Jeremiah announces the unleashing of the wrath of God in the final years of the kingdom of Judah. It is a message that is particularly painful to the prophet and he cries out to God against the message he must deliver, meriting for himself the title of "the reluctant prophet." The intensity and passion of Jeremiah is expressed in the harshness of his message, but also in his longing that the people remember the devotion of their youth and return in faithful love to God. The unrelenting doom that occupies much of the book of Jeremiah is offset by God's refusal to totally abandon the people of Judah. This refusal to let go of the people is given its greatest expression in a New Covenant which lays the foundation for humanity's enduring relationship with God.
The book of Baruch presents several ways for the people of Israel to deal with the destruction of their country and exile from their land. They must acknowledge their sinfulness, repent, and seek deliverance (1:1-3:8). They must recognize the importance of wisdom and that wisdom is accessible to them in obedience to the law which God has given them (3:9-4:4). Grief over their loss must include a longing for restoration and salvation (4:5-5:9) and under no circumstances must they return to the worship of other gods (6:1-71).
In Jeremiah, Baruch, Pauline A. Viviano insightfully explores and explains these two challenging and important books of Scripture.
Product Preview
Format: | Paperback book |
---|---|
Product code: | LP2848 |
Length: | 170 pages |
Publisher: |
Liturgical Press
|
ISBN: | 9780814628485 |
1-2 copies | $13.15 each |
---|---|
3-9 copies | $12.55 each |
10-49 copies | $11.96 each |
50-99 copies | $11.66 each |
100+ copies | $11.21 each |
Praise
I welcome Pauline Viviano's commentary on Jeremiah and Baruch to the Collegeville Bible Commentary series with praise and applause. The commentary is written in a scholarly fashion, but is readily understandable. The introductions to both books situate them in their historical context with fine insight to their literary form. Commentary on the verses of the biblical text itself are excellent. I recommend Viviano's commentary to seasoned biblical scholars as well as those who are novices in their study.
Viviano has given us a commentary packed with information and explanations but written in a clear and simple style. This book is an excellent guide to lead us securely through the complexities of Jeremiah and the poetic beauty of Baruch. Historical background, literary analysis, and echoes of other biblical books are all interwoven seamlessly to help the reader gain a deep understanding of these texts.
The historical and theological connection between the books of Jeremiah and Baruch has long been accepted by commentators. In this commentary Viviano builds on this connection, underscoring what the two books have in common while acknowledging each book's unique character. This is a first-rate contribution to the commentary series.
The book of Jeremiah is a rich theological witness to one of the most turbulent periods of God's relationship with Israel. In this exceptionally clear and accessible volume, Pauline Viviano has crafted a sure guide to this important book and its compelling prophet. Viviano's perceptive historical and literary insights lead the reader to an ever deeper understanding of Jeremiah's theological significance. The result is an extremely satisfying introduction, made all the better by the inclusion of an equally informative commentary on Jeremiah's less well known companion work, the book of Baruch.
Pauline Viviano brings literary and historical sensitivity to her study of the book of Jeremiah and its companion volume, the book of Baruch. She recognizes how difficult the theology and outlook of Jeremiah's prophetic tradition can be, but she makes sense of the two books in their own worlds and brings them alive in ours. The NCBC volume provides a splendid introduction to both biblical books. Eminently readable, it shows how the books of Jeremiah and Baruch encourage the people of Israel to cling to relationship with God in the midst of upheaval and destruction of life.
Author
Pauline A. Viviano is an associate professor of theology at Loyola University Chicago. She received her doctorate in biblical languages and literature from St. Louis University. Besides articles in academic and popular journals, her publications include reading guides for the books of Joshua, Judges, First and Second Samuel, First and Second Kings, and Ruth for the Catholic Study Bible published by Oxford University Press, and Collegeville Bible Commentary Volume 2: Genesis (Liturgical Press, 1985). In addition to university teaching she often lectures at parishes in and around Chicago.