Lamentations 3
Dear RTB’ers,
Recalling from two days ago, labels for each of the five chapters of Lamentations:
- Jerusalem’s Misery and Desolation
- The Lord’s Anger against His People
- Judah’s Complaint – and Basis for Consolation
- The Contrast between Zion’s Past and Present
- Judah’s Appeal for God’s Forgiveness
Today, Judah’s complaint and her appeal for consolation… But first, a word about some Old Testament writings. (NOTE: For some of you, I’m probably repeating myself; for others, I hope these few words help.) You may have noticed that each of the first two chapters of Lamentations were 22 verses long. That will also be the case for chapters 4 and 5, while today’s chapter 3 is 66 verses long, equal to 3 times 22. Many Psalms are also 22 verses long, and we can probably find other chapters in the Prophets that are 22 verses. Each of these 22-verse chapters begin with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet in verse 1, then the second letter in verse 2, and continuing to verse 22. This style of writing is known as an acrostic poetry. So the writer of Lamentations is incorporating poetic beauty alongside his simple reporting of the state of Jerusalem after the fall. It’s nice to dwell on the fact that these God-inspired Old Testament writers have left such elegant writing for readers so many millennia later.
The beginning of today’s reading sounds a lot like Job – the author complaining for what God has done to him. He has walled me about so that I cannot escape; He has made my chains heavy; though I call and cry for help, He shuts out my prayer… I have become the laughingstock of all my people, the object of their taunts all day long. (vv. 7-8, 14) Then the tone changes in verse 21 and the next dozen verses. For example, The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. … For the Lord will not cast off forever, for, though He cause grief, He will have compassion according to the abundance of His steadfast love… (vv. 25, 31-32)
Then finally the writer recognizes the gravity of his and Judah’s sins: Why should a living man complain, a man, about the punishment of his sins? Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD! (vv. 39-40) He also gets personal about his own situation, especially his problems with those taunting and persecuting him. Having just read Jeremiah, we know about these difficulties – the beatings, the time in the well, their kidnapping him to Egypt. But with it all he has confidence in the Lord: I called on Your name, O LORD, from the depths of the pit; You heard my plea… You came near when I called on You; You said, ‘Do not fear!’ (vv. 55-57)
Do not fear!
Carol said to me that this is a really great chapter. I agree!
Blessings.
See also: August 5 (2023) / Lamentations 1:1-3:33.