I returned to Baruch 2:11ff tonight and was impressed by verses 14 and 15. Forgiveness was asked for so that God’s glory may be known throughout the world, not because the sinners were worthy. This is true contrition. My Father showed me that this should be the proper motive for petitioning Him, too.

The passage continues on to show Israel’s rejection of God and, thus, of His protection and providence. But, always, there is hope and the promise of a new covenant.

Verse 35, “…and I will not again remove my people Israel from the land I gave them,” gave me a problem. Almost immediately after Israel’s rejection of Jesus, they were again disbursed, this time for nearly 2,000 years! Then, my Father showed me I was taking the verse out of context. The verse was a condition of the new covenant, which Israel, as a nation, broke.

I began to wonder about individuals then and asked my Father about them. Surely there were some very pious Jews who didn’t accept Jesus simply because they didn’t know about Him. At best, some only heard vague rumors, pro and con. In answer, my Father reminded me of Tobit, a pious man who was caught up in the earlier national chastisement. From this, I understood that He grants special graces to those who remain loyal to Him in times such as these. He deals with us individually as well as collectively, compensating as needed.

I found myself wondering why Israel has been restored now, but my Father was silent when I asked Him about it. I had other questions, but there was no time for them. I’ll return to them tomorrow.