As we approach the book of
Lamentations, it is good for us to consider the format and conditions
of the words we are about to read. First, let's notice some
interesting parts of the format. It is written by Jeremiah the
prophet, and is comprised of five chapters of which the first two and
the last two contain twenty-two verses. The third chapter has
sixty-six. Each verse of the first, second, and fourth chapters
begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet of which there are
twenty-two, and the third chapter contains three verses for each
corresponding letter. This acrostic format of poetry was often used
to aid in memorization of these passages. In consideration of the
conditions for penning these words, let us consider chapter one and
verse one where we read:
How
does the city sit solitary, that was full of people! how
is she become as a widow! she that was great among the
nations, and princess among the provinces, how is
she become tributary!
The
verse begins, “How does the city sit solitary, that
was full of people!” The
occasion for this lament was the conquering of the Chaldeans over
Judah and Jerusalem. Jeremiah wrote these words after the destruction
of his country just as he prophecied in the book called after his
name. Though the people of his land did not believe his words,
dissolution came, and now like unto a eulogy at a funeral Jeremiah
wrote his lament. The city that was once thriving with people now
sits “solitary”
which means “isolated, withdrawn, and separated”. Where
there was once activity filled with people, there is little done
there, and the people are scarce.
The
verse goes on to say, “how is she become as a widow!
she that was great among the nations,...” Jeremiah
adds to the description of this city by comparing it to a “widow”.
The sorrow that is felt by a widow is like unto no other felt by
people, and although at one time Judah was known to be “great
among the nations”, this country was now defeated.
Finally
the verse says, “and princess among the
provinces, how is she become tributary!” Rather
than being exalted for the greatness of royalty and known as a
“princess” among its
surrounding neighbors, Jerusalem and Judah were now “become
tributary” which means they
have become “a gang or body of forced laborers,
task-workers, a labor band, forced service, task-work, serfdom,
tribute, levy, taskmasters, discomfited”. Where they once ruled,
they were now servants and taxpayers. Even as King David of Israel
lamented over the loss of Jonathan when he wrote:
So does
Jeremiah grieve over Judah and Jerusalem.
As we
consider this first verse of Lamentations, let us be minded of three
things. First, let us not simply “lament” and “grieve” over
these words lest we grow deeply depressed, but rather let us see this
as a loving warning. Secondly, let us be sure to find some way to
relate this to Jesus Christ as “in the volume of the book it is
written” of Him, and finally let us find ample examples of how to
apply the teachings within this verse to our own personal lives. For
example, perhaps we have places of “lament” where we once were
riding high and now have been brought low. As we relate to Jeremiah's
words, we may be assured of this, God the Father and Jesus Christ His
Son knew this would be an important addition to the scriptures. As we
walk through these words day by day, may the Lord help us to use them
to draw us closer and closer to Him.
Next
time we will learn more about this solitary city, so read ahead, and
we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ;
www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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