Read & explore together
The letter warns future exiles not to fear Babylon’s idols
This passage is a copy of a letter sent to people who were going into captivity in Babylon. It warns them about idols they will see there and tells them how to keep worshipping the Lord instead.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In these verses, Jeremy sends a message to people who are about to be taken captive to Babylon. The message says their captivity comes because of sins committed before God, that the stay will be long, and that they must not fear Babylon’s idols or join their worship.
Baruch 6:1–7Main takeaway
Even in a place filled with other objects of worship, God’s people are told to keep their worship for the Lord alone.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A letter for captivesThe passage begins by identifying itself as a copy of a letter. Jeremy sends it to people who were to be led away captive into Babylon.
Explanation
The passage begins by identifying itself as a copy of a letter. Jeremy sends it to people who were to be led away captive into Babylon. The message is not presented as his own idea only, but as the message that God commanded him to give.
02Why they are going, and how longThe letter plainly says the exile will happen because of sins committed before God. It also says the captives will remain in Babylon for many years, even seven generations.
Explanation
The letter plainly says the exile will happen because of sins committed before God. It also says the captives will remain in Babylon for many years, even seven generations. Yet the passage adds hope: after that, God says, “I will bring you out peacefully from there.”
03What they will see in BabylonIn Babylon they will see gods made of silver, gold, and wood. These idols are carried on shoulders, showing they are objects handled by people.
Explanation
In Babylon they will see gods made of silver, gold, and wood. These idols are carried on shoulders, showing they are objects handled by people. The text also says these gods cause the nations to fear, so the captives will face strong public pressure around worship.
04How they must respondThe warning is clear: they must not become like the foreigners. They are not to let fear control them when they see crowds worshipping idols.
Explanation
The warning is clear: they must not become like the foreigners. They are not to let fear control them when they see crowds worshipping idols. Instead, their inward response is to say in their hearts, “O Lord, we must worship you.” The passage ends with reassurance of God’s care and the presence of his angel.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What reasons does the letter give both for exile and for hope beyond exile?
Look for the statement about sins before God and the later promise that God will bring them out peacefully.
02What details in the passage show that the Babylonian gods are man-made objects?
Notice the materials they are made from and the fact that they are carried on shoulders.
03According to the letter, how should the captives answer the fear created by public idol worship?
Read the warning against becoming like the foreigners and the words they are told to say in their hearts.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Baruch 6:1–7
1A copy of a letter that Jeremy sent to those who were to be led captives into Babylon by the king of the Babylonians, to give them the message that God commanded him.
2Because of the sins which you have committed before God, you will be led away captives to Babylon by Nabuchodonosor king of the Babylonians.
3So when you come to Babylon, you will remain there many years, and for a long season, even for seven generations. After that, I will bring you out peacefully from there.
4But now you will see in Babylon gods of silver, gold, and wood carried on shoulders, which cause the nations to fear.
5Beware therefore that you in no way become like these foreigners. Don’t let fear take hold of you because of them when you see the multitude before them and behind them, worshiping them.
6But say in your hearts, “O Lord, we must worship you.”
7For my angel is with you, and I myself care for your souls.