Day 939: Jeremiah 45- God's Eternal Agenda

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.’ 4 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. 5 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.”
 
Meditation
God’s sovereign plan offers disciples eternal significance and solid joy. In Christ, God has prepared work for Christians to do (Ephesians 2:10). Grace invites us to discover God’s eternal agenda as our ambition and not our earthly ambition as God’s agenda.
 
Baruch is an important unimportant person. Baruch was Jeremiah’s loyal scribe who does triple duty in chapter 36 (writing and then re-writing the scroll before hiding Jeremiah at the risk of his own life) and faithfully stays with Jeremiah when confined to the courtyard of the king (32).
 
Baruch was loyal as a scribe but apparently had ambition to do “great things” (5). Ambition is not bad when godly, in line with God’s will. But Baruch’s ambition was out of touch with reality as Babylon was taking Jerusalem into captivity. God takes Baruch’s ambition and sets it within context of His global agenda: Judgement is coming, but I will preserve your life (5). God’s grace does not condemn Baruch but shows compassion and assures the scribe of his protection.
 
Baruch was an essential part of God’s plan to preserve and proclaim God’s word and protect God’s prophet, but he was not content.  The scribe desired more, but God reminded Baruch of His sovereignty and mercy.
 
When we desire “great things” from our life and leadership we must discern if our ambition is truly God’s agenda. Only God’s work will remain after the final judgement (1 Corinthians 3:12-15) and only God’s agenda will bring full joy today (Psalm 40:8).
 
Richly Dwelling
-Where do you identify with Baruch, wanting to do “great things” in your life and leadership?
 
-Why is it important to have your ambition align with God’s agenda?
 
-How can you respond to God’s grace by making space to discern what work God has prepared in advance for you to do?
 
Key Verse
5 And do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not…