Lovers Deceived, Priests Gave Up Lamentations 1:19

As Jerusalem wept and cried over their horrible conditions, Jeremiah wept with them. They were conquered by their enemies and seemed as though no one cared for them at all. Even their children and young people were affected by their troubles, and in chapter one and verse nineteen we see that even those who were supposed to be the greatest support for them were absent to help them. We read:

I called for my lovers, but they deceived me: my priests and mine elders gave up the ghost in the city, while they sought their meat to relieve their souls.

The verse begins, “I called for my lovers, but they deceived me:” When the destruction and agony came for Jerusalem, those who were the closest to them were called upon. However, they “deceived” which means “beguiled, mislead, and dealt treacherously” with her. Rather accompany her with support, they threw he away, shot her down and betrayed her. Not only was she devastated physically, but emotionally and mentally as well.

The verse goes on to say, “my priests and mine elders gave up the ghost in the city, while they sought their meat to relieve their souls.” Even the spiritual leaders and aged men within Jerusalem “gave up the ghost” which means were as dead men within the city. There was such a famine in the land that these aged men and spiritual leaders were too busy attempting to find nourishment for themselves to bring any aid to others. Devastation was everywhere, and no one was exempt from suffering.

We may be able to relate to this verse if we have ever had an occasion of suffering and felt abandoned by those who are closest to us. Just when we think they will surely be a backdrop of support, they are no where to be found. We can use verses like this one to know that there is no one who will ever care for us like Jesus. Jesus told His disciples, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”, and we can rely upon His words. When is seems that everyone has abandoned us, even those who are aged and spiritual, Jesus is there to come to our aid and comfort us with His Spirit. May we evermore learn to rely upon, cling to and trust in Him.

Next time we will see Jerusalem pleading to God, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

 

Until tomorrow...there is more...

 

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