Baruch and Lamentations

Prophetic Books for faith-filled peoplehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFmGFWqAr68

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.

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

Pers

ia

Cana

an

Who was Baruch?

A scribe of Jeremiah (Jer 36) Second century BCLikely not the only author of book attributed to him.

People of Baruch

Among the exiles were priests, prophets, and scribesFaithful 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.

Structure of the Book of BaruchFive 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

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 guiltPrayer for deliverance Recalling God’s promises

Praise of Wisdom

Hear O Israel! Song from Easter Vigil…What is wisdom?Wisdom rests in GodThe Law contains God’s wisdom

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…

A word from Jeremiah…

Captivity is result of sinIn land of captives, there will be idolsDo not fear the gods of Babylon: there is no spirit within them

Some background for Lamentations

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

Structure of Lamentations

First four poems are Hebrew alphabetic acrostics, showing skill and artistry.Collection of five poems.

Desolation of JerusalemThe Lord’s Wrath and Zion’s ruinThe Suffering ServantMisery under siegeCommunity calls on God

Tenebrae (Shadows)

Ancient ceremony using LamentationsFive candles are lit on a catafalqueExtinguished one by one until last one is placed on catafalque, symbolizing Christ’s death

Desolation of Jerusalem

Why is there suffering?Why does God seem so far from us?

God’s Wrath

The Lord becomes the enemyThe pain and suffering of the people is horrific

The Suffering Servant

Prefigures suffering of ChristThere is still hope in the LordIt is us who have turned from God; God remains our hopeGive my enemies what they deserve!

Misery in the city

Repeats horrors of life in exileRecalls sinfulness of prophets and priestsRecalls hope in the Lord God

Community Lament

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

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 GodCathartic purposePower of Prayer to change things

Anger directed at God..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTVo9ymHBSc