Tears, Trouble, and Swooning Lamentations 2:11

As Jeremiah continues his overview of the destruction that Jerusalem has incurred because of disobedience to the Lord, he enumerated places, things and people who suffered. Jeremiah also endured great pain, and in chapter two and verse eleven he speaks of the level of his troubles as well as “the children and the sucklings” who were affected by this judgment. We read:

Mine eyes do fail with tears, my bowels are troubled, my liver is poured upon the earth, for the destruction of the daughter of my people; because the children and the sucklings swoon in the streets of the city.

The verse begins, “Mine eyes do fail with tears, my bowels are troubled, my liver is poured upon the earth,...” Jeremiah named three parts of his body that were demonstrative of his suffering – his eyes, his bowels and his liver. First, he said his “eyes do fail with tears” which means they “pine or waste away” with tears. His crying is so deep that it is as though his eyes cannot stand it any longer. The sites he has seen are too much for him. Secondly, he mentioned his “bowels” which are his “inward parts, digestive organs, place of emotions or distress”. We might say that the pain was so deep that he felt it in his gut. The gut wrenching emotional trauma that occurred because of the devastation was too much for him. Finally, his “liver” which being the “heaviest organ” represented the “most grievous, difficult, burdensome and hard” part of his being was as though it was “poured” out or “shed” upon the ground. No doubt the horrors Jeremiah saw had physical affects upon him.

The verse continues, “for the destruction of the daughter of my people; The reason for these ill-effects upon Jeremiah was because he observed this “destruction” of the people in Jerusalem. The “daughter of my people” represented Jerusalem, and to observe the devastation was reason enough for anyone who saw it to physically suffer.

Finally the verse says, “because the children and the sucklings swoon in the streets of the city.” In addition to seeing the people of the city agonize, Jeremiah wrote of a specific group among them - “the children” which were “the weaned children” and “the sucklings” which were the “nursing babies”. Both of these “swoon” which means they “languished and fainted” in the streets of the city. It must have been difficult enough for Jeremiah to observe the people, but when the children and babies were suffering as well, it took him to another level of anguish. Once again when judgment came, not even the children and babies were spared.

Oh the horror that Jeremiah must have seen as he overlooked this once warned city. If they had only listened to him, things would have been different. If only they had repented and turned once again to the Lord, this judgment would not have fallen. If only they had heeded his warnings and listened to his pleas, but they did not. As we ponder the specifics of this verse, perhaps we will discover areas in our lives where we need to heed and repent. Perhaps we will think of our country and its constant rejection of the warnings of the judgment to come, and maybe each of these will lead us to a life of prayer that is not only filled with repentance, but also pleads on behalf of a country that continually rejects the Lord and His word.

Next time we will see more of how this judgment affected the children in Jerusalem, 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

The Sorrows of the Elders and Virgins Lamentations 2:10

Throughout this second chapter of Lamentations, Jeremiah has told of the conditions surrounding the city of Jerusalem. He told of the anger and fury of the Lord who was as an enemy or an adversary as He destroyed the palaces, strongholds, tabernacles, places of assembly, their feasts and sabbaths, the altar, the sanctuaries, the walls, gates and bars, and allowed even the priests and kings to be affected by His wrath. In chapter two and verse ten he adds “the elders” and “the virgins” to his list. We read:

The elders of the daughter of Zion sit upon the ground, and keep silence: they have cast up dust upon their heads; they have girded themselves with sackcloth: the virgins of Jerusalem hang down their heads to the ground.

The verse begins, “The elders of the daughter of Zion sit upon the ground, and keep silence:” Jeremiah speaks first of “the elders” who were the “older or authoritative” ones who lived among the people in Jerusalem. Where they once were active in the decision making and vocal in doing so, they were now sitting “in silence” “upon the ground”. The implication is that they were so stunned that they could say nothing because of the horror that was all around them.

The verse continues, “they have cast up dust upon their heads; they have girded themselves with sackcloth:” As a sign of intense sorrow and grief, people used to “cast up dust” or throw dust in the air until it landed all over their heads and clothe themselves with “sackcloth” which was a mesh sack that was used mostly for grain. The idea was to demonstrate outwardly the humility and mourning which occurred within them.

The verse goes on to say, “the virgins of Jerusalem hang down their heads to the ground.” Jeremiah next speaks of “the virgins” who should have been as those who were hopeful for marriage, with a great outlook toward life, and excited about their futures, but were rather hanging “down their heads to the ground”. Rather than being excited about the possibilities for the upcoming days, they were not hopeful at all and their outward expressions demonstrated it.

