So Jeremiah called Baruch son of Neriah, and while Jeremiah dictated all the words the LORD had spoken to him, Baruch wrote them on the scroll. – Jeremiah 36:4

Today's Scripture Reading (September 2, 2026): Jeremiah 36

Community and team are both recurring themes in the Bible. These ideas are sprinkled liberally throughout the pages of the books, indicating their importance. So it shouldn't be a surprise to find that Jeremiah lived in a community. Jeremiah was actually part of two communities. Jeremiah's primary community was the nation of Judah. In a day when most of the world existed in small communities, centuries before a national social consciousness would rise, Jeremiah already existed within a nation-wide community. His prophecies and warnings were directed at the national community of Judah, where he lived. Judah was also a community Jeremiah loved. Jeremiah's love for Judah strongly motivated the Prophet's actions. He was willing to suffer for his community, hoping they would understand their place in God's purposes because of the words God spoke through him.

A second community that Jeremiah was part of was a smaller community; a community of maybe only two people. This community included Baruch and possibly a couple of other local scholars who understood the truth Jeremiah prophesied. These people were Jeremiah's team. Jeremiah did not minister and prophesy alone. Through Baruch, his prophecies were written down and reached people who lived beyond the reach of Jeremiah's voice, a reach that, because of Baruch's faithful service, includes us.

In this small community, we see something that is part of God's design. No one is intended to work alone. None of us are equipped to accomplish anything by ourselves. Like Jeremiah, we stand in need of community, and I am convinced that possible Baruchs surround each of us. We just need to be willing to reach out to them and ask them to come alongside us, or be willing to come alongside someone and be a Baruch to them.

As much as we remember the name of Jeremiah, Baruch was just as important to the team and just as essential to the community. Jeremiah may have spoken the words we read, but it was Baruch who wrote them down for us, which made Baruch an essential part of Jeremiah's team.

We have three choices in this life. We can find our own Baruch to help us with our endeavors, or we can be a Baruch for someone else; we can exist within the confines of the team and the community and make a difference. The only other option is to be happy living a life of inconsequence, never really making a difference in anyone's life.

My advice? Don't pick that last option. Go and find your Baruch or your Jeremiah, become part of the team, and make a difference.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 37