Jeremiah

Jeremiah 45: Seek the LORD above great things

Begin in prayer

Before we read God’s word to Baruch, let us come before the LORD in prayer. He rules over all the earth, and He tells us not to seek great things for ourselves. Ask Him to quiet our hearts, to be with our family as we read, and to show us Jesus, who came to do the Father’s will.

Also delight yourself in Yahweh, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalms 37:4

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You rule over all things, and that we should not seek great things for ourselves. Show us Jesus, who came to do Your will, and help us to turn from our sin and trust Him. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Baruch was Jeremiah’s helper, and he wrote the LORD’s words in a book as Jeremiah spoke them (verse 1). Baruch was weary and in pain, and he cried out that the LORD had added sorrow to his pain (verse 3). The LORD answered that He would break down what He had built and pull up what He had planted, in the whole land (verse 4). He asked whether Baruch sought great things for himself, and told him not to seek them, since evil would come on all flesh (verse 5). Yet the LORD promised that Baruch’s life would be given to him like a prize, wherever he went (verse 5).

As you read Jeremiah 45, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD rules over all, so do not seek great things for yourself.

Baruch was Jeremiah’s helper, and he wrote the LORD’s words in a book as Jeremiah spoke them (verse 1). Baruch complained that he was weary and found no rest, so the LORD spoke to him directly (verse 3). The LORD was judging the land, and He would break down what He built and pluck up what He planted (verse 4). The word for prey means spoil, the goods a soldier carries from a battle (verse 5). So the LORD speaks of Baruch’s life as a gift that He keeps safe. The LORD asks Baruch directly whether he seeks great things, and He answers that he must not (verse 5). God rules the whole earth, so His word stands even over the nations and the judgment He sends (verses 4 and 5). Jesus came to do the Father’s will, and He did not seek great things for Himself, but went to the cross. Every sinner who seeks great things must turn from that pride, and trust Jesus with his life.

How does Jeremiah 45 show us that the LORD rules over all, so we should not seek great things for ourselves?

The LORD builds and breaks down what He chooses.

The LORD says He will break down what He built and pluck up what He planted, in the whole land (verse 4). Nothing in the land stands outside His rule. Jesus holds all things by His word.

Do not seek great things for yourself.

The LORD asks Baruch whether he seeks great things, and He tells him not to seek them (verse 5). Seeking our own honor puts us in the place of God. Jesus sought only His Father’s will.

The LORD keeps a life as a prize.

The LORD tells Baruch that his life will be given to him as a prize, even in judgment (verse 5). The word prey means spoil, the goods a soldier keeps after a battle. Only the LORD can keep a life through judgment, and only Jesus can save a sinner from it. Turn from your sin and trust Him.

Memorize

Do you seek great things for yourself? Don’t seek them; for, behold, I will bring evil on all flesh

Jeremiah 45:5

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what great thing am I seeking for myself, and have I asked Jesus for life?

Baruch was weary, and he cried out that he could find no rest (verse 3). The LORD answered him with a word from the middle of the judgment. He reminded Baruch that He rules the whole land, and that great things of this world are not what we need (verses 4 and 5).

Jesus is the Son who came to do the Father’s will. He did not seek great things for Himself. He went to the cross for His people, and there He bore the judgment they deserved. On the third day He rose again, and His death is enough for all who come to Him.

Jesus welcomes sinners. Please turn from your pride, and trust Him with your life. He will never turn away anyone who comes to Him, and He keeps them as His own. Do not seek great things for yourself. Seek the LORD, and receive the life He gives as a prize.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD rules over all, so they should not seek great things for themselves. Parents, you may want to explain that Baruch was weary, and that the LORD answered him with a promise. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He rules over all, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger, but those who seek Yahweh shall not lack any good thing.

Psalms 34:10

Lord, thank You that You rule over all, and that You build and break down as You choose. Forgive us for the times we seek great things for ourselves. Thank You for Jesus, who came to do Your will and rose from the dead. Help us to turn from sin, trust Him, and seek You first this week. Amen.