45 The prophet Jeremiah gave a message to Baruch son of Neriah in the fourth year of the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah,[a] after Baruch had written down everything Jeremiah had dictated to him. He said, 2 “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to you, Baruch: 3 You have said, ‘I am overwhelmed with trouble! Haven’t I had enough pain already? And now the Lord has added more! I am worn out from sighing and can find no rest.’
4 “Baruch, this is what the Lord says: ‘I will destroy this nation that I built. I will uproot what I planted. 5 Are you seeking great things for yourself? Don’t do it! I will bring great disaster upon all these people; but I will give you your life as a reward wherever you go. I, the Lord, have spoken!’”
Very few people can say that they have never played second fiddle. Playing second fiddle is a part of life. In business, family, friendships, and so much more, we often find ourselves in second place. I had a T-shirt once that read, “Second place is first loser!” I loved that shirt because it drove me to do my best even when I was in the second fiddle position. If I couldn’t be first, I could be the best where I was—first place in effort. I would always do “everything as unto the Lord” (Colossians 3:23-24). I can say that life will put you in places where second fiddle is actually the more prized position, because being the head honcho is not always all it’s cracked up to be.
This man named Baruch is someone whose life was lived in the second fiddle position. He was tasked with writing down all that Jeremiah, the prophet of God, said. Baruch was of high birth and a prominent member of society. His grandfather, Maaseiah, was governor of Jerusalem in the days of King Josiah (2 Chronicles 34:8). He had high hopes of being a prophet—hearing the word of the Lord for a nation gone rogue and being the pivotal man to usher in a revival like Elisha or Moses. No doubt that would have been his dream. Instead, he found himself writing down everything Jeremiah was prophesying. Quite humbling—and if you’re wearing the “second place is first loser” T-shirt, you’re the loser.
But being the man on top is not all it’s cracked up to be either. Jeremiah, the main prophet of God for the nation of Israel, received that title from the Almighty Lord and God of the universe. He didn’t choose it. In Jeremiah 1:6, a young Jeremiah tells the Lord, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” The Lord fires back with, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.” Yep, you read that right, the word “whatever” is how the Lord describes Jeremiah’s next life mission. For Baruch, the inscriber and chief, this was a lofty title and role, one worthy of envy. A title he would have liked to have.
But the Lord has a special message for Baruch in chapter 45. It’s a short one, one of the shortest chapters in all of the Bible. The whole chapter is just for Baruch. Looking back from 2025, to have anything written about you in the Bible is cool enough, but a whole chapter? Wow. The Lord tells Baruch that He is about to tear down all that’s left of Israel, and that Baruch should stop seeking self-gratification. Remember Jeremiah 1:6, even Jeremiah didn’t want the job! The Lord tells Baruch that his life will be granted to him and that he will not perish during the exile of his people. Better to live and fight another day, you might say. The Lord was telling Baruch that getting out alive during all the invasions and war was a blessing in disguise.
You might be in a similar position in life always wanting the limelight and pushing to be heard and seen, climbing the corporate ladder. I can tell you that being in the limelight is not as fun as it seems sometimes. Being the head honcho can be draining and costly. Second fiddle can be a great place for the Lord to teach you and fashion you into something He can use when the time is right.
1 Peter 5:6–7 tells us,
“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.”
Today, stop pushing to be first or to be seen and heard. The Lord will lift you up in due time as long as you keep giving Him your worries and cares.
Matthew 6:33 also says,
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.”
Sometimes, your greedy little mind seeks only greedy needs. Baruch was in the same spot. His own greed was overshadowing the calling on his life. We read about that today as a reminder to humble ourselves before a mighty God. Today, bow to the ground and tell God: “Whenever, however, and whatever you want me to do, I will do it!”
Are you there yet?
Prayer: Father, help keep our greedy minds in the back seat of our lives. I pray that we seek first the Kingdom and Your righteousness, not our own selfish goals. Help us to walk with humility where we are and in whatever You have us doing, today and forever. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Let It Go 
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