Jeremiah 45: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Jeremiah 45 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Jeremiah speaks a message to Baruch the son of Neriah. This is when Baruch wrote words in a book in the fourth year of Jehoiakim, king of Judah. Baruch expresses his sorrow, saying, 'Woe is me now! For Yahweh has added sorrow to my pain!' Yahweh responds by declaring that He will break down what He has built and pluck up what He has planted (v. 4). Lastly, Yahweh tells Baruch not to seek great things for himself. He will bring evil on all flesh, but Baruch will escape with his life wherever he goes (v. 5).

Key verse

“Do you seek great things for yourself? Don’t seek them; for, behold, I will bring evil on all flesh,’ says Yahweh; ‘but I will let you escape with your life wherever you go.’”
Jeremiah 45:5 (WEB)

Outline

Jeremiah 45:1 Introduction of the Message
Jeremiah 45:2–3 Baruch's Lament
Jeremiah 45:4 Divine Judgment Declared
Jeremiah 45:5 Promise of Preservation

Discussion questions

In verse 3, what does Baruch express about his current feelings?
What does Yahweh say He will do in verse 4 regarding what He has built?
In verse 5, what does it mean for Baruch to not seek 'great things' for himself?
The promise of escape in verse 5: what does this suggest about Baruch's situation?
When have you felt weary like Baruch, longing for rest in difficult times?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Jeremiah 45: Jeremiah 36, Ecclesiastes 3, Jeremiah 39.

Before next time: read Jeremiah 46.