“And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the LORD: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest.” (Jeremiah 45:5 KJV)
“…prey…” Literally spoil, booty, or prize. This chapter is a word from the Lord through Jeremiah to Baruch who was the scribe writing down much of what Jeremiah would dictate. This chapter is likely way out of chronological order as verse one indicates “…in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah…” In chapter 44, they were long gone from Judah and currently in Egypt. Yet, chronology is merely an interesting artifact in the order that God actually has things. This is the point in this story that he wants the reader to reflect on something very important that he brought to Baruch’s attention. “…but thy life will I give unto thee…” When we really think about all that we are in whatever we are in that thing for, can we ask for something greater? We want something out of the time and resources that we pour into an effort. We like to think that if we position ourselves just right that we could be seriously promoted somehow. Yet, sometimes God “…will bring evil upon all flesh…” to cleanse, in judgement, for corrective action, or for reasons that we may never understand, but for those that trust in him; he gives us our life as a prize! It’s not about things getting better or worse. It’s knowing that in Christ, our life is held as something sacred for us. This world has an end. His words go further and beyond that point to where life is abundant.
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10 KJV)