The Enemy's Taunting Lamentations 2:16

After being destroyed, and their people living in devastation, we might think that those living in Jerusalem suffered enough, but no. They also had to endure their neighbors taunting them and ridiculing their sayings of greatness. In chapter two and verse sixteen the enemies join in once again with their insulting and jeering at those who were defeated. We read:

All your enemies have opened their mouth against you: they hiss and gnash the teeth: they say, We have swallowed her up: certainly this is the day that we looked for; we have found, we have seen it.

The verse begins, “All your enemies have opened their mouth against you:” Like a second chamber in a revolting choir the enemies of Jerusalem “opened their mouth against” them. Notice too that is was “all” of their enemies. There were none to pity, and rather than extend them mercy, these foes cast jeering words in their faces.

The verse goes on to say, “they hiss and gnash the teeth: they say, We have swallowed her up:” Like unto the ridiculing neighbors, the enemies joined in with the demonstrative actions and “hiss” and “gnash the teeth” which means “to whistle or pipe” and “grind their teeth” as they celebrate that they “swallowed” or “engulf and ended” this once great city.

Finally the verse adds, “certainly this is the day that we looked for; we have found, we have seen it.” Now to add to the celebratory swallowing, the enemies added that they “looked for” this day. In other words they “planned for, eagerly waited for, or hoped for” this day. It is one thing to have an enemy taunting at the surprise of one's downfall, but to know that they also have been eager for this day to occur takes it to another level.

Can we imagine the mental and emotional duress that the people of Jerusalem must have been facing while this occurred? First it was the neighbors, and now the enemies are chiming in. Perhaps as we imagine ourselves in their place we have those around us who are taunting as well. What shall we do when this occurs? Our best choice would be to turn to the one who understands from His perspective upon the cross what it means to be taunted, hissed at, and gnashed upon with teeth. He knows what it is like to have people throw words in His face that once pronounced greatness, and He knows what it is like to have people look forward to the day of His demise. Jesus Christ endured all of these things that we might know Him and have a personal relationship with Him. Because of this, may we ever be grateful as we think about the taunting of the enemies of Jerusalem being very much like the ridiculing of the enemies of our Lord.

Next time we see Jeremiah tell of God fulfilling His word, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

 

Until tomorrow...there is more...

 

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