Here we are at another Friday. End of the week. Time for more Friday Facts. We're continuing this week with more info about the Apocrypha. I'm finding that this information has been very helpful to me. Now, I know, there is nothing in the Apocrypha that I should use as a basis for my faith in God. However, what is helpful to me is that now I know some of they reasons WHY I shouldn't be turning to it as I seek the Lord. Now I know why I should only read my Bible and not be including the Apocrypha. I have a basis of information to pull from should I ever find myself in a conversation about the Apocrypha. For me, that's good stuff!
So, anyway, today's post will focus on the Book of Baruch. Here's some general information I learned this week about this book in the Apocrypha.....
This book is considered a canonical book of the Bible by the Roman Catholics. In their Bible it follows the Book of Lamentations. This book is NOT included in the Hebrew Bible.
It is a compilation of verses from the books of Job, Daniel, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. This book is named after Baruch who was a secretary of the prophet Jeremiah. It was addressed to the Jews exiled in Babylon and was written partly in prose and partly in poetry. The prose portion includes an admission of sin, a promise of deliverance after repentance, and a prayer asking mercy and praising God. The poetry portion includes verses in praise of wisdom and of God's commandments and of verses urging the exiles to be courageous and comforted. The sixth chapter of Baruch claims to be a letter of Jeremiah addressed to the exiles in Babylon and is a warning against idolatry.
Most likely, these three parts were written at different times. It may have been compiled as late as the 1st or 2nd century AD by an Alexandrian editor using the original Hebrew manuscripts.
It is thought that it's exclusion from the Hebrew is due, in large part, to the fact that there is no proof of prophetic authority. Its value is only as a mirror of time and as a keeper of many liturgical and poetical passages of great beauty and power.
Next week we'll look at the book of Judith from the Apocrypha.
So, anyway, today's post will focus on the Book of Baruch. Here's some general information I learned this week about this book in the Apocrypha.....
This book is considered a canonical book of the Bible by the Roman Catholics. In their Bible it follows the Book of Lamentations. This book is NOT included in the Hebrew Bible.
It is a compilation of verses from the books of Job, Daniel, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. This book is named after Baruch who was a secretary of the prophet Jeremiah. It was addressed to the Jews exiled in Babylon and was written partly in prose and partly in poetry. The prose portion includes an admission of sin, a promise of deliverance after repentance, and a prayer asking mercy and praising God. The poetry portion includes verses in praise of wisdom and of God's commandments and of verses urging the exiles to be courageous and comforted. The sixth chapter of Baruch claims to be a letter of Jeremiah addressed to the exiles in Babylon and is a warning against idolatry.
Most likely, these three parts were written at different times. It may have been compiled as late as the 1st or 2nd century AD by an Alexandrian editor using the original Hebrew manuscripts.
It is thought that it's exclusion from the Hebrew is due, in large part, to the fact that there is no proof of prophetic authority. Its value is only as a mirror of time and as a keeper of many liturgical and poetical passages of great beauty and power.
Next week we'll look at the book of Judith from the Apocrypha.
5 Thoughts Shared:
Very interesting, thanks for sharing!
Blessings!
These are always *so* interesting to me, Melanie! Thanks so much for sharing!
Melanie,
This was just fascinating! ((hugs)) to you today, sweet sister.
I just love all of the new stuff I learn here! Very and totally cool -- especially since Studly IS Catholic and I'm not. Always good to understand WHERE some of the differences are and what they stem from!
Thank you for that information Melanie! It does help to know why it's not included. I look forward to next week's facts.
Take care my friend! I pray you have a blessed week!
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