Lamentations 2:11
Throughout the book of Jeremiah, the prophet tells of the impending doom to come upon Jerusalem if they will not repent and make themselves right with God. Unfortunately, they did not heed the warning of the prophet and were conquered by the Chaldeans. The book of Lamentations records the fulfillment of what is predicted in Jeremiah. The book tells of the falls of Jerusalem and the move Israel made into Egyptian bondage.
Often times, Christianity is described by some as a system in which there is no emotion. While it is true that biblical faith is a faith of reason (Hebrews 11:1), it is certainly not fair to say that no emotion is involved in the practice of Christianity. Worship is more than just sincere feelings, but feelings are certainly to be a part (John 4:24). Jesus set an example weeping regarding the death of Lazarus (John 11:35). Peter showed sincere emotion when he cried over his denial of Christ (Luke 22:62). Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet probably because of the book of Lamentations, a collection of five poetic laments over the nation of Israel. While Christianity is a faith of reason, it certainly includes emotion. The book of Lamentations is a good example of such.
Lamentations one depicts Jerusalem as a widow. Loneliness, mourning, and being ignored by people who come by are all themes found within the chapter. Neighboring nations showed no sympathy for the deplorable condition. Several times, the writer implies (and outright says) the destruction that has come upon Jerusalem is from God (1:12, 15). Yet, it was not God’s desire that such would happen for Jerusalem. In a masterful poetic way, Jeremiah tells of how Jerusalem rebelled against the Lord and the Lord punished her for the wickedness. Jeremiah prophesied about such things and now they have come to pass. Now, he is an eye-witness to the things happening.
Chapter two gives the clear indication the destruction which has come upon Jerusalem is from God. Verses nine and ten show the totality of the destruction and the mourning of the people. God dehorned the nation (2:3), removed political power (2:5), and tore down the religious authorities (2:7). Verses 11-16 give the first indication of the emotional turmoil in which Jeremiah found himself. In verse 20, he begins a plea to God: “See, O Lord, and consider! To whom have You done this? Should the women eat their offspring, The children they have cuddled? Should the priest and prophet be slain In the sanctuary of the Lord?”
God was showing His mercy to Jerusalem in that they deserved death. Jeremiah encourages the people to accept their punishment and show forth fruits of repentance (3:25-27). He makes a pointed appeal to the people to examine themselves, repent of their sins, and cease to do evil (3:40-42). Jeremiah’s compassion is seen in Lamentations 3:46-48 where it is recorded he wept continually for the people and their state.
More comments are made concerning the deplorable state of Jerusalem in chapter four. The city was once great, but now is suffering. The state of affairs is so bad children are suffering from malnutrition (4:4). People who were once great are now begging (4:5). Some are so desperate they are resorting to cannibalism (4:10). Chapter four ends with a ray of hope—the time is coming when the people will be taken from captivity (4:22).
Chapter five summarizes the calamity of the condition and ends with a final plea to God. No one was exempt from this punishment from God. There was no reason to have joy (5:15). They have cried so much they cannot cry about it anymore (5:17). The punishment given to them has accomplished its purpose. They plead to be restored to God (5:20). God wanted them, as He wants people today, to be restored to Him (5:22). Today, through providence, God will allow things to happen in people’s lives which will encourage them to seek after Him. Such happened to Jerusalem and it can continue to happen today.
Some of the more obvious lessons which can be learned from the book of Lamentations concern the longsuffering but ultimate justice of God. God, through Jeremiah, was patient, pleading with the people to repent. Yet ultimately, He was just and since the people would not repent, He sent His fierce anger on them. Today, He is longsuffering (2Peter 3:9). Yet ultimately, He will have justice (2Thessaloniand 1:9). As Lamentations concluded with a ray of hope, so will the lives of Christians.
Another perhaps not so obvious lesson which can be learned from the book of Lamentations is the emotional involvement needed when the child of God considers the horrors of Hell. It is perhaps human and certainly vengeful to have a poor attitude toward those who do not do right and openly declare no desire to seek righteousness. Such was the attitudes of many of the Israelites. Yet, the vengeful attitude was not the attitude of Jeremiah or of God. In fact, Jeremiah cried over their pathetic attitude and encouraged others to lament as well (Jeremiah 34:5, Lamentations 2:8). Christians today need to consider the similar state of those in the world and be concerned about their fate. More than that, Christians need to rise up and spread the message of salvation so that people know they do not have to be lost.
-J
No comments:
Post a Comment