The messages of Jeremiah to the chosen people practically ended with the last chapter. Before coming to his messages concerning the surrounding nations we have the brief story told in this chapter of the special word which he was charged to speak to Baruch when he wrote his words in a book in the fourth year of Jehoiakim.
A perusal of this message makes it evident that this faithful ally of the prophet had become depressed. If this message was delivered to him in the fourth year of Jehoiakim, it was evidently before the book was actually written and the words read. His lamentation suggests that he was depressed over the circumstances in which he lived, and the word which Jeremiah was commissioned to speak to him, charging him not to seek great things for himself, would lead us to suppose that the emphasis in his lamentation is to be placed on the word "me"- "Woe is me now." Evidently he had been overwhelmed with the sorrows of his people, and had hoped to do something to deliver them. In his aspiration there had been something of self-seeking. Yet he had been sincere, and therefore a word of rebuke and comfort was spoken to him. He was reminded of Jehovah's right to deal as He thought best with the people; but he was also promised protection in the difficult circumstances. Such a word as this would prepare him for writing the words of Jeremiah, and the reading of them which fell to his lot.