Baruch 4:5-12, 27-29
Chapter 4
You have been sold to the nations,
but not to be destroyed;
because you had upset
the anger of God,
you were handed over
to your enemies.
You displeased your Creator
by sacrificing to demons
instead of to God.
You have forgotten the Eternal God,
the one who nourished you.
You have filled Jerusalem with sorrow,
she who raised you.
For she saw God’s anger fall upon you,
and she said:
“Listen, you neighboring cities of Zion,
God has sent me great sorrow.
I have witnessed the captivity
of my sons and daughters,
which the Eternal brought upon them.
I nurtured them with joy;
with tears and sadness,
I saw them depart.
Let no one rejoice at seeing me
a widow and abandoned by all.
Due to my children’s sins,
I am now alone
because they have turned away
from God’s law.
So, if you have distanced yourself
from God, return to him
and seek him ten times
more earnestly.
For he who caused these evils
to happen to you will bring you
salvation and eternal joy.
Commentaries
Restoration of Jerusalem.
After confession and the call to amend, an oracle of salvation and comfort appears—a poetic vision inspired by Isaiah 40-66, full of imagery of marriage and lyrical apostrophe. The Lord’s relationship with his people is shown through familiar family roles: God as Father (Dt 8:5; Is 1:2), Jerusalem as Mother (Is 49:14-16; 54:1-3; 66:7-14), and the Lord as Husband (Is 62:1-9). The Father expects respect (Mal 1:6) and disciplines his children (Hos 11). The Mother, moved by compassion (Is 49:15), grieves but also encourages and intercedes, echoing Moses (Nm 11). Abandoned, Jerusalem becomes a widow (Is 50:1; 54:4), her children dead or exiled (Is 51:18). Yet she trusts, sensing salvation and a renewed exodus.
The prophet speaks to the people (4:5-8); Jerusalem addresses her neighbors (4:9-16) and children (4:17-29). Then the prophet speaks directly to Jerusalem (4:30-5:9). She stands as the geographical center, surrounded by neighboring capitals, with exile extending far beyond. A movement of return is envisioned—but only Israelites come back. Unlike Isaiah 2:2-5 or Zechariah 8:20-23, the pagans do not join. Still, hope stirs in Jerusalem’s heart.