Princes Hanged and Elders not Honored Lamentations 5:12

As Jeremiah recounted in prayer the various groups of people who were affected by the overthrowing of the city of Jerusalem, he referred to orphans, widows, land owners, masters, women and maids. The horrific events happened to everyone who lived in the city, and no one was exempt from the results of their rebellion against God. In chapter five and verse twelve of Lamentations we see another two groups of people whose lives were changed by the damage. Jeremiah wrote:

Princes are hanged up by their hand: the faces of elders were not honored.

The verse begins, “Princes are hanged up by their hand:” At first glance it appears that these princes were “hanged” by their own hands as though they were swinging by their hands, however the idea is they were “hanged by their hand” which means the enemy's hand was the one who hung them. In other words, the enemy was so strong and powerful that even the royalty could not resist them. These princes were “hanged” by this indomitable foe, and they were put on public display by the Babylonians who overtook them.

The verse continues, “the faces of elders were not honored.” The elders” or “older one or ones who had authority” who lived in the city lost their place of honor when the enemy came. Though at one time people honored the elders when they saw their faces, the places of honor had no value to their enemy who conquered them. These men of honor were valued the same or less than the same as everyone else who lived in the city.

Can we imagine for a moment seeing those who are in places of authority hung before us? What would it be like for a conquering country to come into our lives, hang our leaders, and treat those who are honored in a punitive manner? What if there was no structure of government that was exempt to our enemy's prevailing? Though we may have difficulties with the way our government runs, what would it be like if an enemy's government was imposed? As we think about Jeremiah's words perhaps our position should be to remember the reason Jerusalem's government and leadership was overthrown – They rebelled against God; They forsook His ways; and they no longer put the Lord first, but they rather worshiped idols instead of the true, eternal and living God. May the Lord help us to examine ourselves before we see first hand what the people of Jerusalem saw with their own eyes.

Next time we see what happened to the young men and children, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

 

Until tomorrow...there is more...

 

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