Lamentations 4-5

Lamentations 1-2 takes us up the mountain that peaks in 3:22-24.  We have stayed on that mountain through the end of Lam. 3 but now descend again into the realization of what it means when God burns hot with anger.

·        4:1-12: God fulfilled His fury (v11) in the most degrading ways.  The stones of the fabulous temple of Solomon are scattered (v1).  The great sons of Zion are nothing (v2).  Like the ostrich in the desert who neglects her eggs, so the mothers of Israel neglected their children (v3).  The children starve but no one helps (v4).  Those who ate the finest of food now eat ashes (v5).  Jerusalem’s punishment is worse than Sodom (v6).  Her once magnificent specimens of humanity (v7) are now unrecognized in the streets (v8).  Those killed quickly by the sword are better off than those who starve in the siege (v9).  Once caring women now eat their children (v10).  It is impossible to believe that it could be so bad (v12), but the LORD fulfilled His fury.

·        4:13-16:  And again we ask, why has God done this?  It is because of the shepherds of Israel that the sheep have been misled.  Jesus would see and say the same thing (Mt. 23; John 10).  We can never place enough emphasis on the need for good leadership in the nation.  In our own nation!

·        4:17-22: It came upon the nation and there was no one to help.  But now it is over and those who should have helped will get what they deserve, even as we (Israel) got what we deserve.  Especially Edom.  Singles out by God for her grievous response to the flames that devoured Jerusalem and the sword of Nebuchadnezzar that killed and took captive the nation.  Edom could hardly wait because they thought the time had come for Esau (his descendants are Edom) to take back what Jacob took from him (Ezek. 35).  But that won’t happen.  They too will drink the cup of Babylon.

·        5:1-9:  Jeremiah was forbidden to pray for Zion during his years of warning the people to turn from their wicked ways.  But now heaven is open to hear and Lam. 5 is that prayer.  God had forgotten it seemed; but now He is asked to remember, to pay attention to what is happened in these terrible times of the Gentiles when the nations rule Israel rather than the other way around.

·        5:10-18: Every attempt at joy has disappeared from Zion.  No dancing.  No great dining experiences.  And all who are left are disrespected.  Woe to us, for we have sinned!  How gracious is Jeremiah.  He was not the false prophet or shepherd of Israel who led the people astray.  But his love for his people is deep, as was the Apostle Paul’s when he said, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved (Rom. 10:1).  We have sinned!

·        5:19-22: But LORD, do not forget.  How we should pray this today in our own nations and communities and families.  Turn us back to You.