Baruch 1:10-14: a reflection

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.

The exiles in Babylon, sending offerings and instructions back to Jerusalem, make a striking request. Along with prayers of confession for their own sins, they ask that prayer be made for the life of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and for his son, that their days may be long, so that the exiles might live in peace under their rule and find favor. They pray, in other words, for the very rulers who hold them captive, seeking peace under their authority rather than only cursing them.

Notice what the exiles do: they pray for the rulers over them, even a pagan, foreign king who had conquered them. This echoes God's own instruction through Jeremiah, to seek the welfare of the city of their exile and pray for it, for in its welfare they would find their own. Rather than only resenting or cursing the authorities over them, the exiles prayed for them, seeking peace under their rule.

That is a pattern the New Testament takes up: the call to pray for those in authority, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead peaceful lives. It is easy to resent, criticize, or curse those in authority over us, especially those we disagree with or who make our lives hard. But Scripture calls us to pray for them, even for hostile or ungodly rulers, seeking peace and their good. Do not only complain about or resent those in authority over you. Pray for them, as the exiles prayed even for the king who held them captive, seeking peace and their welfare, and trusting God, who rules the hearts of kings.

Lord, the exiles in Babylon prayed even for the pagan king who held them captive, seeking peace under his rule, as you had instructed through Jeremiah to seek the welfare of the city of their exile. Teach me to pray for those in authority over me. It is easy to resent, criticize, or curse the authorities over me, especially those I disagree with or who make my life hard. But your word calls me to pray for them, even for hostile or ungodly rulers, seeking peace and their good. Help me not only to complain about or resent those in authority, but to pray for them, as the exiles prayed even for their captor. You rule the hearts of kings; help me entrust them, and my life under them, to you, praying for peace and their welfare.