As we go through this book of Lamentations, the tendency may be for us to tire of or resist such great sorrow day after day. However, we should let these repetitive mentions of Jeremiah keep us in mind of the thoroughness of God to complete what He has desired to do. In other words, the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem were only because they were defiant, disobedient and unwilling to change their behavior and attitudes toward the Lord. Because we live on this side of the cross, the full price for our rebellion has been paid, and now rather than suffer the consequences of our actions, Jesus paid for them in advance. Oh let us rejoice in that which does not have to be because it has already been if only we will believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and may we evermore believe.

Next time we will how the site of all this affected Jeremiah, 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

The Gates, Bars, Kings and Princes Lamentations 2:9

Piece by piece Jeremiah overlooked and wrote about the destruction that he saw within the city of Jerusalem. At that point he realized that nothing was sacred including the tabernacle, the altar, the feasts and the Sabbaths. All of them were unprotected by the hand of God when judgment came. In chapter two and verse nine Jeremiah adds gates, bars, kings and princes to his list. We read:

Her gates are sunk into the ground; he has destroyed and broken her bars: her king and her princes are among the Gentiles: the law is no more; her prophets also find no vision from the LORD.

The verse begins, “Her gates are sunk into the ground; he has destroyed and broken her bars.” As Jeremiah looked over the city, he noticed the gates. More than likely these gates used to be filled with traveling patrons during the day, and served as protective forces at night. Now they were “sunk into the ground”, and the “bars” attached to them which once served to keep out enemies were “broken and destroyed”.

The verse goes on to say, “Her king and her princes are among the Gentiles:...” Not only were the protective devices such as the gates and bars destroyed, the “king” and “princes” were “among the Gentiles” which means “exiled” to other countries. Those who used to be in charge and oversee the country were no where to be found. Their thrones were deposed, and their power stripped, and now they were under the control of leaders from foreign lands.

Finally the verse says, “the law is no more; her prophets also find no vision from the Lord.” Where the law of God was once in place, it is “no more”. Even the sacred law of God was put away. The “prophets” who were left among them “find no vision” which means “no prophetic word” or “leading” from the Lord. God was silent, and though He spoke volumes through Jeremiah in the book called after his name, none of the remaining prophets heard any word or saw any vision from God. The people of Jerusalem were left to fend for themselves.

Empathizing with Jeremiah is not difficult as we allow our minds to imagine what he was seeing. Devastation to everything that was good and right must have been one of the reasons they called Jeremiah “the weeping prophet”. If we allow ourselves to think about what he observed and consider what it would be like for us should this happen today, we might be inclined to pray for our country more. Jeremiah gave warning after warning and yet the people would not yield. May our thoughts and prayers have better results as we ask the Lord to be merciful unto us before we too see what Jeremiah saw.

Next time we will see what happened to the daughters and young women of Jerusalem, 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

The Rampart and the Wall Lament - Lamentations 2:8

Jeremiah lamented over the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem. As he overlooked the city, he could see former protections and barriers destroyed, and even the sacred things were not off limits to the judgment of the Lord. In chapter two and verse eight, Jeremiah continued his overview as he turned his attention toward more devastation and reason for the ruination of these great places. He wrote:

The LORD has purposed to destroy the wall of the daughter of Zion: he has stretched out a line, he has not withdrawn his hand from destroying: therefore he made the rampart and the wall to lament; they languished together.

The verse begins, “The LORD has purposed to destroy the wall of the daughter of Zion:” When the Lord “purposed” which means “to think, plan, esteem, calculate, invent, make a judgment, imagine, or count” there was no one in heaven or on earth who could stop Him. The “wall” or “defensive barrier” to the city of Jerusalem was no method of prevention or protection against God. That which provided a false sense of security for the people of Jerusalem was revealed for its true lack of defense.

The verse goes on to say, “he has stretched out a line, he has not withdrawn his hand from destroying:” Rather than having mercy and extending further grace to the people of Jerusalem, the Lord “stretched out a line” which means he systematically measured the exactness with which he would destroy them. The Lord could have “withdrawn” or “turned back or relented” His mighty hand from destroying them, but He did not.

