Baruch — Chapter 1
Synopsis: The opening chapter is the letter of the Jews in Babylon (read in Jerusalem) acknowledging their just punishment and requesting prayers and sacrifices for themselves and for Nabuchodonosor and Baltassar. They send back the Temple vessels and the book of Baruch. Lapide: this act of prayer for the pagan king (v.11-12) is one of the earliest examples of the command to pray for rulers — fulfilled in the Church's prayer for civil authorities (1 Tim.2:1-2).
Verse 1
And these are the words of the book, which Baruch the son of Nerias wrote in Babylon. Lapide's introduction to Baruch: the book is canonical (Council of Trent), though Jerome expressed some reservations. Author = Baruch, Jeremiah's scribe, writing in Babylon after the destruction. The letter was publicly read in Jerusalem and occasioned weeping and fasting. Historical context carefully established from 4 Kgs.24-25 and Jeremiah.
Verse 11
And pray for the life of Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon, and for the life of Baltassar his son, that their days may be as the days of heaven above the earth. Prayer for the pagan king's long life — a remarkable act of submission and charity toward the enemy. Lapide: the Jews pray for their captors because their own welfare depends on the kingdom's stability (Jer.29:7: 'Seek the peace of the city to which I have sent you, and pray to the Lord for it'). Applied to the Christian obligation to pray for civil rulers, even unjust ones.
Verse 15
And you shall say: To the Lord our God belongeth justice, but to us confusion of our face: as it is this day to all Juda, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. The confession of divine justice and human guilt — the moral center of the book. 'To God belongs justice; to us the shame of face.' This is the proper disposition before God's judgment: acknowledging that all His punishments are deserved.