Background:
The
Book of Baruch was written by the scribe of the prophet Jerimiah after the
Israelites were enslaved during the Babylonian captivity. I will only speak of the first five
chapters. The sixth chapter is
apparently an addition which calls itself “A Letter from Jerimiah” and appeals
to the Israelites to not succumb to the idolatry of their Babylonian
masters. As the Introduction to the NAB
edition states at the USCCB website
http://usccb.org/bible/scripture.cfm?bk=Baruch&ch= the Book attempts to
encode the captivity in “Deuteronomic cycle: sin (of Israel), punishment,
repentance, and return (cf. Jgs 2; also Dt 28–33).” The Book uses two voices throughout, that of
the scribe and that of a personified Jerusalem.
The Book speaks in prayer, in poetry, in appeal, and in
lamentation. It is quite beautiful in
places. I’m going to quote a section
where the author speaks in the voice of Jerusalem addressing the subjugated and
captive Israelites.
Jerusalem
Addresses Diaspora
17 What can I do to help you?
18 The one who has brought this evil upon you
must himself deliver you from your enemies’ hands.
19 Farewell, my children, farewell;
I am left desolate.
20 I have taken off the garment of peace,
have put on sackcloth for my prayer of supplication;
while I live I will cry out to the Eternal One.
18 The one who has brought this evil upon you
must himself deliver you from your enemies’ hands.
19 Farewell, my children, farewell;
I am left desolate.
20 I have taken off the garment of peace,
have put on sackcloth for my prayer of supplication;
while I live I will cry out to the Eternal One.
21 “Take courage, my children; call upon God;
he will deliver you from oppression, from enemy hands.
22 I have put my hope for your deliverance in the Eternal One,
and joy has come to me from the Holy One
Because of the mercy that will swiftly reach you
from your eternal Savior.
23 With mourning and lament I sent you away,
but God will give you back to me
with gladness and joy forever.
24 As Zion’s neighbors lately saw you taken captive,
so shall they soon see God’s salvation come to you,
with great glory and the splendor of the Eternal One.
he will deliver you from oppression, from enemy hands.
22 I have put my hope for your deliverance in the Eternal One,
and joy has come to me from the Holy One
Because of the mercy that will swiftly reach you
from your eternal Savior.
23 With mourning and lament I sent you away,
but God will give you back to me
with gladness and joy forever.
24 As Zion’s neighbors lately saw you taken captive,
so shall they soon see God’s salvation come to you,
with great glory and the splendor of the Eternal One.
-Jerusalem
Addresses the Diaspora Baruch 4:19-22, NABRE
In
the language, one gets echoes of the coming Savior.
You
can read more on the Book of Baruch at these websites:
From
New Advent:
From
Wikipedia:
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