2 Esdras chapter 16
[This chapter is in Orthodox Bibles] Judgment of the four nations. Eschatological destruction. Destruction is coming. The creation narrative. Divine judgment.
Note. The Book of Second Esdras is recognized as Deuterocanonical Scripture by the Orthodox Churches
JUDGMENT OF THE FOUR NATIONS
VERSE 1. Woe to you, Babylon, and Asia! Woe to you, Egypt and Syria!
VERSE 2. Put on sackcloth and garments of goats’ hair, wail for your children and lament; for your destruction is at hand.
sackcloth and garments of goats’ hair. These are outward signs of grieving.
VERSE 3. A sword has been sent upon you, and who is there to turn it back?
VERSE 4. A fire has been sent upon you, and who is there to quench it?
VERSE 5. Calamities are sent upon you, and who is there to drive them away?
VERSE 6. Can one drive away a hungry lion in the forest? Can one quench a fire in stubble, once it has begun to burn?
VERSE 7. Can one turn back an arrow that is shot by a strong archer?
arrow that is shot:
Verse 7. Can one turn back an arrow that is shot by a strong archer?
Verse 13. For his right hand that bends the bow is strong, his arrows that he shoots are sharp, and will not miss when they begin to be shot into the ends of the world.
Verse 16. Just as an arrow which is shot by a mighty archer doesn’t return backward, even so the calamities that are sent out upon earth won’t return again.
VERSE 8. The Lord God sends the calamities, and who will drive them away?
The Lord God sends the calamities. The calamities are blamed on the LORD God. Or are the people reaping what they have sown?
There is a law of “sowing and reaping” throughout the Bible. How shall we reconcile it with grace and mercy? Here are the verses we’ve found »
VERSE 9. A fire will go out from his wrath, and who may quench it?
VERSE 10. He will flash lightning, and who will not fear? He will thunder, and who wouldn’t tremble?
VERSE 11. The Lord will threaten, and who will not be utterly broken in pieces at his presence?
VERSE 12. The earth and its foundations quake. The sea rises up with waves from the deep, and its waves will be troubled, along with the fish in them, at the presence of the Lord, and before the glory of his power.
The earth and its foundations quake. The underpinnings of the created realm are shaken.
VERSE 13. For his right hand that bends the bow is strong, his arrows that he shoots are sharp, and will not miss when they begin to be shot into the ends of the world.
arrows that he shoots:
Verse 7. Can one turn back an arrow that is shot by a strong archer?
Verse 13. For his right hand that bends the bow is strong, his arrows that he shoots are sharp, and will not miss when they begin to be shot into the ends of the world.
Verse 16. Just as an arrow which is shot by a mighty archer doesn’t return backward, even so the calamities that are sent out upon earth won’t return again.
VERSE 14. Behold, the calamities are sent out, and will not return again until they come upon the earth.
VERSE 15. The fire is kindled and will not be put out until it consumes the foundations of the earth.
At the Final Judgment, the earth will be destroyed by fire.
VERSE 16. Just as an arrow which is shot by a mighty archer doesn’t return backward, even so the calamities that are sent out upon earth won’t return again.
arrow which is shot:
Verse 7. Can one turn back an arrow that is shot by a strong archer?
Verse 13. For his right hand that bends the bow is strong, his arrows that he shoots are sharp, and will not miss when they begin to be shot into the ends of the world.
Verse 16. Just as an arrow which is shot by a mighty archer doesn’t return backward, even so the calamities that are sent out upon earth won’t return again.
VERSE 17. Woe is me! Woe is me! Who will deliver me in those days?
ESCHATOLOGICAL DESTRUCTION
VERSE 18. The beginning of sorrows, when there will be great mourning; the beginning of famine, and many will perish; the beginning of wars, and the powers will stand in fear; the beginning of calamities, and all will tremble! What will they do when the calamities come?
VERSE 19. Behold, famine and plague, suffering and anguish! They are sent as scourges for correction.
VERSE 20. But for all these things they will not turn them from their wickedness, nor be always mindful of the scourges.
VERSE 21. Behold, food will be so cheap on earth that they will think themselves to be in good condition, and even then calamities will grow on earth: sword, famine, and great confusion.
They will have a time of plenty. They will assume it is a reward for their own virtue. That will give them false confidence.
In our day, many Christians assume wealth is a reward for holiness. That gives rich people false confidence.
VERSE 22. For many of those who dwell on earth will perish of famine; and others who escape the famine, the sword will destroy.
VERSE 23. The dead will be cast out like dung, and there will be no one to comfort them; for the earth will be left desolate, and its cities will be cast down.
VERSE 24. There will be no farmer left to cultivate the earth or to sow it.
VERSE 25. The trees will give fruit, but who will gather it?
VERSE 26. The grapes will ripen, but who will tread them? For in all places there will be a great solitude;
VERSE 27. for one man will desire to see another, or to hear his voice.
VERSE 28. For of a city there will be ten left, and two of the field, who have hidden themselves in the thick groves, and in the clefts of the rocks.
Amos 5:3. For the Lord GOD says: “The city that went out a thousand shall have a hundred left, and that which went out one hundred shall have ten left to the house of Israel.”
VERSE 29. As in an orchard of olives upon every tree there may be left three or four olives,
VERSE 30. or as when a vineyard is gathered, there are some clusters left by those who diligently search through the vineyard,
VERSE 31. even so in those days, there will be three or four left by those who search their houses with the sword.
VERSE 32. The earth will be left desolate, and its fields will be for briers, and its roads and all her paths will grow thorns, because no sheep will pass along them.
VERSE 33. The virgins will mourn, having no bridegrooms. The women will mourn, having no husbands. Their daughters will mourn, having no helpers.
