Lamentations 1 -- Crying Out For Our Own Stupidity

My commentary said, “Jeremiah expressed his own sorrow at the destruction of the Holy City and the beautiful Temple of the Lord.  It looked to him as though 40 years of faithful ministry were wasted, for the people didn’t heed his messages … But it was reasonable for … Jeremiah to raise theological questions as he beheld the ruins of the Holy City.  Where was God?  Did He no longer love His people, His house, and the city of Jerusalem?”

Judah had held to three false hopes:  the Davidic dynasty, the sacred temple, and help from Egypt.  “They expected the Lord to protect the royal dynasty and keep the covenant He made with the nation … The Lord made it very clear that Israel’s obedience to this covenant would guarantee protection from their enemies … But if they disobeyed, one judgment after another would come to the people … The Lord is always faithful to His covenant, either to bless the obedient or chasten the disobedient.  His Word will never fail … God would rather His city and temple be destroyed by pagans than to have His name disgraced by the wicked lives of His people … The nation had sinned and deserved chastening, and God was the one who chastened them.”

“The prophet knew that God was in control of history and that the Babylonian army was serving Him … God’s anger is a holy anger, directed against sin … Sin always promises freedom, but brings bondage … Now that they were in trouble, the Jews were turning back to God’s Word.  It’s too bad they didn’t pay attention to that Word much earlier and keep the trouble from coming!”

Father, in Your love, You’ve given us everything we need to know how to live in a manner that honors You.  Yet we still choose to sin against You and You alone.  Please help me to take to heart all of the laments I will read here and to learn from history so that I won’t have to repeat it.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford