Jerusalem’s Plea For Mercy

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

Sympathy

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)


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