VERSE 34. Their bridegrooms will be destroyed in the wars, and their husbands will perish of famine.
DESTRUCTION IS ON THE WAY
VERSE 35. Hear now these things, and understand them, you servants of the Lord.
you servants of the Lord. The author is addressing the elect.
VERSE 36. Behold, the Lord’s word: receive it. Don’t doubt the things about which the Lord speaks.
Behold, the Lord’s word. This is the beginning of a prophecy.
VERSE 37. Behold, the calamities draw near, and are not delayed.
VERSE 38. Just as a woman with child in the ninth month, when the hour of her delivery draws near, within two or three hours great pains surround her womb, and when the child comes out from the womb, there will be no waiting for a moment,
a woman with child in the ninth month. The image of a pregnant woman is frequent in 2 Esdras.
VERSE 39. even so the calamities won’t delay coming upon the earth. The world will groan, and sorrows will seize it on every side.
VERSE 40. “O my people, hear my word: prepare for battle, and in those calamities be like strangers on the earth.
VERSE 41. He who sells, let him be as he who flees away, and he who buys, as one who will lose.
They are to regard the present world as temporary.
VERSE 42. Let he who does business be as he who has no profit by it, and he who builds, as he who won’t dwell in it,
They are to regard the present world as temporary.
VERSE 43. and he who sows, as if he wouldn’t reap, so also he who prunes the vines, as he who won’t gather the grapes,
They are to regard the present world as temporary.
VERSE 44. those who marry, as those who will have no children, and those who don’t marry, as the widowed.
They are to regard the present world as temporary.
VERSE 45. Because of this, those who labor, labor in vain;
VERSE 46. for foreigners will reap their fruits, plunder their goods, overthrow their houses, and take their children captive, for in captivity and famine they will conceive their children.
VERSE 47. Those who conduct business, do so only to be plundered. The more they adorn their cities, their houses, their possessions, and their own persons,
The elect are materialists. They are accumulating way too much wealth and way too many possessions.
Like many Christians of today.
VERSE 48. the more I will hate them for their sins,” says the Lord.
VERSE 49. Just as a respectable and virtuous woman hates a prostitute,
hates a prostitute. The author is cultivating hatred for sex workers.
VERSE 50. so will righteousness hate iniquity, when she adorns herself, and will accuse her to her face, when he comes who will defend him who diligently searches out every sin on earth.
VERSE 51. Therefore don’t be like her or her works.
VERSE 52. For yet a little while, and iniquity will be taken away out of the earth, and righteousness will reign over us.
VERSE 53. Don’t let the sinner say that he has not sinned; for God will burn coals of fire on the head of one who says “I haven’t sinned before God and his glory.”
Don’t let the sinner say that he has not sinned. Sinners must not deny sinning.
VERSE 54. Behold, the Lord knows all the works of men, their imaginations, their thoughts, and their hearts.
the Lord knows all. This is a common biblical theme.
THE CREATION NARRATIVE
VERSE 55. He said, “Let the earth be made,” and it was made, “Let the sky be made,” and it was made.
VERSE 56. At his word, the stars were established, and he knows the number of the stars.
The creation of the stars is a manifestation of the LORD God’s power.
VERSE 57. He searches the deep and its treasures. He has measured the sea and what it contains.
VERSE 58. He has shut the sea in the midst of the waters, and with his word, he hung the earth over the waters.
VERSE 59. He has spread out the sky like a vault. He has founded it over the waters.
VERSE 60. He has made springs of water in the desert and pools on the tops of the mountains to send out rivers from the heights to water the earth.
VERSE 61. He formed man, and put a heart in the midst of the body, and gave him breath, life, and understanding,
VERSE 62. yes, the spirit of God Almighty. He who made all things and searches out hidden things in hidden places,
DIVINE JUDGMENT
VERSE 63. surely he knows your imagination, and what you think in your hearts. Woe to those who sin, and try to hide their sin!
VERSE 64. Because the Lord will exactly investigate all your works, and he will put you all to shame.
he will put you all to shame. Divine judgment happens in p<ublic.
VERSE 65. When your sins are brought out before men, you will be ashamed, and your own iniquities will stand as your accusers in that day.
you will be ashamed. Divine judgment causes shame.
VERSE 66. What will you do? Or how will you hide your sins before God and his angels?
The glory of God is the revealing element in divine judgment.
VERSE 67. Behold, God is the judge. Fear him! Stop sinning, and forget your iniquities, to never again commit them. So will God lead you out, and deliver you from all suffering.
VERSE 68. For, behold, the burning wrath of a great multitude is kindled over you, and they will take away some of you, and feed you with that which is sacrificed to idols.
VERSE 69. Those who consent to them will be held in derision and in contempt, and be trodden under foot.
VERSE 70. For there will be in various places, and in the next cities, a great insurrection against those who fear the Lord.
VERSE 71. They will be like mad men, sparing none, but spoiling and destroying those who still fear the Lord.
VERSE 72. For they will destroy and plunder their goods, and throw them out of their houses.
VERSE 73. Then the trial of my elect will be made known, even as the gold that is tried in the fire.
VERSE 74. Hear, my elect ones, says the Lord: “Behold, the days of suffering are at hand, and I will deliver you from them.
VERSE 75. Don’t be afraid, and don’t doubt, for God is your guide.
VERSE 76. You who keep my commandments and precepts,” says the Lord God, “don’t let your sins weigh you down, and don’t let your iniquities lift themselves up.”
VERSE 77. Woe to those who are choked with their sins and covered with their iniquities, like a field is choked with bushes, and its path covered with thorns, that no one may travel through!
VERSE 78. It is shut off and given up to be consumed by fire.
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(3 Maccabees 1)
2 ESDRAS
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, How Many People Will Be Saved
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