Finally the verse says, “therefore he made the rampart and the wall to lament; they languished together.” Using personification to emphasize his point, Jeremiah said “he made the rampart...which is the “fortress wall or special wall of defense”and “the wall” which is the city wall, “to lament” or mourn, and they “languished together” which means “to be weak, to droop, or to be exhausted”. Where the walls used to be effective in their measure of protection, they were now mourning, weak and useless against all foes.

This verse should have all of us thinking about the Lord as our true protection and defense. As Psalms chapter one hundred and forty-two and verses two and three say:

If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us: Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:

The Almighty God was the real protector of Judah and Jerusalem, and when they rebelled against Him, they lost their true line of fortification. Once He was against them, no devise or person could protect them, and they were destroyed. Perhaps as we ponder these things, we will be sure to align ourselves with the true protection and defense that is in this world – a relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ our Lord, and may we ever be within His protecting hand.

Next time we will see the gates, bars, kings and princes struck down, 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

A Noise in the House of the Lord Lamentations 2:7

As Jeremiah overlooked the devastation which occurred in Jerusalem, he wrote specifically of the taking away of the tabernacle, the places of assembly, the feasts and the sabbaths. Jeremiah continued his list of losses in chapter two and verse seven where we read:

The Lord has cast off his altar, he has abhorred his sanctuary, he has given up into the hand of the enemy the walls of her palaces; they have made a noise in the house of the LORD, as in the day of a solemn feast.

The verse begins, “The Lord has cast off his altar, he has abhorred his sanctuary,...” We can almost envision Jeremiah overlooking the city of Jerusalem and enumerating the devastation as he included “the altar” where people worshiped the Lord by bringing sacrifices at one time. He said the Lord had “cast off” or “rejected or spurned” that very sacred place, and in addition “abhorred” which in it's root means “to be cursed or rejected” “his sanctuary”. When the judgment of God fell, nothing was off limits to elimination.

The verse continues, “he has given up into the hand of the enemy the walls of her palaces;” As we try to imagine Jeremiah's thoughts, we note that his eyes look to “the walls” of the palaces of the city. The Lord had lifted His mighty hand of protection, and “the enemy” was now in control of the once defensive barriers of the palaces. Palaces once seemed secure, but when God took away His protection, they became as nothing in the site of the enemy.

The verse goes on to say, “they have made a noise in the house of the LORD, as in the day of a solemn feast.” As Jeremiah continued his overlook, he noted that instead of the people of Jerusalem making “a noise in the house of the LORD”, the enemy was celebrating inside. Where there was once feasting by the people of God in worship toward Him, there was now festivities by their enemies. Oh how it must have torn Jeremiah's heart as he watched the enemies of Jerusalem and Judah partying in the LORD's house.

What would it be like if we watched the enemies of our country overtake our sanctuaries, palace walls and places of worship? Can we imagine the pain within as we observed the facilities where we worship God being overtaken and made to be party places? Can we put ourselves into the overlooking view of Jeremiah for a moment and consider what this devastation would feel like should this happen to us? Perhaps our thoughts should be directed to giving thanks and gratefulness to our Heavenly Father that through Jesus Christ He has kept His protecting hand upon us, and may our pray be, “O' Sovereign Lord, we thank you for watching over us and extending your grace to our country. May our lives and homes always be within your provision of protection. In Jesus' name, Amen.”

Next time we will see how the walls of the city were destroyed, 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

Tabernacle, Assembly, Feasts and Sabbaths Lamentations 2:6

As Jeremiah continued his lament concerning Judah and Jerusalem, he saw the Lord “as and enemy”. Although God appeared to be so, He was correcting disobedience and rebellion that was among the people of Israel, and His correction was thorough. Neither person, practice or material things were outside of the reach of His mighty hand, and in chapter two and verse six we learn more of the correcting path of God where we read:

And he has violently taken away his tabernacle, as if it were of a garden: he has destroyed his places of the assembly: the LORD has caused the solemn feasts and sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion, and has despised in the indignation of his anger the king and the priest.

The verse begins, “And he has violently taken away his tabernacle, as if it were of a garden:” Let's notice first what was not off limits to God - “his tabernacle”. The place of worship was simply a “place”, and although it was formerly used for praising and learning about God, it was “violently taken away”. This sacred place was torn away like “a garden” or “the cottage place of a garden”, and where worship once was ordained there was now silence.

