikes at the very system by which one might make a good living. So the man or woman of God must be disconnected from that which may benefit them materially in order to live appropriately spiritually. 

The big point for Baruch and for us, let the mission to which God has called you lead you. You don't need to seek great things for yourself. God's work is the great thing you have going. 

Embrace it.