Read & explore together
The exiles request sacrifices, intercession, and public confession
Baruch 1:10–14 records a message sent with money, prayer requests, and a book to be read publicly. The passage joins worship, confession, and life under foreign rule in one careful response to God.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
The speakers say money has been sent to buy offerings, incense, and an oblation for the altar of the Lord. They ask for prayer for the Babylonian king and his son, ask for prayer for themselves because they have sinned, and command that the book be read in the house of the Lord on feast days and solemn assemblies.
Baruch 1:10–14Main takeaway
This passage shows the people seeking God through offerings, prayer, confession, and public reading while living under foreign rulers.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Money sent for offeringsThe message begins with money being sent for worship. It is to be used for burnt offerings, sin offerings, incense, and an oblation, all to be offered on the altar of the Lord their God.
Explanation
The message begins with money being sent for worship. It is to be used for burnt offerings, sin offerings, incense, and an oblation, all to be offered on the altar of the Lord their God. The list shows that their concern is not only practical support, but worship directed to the Lord.
02Prayer for the king and his sonThey ask for prayer for Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon and for Baltasar his son. The wording asks that their days continue "as the days of heaven above the earth".
Explanation
They ask for prayer for Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon and for Baltasar his son. The wording asks that their days continue "as the days of heaven above the earth". The next verse connects this request to the people’s own situation under these rulers.
03Strength and light while servingThe passage says, "The Lord will give us strength and light to our eyes." It also says they will live under the shadow of the Babylonian king and his son, serve them many days, and find favour in their sight.
Explanation
The passage says, "The Lord will give us strength and light to our eyes." It also says they will live under the shadow of the Babylonian king and his son, serve them many days, and find favour in their sight. Dependence on the Lord stands alongside a long period of service under others.
04Confession read in the Lord’s houseThey add, "Pray for us also," and explain why: "we have sinned against the Lord our God." They say the Lord’s wrath and indignation are not turned from them.
Explanation
They add, "Pray for us also," and explain why: "we have sinned against the Lord our God." They say the Lord’s wrath and indignation are not turned from them. Then they command that the book be read in the house of the Lord to make confession on feast days and solemn assemblies.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What were the people told to buy with the money, and what does that show about their priorities?
Look at the list of worship items and notice that the money is directed towards offerings and incense for the Lord’s altar.
02How does the passage connect prayer for Nabuchodonosor and Baltasar with the people’s own life?
Read the request together with the next verse, which speaks about living under their shadow, serving them many days, and finding favour.
03How are prayer, confession, and public reading linked in this passage?
Notice that they ask for prayer because they have sinned, and then order the book to be read publicly to make confession in the house of the Lord.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Baruch 1:10–14
10And they said: Behold, we have sent you money; therefore buy with the money burnt offerings, sin offerings, and incense, and prepare an oblation, and offer upon the altar of the Lord our God;
11and pray for the life of Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon, and for the life of Baltasar his son, that their days may be as the days of heaven above the earth.
12The Lord will give us strength and light to our eyes. We will live under the shadow of Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon and under the shadow of Baltasar his son, and we shall serve them many days, and find favor in their sight.
13Pray for us also to the Lord our God, for we have sinned against the Lord our God. To this day the wrath of the Lord and his indignation is not turned from us.
14You shall read this book which we have sent to you, to make confession in the house of the Lord upon the day of the feast and on the days of the solemn assembly.