The verse goes on to say, “he has destroyed his places of the assembly: the LORD has caused the solemn feasts and sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion,...” Even the “places of assembly” or “the appointed places of meeting” like the temple and other synagogues were “destroyed”. We might think they should be exempt from the Lord's destruction, but like church building that are in the path of tornadoes, no building had special privileges. In addition the “solemn feasts and sabbaths” were no longer observed and were even to the point of being “forgotten” in “Zion” or “Jerusalem”. The devastation was so complete that even the religious observances were no longer upon the people's minds.

The verse continues, “and has despised in the indignation of his anger the king and the priest.” Not only were the sacred places and practices destroyed, “the king and the priest” were within “the indignation of his anger” which means “to spurn, contemn, despise, and abhor”. No political, powerful or religious ranking was off limits when the Lord's anger was brought against this rebellious land.

As we think about these words, we might be inclined to be amazed at the Lord's disregard for what we might deem sacred territory, however the apostle Peter wrote in the book of First Peter in chapter four and verse seventeen:

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

When God brought judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem, there was not an exemption for sacred buildings, practices or people. The idea was corrective for them, and perhaps there are “sacred” areas within our lives that He would like to address. May the grace of God flow over our souls as He brings these things to mind, and may we be wise enough to obey Him since His Son Jesus paid the price in advance for the things that we have done.

Next time we will see how the altars, sanctuary and palace walls were destroyed by the Lord, 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

The Lord as an Enemy Lamentations 2:5

There are times in our lives when we discover that we have enemies. Jesus Himself said to “love your enemies”, and the presumption within that statement would be that we would have them. But suppose that God was your enemy. What would that be like? The people of Jerusalem and Judah thought they knew, and in Lamentations chapter two and verse five Jeremiah wrote about it where he said:

The Lord was as an enemy: he has swallowed up Israel, he haa swallowed up all her palaces: he has destroyed his strong holds, and has increased in the daughter of Judah mourning and lamentation.

The verse begins, “The Lord was as an enemy:” Let us be sure to note that Jeremiah wrote the Lord was “as” “an enemy” and not directly one. God Almighty was in a correcting mode when He dealt with the people of Judah and Jerusalem and not their enemy. The effects of His coming against them felt like He was an enemy, but He was actually as a correcting Father. We must keep in mind that the entire book of Jeremiah and other Old Testament prophecy books were devoted to helping Judah and Jerusalem avoid the troubles within which they found themselves.

The verse goes on to say, “he has swallowed up Israel, he has swallowed up all her palaces:” When the judgment of God fell upon Jerusalem, the people felt that God “swallowed up” or “engulfed and ate up” Israel. The devouring of the Lord was complete and without regard to prestigious and fortified places such as “palaces” which means “citadels or fortresses”. There was no one or place that could stand against this Holy God and His wrath.

The verse continues, “he has destroyed his strong holds, and has increased in the daughter of Judah mourning and lamentation.” In addition to the palaces being swallowed, God also “destroyed” which means “ruined or made to decay” the “strong holds” or “fortresses, fortified cities, and cities with walls”. The effect of the Lord's judgment was that “the daughter” or those within these places “increased” which means “became great or many, became much or became numerous” in their weeping, crying and grieving. The greater the judgment fell, the greater number of those who lamented because of the devastation became.

Isolated judgment of God may be felt by just one person or a few, but when the wrath of God fell upon the nation of Judah, many were affected by it. As we think about this verse perhaps our mind may remember when it seemed as God was our enemy. Maybe our perception was that He was “swallowing” us up and bringing judgment upon us because many were affected by it. We must keep in mind that there are times when we suffer just because we are living in this fallen world, however, there may be times when we suffer because of our failure to heed the warnings of God. The key is to know the difference between them and to align ourselves with God no matter where we find ourselves. God loves us, and He cares for us as well. If we need correcting, He is there to supply, and if we need comfort in our times of trouble there is no one who provides greater comfort than He.

Next time we will see how even the tabernacle of the Lord was not off limits to be destroyed, 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

Bent Bow, Right Hand, Slaying and Pouring Lamentations 2:4

We cannot begin to imagine the horrors that Judah and Jerusalem suffered when the Lord lifted His hand of protection from them. Jeremiah gave description after description about the atrocities that occurred among them, however, in chapter two and verse four, Jeremiah has even more to say about God's judgment upon this rebellious and wicked acting people. We read:

He has bent his bow like an enemy: he stood with his right hand as an adversary, and slew all that were pleasant to the eye in the tabernacle of the daughter of Zion: he poured out his fury like fire.

