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Lamentations

Lamentations 3

The Man of Affliction

Lamentation 3:1-3

This lamentation starts out with an individual and personal complaint.  It's the emotion of pain and sorrow over the affliction experienced.  It is the rod of wrath as the consequence of sin.  It's the darkness of sin man chases after and the complaint about it when they arrive.  The term used for 'man' is one used mostly in the wisdom texts.  This man stands as a representative of mankind, experiencing something significant and speaking of it for purpose and lesson. 

 

This man feels as though he has been driven away.  Mankind rebels repeatedly against God, runs from Him, hides from Him, again all warning and pleas from God.  Then, when the Lord chastens, or we feel the rod of correction, we feel as though God has driven us away.  If we insist on dwelling in sin, as man was driven from the garden, we will be driven away.  As Nebuchadnezzar was driven to insanity by his pride, we will be driven from God.

 

Again, and again God warned, called and pleaded; again and again it was ignored.  Now, again and again His hand gets man's attention by way of correction.

 

Lamentation 3:4-6

The lament creates this picture of skin and flesh and of broken bone.  This is lamentation language to connect the reader to the grit and feel of the place where they find themselves.  Like being under siege by God, there is no hiding, no escape from this harsh and bitter punishment.  He likens himself to a corpse in a grave, long dead and existing in the darkness.  This is a darkness and death brought on by their sin.  It's as if God delivered them to their ultimate destination; their rebellion and rejection of him led to sin and death.  They are experiencing what they chased after.

 

Lamentation 3:7-9

The walls of sin man once hidden behind suddenly became walls that held him captive.  A dark place to play became the prison, the place of bondage and chains of sin.  The prayer and cry for help seemed to echo within, never making it outside the wall.  While it always seemed as though there would be a way out of this sin and rebellion, the search for the exit revealed it's been walled up, sealed over.  This way man has taken by choice, a choice made in the face of calls for repentance, now seems crooked and torturous; a hard way.  This way that was a choice, he now wants to leave, but the choice has been removed.  He's been given what he always sought after. 

 

Lamentation 3:3-12

This man feels as though he is God's target and the Lord can't miss.  Like a bear that's lying in wait is a terror and attack that man can't win or escape from.  Likewise, a lion hiding and waiting to pounce.  The Lord is like a divine warrior who draws His bow.

 

It's as though the man is overwhelmed with his circumstances, as if he thought it could never be this bad.  Yes, he had sinned and rebelled, but it always seemed as though he had it under control.  There was always a way of escape.  This overwhelming onslaught of terror is what man brings to himself apart from God.

 

Lamentation 3:13-15

The arrows came, as if from an enemy attack; they hit their intended target, the heart.  The word translated 'heart' is actually kidney; it is the inner center of life.  They would have thought of it as inside parts, the kidney.  We came to know it as the heart.  Meanwhile the enemies snicker and laugh at the predicament.  They are enjoying the punishment and sorrow that brought this lamentation.  He was filled with bitter herbs and gall.  These are common pictures likening the emotional bitterness to the bitter taste of these herbs and drink (Prov 5:4; Amos 5:7; 6:12; Jer 9:15; 23:15).

 

Lamentation 3:16-18

The lament keeps coming, though it begins to wrap up and transition to hope.  With gravel his teeth are broken and he's trampled down, tread on and beat down.  This picture is a pitiful sight of one who has given up on making war but can't escape.  While the battle has ceased, there is no peace, no inner contentment or quality of life.  Prosperity is not even a possibility.  So much has been lost in this rebellion and disobedience of God. 

 

Lamentation 3:19-21

The transition towards hope begins.  The lament turns to the Lord, asking Him to remember this time and the circumstances.  The affliction and wandering were bitter and the soul was downcast a the thought.  If God remembers this, then there is surely hope.  If we, his creation are broken hearted, is He not also?  If we are downcast, is He not more perfectly downcast?

 

Lamentation 3:22-24

God's covenantal love keeps them from being consumed when wrath and justice and judgment are fully appropriate.  They were not spared for any goodness, righteousness or worthiness.  It is God's faithfulness to His promise; even when His people failed Him, His love never fails.  This was a great source of hope.  Because His love never fails, His compassion does not fail.  How disappointed and heartbroken the Lord must have been that His children would run so astray.  His love is perfect, faithful and this brings new compassion daily.  It never runs out, grows old or expires.  This is God's faithfulness.  This is hope.  "This is my portion," the lamenter says; this moves him to wait on the Lord.

 

Lamentation 3:25-27

The one who was lamenting now sounds like the wise teacher.  He encourages those who suffer to do so patiently, waiting on the perfect timing of the faithful God. 

