Lamentations 1:1-22

Funerals are sad events because they always involve physical separation.  It is sad for us to realize we will never be able to share the joys and trials of life with the person who has passed on.  As believers, we know we will have eternity to share with one another but we still experience the sadness of separation during our life on this earth.  The book of lamentations is a lot like a funeral; only it is not the funeral of a person but of a nation and its main city: Jerusalem.  We believe Jeremiah writes this series of poems soon after the Babylonian invasion.  As he walks through the desolate city his heart is moved to tears and he records his thoughts in a type of eulogy in a funeral.

THE WEEPING OF JEREMIAH: As Jeremiah observes the destruction of Jerusalem he can do nothing but cry.  He tried to call the people to repentance but they would not listen and now all he had predicted had come true.  This was not a time for an “I told you so” attitude.  It was a time for all out weeping.  Jerusalem was once a thriving city but it is now broken and abandoned.  All her inhabitants have been taken into slavery and the few people who are left are miserable.  This nation had been feared and admired by all the surrounding nations; but now the streets were empty and the people have become slaves to the nations who once feared them.  During times of suffering we often ask why, but Jeremiah asks no such question because he knows the answer.  This destruction was due to sin.  Jerusalem had been unashamed in its persistent disobedience and idolatry.  Now it was feeling the weight of the consequences of sin.  Weeping is always the final result of sin.  As pleasurable as sin promises to be the end is always the same.

THE WAILING OF JERUSALEM: The city cries out in pain as a result of the destruction that has taken place in her streets.  Jeremiah gives the city a voice as she wails over becoming of spectacle for all who pass by.  There is no doubt about the source of her affliction.  The Lord has sent down fire to consume the city and sent the nations out to bring it into slavery.  There is also no doubt about the motive for this chastisement.  Jerusalem recognizes her transgressions before the Lord.  It is now suffering without hope and without comfort like and abandoned child who has nobody to care for and provide for her.  Jerusalem also recognizes that the Lord was absolutely justified in His judgment.  All that is left for her to do is cry out in agony and ask the Lord to judge these other sinful nations in the same way.  Recognition of guilt is the first step on the path to repentance and restoration.  When we suffer for our sin we would do well to follow this example of sorrow and repentance instead of questioning and self-justification.  Better yet, would be to recognize the consequences of sin and avoid judgment by being obedient to the Lord.