The verse begins, “He has bent his bow like an enemy:” Where God was once their greatest alias, He was now “like an enemy” or “foe, adversary, and opponent”. The Lord took aim at them with His drawn bow of destruction, and there was no defense against Him.

The verse goes on to say, “he stood with his right hand as an adversary, and slew all that were pleasant to the eye in the tabernacle of the daughter of Zion:” God's “right hand” of power stood ready to strike like their greatest “adversary” which was like a “stiffened or hardened” foe, and the result of His stance was “all that were pleasant to the eye” or those who represented “youth, beauty and rank” in the “tabernacle” or “dwellings within Jerusalem” were slain by His actions against them.

Finally the verse says, “he poured out his fury like fire.” As a final example of the way God corrected Judah and Jerusalem, Jeremiah employs the phrase “fury like fire” to describe it. As though God was pouring from a picture His mighty wrath as He did with Sodom and Gomorrah, God was executing judgment upon them. As God was correcting the behavior and attitudes found within Judah and Jerusalem, the execution of His correction burned like fire among them.

Have we ever wondered if God is against us? Are there times when it seems that there is nothing that goes our way or seems less than correction after correction in our lives? What we must keep in mind is that when it seems that the Lord is “like an enemy” or “as an adversary” He is actually is a loving Father who corrects His children. Hebrews chapter twelve and verse six says, “For whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives.” The Lord corrected Judah and Jerusalem from their ways which were against Him, and though He “seemed” like an enemy, He was actually as a loving Father. May the Lord help us to keep this in mind as He corrects our path from time to time throughout our lives.

Next time we will see how the Lord was like an enemy, 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

The Horn, Right Hand, and Flaming Fire Lamentations 2:3

Paul the apostle asked in the book of Romans in chapter eight and verse thirty-one, “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” After reading this lamentation of Jeremiah, we might be inclined to ask, “and if God be against us, who can be for us?” In chapter two and verse three of Lamentations Jeremiah continues his discourse on the ways God poured out his anger upon Jerusalem and Judah. We read:

He has cut off in his fierce anger all the horn of Israel: he has drawn back his right hand from before the enemy, and he burned against Jacob like a flaming fire, which devours round about.

The verse begins, “He has cut off in his fierce anger all the horn of Israel:” Jeremiah first addresses “all the horn of Israel” which refers to the place of power or strength which resided in Israel. Notice that God did so in His “fierce anger” which is like a burning and heated passionate anger that is so evident that it wrinkles the nose. If we use our imaginations we might envision a snarling angry face that is coming against the powers that be in Israel.

The verse continues, “he has drawn back his right hand from before the enemy,...” The “right hand” was known as the “hand of power and authority” and here Jeremiah says the Lord has “drawn back” or “returned, pulled back, or withdrawn” His hand “before the enemy” which refers to the face of the enemy. In other words where God's protecting hand prevented the enemy from attacking the people of Jerusalem and Judah, there was no longer provision for His protection. The enemies had free access to attack them in any manner they desired, and so they did.

The verse goes on to say, “and he burned against Jacob like a flaming fire, which devours round about.” In the book of Hebrews in chapter twelve and verse twenty-nine we read: “For our God is a consuming fire”, and in this case the Lord “burned against Jacob” in such a fierce manner that it “burned up, slew and ate” everything that was in its path. Where there was once hope and prosperity, there was nothing but ashes left behind by the enemy's flame.

Jerusalem and Judah faced the “fierce anger” of the Lord. They knew what it was like for God to withdraw His hand of protection, and they saw the devastation caused by the “flaming fire” which the Lord sent upon them. As we think about these things, we might wonder about areas in our lives where the Lord would be angry because of our misalignment with Him. We have the opportunity as we consider these areas to allow the Lord to deal with them well before they become a point of anger. Our best move may be to bring them before the Lord, admit them, repent from them, and allow Him to remove from us any area of contention in our lives. May God bless us with the grace to do so.

Next time we will see more demonstrations of God's anger, 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

The Lord's Wrath Demonstrated Lamentations 2:2

Have we ever wondered what it is like when God gets angry with a group of people? What does He do? How does He respond to them, and is there any behavior they might change to appease His anger? Jeremiah wrote of what he perceived as the anger of the Lord, and it was demonstrated upon the people who resided in Judah and Jerusalem. Their disobedience and rebellion led to the Lord's response, and in chapter two and verse two of Lamentations we see more of how God's anger was poured out upon them. We read:

The Lord has swallowed up all the habitations of Jacob, and has not pitied: he has thrown down in his wrath the strong holds of the daughter of Judah; he has brought them down to the ground: he has polluted the kingdom and the princes thereof.

