Lamentations 1:1-3
The city: forlorn and desolate.
The Lamentation is written in a specific poetic style; it is a line and then a shorter line in groupings. Each verse starts with the letter of the Hebrew alphabet forming an acrostic pattern for the 22 verses of each chapter.
The city was deserted, desolate and destroyed. Once so full of people, a thriving economy and people about the business of life. How did this happen? Jerusalem is likened to a widow; she has lost her children and lost her husband (Yahweh). She was once great and exalted, but now she is lowly and deserted. She went from queen to slave; brought to humility, losing her glory and status.
The city is in mourning, but the tears are not over sin. Her tears are for the loss and abandonment of all her lovers. She was so popular and prevalent among all her lovers, but now there was none to comfort her. They had all betrayed her becoming like her enemies. How could this happen?
Judah had once been set apart as God children, given the Promised Land and covenant relationship to go with it. But now it dwelled among the nations with place to rest. With no home and no king; Judah found themselves with no hope and all her enemies caught up with her. See also Dt. 28:65.
Lamentations 1:4-6
The roads once crowded with people and proud to carry them to the great city are now empty. No one comes to the festivals; the formerly crowded gates are desolate. This passage offers a melancholy look back, a sort of longing for the good ole days. It's 'remember when' and 'how did this happen' rolled together.
Those who were once foes now ruled over them. Israel is ruled and her enemies are at ease. How did this happen? The Lord brought this grief. It was judgment, that which was warned about often and repeatedly by the prophets, that which was ignored. This was the price of their sin and disobedience. Oh, if they could only make that choice again. See Dt. 28:44 and Dt. 28:32.
The splendor, that once inspired awe because of the beauty, majesty, strength and authority of Jerusalem, had now departed. The princes who once ruled have run for their lives, escaped in their weakness in hopes of personal survival. They abandoned their responsibilities as princes. See also Dt. 28:25.
Lamentations 1:7-9
Jerusalem remembers the days of many blessings and prosperity. How hard it would be to not think back to those days and wonder what went wrong. They became the 'good ole days' when life was easier, prior to captivity. They were now in the enemy's hands and there was no one to help. All her friends betrayed her, all she once trusted had abandoned and proved powerless to help. Worst of all, the enemy mocked them as if to say, 'look at God's elect now'.
Jerusalem had sinned greatly; the city itself is seen as taking part in this. The uncleanness is ceremonial uncleanness. In a reversal of fortunes, those who once honored, how despised. The nakedness is likened to that of a prostitute. She is no longer hidden behind any façade' but seen for what she really is. Israel hid behind God, their religion and life yet acted as spiritual prostitutes.
The filthiness of v. 9 is another word for ceremonial uncleanness. In this case the filth is that of menstrual blood on her cloths that defiles her and makes the prostitute unclean. The fall was astounding; miraculous and noteworthy in such a profound reversal of fortunes. Only God can do this. The triumphing of the enemy is the prideful boasting of their actions.
Lamentations 1:10-11
The Babylonians plundered the temple, taking all the treasures. The thought of the pagan nations entering the holy place, let alone the holy of holies, was an unimaginable travesty to them.
The people groaned in pain and affliction as they literally starved to death. They searched for bread but had to resort to other measures to live. There were no treasures left to barter; the only treasures they possessed were their children. To keep alive, they ate their children or sold them into slavery. What an awful thing to live with. It is no wonder Jerusalem sees itself as despised.
This is the last of the 3rd person testimony of Jerusalem.
Lamentations 1:12-13
The text now changes to first person testimony and becomes more specific, intimate and personal.
Jerusalem speaks as though a person, pleading for relief. This was significant, the suffering noteworthy. This wasn't just another conquered city. This was the City of David, home of the Temple – Judgment, by God's hand. This was inflicted by Babylon, but it was clear that God had done this. It's fascinating that today, when destruction comes, when bad things happen, no one seems to consider if it was a judgment for disobedience and apostasy.
Fire was sent from on high; the implication seems to be that God, from the heavens determined this judgment. The contrast from 'on high' to 'my bones' is worth seeing; from the highest of highs, to the core and structure of this great city. The burning in the bones is a relentless and inescapable pain and suffering. The net spread was a city surrounded by the enemy; a trap sprung on the city that brought ruin and destruction.
Lamentations 1:14-16
The sins of the once great city has its sins become like a yoke. To be yoked was to fall under subjection of a higher power or authority. In a sense, the Jews the put the city in the sin when judgment came. The ultimate authority is the just nature of Yahweh. There is no strength against God's cause. The city was given over to the enemy and had no ability, strength or stamina to stand and defend herself.
The judgment played out in two ways for the young warriors. They were rejected and then crushed by this enemy. The judgment is viewed as a winepress; it crushed the young men and stomped the city.
The despair is evident in the passion of the poetry. The once great city, never left alone by men or God, was now by her self to deal with the sorrow, destruction and ruin. All her people were brought to ruin as well.
Lamentations 1:17-18
Zion's arms are outstretched in lamentation, but there is no one to offer comfort. Her children are gone and her neighbors have become enemies. They've become like this unclean thing no one desires to be near or associate with. The unclean thing can mean:
- Biological: menstruation
- Ceremonial: moral impurity and idolatry
- Physical: filthy garbage or refuse
Jerusalem confessed the Lord is right in His judgment as the city had rebelled against Him. The sons and daughters are now in captivity; now evidence of the affect of sin. See also Dt 28:41.
Lamentations 1:19-20
The allies were portrayed as lovers who had betrayed her. The 'lovers' were powerless, false gods and idols that could do nothing for them. The civil and religious leaders were also powerless; evidence of failed leadership.
The city pleads to the Lord over her distressed condition. The 'torment within' is a churning of the entrails, inner turmoil – the place of compassion and innermost feelings. The heart was the place of the mind, emotion and knowledge; this too was disturbed over the knowledge of rebellion. The sword 'bereaves' as in, kills the children in the street. Death is also in the home. It is everywhere. See Dt. 32:25.
Lamentations 1:21-22
The people have heard, but there is no one bringing comfort. The enemies have also heard, and they are celebrating. Jerusalem prays for the day when they will become like them. This is the Day of the Lord, when all the nations will be judged. They will then come to Jerusalem and worship or be destroyed. See also Is 2:12; Zech 14:1; Ezek 13:5.
The city calls for the judgment of all God's enemies in righteousness and justice as was done to Jerusalem. Jerusalem groans and is weak, but will stand on that day that is coming when the nations are judged.
©2018 Doug Ford
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