How does the Lord respond to his lament?

The Lord responds to Baruch’s lament through his prophet Jeremiah. It is quite possible that Jeremiah had interceded on Baruch’s behalf when he witnessed his companion’s distress. The Lord says to Baruch, Behold, what I have built I am breaking down, and what I have planted I am plucking up – that is, the whole land. These words take us back to Jeremiah’s commissioning in Jeremiah 1:1–19 where the Lord made it clear what he would accomplish through Jeremiah’s ministry: both judgment and restoration. The focus here though is on the judgment, on the breaking down and plucking up. But the Lord is breaking down what he has built and plucking up what he has planted. In response to Baruch’s distress the Lord highlights his own greater sadness at what is happening to his covenant people; the very people he chose, saved from Egypt and established in the land.

There is then a rebuke from the Lord for Baruch: And do you seek great things for yourself? Baruch no doubt had dreams for his own life. As a scribe he was well educated, and his brother was a high-ranking official in Zedekiah’s court. He may have had dreams of personal greatness which he now laments. His loyalty to Jeremiah has come at great personal cost.¹ But the Lord wants Baruch to understand that there is a much greater reality at play. Seek them (great things) not, for behold, I am bringing disaster upon all flesh, declares the LORD. The Lord’s judgment of Judah has implications for all flesh. It is a sign of what the whole of creation will face on the final day of judgment. Baruch must understand his personal laments in light of what the Lord is doing. Living in a generation that is under the curse of God’s judgment, his priorities are to be governed by the divine message rather than human hopes.² This does not mean that the Lord has no compassion for Baruch. But I will give you your life as a prize of war in all the places to which you may go. The Lord promises Baruch that he will survive the Babylonian invasion. The promise also anticipates Baruch’s journey into Egypt with Jeremiah. Baruch will also survive the judgment that comes to the Judeans living in Egypt.

There are a number of reasons why this message to Baruch is placed where it is after the events of Jeremiah 37:1–44:30. It tells the reader that the judgment that came on those in Egypt did not apply to Baruch. He remained faithful to the Lord.³ But the Lord’s own words of lament, at the breaking down and plucking up that is taking place, make it clear that there is a note of finality in what is about to happen. There is no hope to be found for the future of the Lord’s people among the Judeans in Egypt. Even though it does not follow chronologically, in terms of the message, Jeremiah 45:1–5 follows very well from the tragedy that is prophesied in Jeremiah 44:1–30.⁴ The promise that Baruch’s life will be spared in the midst of great destruction seems harsh. But it is a reminder that when the Lord’s judgment comes, it has broad and devastating consequences. Far too often, the faithlessness by the majority impacts everyone.⁵ That would also explain why Baruch’s lament is so similar to Jeremiah’s. The Lord’s own prophet was not spared the harsh realities of judgment coming to Judah. The Lord’s promise at Jeremiah’s commissioning that I am with you, declares the LORD, to deliver you, does not mean the absence of profound suffering and hardship.