Readings:
Baruch 1-2
2 Corinthians 4

Baruch 1-2

This Book, included in the Bibles of most Christians around the world, but removed from Protestant bibles in the mid 16th century AD, is written by Baruch ben Neraiah, presumed to be the same Baruch mentioned repeatedly in Jeremiah. If so, then the writer of this book was a close companion and scribe for the prophet Jeremiah, and his book is a natural follow up book to read after Jeremiah and Lamentations.

The exiled leaders in Babylon send a letter back to Jerusalem and in it the confess all that they’ve been accused of. They seem to finally have got it and understand what the prophets have been telling them for years. They’ve been told Bad Things were coming if they didn’t stop, but some people can’t be warned, and have to experience these bad things first hand before they’ll learn a lesson.

The second half of the 2nd chapter is a prayer of repentance and remorse. They acknowledge all the wrongs they’ve done and throw the same on the mercy of God, a mercy that endures even in exile.

2 Corinthians 4

Paul shifts away from talking about the false teachings he was addressing in the previous chapter, and says he won’t partake in “underhanded ways” referring to their criticisms of him behind his back and in secret.

Paul talks about treasure in an earthen vessel to contrast the immortality of the soul and the frailty of the human body. We are abused, afflicted and persecuted for the gospel, but no matter what they do to the fragile container, they cannot harm the treasure that it contains. Jesus experienced this on the cross, where his flesh was dying, but his spirit could never die. We too never really die, we are just transformed by death.

We are wasting away on the outside, but the grace of god and the power of the gospel is renewing our souls daily.

Readings:
Baruch 3-4
2 Corinthians 5