Baruch

by Anonymous

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

Genres: Religion, Christian, Catholic

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 151

About the author

Books can be attributed to "Anonymous" for several reasons:

* They are officially published under that name
* They are traditional stories not attributed to a specific author
* They are religious texts not generally attributed to a specific author

Books whose authorship is merely uncertain should be attributed to Unknown.

See also: Anonymous

Reviews

[Alex]

The first part of this book is a letter from the exiles in Babylon, “by the river Sud” to those still in the vicinity of Israel. Much humbled after the destruction of Jerusalem, the letter contains a recognition of all the sins and warnings that led to the disaster, going all the way back to the time of Moses, along with some sacrificial requests, even a prayer intention for the king of Babylon.

It must be remembered that the prophet Jeremiah advised “Submit your necks to the yoke of the king of Babylon; serve him and his people, so that you may live” instead of allying with Egypt, but the proud Judeans would not follow what to them seemed to be a humiliation, so now they're in a greater one. When God sends down chastisements, we can at least embrace such difficulties for an increase in humility, and fortitude, lest we make matters worse.

“You are enthroned forever, while we are perishing forever” continues the prayer. Peace on Earth is ephemeral, and even when we manage to find it we are still devoured internally by uncertainties, unfulfilled wants, anxieties. The only way to find peace is to embrace God's will, and it’s a tragedy how often like the exiles, we see this too late to have averted the latest chastisement.

I really enjoyed reading the third chapter, and it reminded me of the Book of Wisdom. I loved the descriptions and praise of the universe after its referred to as the “house of God... the scope of his dominion: vast and endless high and immeasurable” We are but an infinite speck in this dominion, and we have the audacity to almost demand that God cater to our every wants, instead of humbly trusting in His mysterious will.

There is more beautiful nature imagery in the fifth chapter when the beauty of nature blends with the majesty of Israel, however before is a consolation and an exhortation to hope, which you almost come to expect by reflex after reading an Old Testament prophecy, but it can never be emphasized enough that God does not send hardships to destroy us, but to turn towards Him.

The sixth and final chapter is a condemnation of idolatry, another entirely typical, but necessary addition to the prophecies written at this time. The forces of nature: the sun, moon, stars, lightning and fire are exalted as being superior to idols, yet with the reminder that these forces are under the command of God, the only one worth worshiping.

[Sean Chick · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is part of a series where I am reading the Bible in chronological order. I am not doing this for reasons of faith, as I am agnostic, but because of my interest in mythology, ancient literature, and history. I chose the NRSV because I used to be Catholic and still have sympathies there. More importantly, this version seeks a balance between an accurate translation and the literary qualities of the King James Bible. So it seems you get the best of two worlds.

The tone is lighter than Jeremiah and the doom prophets but it is still melancholic. The trouble is the prose is dull and the poetry does not sing.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A polemic against polytheism. This felt like it had a different flavor than the prophets. Indeed, it felt like a weird montage of lines stolen from Jeremiah, Proverbs (the reference to wisdom), and Isaiah's denunciation of polytheism. Still, it's all true content.

[Emma Macchia · Rating 5 out of 5]

August 24, 2022: Baruch's poetic writing stuck with me during this reading. It's wonderful. It makes for a lovely break while reading Isaiah. It also reminds me of the Psalms.

August 24, 2021: One thing to say about Baruch is that he is a very positive and encouraging prophet. Probably sanguine personality (which is a stark contrast to Jeremiah). It was refreshing having an almost bubbly read, filled with promise of a brighter future. Baruch is perfect for those days when you need something lighthearted and rosy.

[Jaslyn]

Read in an act of desperate procrastination because a footnote in Paradise Lost mentioned the book of Baruch and I have yet to read through the Apocrypha.

"Do not remember the wicked deeds of our ancestors, but remember at this time your power and your name, for you are the Lord our God; and you, Lord, we will praise! This is why you put into our hearts the fear of you: that we may call upon your name, and praise you in our exile, when we have removed from our hearts all the wickedness of our ancestors who sinned against you." & "Look to the east, Jerusalem; see the joy that comes to you from God! Here come your children whom you sent away,
gathered in from east to west By the word of the Holy One, rejoicing in the glory of God."

[Overlady · Rating 1 out of 5]

6 chapters

We sinned, we didn't listen to you, fofgice us, we will worship you, listen to us, look at us
2:29-35 reminder of God's words and promise.
Chapter 6 God reveals his plan regarding those exiled to Babylon
6:27, 6:30, 6:34-37 attributes of fake priests, sounds like modern priests in some parts lol

[Scott Meadows · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for BCP’s Daily Office following Jeremiah. While not Canon, Baruch is a fascinating document containing liturgies of repentance, cosmological claims, and beautiful exhortations to Israel for their time of exilic judgement.

[Benjamin Stahl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of four, short discourses, attributed to Baruch, the secretary of the prophet Jeremiah.

[Hayley Reynolds · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting writing on wisdom in Ch3 and cool warning against idol worship in Ch 6.

[Melissa]

Bible in a year podcast, Father Mike Schmitz, Ascension Press

[London]

1st Read: NRSV-CI

[Monda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very short book but full of very beautiful prayers for the hard times. But what I liked the most was the final chapter where God ensures his people who were taken to Babylon that there is nothing to be feared of the stony and wooden gods of Babylon's people.
God is really wonderful, even at time of punishment he doesn't leave you insecure, he still cares too much. <3 <3