Build Strong Friendships Before the End Comes - LEARN FROM JEREMIAH'S EXAMPLE

For at least 40 years, Jeremiah  lived among disloyal people, including neighbors and possibly some relatives from his hometown of Anathoth. (Jeremiah 11:21; 12:6)  However, he did not isolate himself. In fact, he expressed his feelings to his loyal secretary Baruch and ultimately to us.  (Jeremiah 8:21; 9:1; 20:14-18; 45:1)  We can well imagine that as Baruch wrote down Jeremiah's eventful story, the two developed a deep affection and respect for each other. - JEREMIAH 20:1, 2; 26:7-11.

For many years, Jeremiah had boldly warned the Israelites what was going to happen  to Jerusalem.  (Jeremiah 25:3)  In a further attempt to move the  people to repentance, Jehovah asked Jeremiah to write His warnings on a scroll. (Jeremiah 36:1-4)  As Jeremiah and Baruch worked closely together on this God-given task, which probably lasted several months, they no doubt had faith-strengthening conversations.

When the time came for the contents of the scroll to be revealed, Jeremiah had  to rely on is friend Baruch to deliver the message.  (Jeremiah 36:5. 6)  Baruch courageously fulfilled his dangerous assignment. Can you imagine how proud Jeremiah must have felt when Baruch went to the temple courtyard and did what he had been asked to do?  (Jeremiah 36:8-10)  The princes of Judah heard what Baruch had done, and they commanded him to read the scroll aloud to them!  (Jeremiah  36:14, 15) The princes decided to tell King Jehoiakim what Jeremiah had said.  Considerately, they told Baruch: "Go and hide yourselves, you and Jeremiah, and do not let anyone know where you are." (Jeremiah  36:16, 19)  That was good advice! 

King Jehoiakim got so angry when he heard the words written by Jeremiah that  he burned the scroll and ordered the arrest of Jeremiah and Baruch.  However, Jeremiah was not intimated. He took another scroll, gave it to Baruch., and as Jeremiah dictated Jehovah's message, Baruch wrote "all the words of the scroll that King Jehoiakim  of Judah had burned in the fire." - JEREMIAH 36:26-28, 32.

People who live through a trial together often form a close bond. So we can imagine that as they worked together to replace the scroll destroyed  by wicked King Jehoiakim, Jeremiah and Baruch developed  greater appreciation for each other's qualities. How can we benefit from the example set by these two faithful men?

Next time:  Build Strong Friendships Before the End Comes - HEART-TO-HEART COMMUNICATION

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