Read & explore together
Jerusalem is invited to behold her children’s glorious return
This passage from the Catholic additional book of Baruch speaks to Jerusalem with words of hope. It calls the city to look, rise, and change from mourning to glory because God will gather her children and lead them back with joy.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In Baruch 4:36–5:9, Jerusalem is addressed directly. The passage does not tell a new story event by event, but gives a prophetic invitation and promise. Jerusalem is told to look toward the east, to see her children returning, and to receive new honour, safety, mercy, and righteousness from God.
Baruch 4:36–5:9Main takeaway
This prophecy teaches that God calls Jerusalem to move from mourning to hope because he will gather, honour, and lead his people by his own word, glory, mercy, and righteousness.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Look and behold the joy from GodThe passage begins with a command to Jerusalem to look toward the east and behold joy coming from God.
Explanation
The passage begins with a command to Jerusalem to look toward the east and behold joy coming from God. Her sons are described as returning from east to west, gathered together at the word of the Holy One. The focus is not on human power but on God's word and God's glory.
02Exchange mourning for God's gloryJerusalem is told to take off mourning and affliction like old clothing and to put on beauty, righteousness, and glory from God.
Explanation
Jerusalem is told to take off mourning and affliction like old clothing and to put on beauty, righteousness, and glory from God. The images of garment, robe, and diadem show a complete change in condition and honour. God himself gives Jerusalem a new name: “Righteous Peace, Godly Glory”.
03Rise and see your children gatheredJerusalem must arise and stand on the height to see her children gathered from the west to the east, rejoicing that God has remembered them.
Explanation
Jerusalem must arise and stand on the height to see her children gathered from the west to the east, rejoicing that God has remembered them. They had gone away on foot, led by enemies, but God now brings them back with glory. The contrast highlights both loss and God's powerful restoration.
04God prepares the way and leads with joyThe final verses describe God making mountains low and valleys level so Israel may go safely in his glory.
Explanation
The final verses describe God making mountains low and valleys level so Israel may go safely in his glory. Even the woods and sweet smelling trees are shown serving God's purpose. The passage ends with God leading Israel with joy, in the light of his glory, with mercy and righteousness from him.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does Jerusalem see when she looks toward the east?
Notice that the passage says joy comes from God and that her children are gathered together at the word of the Holy One.
02What change is pictured by taking off one garment and putting on another?
Use the clothing images in the text to describe the move from mourning and affliction to beauty, righteousness, and glory from God.
03How does the passage describe God's care in bringing Israel back?
Look for the details about remembered children, level ground, safety, shade, joy, light, mercy, and righteousness.
Read the Bible passages
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Baruch 4:36–37
36O Jerusalem, look around you toward the east, and behold the joy that comes to you from God.
37Behold, your sons come, whom you sent away. They come gathered together from the east to the west at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing in the glory of God.
Baruch 5:1–9
1Take off the garment of your mourning and affliction, O Jerusalem, and put on forever the beauty of the glory from God.
2Put on the robe of the righteousness from God. Set on your head a diadem of the glory of the Everlasting.
3For God will show your splendor everywhere under heaven.
4For your name will be called by God forever “Righteous Peace, Godly Glory”.
5Arise, O Jerusalem, and stand upon the height. Look around you toward the east and see your children gathered from the going down of the sun to its rising at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that God has remembered them.
6For they went from you on foot, being led away by their enemies, but God brings them in to you carried on high with glory, on a royal throne.
7For God has appointed that every high mountain and the everlasting hills should be made low, and the valleys filled up to make the ground level, that Israel may go safely in the glory of God.
8Moreover the woods and every sweet smelling tree have shaded Israel by the commandment of God.
9For God will lead Israel with joy in the light of his glory with the mercy and righteousness that come from him.