Read & explore together
God gives wisdom to Israel in the enduring law
This passage praises God as the one who knows all things and rules creation, then says he gave knowledge to Israel in his enduring law. It moves from God’s unmatched greatness to a call for Jacob to take hold of what God has made known.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In this part of Baruch, one of the Catholic additional books, the writing speaks in prophecy and teaching. It describes God’s command over the earth, light and stars, then turns to Israel, saying that God gave the way of knowledge to Jacob and calling the people to hold fast to his commandments.
Baruch 3:32–4:4Main takeaway
The passage teaches that the incomparable God has made known to Israel the enduring law, which they are called to hold fast and follow.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01God knows and finds out with understandingThe opening says that the one who knows all things knows her and found her out with his understanding.
Explanation
The opening says that the one who knows all things knows her and found her out with his understanding. It also says he prepared the earth for all time and filled it with four-footed beasts. These lines present God as the one who fully knows, understands and orders what he has made.
02Light and stars answer God’s callGod sends out the light, and it goes. He calls it, and it obeys him with fear. The stars also shine in their watches, answer, “Here we are,” and shine gladly to the one who made them.
Explanation
God sends out the light, and it goes. He calls it, and it obeys him with fear. The stars also shine in their watches, answer, “Here we are,” and shine gladly to the one who made them. This leads to the clear confession that no other can be compared with Israel’s God.
03The way of knowledge given to IsraelThe passage then says that God has found out all the way of knowledge and given it to Jacob his servant and to Israel loved by him.
Explanation
The passage then says that God has found out all the way of knowledge and given it to Jacob his servant and to Israel loved by him. After that, it says, “Afterward she appeared upon earth, and lived with men.” The next verse connects this revelation with the book of God’s commandments and the enduring law.
04Take hold of the law that enduresBaruch says, “This is the book of God’s commandments and the law that endures forever.” Those who hold it fast will live, but those who leave it will die.
Explanation
Baruch says, “This is the book of God’s commandments and the law that endures forever.” Those who hold it fast will live, but those who leave it will die. Jacob is told to turn, take hold of it, and walk toward the shining of its light, because what pleases God has been made known to Israel.
05Do not hand over what God has givenIsrael is warned not to give its glory to another or its advantages to a foreign nation. In this passage, that warning stands beside the happiness of knowing what pleases God.
Explanation
Israel is warned not to give its glory to another or its advantages to a foreign nation. In this passage, that warning stands beside the happiness of knowing what pleases God. The emphasis is on valuing what God has made known rather than surrendering it elsewhere.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01How does the passage use light and stars to show who God is?
Look at what light and stars do when God calls them, then connect that response with the statement that no other can be compared to him.
02What does the passage say God gave to Jacob and Israel?
Compare the wording of “the way of knowledge” in Baruch 3:36 with “the book of God’s commandments” and “the law that endures forever” in Baruch 4:1.
03What are Israel told to do with what God has made known?
List the commands and warnings in these verses, especially “turn”, “take hold”, “walk”, and the warning not to give their glory to another.
Read the Bible passages
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Baruch 3:32–37
32But he that knows all things knows her, he found her out with his understanding. He who prepared the earth for all time has filled it with four-footed beasts.
33It is he who sends forth the light, and it goes. He called it, and it obeyed him with fear.
34The stars shone in their watches, and were glad. When he called them, they said, “Here we are.” They shone with gladness to him who made them.
35This is our God. No other can be compared to him.
36He has found out all the way of knowledge, and has given it to Jacob his servant and to Israel who is loved by him.
37Afterward she appeared upon earth, and lived with men.
Baruch 4:1–4
1This is the book of God’s commandments and the law that endures forever. All those who hold it fast will live, but those who leave it will die.
2Turn, O Jacob, and take hold of it. Walk toward the shining of its light.
3Don’t give your glory to another, nor the things that are to your advantage to a foreign nation.
4O Israel, we are happy; for the things that are pleasing to God are made known to us.