Killing the messenger
I can relate to what Baruch was feeling when he gave up...
Earlier in this book we see what conspired btn Baruch, Jeremiah and the ppl of Judah.. We saw that Jeremiah was banned from the temple, and since he had to relay God's prophecy to the people one way or another, he wrote on a scroll and used Baruch as a messenger. So far we know that this message was from God, given to Jeremiah and delivered by Baruch. But the officials of Judah did not like what Jeremiah prophesied so they punish Baruch and they punish Jeremiah and imprison them.
Now, it is not explicitly mentioned in the text, but it is implied that Baruch was believed and trusted Jehovah. Otherwise he would have never agreed to relay prophet Jerry's message or even be his close friend for that matter. And as a believer of Jehovah in an era of paganism and idol worship, he must have endured all kinds of scorn and ridicule for his belief's and principles. And now he has to relay the very radical message (of death and destruction of the people of Judah) that got Jeremiah humiliated, tortured and exiled.. [honestly, I'd have been like no thanks Jerry!]. Moreover, for him to "give up", I bet he thought that God would perhaps keep him from the fate of Jeremiah at the very least considering he went out of his way heed God, and deliver such a sweeping message..at the very least.. But in fact, Baruch was imprisoned and perhaps worse..
Baruch represents sometimes what the life of a believer is today.. Our lifestyle by itself provokes ridicule and scorn from non-believers.. And when we share God's word [indirectly or directly] to others or even lovingly correct a friend/acquaintance whose destructive behavior seems to be taking the better part of him/her, we are burned at the stake. These are some of the challenges we expect to face as believers in Christ... But as God says to Baruch toward the end of this chapter, that Baruch wasn't any special [and that he should not have expected any special treatment] and that He spared his life when Judah was mauled out of His grace and mercies. Baruch had forgotten the bigger picture here, not only that God had chosen him to play such a grand role in history, but also that He chose to save him.. out of all those other people, God chose Baruch...
Likewise, brethren, let us not forget the big picture here, that God chose to save us [in fact He died so that we could be saved] and our role in this life as Christians is bigger than it may appear,,, so lets bring over some souls shall we?
Created 4 months ago
