Lamentations 1
-The book of Jeremiah had predicted the destruction of
Jerusalem. Lamentations is now the second book by Jeremiah the prophet which
looks back in grief over the destruction of Jerusalem and Judah under the
Babylonian captivity occurring soon after 586 B.C. Jerusalem had been
ransacked, her people taken, tortured, or killed. It was a gruesome scene of devastation
and mourning. We sense the grief of God poured out into his prophet Jeremiah
through these words. We see the backside, the aftereffects, of God’s judgment
upon a rebellious society. And, to be honest, it is not pretty. We hear the
groans, we experience the crying as it pulls on our emotional heartstrings. Therefore
the purpose of the book was to show people that to disobey God is to invite
disaster. But, also it is written to express that God suffers when His people
suffer as we will see. Out of the ashes, the prophet will give a glimmer of
God-given hope as the LORD’s compassion never fails ultimately. His
faithfulness is greater than our demise, and He alone will prevent total
annihilation through His power to save. The megathemes of the work include the
importance of desperate prayer, confession of sin, destruction as a result of
disobedience, God’s enduring mercy, and the final hope.
-Chapter one should be entitled “Jeremiah mourns for
Jerusalem.” The sorrow for Zion is palpable as the lonely city sits without its
inhabitants. The once great city among the nations has become like a hollow
widow and slave. She weeps bitterly in the night with tears on her cheeks with
none to comfort her. All her friends have denied her and dealt treacherously with
her as enemies. Judah experiences exile under affliction with harsh servitude
her plight. She dwells among the nations now finding no rest in her land. All
her pursuers have overtaken her, and she is distressed completely. Her roads
are in mourning because no one is joyously going up them to the appointed
feasts of Moses’ Law. Her gates are desolate. Her priests are groaning in
agony. Her virgins are afflicted. God’s city is bitter. Her adversaries have
now become her masters with prosperity and riches, for the LORD has caused her
to grieve due to her transgressions. All her majesty has departed, and she has
no strength left (Lamentations 1:1-6).
-In these days of affliction and homelessness, she remembers
all her precious things that were from the days of old. Now she is mocked by
her adversary in her ruin. “Jerusalem sinned greatly” is the sad commentary by
the true prophet of God. She became unclean and lost her honor as God’s people.
The enemy therefore saw her nakedness, and even she herself must now groan and
turn away. “She did not consider her future, therefore she has fallen
astonishingly (Lamentations 1:7-9a).” The cry goes out to the LORD to see their
affliction, but it is too late. The enemy has magnified himself by entering
into her sanctuary and entering His congregation in an unholy fashion. The
people of Jerusalem are now groaning as they seek for bread and sustenance.
Their precious things they give away just to eat. The LORD has dealt out His
vengeance in anger causing pain and suffering untold. The prophet Jeremiah
pines, “From on high He sent fire (judgment through prophetic word) into my
bones, and it prevailed over them.” Now the land is left desolate and faint all
day long. There is a yoke of transgression binding the people and making their
strength fail. They are not able to stand to defend. The LORD has rejected
their strong men and crushed them, even the virgin daughter of Judah
(Lamentations 1:9b-15).
-For these horrific things the prophet weeps and far away is
his comforter, the One who restores his soul. The enemy has prevailed as
predicted. The summary for Israel is this, “The LORD is righteous; for I have
rebelled against His command; hear now, all peoples, and behold my pain; my
virgins and my young men have gone into captivity (Lamentations 1:16-18).” The
foreign lovers deceived in their idolatry. The elders and priests who went
along with their folly have now perished in the city while they sought out food
to strengthen themselves. “In the street the sword slays; in the house it is
like death.” The ravages of being taken over are reiterated with a plea for the
day of the LORD to come for vindication upon the enemies who have done this to
Jerusalem. As for this time though, all is desperate as they pay for their transgressions.
Their groans are many, and their heart is faint (Lamentations 1:19-22).
*Application* This is a stark reminder of the society once prosperous because
of the blessing of God forgetting their way to the point of annihilation and
depravity. We should remember all God has done for us and be thankful, being
ever vigilant against compromise with the deceit of idolatry and transgression
against the King (Psalm 77:11). God is holy and will not share His glory with
an obstinate bunch. His discipline can be severe as we see here, so stay humble
and obedient to His righteous ways. It is for our good. He does not desire to
show His heavy Hand, but will to straighten out the wayward (Psalm 5:4).
Verse to Memorize:
Lamentations 1:18
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