Lamentations: Day 2
A prophet of doom cannot be a happy man.
Jeremiah’s life-long mission was to deliver bad news to the nation of Judah. Hence, Jeremiah was wrapped up in the knowledge of God’s destruction of his homeland. As expected, his audience did not delight in his message and therefore scorned him as well.
In the end, watching the destruction of his nation and the slaughter of his people must have been overwhelming. Jeremiah’s state of grief is obvious, as we see his reaction in verse 11 (see also Jeremiah 9:1). It was not a reaction of “I told you so”, but that of genuine sorrow. Jeremiah was a faithful servant as he delivered the message and watched its fulfillment.
We also see God’s hand behind Judah’s condition. Chapter 2 attributes “the Lord” as the author of Judah’s calamity at least six times. Does a loving God punish? Yes, sometimes, because our God is infinitely Holy and Just. But he is also merciful. We know that because God warned His people and awaited their repentance for years. God also eventually restored Judah and returned it from exile. And, most significantly, God later sent his only son to bear the punishment and consequence of sin for all who believe and receive Him.
Key Verse:
“My eyes fail from weeping, I am in torment within; my heart is poured out on the ground because my people are destroyed, because children and infants faint in the streets of the city.” ~ Lamentations 2:11
Questions to ponder:
- How does Lamentations 2 help you understand God’s attributes of justice and mercy?
- How does Lamentations help you deal with loss and disappointment?