 

The Lord is good –

            To those who hope in Him

            To those who seek Him.

Therefore, it is good to -

            Wait patiently

            Bear the yoke of bondage and learn its value.

 

 

Lamentation 3:28-30

The language in this passage sounds much like the 'suffering servant' of Isaiah 50.  Sitting alone would be time with your thoughts, to consider the circumstances.  In this case, the Lord put this yoke on the man; therefore, there is a purpose.  He would be set apart.  It is the man must see and know that purpose.  In the dust is as low as the man can be, it's humility and seeking some hope.  The servant is lonely and the service is hard.  Offering the cheek is receiving the persecution, even for conveying God's word or purpose; even for believing in truth and righteousness.

 

Lamentation 3:31-33

No one is so far away as to be beyond reach.  Yes, He brings grief, but only for a purpose, to drive you to hope, to grace, redemption or salvation.  This love is perfect and unfailing; this is a covenant love.  This love moves Him to do hard things as well as kind things.  The word for 'willingly' is heart; its in God's heart to not bring affliction or grief.  This is His preference.  But perfect love is willing to bring pain to drive the one you love to correction. 

 

Lamentation 3:34-36

Three examples of man's failures are given in contrast to God gracious dealing with them.  Do they think God can't see these things?

  1. Mistreatment of prisoners, simply because they are prisoners.  They are still humans, created in God's image.
  2. Denial of justice or judgment regarding basic determination of right and wrong – done before God.
  3. Treat them unfairly, or take wrong action against them. 

 

Lamentation 3:37-39

No one gets around the will of the Lord.  Satan isn't tricking God into looking away while he deals affliction.  If affliction happens, God has ordained it or allowed it, for His purpose, for your good.  Both good and bad happen by God's sovereign plan.  Our job is to endeavor to discover our lesson or place and role in these things.  There certainly wasn't a valid reason o complain about punishment if they are sinning.  If they are being disobedient to God, punishment is deserved. 

 

Lamentation 3:40-42

There is agreement among people, their complaint is not valid.  They look in the mirror to discover the problem.  The 'examine and test' is to carefully look at their own ways.  There is then a 'turning' toward the Lord, which is a turn away from these other ways.  To life their hearts along with the hands was to be committed to this repentance.  It was real, coming from the heart, not just outward expression of loyalty.  They had sinned and rebelled, God had acted rightly and justly in not forgiving them.

 

Lamentation 3:43-45

The righteous wrath of God fell on them.  They had separated themselves from God.  The Lord is now hidden from them.  God was just and right in allowing them to fall in their status among the nations.  Scum and refuse is the fruit of a nation bent by sin. 

 

Lamentation 3:46-48

The enemies are having their way.  The suffering is immense; terror and pitfalls (fear and traps) and ruin and destruction (ruined, destroyed with finality).  This brings back the lament of the people of Jerusalem. 

 

Lamentation 3:49-51

The sight of the suffering of the women in the city moved the man to tears that wouldn't stop until God looked down and saw this same sight.  Watching those we love suffer and being unable to stop the suffering is truly humbling. 

 

Lamentation 3:52-57

The Lament now brings to focus the enemies around them that brought oppression beyond what the Lord brought them.  These nations joined in to kick Israel while they were down.  It was like hunting a bird in a cage.  It was as if the waters of death were closing over them.  These 'waters' were likened to drowning and going to the underworld.  It was the source of great fear among them. 

 

The response to this was that they called on the 'the name' of the Lord.  This cry came from the depths of the pit of despair.  This seems to be where God does some of his finest work.  It's when people get themselves out of the way, when they realize their abilities have failed them and they need God.  The Lord heard the plea and came near, telling them not to fear.

 

Lamentation 3:58-60

The 'case' is the legal proceeding, as in the a court case.  The Lord became their defense attorney, judge and executioner.  The redemption was the saving their life, as if purchased from death row.  The Lord knows the balance of the books and seen the wrong.  To 'uphold my cause' was a request to act as judge for the legal proceeding. 

 

Lamentation 3:61-66

They insult and plot, whisper and mutter.  They mock with their words, enjoying seeing Israel suffer.  God's enemies love to see God's people suffer.  It's strange how it brings them joy.  It does nothing to aid them in their own predicament. 

 

The man, in his lament, asks the Lord to give them what they deserve also.  This call for their destruction and suffering doesn't seem to be any better than those outside Israel celebrating their suffering.  God bring suffering to those nations didn't lesson Israel's pain either. 

 

©2018 Doug Ford