The verse begins, “The Lord has swallowed up all the habitations of Jacob, and has not pitied:” Jeremiah said “The Lord has swallowed” or “engulfed and ate up” the people who lived in “Jacob” or “heel-catcher”. Those who were the descendants of Jacob were now overtaken by their enemies, and the cause of their troubles was attributed to the Lord. At one time they were in great favor with God, but they became as those who had no “pity” and were as though God had no compassion upon them at all.

The verse goes on to say, “he has thrown down in his wrath the strong holds of the daughter of Judah;” Judah was once fortified with what they perceived were “strong holds” or “fortifications, fortresses, and fortified cities”, but now these were “thrown down” which means “to tear down, break down, overthrow, break, destroy, pluck down, and utterly ruin”. Their reliance upon their defenses were no match for the Lord when He decided to come against them.

The verse continues, “he has brought them down to the ground: he has polluted the kingdom and the princes thereof.” Not only has God “swallowed” and “thrown down” the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem, He also “brought them down to the ground” which means He “struck” them down to the face of the earth. Destruction and desolation was everywhere, and though they made their late appeals unto Him, they experienced “the profaning, defiling, polluting, and desecrating” wrath of God. At one time they thrived, and now their “kingdom” and their “princes” or “rulers, leaders, chiefs, chieftains, officials, and captains” were affected by it as well.

All of these judgments were brought upon Judah and Jerusalem because of their disobedience and rebellion against God. We might wonder as we think about this verse whether many of these displays could have been avoided if they would have only placed their trust, reliance and faith in Almighty God. It was too late for them by the time of these judgments, but as we examine our own lives in light of these things, perhaps we will be motivated to align ourselves with the Lord. May the Lord Jesus bring us all to the place where we walk in step with Him in every area of our lives.

Next time we will see more of how God's wrath was demonstrated, 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

The Lord's Anger Lamentations 2:1

After seeing the after affects of the first chapter of Lamentations, we might wonder if there could be more that Jeremiah looked upon as he looked over the city of Jerusalem. We find that there is more, much more which he writes about as he continues his discourse in chapter two verse one where we read:

How has the Lord covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger, and cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty of Israel, and remembered not his footstool in the day of his anger!

The verse begins, “How has the Lord covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger,” Jeremiah reveals the source of the troubles with “Zion” which we learned earlier is another name for Jerusalem. He said, “the Lord covered” which means “to wrap around or cover in darkness” “the daughter of Zion”, and he likens this covering to a cloud of God's anger. God had warned Judah and Jerusalem that if they continued in their rebellion, they would suffer grave consequences, and they were experiencing this promise of God which became a demonstration of His anger.

The verse goes on to say, “and cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty of Israel,” Where at one time there was a declaration of the “beauty of Israel” or “splendor, glory and renown” which symbolized the temple of Israel, God discarded it from its “prosperity to its lowest misery”. While at one time the city of Jerusalem and the country of Judah prospered before the Lord, they were now cut down and made as servants.

Finally the verse says, “and remembered not his footstool in the day of his anger!” The “footstool” was a symbol of the “ark of the covenant”, and the Bible speaks of Jesus making his enemies “His footstool”. The enemies were to be put under the feet of Jesus, but Jeremiah claimed that God “remembered not” or “did not recall, did not think about, and basically forgot” about His ark of the covenant. In other words the anger of God was so heated against them that He put aside even the temple and the ark of the covenant to bring judgment upon them.

Have we ever wondered if God is angry with us? Have there been times where we have wondered if God has completely forgotten the spiritual things in which we are involved? As we consider the words of this verse, perhaps our minds will be led to the cross upon which Jesus bore all the anger of God against mankind. Since Jesus bore the price for our sins, if we receive Him as our Lord and Savior, the wrath of God does not abide upon us. We should be warned and encouraged by the word of Jesus as recorded in the gospel of John in chapter three and verse thirty six:

He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him.

Let those who read these words be led to Jesus and away from the anger of God.

