Lamentations 5

Review/Context

We have moved in time. Israel was in exile from the land for 70 years. The next generation calling out.

Lamentations 5 breaks the mold. It loses the offset tempo and the A-Z structure. It is written as a prayer more than a lament. Isreal finally takes Jeremiah’s advice. They pray a prayer of repentance, for mercy and forgiveness.

Read Lamentations 5

Thought of the day: You cannot redeem yourself

Scripture focus

4 the land doesn’t provide for them anymore

5 nor does it give them rest, a provision of the covenant

7-8 they are suffering the consequences of their parents

13-14 young men are doing the work of pack animals

Jdg 16:21 "Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding grain in the prison."

16 we have sinned, repentance

19 They are calling out on the basis of God’s sovereignty

20 they are getting no sign that God is hearing them

The people were asking God why He had abandoned them for so long. Significantly Moses employed the figure of God remembering His covenant if His people would confess their sin (Lev. 26:40–42). So the people of Judah were calling on God to fulfill the remainder of His covenant promise.

21 they have stopped seeking nations to save them and instead head the words of Lamentations 1 and 2 to call upon the Lord

22 unless you have utterly rejected us, which God has promised not to do if they turn and seek Him

Unless God had utterly rejected the nation (which He vowed never to do; Lev. 26:44; Jer. 31:31–37) the people could depend on Him to answer their request.

Conclusion

Prayer:

The land is barren, employment is difficult to find

Our fathers have abandoned us

There is no rest in this place

women are raped and children are murdered

We have sinned, this place and it’s government has sinned

God we are praying because we have dedicated this place to you

you are the king of kings, lord of lords, and the one with highest authority

Unless you have rejected this place, unless you have forsaken us all to misery act on your authority and heal our home