Baruch 2:1-10: a reflection

1Therefore the Lord has made good his word which he pronounced against us, and against our judges who judged Israel, and against our kings, and against our princes, and against the men of Israel and Judah, 2to bring upon us great plagues such as never happened before under the whole heaven, as it came to pass in Jerusalem, according to the things that are written in the law of Moses, 3that we should each eat the flesh of our own son, and each eat the flesh of our own daughter. 4Moreover he has given them to be in subjection to all the kingdoms that are around us, to be a reproach and a desolation among all the people around us, where the Lord has scattered them. 5Thus they were cast down and not exalted, because we sinned against the Lord our God in not listening to his voice. 6To the Lord our God belongs righteousness, but to us and to our fathers confusion of face, as at this day. 7All these plagues have come upon us which the Lord has pronounced against us. 8Yet have we not entreated the favor of the Lord by everyone turning from the thoughts of his wicked heart. 9Therefore the Lord has kept watch over the plagues. The Lord has brought them upon us, for the Lord is righteous in all his works which he has commanded us. 10Yet we have not listened to his voice, to walk in the commandments of the Lord that he has set before us.

This passage is a prayer of confession, offered by a people under judgment. And its honesty is striking. They do not blame God for their calamity, nor complain that he has treated them unfairly; instead they own their sin: To the Lord our God belongs righteousness, but to us and to our ancestors confusion of face, as it is this day. They acknowledge that God is righteous in all he has done, and that the fault lies with them, who sinned against him and would not listen to his voice.

Notice the shape of this true confession. They do not soften their guilt or shift the blame; they say plainly that God is in the right and they are in the wrong. Righteousness belongs to God; shame belongs to them. They take full responsibility for their sin, admit that God's judgment was just, and do not accuse him of unfairness. This is what honest confession looks like: owning our fault, and vindicating God rather than blaming him.

That is a pattern for our own confession. When we have sinned and suffered its consequences, we are tempted to make excuses, to shift the blame, even to accuse God of being unfair. But true confession, like this one, owns the fault as ours and acknowledges that God is righteous. When you come to God confessing sin, do not soften your guilt or blame others or God; say plainly, as these did, that God is in the right and you are in the wrong. To God belongs righteousness, and to us shame; taking that honest posture, owning our sin and vindicating God, is the beginning of real repentance and of returning to him.

Lord, in this prayer of confession, a people under judgment did not blame you or complain of unfairness, but owned their sin, saying, to the Lord belongs righteousness, but to us shame; they acknowledged that you were righteous and the fault was theirs. Teach me to confess like that. When I have sinned and suffered its consequences, I am tempted to make excuses, to shift the blame, even to accuse you of being unfair. But true confession owns the fault as mine and acknowledges that you are righteous. When I come to you confessing sin, keep me from softening my guilt or blaming others or you. Help me say plainly, as these did, that you are in the right and I am in the wrong. To you belongs righteousness, and to me shame; help me take that honest posture, owning my sin and vindicating you, as the beginning of real repentance and of returning to you. Give me an honest and contrite heart.