How can we ensure we faithfully deliver God's message like Baruch did? Baruch’s Assignment in Focus “Then all the officials sent Jehudi son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, to Baruch, saying, ‘Bring the scroll that you read in the hearing of the people, and come here.’ So Baruch son of Neriah took the scroll and went to them.” (Jeremiah 36:14) Baruch was summoned before powerful leaders with a scroll full of words many did not want to hear. Yet he brought the exact same scroll—unaltered, unabridged. His quiet resolve shows us how to carry God’s words today. What Faithful Delivery Requires • A settled conviction that the words are God’s, not ours (Jeremiah 36:2; 1 Thessalonians 2:13). • Unflinching accuracy—no edits to soften the blow or sharpen it beyond God’s intent (Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18-19). • Readiness to speak in any setting, whether friendly or hostile (Jeremiah 26:8-15; Acts 20:27). • Personal submission to the same truth we proclaim (James 1:22; 1 Timothy 4:16). Practical Steps to Be Modern-Day Baruchs 1. Immerse in the Word daily. “Your words were found, and I ate them; Your words became my joy and my heart’s delight.” (Jeremiah 15:16) Familiarity guards against accidental distortion. 2. Pray for clarity and courage before speaking or writing (Ephesians 6:19-20). 3. Verify context. Like Baruch, copy exactly what God has said (Jeremiah 36:4). Compare verse with verse; let Scripture interpret Scripture (Isaiah 28:10). 4. Speak the whole counsel, not just favorite portions (Acts 20:27). Skipping hard passages leaves listeners malnourished. 5. Keep motives pure. “For am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God?... If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10) 6. Accept possible rejection. Jehoiakim burned Jeremiah’s first scroll (Jeremiah 36:23), yet Baruch and Jeremiah rewrote it word for word (v. 32). Obedience is success, not audience response. 7. Lean on a like-minded partner. Jeremiah dictated; Baruch delivered. Accountability and encouragement strengthen resolve (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). Guarding the Message from Dilution • Filter every opinion—our own included—through Scripture (Psalm 119:160). • Beware of cultural pressure to redefine sin or salvation (2 Timothy 4:3-4). • Refuse to add human traditions as equal to God’s Word (Mark 7:8-9). • Anchor teaching in the plain, literal sense unless the text itself signals symbolism (Nehemiah 8:8). Fueling Courage When Opposition Rises • Remember who called you. “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you.” (Jeremiah 1:8) • Recall past faithfulness. God preserved Baruch despite royal rage; He has not changed (Hebrews 13:8). • Look ahead to eternal commendation. “It is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2) The Fruit of Faithful Delivery • Hearts pierced and given a chance to repent (Jeremiah 36:24-26 shows leaders harden, yet common people feared in v. 9). • Personal growth; handling Scripture accurately trains and sanctifies us (John 17:17). • Joy of partnership with God in His redemptive plan (1 Corinthians 3:9). • Eternal reward from the Master who sees every scroll we carry (2 Timothy 4:7-8). Baruch’s quiet obedience proves that ordinary believers can carry an extraordinary message—unchanged, undiluted, and unleashed to accomplish all God intends. |
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