Next time we will see how God manifested His anger against Judah, 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

Do to Them as You Have Done to Me Lamentations 1:22

As Jeremiah concludes this first chapter of Lamentations, he has noted the plea of the people of Jerusalem for God to look upon them and take note that they have no comfort or help from others who look upon them. Even worse, their enemies are jovial over their plight. In verse twenty-two Jeremiah records their desire for God to take vengeance upon them in the same manner in which they have received judgment for their wrongs. We read:

Let all their wickedness come before you; and do unto them, as you have done unto me for all my transgressions: for my sighs are many, and my heart is faint.

The verse begins, “Let all their wickedness come before you;” Jeremiah employs the word “let” which means “allow, permit, authorize or grant” that “all their wickedness” or “evil, bad, malignant, and disagreeable” behavior enter in before you. Their prayer is that God would look down upon all the evil that Jerusalem is enduring because of these wicked enemies.

The verse goes on to say, “and do unto them, as you have done unto me for all my transgressions:” The people of Jerusalem next call upon God to take vengeance upon these evildoers in the same manner in which He has afflicted them. Notice that Jeremiah uses the pronoun “me” to include himself in the judgment, and also consider that he uses the word “transgressions” which means “a deliberate, willful, and intentional” act of rebellion against the commandment of God.

Finally the verse says, “for my sighs are many, and my heart is faint.” To give support for the reason God should judge the slanderous enemies of Jerusalem, Jeremiah encourages God to look at “my sighs” which are “groaning and moaning” behaviors, and to consider “my heart” or “inner part, conscience, seat of appetites, emotions and passions”. From the depth of their beings they are sick within because of the ridicule of their enemies.

So many times when others have enjoyed our disciplined state we desire to call out for vengeance against them. Many may resort to retribution themselves, and those who do usually end in a worse state than when they began. As we think about Jeremiah's words, perhaps there are some people we would cry out to God against, and we might wonder if they are crying out against us. The amazing part of Jesus Christ is that He died for “everyone's” sin and transgressions. Without Him, none could be saved. The case may be that we would align ourselves best with God if we seek His heart toward those who ridicule us and see that what He has in mind may be different than what Jerusalem desired for their enemies.

Next time we will begin a new chapter and see how the Lord responded to Jerusalem's rebellion, 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

The Enemies are Glad Lamentations 1:21

As Jeremiah continues his prayer which began in verse twenty of chapter one, we know Jerusalem was in torment because Jeremiah has lamented about it throughout this book. It is bad enough to have troubles that seem beyond our ability to handle, but when difficulties come there is little worse than having those who are foes to be happy about it. In chapter one and verse twenty one Jeremiah adds that Jerusalem's enemies are “glad” because of their grief. We read:

They have heard that I sigh: there is none to comfort me: all my enemies have heard of my trouble; they are glad that you have done it: you will bring the day that you have called, and they shall be like unto me.

The verse begins, “They have heard that I sigh: there is none to comfort me:” Those who lived outside of the city of Jerusalem “heard” that they were “groaning, gasping and moaning like cattle” over their troubles, and “none” of them would come to their aid. No one would “be sorry for or console” them in their miseries, so they were basically left to be in anguish all alone.

The verse continues, “all my enemies have heard of my trouble; they are glad that you have done it:” Even those who were their “enemies”, and notice “all” of them, heard about their “disagreeable, malignant, displeasing, unpleasant, evil, sad and unhappy” state, and even worse “they are glad” that God has brought judgment upon them. While the people of Jerusalem weep and moan, their enemies are rejoicing, displaying joy, and exulting over their plight.

The verse goes on to say, “you will bring the day that you have called, and they shall be like unto me.” In a desperate plea for vengeance, Jeremiah writes their response to these jovial enemies. They desire that God would “bring the day” or “make come to pass” the day that He has designated for them to suffer as Jerusalem is suffering. When that day comes, they will “be like unto me” which means they will be in the same torment as the ones for whom they are displaying joy. Jerusalem's prayer is for their enemies to experience the same pain they are going through, and then they will not have so much over which to be glad.

Do we have enemies that rejoice over our troubles? Are their people in the world who seem to laugh at our plight and rub it in our faces as though we deserve the difficulties we are experiencing? Jesus said, “Love your enemies”, and when they are jovial over our suffering it makes it all the more difficult to obey Him. It was Jesus who demonstrated so clearly what He meant by that phrase when He from the cross looked at the laughing mob and said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”. May the Lord Jesus bless us with the same spirit He displayed when those around us laugh at our troubles.

Next time we will see Jerusalem plead with God to take revenge upon their enemies, 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