1. Baruch and Lamentations
Prophetic Books for faith-filled people
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFmGFWqAr68

2. Some background for Baruch
539 BC Jewish exiles were free (through the
decree of Cyrus the Persian) to return to
Jerusalem.
Many returned from Babylon and Egypt, but
others, having spent nearly 50 years in exile,
were content to stay in the place of exile.
Those remaining are called Diaspora Jews.

3. Diaspora Jews of Baruch’s time
Settled primarily in Egypt and Mesopotamia
(Fertile Crescent.)

5. Who was Baruch?
A scribe of Jeremiah (Jer 36)
Second century BC
Likely not the only author of book attributed to
him.

6. People of Baruch
Among the exiles were priests, prophets, and
scribes
Faithful to Jerusalem, supporting the rebuilding
of the Temple, they met in synagogues where
they read and studied the law and the prophets.
Diaspora Jews dealing with the problems of
exiles: relations with Jews in Jerusalem, hope
and resisting paganism.

7. Structure of the Book of Baruch
Five compositions
Prayer of Exiles

1:1- 3:8
Prayer of Wisdom in Moses’ Law

3:9-4:4
Jerusalem mourns and consoles her captive children

4:5-29
Captivity nears its end

4:30-5:9
Jeremiah on Idolatry

6:1-72

8. Prayer of Exiles
Baruch reading scroll to Jeconiah, son of
Jehoiakim on fifth year of the seventh day of the
month – recalling fall of Jerusalem 7th day of 5th
month.
Confession of guilt
Prayer for deliverance
Recalling God’s promises

9. Praise of Wisdom
Hear O Israel! Song from Easter Vigil…
What is wisdom?
Wisdom rests in God
The Law contains God’s wisdom

10. Jerusalem mourns and consoles her captive children
Prophet speaks and start and finish; Jerusalem
speaks in the middle.
Jerusalem speaks to those who are holding
children captive, then to her children.
Baruch speaks to the children of Israel: take
courage! Look to the east…

11. A word from Jeremiah…
Captivity is result of sin
In land of captives, there will be idols
Do not fear the gods of Babylon: there is no spirit
within them

12. Some background for Lamentations
Collection of five poems.
Response to the destruction of the Temple in
587
Anonymously written – collective expression of
grief and mourning.
In Judaism, read once a year on the ninth of Av
Tisha B’Av
Used by Church during Holy Week and on Good
Friday.

13. Structure of Lamentations
First four poems are Hebrew alphabetic
acrostics, showing skill and artistry.
Collection of five poems.
Desolation of Jerusalem
The Lord’s Wrath and Zion’s ruin
The Suffering Servant
Misery under siege
Community calls on God

14. Tenebrae (Shadows)
Ancient ceremony using Lamentations
Five candles are lit on a catafalque
Extinguished one by one until last one is placed on
catafalque, symbolizing Christ’s death

15. Desolation of Jerusalem
Why is there suffering?
Why does God seem so far from us?

16. God’s Wrath
The Lord becomes the enemy
The pain and suffering of the people is horrific

17. The Suffering Servant
Prefigures suffering of Christ
There is still hope in the Lord
It is us who have turned from God; God remains
our hope
Give my enemies what they deserve!

18. Misery in the city
Repeats horrors of life in exile
Recalls sinfulness of prophets and priests
Recalls hope in the Lord God

19. Community Lament
All the sinful ones have died; hear us!
Help us return to you, Lord.
Why have you forgotten us?

20. Some observations
Lamentations leaves the reader feeling
assaulted.
No relief, but there is hope!
Shows the honestly of relationship between God
and his people – there is nothing we cannot say
to God
Cathartic purpose
Power of Prayer to change things

21. Anger directed at God..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTVo9ymHBS
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