Lamentations 4

The Book of Lamentations by Jeremiah is the experience of Jeremiah of the invasion and destruction of Jerusalem. The shiny gold has become dark (v. 1a) and the stones that are of sacred places were thrown out on the street and the corners of every street (v. 1c-d). The sons of earthly Jerusalem or earthly Zion was just like broken jars of a potter thrown on the earth (v. 2). Jackals are bad but they also offer a breast to their young and the daughters could not take care of their babies like ostriches in the wilderness (v. 3) for the tongue of the babies were thirsty (v. 4a-b) and they were hungry (v. 4c). The rich and wealthy who ate “delicacies” (v. 5a) are desolate on the streets and the royal ones with purple clothes are on the ash heaps like homeless people (v. 5b-d). It all happens in the context of sins for their iniquity “is greater than the sin of Sodom” (v. 6a-b). Sodom was overthrown in a moment and there were no hands turned towards her to help her because it was the wrath of God and now again with Jerusalem a similar Wrath of God event happened in 586 BCE with the arrival of Nebuchadnezzar from Babylon (v. 6c-d). The “consecrated ones” of Jerusalem or the remnant were “purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy body than corals, their polishing like lapis lazuli” (v. 7). The remnant seed suffered together with the remnant weed here since their faces are black and they cannot be recognized in the streets (v. 8a-b). Their skins are on their bones and they became like wood (v. 8c-d). Hunger has taken its toll and Jeremiah said that it is better to die by the sword than to suffer hunger (v. 9a-b). They did not get their regular fruit diet supply (v. 9c-d). Jeremiah says that a regular healthy diet will include “fruits of the field” (v. 9d). Instead the women had to boil their young and eat them in the worst cannibalism that one can imagine (v. 10a-c) because of the destruction from the wrath of God through Nebuchadnezzar for their sins (v. 10d). The “Lord has accomplished His wrath He has poured out His fierce anger” (v. 11a-b). A fire was started in earthly Zion and consumed its foundations (v. 11c-d). The rest of the world of Jeremiah’s time could not believe that it happened (v. 12a). “Nor any of the inhabitants of the world” (v. 12b). They all have heard since 1450 BCE of God’s destruction of the army of the Egyptians and Thutmosis III at the Sea and the rescue of Israel but to hear that God is against spiritual Israel, was something they could not imagine. “That the adversary and the enemy could enter the gates of Jerusalem” (v. 12c-d) was something unthinkable. Jeremiah knew why it happened and he says it should stand in the context of their sins “because of the sins of their prophets, the iniquities of her priests who have sinned in her midst the blood of the righteous” (v. 13). They killed the spiritual remnant seed of God and that brought upon them this fierce anger. The result that Jeremiah saw was gruesome. “They wandered blind in the streets and they were defiled by blood and no one could touch their garments” (v. 14). As far as they walked they cried out “unclean, depart, depart, do not touch” (v. 15) as they were fleeing and wandered. Among the nations it was said that they could not dwell among them (v. 16). The nations had Judah-phobia, a fear for anyone from Judah. They and Jeremiah knew that the “presence of the Lord has scattered them, He will not continue to regard them” (v. 16a-b). The reason is “they did not honor the priests, they did not favor the elders” (v. 16c-d). Jeremiah lament that their eyes failed for help was useless and in their looking they were watching nations that could not help them (v. 17). They hunted them in the streets and their end has come near (v. 18). They ran away but the pursuers were like eagles and they chased them on the mountains and waited in ambush in the wilderness (v. 19). The remnant or the anointed of the Lord was caught in the pits of the enemy and this remnant was the one who said that among the nations they shall live under His shadow (v. 20). Edom, the enemy, says Jeremiah, should rejoice and be glad while they have time of grace “the cup will come around to you as well, you will become drunk and make yourself naked” (v. 21c-d). The punishment of earthly Zion was completed and “He will exile you no longer, He will punish your iniquity O daughter of Edom, He will expose your sins” (v. 22).

Dear God

The destruction of earthly Zion was real to Jeremiah and he gave us a picture of that pitiful sight, all because of their sins. Grant that our daily life will not create a barrier between us and our Savior. Amen.

Koot van wyk (DLitt et Phil; ThD)

Visiting Professor

Department of Liberal Arts Education

Kyungpook National University

Sangju Campus

South Korea

Conjoint lecturer of Avondale College

Australia