“And do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not, for behold, I am bringing disaster upon all flesh, declares the LORD. But I will give you your life as a prize of war in all places to which you may go.” (Jeremiah 45:5, ESV)

These were terrible times for all of Judah. The remnant who escaped Babylonian captivity thought that they would be safe in Egypt. But they had disobeyed the word of the LORD through Jeremiah to remain in the land of Judah. Moreover, they had obstinately vowed to continue worshiping idols. Therefore, the LORD would punish them in Egypt, and only a small number of them would ever return to Judah.

Now Baruch was Jeremiah’s friend and the scribe who wrote down his prophecies. He had grown sick and tired of all the pain, affliction and sorrow. We don’t know what he was planning in his heart, but it was some form of escape from the trouble around him. However, such a time of judgment was not the appropriate time for Baruch to be planning his own luxurious retirement! Therefore, the LORD told him not to seek great things for himself.

Human ambition can lead to great feats of achievement. It can break world records. It often receives worldly honors and accolades. So is it wrong to pursue greatness? It is interesting that Jesus never discouraged the pursuit of greatness, but He did redirect it.

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.” (Matthew 20:25–26, NKJV)

Greatness in the kingdom of God is achieved by becoming the servant of all. Our example is Jesus who is truly great in every way, yet He became a servant to God and to others, even to the point of death.

It wasn’t wrong for Baruch to seek greatness. The problem was that he was going about it the wrong way. He was seeking great things for Himself rather than seeking to be greatly surrendered to God.

May God help us to fling away selfish ambition and learn the greatness of Jesus through absolute surrender and humble service.