The Halter

The fall of Jerusalem

The story of the fall of Jerusalem is told in 2 Kings 25.

The king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, lays siege to Jerusalem for two years. At the end of that time, with no food left in the city, the Jewish king Zedekiah and his army try to break out.

The effort is useless. The armies of Judah are overtaken and destroyed by the fast and furious forces of Babylon. Zedekiah is captured, forced to watch his sons killed and then blinded. He is taken to Babylon as a prisoner in chains.

Is this the end of ‘the house of David’—the line of kings, descended from David, which God said would last for ever? The author believes that God has not forgotten his covenant promise.

All the leading citizens of Jerusalem are deported. Only the very poor people are left to live in the ruins and look after the land. The Babylonians put a governor in charge, but he is killed by rebels. A group of survivors, including the prophet Jeremiah, goes south to Egypt to find protection and a better life. Jeremiah doesn’t approve of this move, but goes with the people to care for them.

Is this the end of the Jews—God’s own people? Are God’s promises withdrawn and the covenant cancelled? The author believes God still loves them and is with them, even though he is angry. It is his nature to forgive.

Andrew Knowles, The Bible Guide, 1st Augsburg books ed. (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg, 2001), 318.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness (3:22–23).

Andrew Knowles, The Bible Guide, 1st Augsburg books ed. (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg, 2001), 318. Lamentation 3:22-23

Chapter 1

1 How lonely sits the city

That was full of people!

She has become like a widow

Who was once great among the nations!

She who was a princess among the provinces

Has become a forced laborer!

2 She weeps bitterly in the night

And her tears are on her cheeks;

She has none to comfort her

Among all her lovers.

All her friends have dealt treacherously with her;

They have become her enemies.

3 Judah has gone into exile under affliction

And under harsh servitude;

She dwells among the nations,

But she has found no rest;

All her pursuers have overtaken her

In the midst of distress.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), La 1:1–3.

Elaboration

What do you do when it seems like no one cares? People begin to give up hope. When we live in a rebellious state of mind we suffer the consequence of disobedience. IF we do not get a grip on living for God, we will soon find out how far God will take it to gain our Faith. Hebrew 11:1 say now faith is substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen…… if we lose hope we have lost faith.

13 It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.

The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Romans 4:13.

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), James 2:14–17.

Chapter 2

3 In fierce anger He has cut off

All the strength of Israel;

He has drawn back His right hand

From before the enemy.

And He has burned in Jacob like a flaming fire

Consuming round about.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), La 2:3.

Elaboration

God seeks for us to need him, so that he can show you who he is. But when man seeks his own way thinking it is better than his way, after a while we see his hand removed out of anger because of our rebellion against him. This rejection by God will drive people to desirer him or die in there will/choices.

10 Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path;

the one who hates correction will die.

The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Proverbs 15:10.

7 The Lord has rejected His altar,

He has abandoned His sanctuary;

He has delivered into the hand of the enemy

The walls of her palaces.

They have made a noise in the house of the Lord

As in the day of an appointed feast.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), La 2:7.

22 The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,

For His compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness.

24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,

“Therefore I have hope in Him.”

25 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,

To the person who seeks Him.

26 It is good that he waits silently

For the salvation of the Lord.

27 It is good for a man that he should bear

The yoke in his youth.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), La 3:22–27.

31 For the Lord will not reject forever,

32 For if He causes grief,

Then He will have compassion

According to His abundant lovingkindness.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), La 3:31–32.

37 Who is there who speaks and it comes to pass,

Unless the Lord has commanded it?

38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High

That aboth good and ill go forth?

39 Why should any living mortal, or any man,

Offer complaint in view of his sins?

40 Let us examine and probe our ways,

And let us return to the Lord.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), La 3:37–40.

41 We lift up our heart and hands

Toward God in heaven;

42 We have transgressed and rebelled,

You have not pardoned.

43 You have covered Yourself with anger

And pursued us;

You have slain and have not spared.

44 You have covered Yourself with a cloud

So that no prayer can pass through.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), La 3:41–44.

Let’s talk about where are now!

18 “I have surely heard Ephraim grieving,

‘You have chastised me, and I was chastised,

Like an untrained calf;

Bring me back that I may be restored,

For You are the Lord my God.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Je 31:18.

The Message Bible

Bring us back to you, God—we’re ready to come back.

Give us a fresh start.

Eugene H. Peterson, The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2005), La 5:21.