18. "The LORD is righteous, yet I rebelled against his command. Listen, all you peoples; look upon my suffering. My young men and maidens have gone into exile.
19. "I called to my allies but they betrayed me. My priests and my elders perished in the city while they searched for food to keep themselves alive.
20. "See, O LORD, how distressed I am! I am in torment within, and in my heart I am disturbed, for I have been most rebellious. Outside, the sword bereaves; inside, there is only death.
21. "People have heard my groaning, but there is no one to comfort me. All my enemies have heard of my distress; they rejoice at what you have done. May you bring the day you have announced so they may become like me.
22. "Let all their wickedness come before you; deal with them as you have dealt with me because of all my sins. My groans are many and my heart is faint."
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Reflection |
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God Is in the Right (1:18–19)
There are many reasons we might suffer. Sometimes, it is caused by things beyond our control (e.g., sickness, natural disasters) or because we are victims of wrongdoing. other times, it is because—to put it bluntly—we sin. The author of Lamentations confesses that God is in the right concerning His judgment of Israel because of her failure to keep His Word (v. 18). Israel is suffering because of her sin. Her sin is implied in verse 19; namely, she has pursued other “allies” (“lovers” in the ESV translation) and thus committed spiritual adultery. The intimacy that God has with Israel is such that her rebellion is likened to adultery. The author of Lamentations sees this tragic reality.
Desiring the Father (1:20–22)
When one of my children does something wrong, their first instinct is to flee from my presence. They know I love them, but they also know I will discipline them, and that fear of discipline is what initially drives them away. As a loving father, my desire is to pursue them so I can both discipline them and be reconciled to them. The author of Lamentations understands this. Like disobedient children, Israel has, in effect, been avoiding God’s presence, and now His discipline has come upon them. Yet the author beseeches God to look upon them with mercy by bringing about the downfall of their enemies. This is an act of faith that shows both a desire to be reconciled to God and a trust in His right judgment of all people.
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Application |
- We often get angry when people wrong us, but are surprised that God would be angry when we wrong Him. Why is that the case? What can Lamentations teach us about this?
- When we sin, our first instinct is to run from our heavenly Father. In contrast, the author of Lamentations cries out for reconciliation. May we likewise embrace God’s discipline and pursue reconciliation through Jesus.
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A Letter to
God |
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Father God, please help me use my pain and my trials as opportunities to draw close to You and receive grace, forgiveness, and the strength to go forward, trusting in You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
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