Lamentations 4:1-2
Solomon and he people of his day would be shocked and amazed that them temple had been destroyed, the gold carried off and hoarded by thieves; the sacred gems scattered. But the temple they once held in high esteem, had come to be taken for granted. They forgot what it was about. In the same way, the people had moved from blessing to curses. They were once held as precious as gold by the Lord, were not pots of clay in the potters hand. There were two options for clay vessels found inferior; if it remained pliable clay it could be reformed, that which was fired would simply be destroyed.
Lamentations 4:3-4
The jackals nursing the young is a pathetic site. The jackal was a scavenger beast caring for a young one when the child's own mother would not. This is fascinating when we heard of mothers boiling their babies during the siege. The people were heartless and not caring for their young like the ostrich was known to do.
Lamentations 4:5
Verse five provides a contrast and a thought. Some were brought up in a live a affluence, eating well and dressing well. Now, they are destitute and lie in ash heaps. This is a picture of where sin will deliver you to.
It may be we are also to see the loss of affluence so much so that they don't know how to care for their children, nor are they able to.
How quickly life changes. How drastic is the affect of parting from God and his ways and running to embrace sin and idolatry.
Lamentations 4:6-8
Jeremiah laments that the punishment is drastic and harsh. It is greater than the infamous Sodom and Gomorrah who stand as the epitome of a city and culture judged by God. The princes of Judah were in good health
Lamentations 4:9-10
This living longer suffered more. To die by the sword had some honor about it as well as it was merciful. Of those left, you would find once compassionate women that cooked their children to eat. This is unimaginable to us. Every one of us would say, "I would never do such a thing!" I suspect those women said the same. Again, this seems to show what sin does to our hearts and minds.
Lamentations 4:11-16
The Lord did it – He did what they thought would never be done. They thought that God would never destroy Jerusalem, they thought all the talk of judgment was just talk. After all, they reasoned, "God loves us, we are His people."
None of the nations of the world believed it would happen. Assyria found out how the Lord would protect Zion. But it did happen, the leaders were characterized as having shed innocent blood. The priests and prophets now wander the streets, groping as if blind. The streets are defiled with blood; how interesting that the priests who defiled the land would now fear defiling their garments.
The people treat the leaders like lepers wanting them to stay away. The Lord no longer kept them and cared for them. They had parted from Him long ago, He let them go and scattered them. Because of the office they once held, they were once looked on with high regard, now they had no honor.
Lamentations 4:17-20
Imagine looking in vain for the help that would not arrive as the situation around you got worse and worse. Zedekiah placed his hope in the arrival of an Egyptian army that would come to his rescue. But the Lord had already determined no help would arrive, he'd already told them the outcome but the they would not hear.
When the wall was breeched, the enemy was everywhere. Zedekiah fled to the plains of Jericho where he was captured by Babylon. He was considered the Lord's anointed; the one in who they looked for leadership. However, he was caught in their trap and their hopes were dashed.
Lamentations 4:21-22
Edom was able to rejoice for the moment. Israel's neighbor to the east had probably made some concession and treaty with Babylon, at least for the moment. While they might escape for the moment, their day would come.
While Israel suffered for a time, they could look forward to restoration in the coming time. Edom was safe for the day, when the punishment came on them, it would be their end.
©2018 Doug Ford
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