Lamentations: A World Going Up In Smoke

Lamentations: A World Going Up In Smoke

“On the seventh day of the fifth month, in the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard, an official of the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem. He set fire to the temple of the Lord, the royal palace and all the houses of Jerusalem. Every important building he burned down. The whole Babylonian army ... broke down the walls around Jerusalem. Nebuzaradan ... carried into exile the people who remained in the city, along with the rest of the populace and those who had gone over to the king of Babylon. But the commander left behind some of the poorest people of the land to work the vineyards and fields.” 2 Kings 25:8-12 NIV

The Setting
The above portion of 2 Kings states the historical facts about the fall of Jerusalem in 587 BC , and Lamentations supplies the meaning of those facts. Lamentations is a detailed account of the horrors and atrocities that accompanied the long siege and its aftermath. Beyond the accounts of the physical sufferings, it tells of the spiritual significance of the fall of the city of Jerusalem. For the ancient people, chosen by Yahweh, it meant the destruction of every cherished symbol of their election by God. Their world had gone up in smoke – literally!

Lamentations expresses the profound grief of God’s people upon the destruction of Jerusalem. It would be difficult to overestimate the shock and sorrow that followed the events which brought down Jerusalem. Perhaps it was somewhat similar to the utter helplessness and despair most Americans experienced as they watched the twin towers of the World Trade Center burn and crumble to the ground on September 11, 2001.

In line after line, the poet of Lamentations recalls all the precious, sacred things which had been burned, lost or shattered: the city itself, once “the perfection of beauty, the joy of the whole earth”; the city walls and towers, once the outward sign that “God is in the midst of her” providing security; the king, “the anointed of Yahweh”; the priest, and with them all festive and solemn worship; the prophets, and with them all visions and the living word of God; the land itself, Israel’s “inheritance” from Yahweh, now turned over to strangers; the people – dead, exiled, or slaves in their own land. Every sign that had once provided assurance and confidence in God was gone.

The Lamenter
The book of Lamentations does not name its author, but ancient tradition holds that it was Jeremiah. Indeed, the Greek translation (from the Septuagint) of Lamentations actually contains a preface, whose style suggests a Hebrew origin: “And it came to pass, after Israel was led into captivity and Jerusalem laid waste, that Jeremiah sat weeping and lamented with this lamentation over Jerusalem, and said ...” Here chapter one begins.

Jeremiah wrote laments (expressions of profound grief) as stated in 2 Chronicles 35:23: “Jeremiah composed laments for Josiah, and to this day all the men and women singers commemorate Josiah in the laments. These became a tradition in Israel and are written in the Laments.” Scripture doesn’t specifically name Jeremiah as the author of Lamentations, but since it asserts that Jeremiah did write this type of literature, it is certainly plausible that the book of Lamentations was written by him.

The Eyewitness
The first-hand descriptions of the devastation of Jerusalem by the author are so vivid and compelling, it appears they were penned very soon after the event. It was as if the author were sitting on the hillside overlooking Jerusalem, watching it all take place while the fires were still smoldering right before his eyes. Assuming it was Jeremiah, instead of being elated over the fact that his prophecies had been fulfilled, he wept bitterly over the miseries of his people – and he never said “I told you so.”

Jerusalem’s Sorrow (Lamentations 1)
Jerusalem is likened to a grieving widow and to a former queen who is now a slave (v. 1). Once she was surrounded by friends but now she is alone with none to comfort her (v. 3). The roads to Jerusalem likewise take on human characteristics: they mourn (v. 4). Once they brought joyful pilgrims to Jerusalem but now they are desolate. She recognizes that her suffering is no accident – her sin and uncleanness have been the reason for this destruction brought on by the Lord.

Justifiable Wrath (Lamentations 2)
God has poured out tremendous destruction on Israel. This punishment reverses past blessings. Now instead of leading Israel with a “pillar of cloud” (Ex. 13:21), He covers them “with a cloud of His anger” (v. 1). Once God fought for Israel, but He has now become their enemy (vv. 2-5). He once appointed the tabernacle and altar as special places – but now the Lord has rejected them both (vv. 6-7). Jerusalem had been a favored city, but no more.

The people of Israel brought God’s wrath on themselves. They listened to false prophets: “The visions of our prophets were false and worthless; they did not expose your sin to ward off your captivity. The oracles they gave you were false and misleading.” (v. 14). Now there is nothing left for the people to do but to cry to God for mercy. (vv. 18-22).

A Ray Of Hope (Lamentations 3)
Alternating between “I” and “We,” the writer draws a parallel between his own experiences and those of his people. Various figures of speech are used to depict God’s wrath: darkness, repeated blows from God’s hand (vv. 1-3); premature aging, broken bones, confinement in bitterness, woe, and a living death (vv. 4-6); imprisonment, unanswered prayer (vv. 7-9); broken teeth, loss of memory, no peace, no hope of divine help, etc. (vv. 10-18).

The high point is found in Lamentations 3:19-26. With the destruction evident everywhere, the prophet knows that God’s mercy is greater than His wrath. Hope is revived when he remembers that the Lord’s mercies and compassion are new every morning and that His faithfulness is great. The way of blessing is found in self-examination, and turning back to the Lord (vv. 40-42). The prophet will persist in his intercession to God for mercy.

The Past And Present (Lamentations 4)
A detailed description of the state of Jerusalem continues. Circumstances are now very difficult compared to the past. Children are ill-treated, mothers resort to cannibalism, etc. Jerusalem has reached the depths of despair. God’s anger has been fully poured out on His people.

A Plea For Restoration (Lamentations 5)
The contrasts continue between the former glory of Jerusalem and her people, and the present desolation of the city. The prophet again recognizes that sin has brought about this disaster. He calls on God to restore His people (v. 21).

Lamentations For Today
The laments of Lamentations certainly echo the world we live in today – our world is going up in smoke, spiritually as well as physically. Like Jeremiah, we are observing the destruction in our day. This brings to the surface several questions that we should ask ourselves: Are we weeping for our “Jerusalem” and our world? Are we persisting in intercession to God for mercy? In the midst of mourning for our “Jerusalem,” what glimmer of hope do we see and what is the basis for this hope?

Finally, “the road to renewal,” as presented in Lamentations goes something like this: sin leads to suffering (1:8); sorrow leads to repentance (1:20); prayer leads to hope (3:19-24); faith leads to restoration (5:21). Let’s get on this road, and follow it to the end.

By Ray Miller