Remember Us Lamentations 5:1

As we ended the fourth chapter of Lamentations, Jeremiah shared how the punishment for Jerusalem and Judah was ended, and the retribution of the Edomites for their ridicule was to begin. In chapter five and verse one, Jeremiah makes an appeal to the Lord to remember and consider what has happened to them. We read:

Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach.

The verse begins, “Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us:” Jeremiah employed the word “Remember” which means “call to mind, record or make a memorial” as though God would be forgetful about them. Jeremiah knows where to address his prayer, “O LORD” as the LORD is the only one who is able to help them at this point.

The verse goes on to say, “consider, and behold our reproach.” Jeremiah then directs the LORD in two ways, “consider” which means “to regard, show regard to, or pay attention to” and to “behold” or “to see, look at, inspect, or perceive” their “reproach” which is “taunting or scorn”. After all the devastation endured by Jerusalem and Judah, Jeremiah pleads with the Lord to remember, consider and behold what has happened to them.

As we consider Jeremiah's words our hearts may pour out in compassion to his personal inclusion in the devastation that defeated Jerusalem. He warned them for years to turn from their wicked ways, and they and he paid a price for their rebellion. We may know those whom we have made an appeal to repent, and it seems that they will never alter their course. Perhaps we have been this way and now the destruction is evident in our lives. Our lesson from Jeremiah is to turn to the Lord even in the land of destruction, make an appeal to Him to consider and behold what has occurred, and humble ourselves under His restorative hand. It it the Lord alone in times like these who will remember, consider and behold even the worst conditions we may ever know.

Next time Jeremiah begins to share the results of the devastation in his prayer, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

 

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