BaptistWay Bible Series for August 19: Weeping in the night

Posted: 8/08/07

BaptistWay Bible Series for August 19

Weeping in the night

• Lamentations 1:1-5, 12-22

By Corey Cornutt

Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene

The book of Lamentations captures sorrow in its purest form. The book is anonymously written by someone who witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 587 B.C. The destruction of the city was so complete Jerusalem never again would be the same. It was as if the Jews were grieving over the death of a loved one.

The book of Lamentations is included in Jewish liturgy, being read on the day of commemoration of the destruction of the temple. Likewise, the Roman Catholic Church includes Lamentations in its liturgy during the final three days of the Holy Week.

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This liturgical use probably arises from the structure of Lamentations. Each poem, with the exception of the fifth one, is an acrostic. Every line begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet in order. This could have been the author’s attempt either to help readers memorize the poems or to show the readers the complete “A to Z” destruction of Jerusalem and the holy temple.

A horrific tragedy (Lamentations 1:1-5)

In verse 1, Jerusalem is called both a widow and a princess who has become a slave. This shows the great disparity between the Jerusalem that was a city to be envied and what Jerusalem became after the Babylonian defeat—smoldering ruins left in the wake of a superior power. The Jews identity as God’s chosen people was very important to their faith, and now that identity was gone.

To add insult to injury, verse 5 indicates that while Jerusalem is going through disaster, her enemies are prospering. There is nothing worse than suffering while those you dislike thrive. This is the same thing many Americans experienced as they watched news channels broadcast pictures of Al Qaeda members celebrating in the streets combined with pictures of a smoldering New York City in the wake of 9/11. To reflect on our own history, that also was probably what African slaves felt under their American masters and others who profited from the cotton trade before the American Civil War.

Perhaps the tragedy hits hardest as described in Lamentations 2:11-12. The author speaks of shedding tears at the sight of children fainting in the streets from extreme hunger because even food was becoming a rarity for the defeated Jews. Sorrow and suffering are experienced most purely when one looks into the eyes of a hurting child.

You are correct if you think that we, as Americans, could never fully understand the plight of the Jews in Lamentations. We can, however, find a measure of similarity to Lamentations in our own experiences. All of us have undergone some type of loss, whether it be suffering in our own lives or sorrow over the death of a loved one. Likewise, people all over the world face suffering daily, whether it be feeling the pangs of starvation or hiding from a corrupt government.

Our country also has experienced great times of loss. Take these few words and phrases for example: the Challenger, Pearl Harbor, Columbine, 9/11, Oklahoma City bombing, Hurricane Katrina, Space Shuttle Columbia, Vietnam, Iraq and, most recently, the Virginia Tech shootings. No country will ever be free from tragedy. But why do such tragedies occur?

The reason for tragedy (Lamentations 1:12-22)

Throughout the entire book, the author attributes Jerusalem’s suffering to God alone. Verse 13 is a prime example—where God acts against Jerusalem in all four statements. I’m sure many of the Jews were questioning God: “Why, O Lord, would you forsake us and bless those evildoers?” The answer, however, had already been provided.

In 2 Chronicles 36:15-16, we learn God was angry at his people for continually breaking the holy law. Yet God had compassion on the people and sent messenger after messenger telling them to repent from their wicked ways. But alas, they never repented, and God’s wrath burned so hotly against them there was no remedy. God had to act. The author of Lamentations reminds his readers in verse 18 that God is righteous, and they are being punished for their rebellion against God.

Can such a tragedy happen again? Is America in danger due to its current trend towards ungodliness? Some might think so. We know that on this side of the cross, however, there is no longer one specific country that is God’s chosen. The church is now where God resides. So should the church be afraid?

Some think God actively punished the Jews himself when they were overthrown. Others think that God merely removed his hedge of protection around Jerusalem because of their transgressions. Perhaps God was letting them live with the results of their sin. Maybe he had just “given them enough rope to hang themselves.”

Whatever the case, no one should disobey the word of God. As individuals and churches, we must consistently live in harmony with God’s will. Otherwise—whether it be God’s direct punishment, his removal of protection, or living with the consequences of our sin—tragedy is inevitable.

Discussion question

• How might you and/or your church be taking God’s grace and protection for granted?

• What are some ways God has protected you from your sin and/or the sin of others?

• What would your life be like if that protection were non-existent.

• How can committing to obey God’s commands show your gratitude for God’s presence in your life?

Corey Cornutt is a master of divinity student at Hardin-Simmons University’s Logsdon Seminary in Abilene.