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Lamentations 1:12-22
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Lamentations 1:12-22
© Family Times | About Us | Donate | Contact Us
Search for sermons by: Commentaries | Scripture search | Topics
Lamentations 1:12–22
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
A gentleman once visited a great jewelry store, owned by a friend. In looking at the stones he pointed to one, and said: “That has no beauty at all.” But his friend put it in the hollow of his hand, and shut his hand, and then in a few moments opened it again. What a su … More
In the last half of this chapter Jerusalem shows extreme sorrow over her desolate Condition. (vv. 12-19). “Is it nothing to you ...? Is it not of concern to you? Do you not care?” These are statements of her pathetic appeal to passers-by to look on and consider her sorrowful dilemma (vv. 12-13). “Just look at the suffering the Lord had brought on me in this day of His fierce anger."
Many people today want to ignore the severity of, God’s wrath. This inability to realize God’s true goodness often keeps people from seeking God’s grace. The Lord has taken the sins of the people and has woven them into a strong rope to keep the yoke of subjection secure (v. 14).
The Lord has trampled his beloved city as grapes are trampled in a winepress (v. 15). Her young men are as clusters of grapes, whose lifeblood has been trodden out in the winepress of affliction. A winepress is sometimes used in Scripture as a picture of divine judgment (Isa 63:1-6; Rev 14:19-20). The city weeps uncontrollably for her children, and there is no one to comfort her (v. 16). The Lord has commanded Jacob’s neighbors to be her adversaries. Jerusalem is treated as an unclean thing. He who was to be an example of holiness to the nations (Deut. 4:4-9) has become unclean and scattered (vv. 17-18). He is deserted, distressed and mourning (v. 19).
Finding no compassion among men, Judah turns to the Father with a prayer that these joyful enemies will someday suffer their mournful misfortune (vv. 20-22). These enemies rejoice in Judah’s downfall (v. 21). Judah implores God to bring vengeance upon them (v. 22) This is entirely in keeping with God’s prophecy of the nations (Isa 10:12-21; Hab 2:5-17; Jer 25:12-14).
Application
There is a statement that misery loves company or in other words wants sympathy. I don’t want to be looking for sympathy but looking for ways God wants to use the situation to fulfill his purpose.
Lamentations 1:12-22 (English Standard Version)
"Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow, which was brought upon me, which the LORD inflicted on the day of his fierce anger. "From on high he sent fire; into my bones he made it descend; he spread a net for my feet; he turned me back; he has left me stunned, faint all the day long. "My transgressions were bound into a yoke; by his hand they were fastened together; they were set upon my neck; he caused my strength to fail; the Lord gave me into the hands of those whom I cannot withstand. "The Lord rejected all my mighty men in my midst; he summoned an assembly against me to crush my young men; the Lord has trodden as in a winepress the virgin daughter of Judah. "For these things I weep; my eyes flow with tears; for a comforter is far from me, one to revive my spirit; my children are desolate, for the enemy has prevailed." Zion stretches out her hands, but there is none to comfort her; the LORD has commanded against Jacob that his neighbors should be his foes; Jerusalem has become a filthy thing among them. "The LORD is in the right, for I have rebelled against his word; but hear, all you peoples, and see my suffering; my young women and my young men have gone into captivity. "I called to my lovers, but they deceived me; my priests and elders perished in the city, while they sought food to revive their strength. "Look, O LORD, for I am in distress; my stomach churns; my heart is wrung within me, because I have been very rebellious. In the street the sword bereaves; in the house it is like death. "They heard my groaning, yet there is no one to comfort me. All my enemies have heard of my trouble; they are glad that you have done it. You have brought the day you announced; now let them be as I am. "Let all their evildoing come before you, and deal with them as you have dealt with me because of all my transgressions; for my groans are many, and my heart is faint."
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