Baruch was the devoted friend and companion of the prophet Jeremiah during one of the most troubling times in the ancient history of God's people. There was much suffering among them as the Babylonian forces descended upon them as God's punishment for their idolatry and disobedience to Him. Baruch's role as friend to the prophet in those days was to record the words of the Jeremiah and take care of his personal needs.
One day as Jeremiah was dictating the words of God while his secretary, Baruch wrote them on a scroll, Jeremiah's attention abruptly turned to Baruch and he said (my paraphrase), "Baruch, God has a message for you. God is aware that you have been complaining about your own suffering and how 'worn out' you are with all that's been going on (Jeremiah 45). But He is at work here, doing what needs to be done. So what makes you think you should be treated differently than anyone else? You'll get through this alive but don't expect any special treatment."
I would guess that Baruch was plenty shocked by what his friend said to him; maybe even hurt, not by the words but by the fact that his closest friend would talk to him this way.
Jeremiah loved his friend. More importantly, God loved him and God trusted Jeremiah to challenge Baruch's attitude as one of God's children.
There are times when we all need a good dose of reality to keep us firmly grounded in our faith. Jesus got after Peter and the other disciples when it was necessary but he did it out of love for them and love for God. Proverbs 27:5-6 says, "Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted but an enemy multiplies kisses."
Baruch's name means 'blessed'. He was blessed having a friend who would speak the truth to him lovingly. If you have such a friend, you too are blessed. If you ARE such a friend, someone else is blessed.
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