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