The grief of one soul, and its consolation.
This chapter is devoted to one man. Among the large prophecies concerning whole nations, room is found for a prophecy to a single individual. The Bible is at once universal and individualistic in character. Its narratives alternate history with biography. God cares for the whole world, and truth is largess the universe; yet God does not forget one soul in its private distress, and truth has special applications to special cases.
I. THE GRIEF. Baruch had a double distress—grief added to sorrow.
1. The first sorrow. Probably this arose from a consideration of the wretched condition of the nation in its vice and decay. It is right and natural that good men should feel deep concern at the state of their country. The Christian should have the spirit of him who "when he beheld the city, wept over it." Moreover, if we see much of the wickedness of the world, we should not be satisfied with steadily condemning it, nor with congratulating ourselves on our own superior goodness. The sight should fill us with sorrow. They who go thus astray are our own brethren. And is not there much of the same sin in all of us? Often the wickedness which shocks us in others is only the full development of the very sin that lurks in our own hearts.
2. The added grief.
II. THE CONSOLATION. Jeremiah has a prophecy for Baruch. God speaks to individual souls, The preacher must be preached to. Has not he who would save others a soul of his own to be saved. How sad that any preacher should declare the Divine message to the people, but hear no voice speaking peace to his own troubled soul! If he were as faithful as Baruch, he might expect, like Baruch, to receive a Divine consolation. Note the characteristics of this consolation. It did not deny the cause of grief. Much comfort is unreal and false in trying to do this. The consolation for Baruch consisted chiefly in furnishing him with advice regarding his views of God's action and his own aims in life.
1. A lesson of acquiescence in the Divine will. God is acting within his rights. It is vain to rebel. Peace is found in submission.
2. A rebuke to ambition. Self-seeking brings distress. As we live out of self we gain Divine peace.
3. A promise of safety. After the lessons intended to lead Baruch into a right mood, God promises him his life—only this, but this is much for a humble man who knows he does not deserve it, and a good man who will devote it to God's service.