Lamentations 3:31-66
Q.1. Why did God afflict His people? Why did He warn them in advance? How was Jeremiah affected by the nation’s judgment? – (Lam.3:31-53)
God was chastising His people, with a view to their restoration – 31 For the Lord will not reject forever, 32 for if He causes grief, then He will have compassion according to His abundant lovingkindness (Lam.3:31-32). Jeremiah declared that they were without excuse – Why should a living mortal or any man (for that matter) offer complaint in view of his sins? (Lam.3:39). We have no defence. The prophet challenged Judah – 40 let us examine and probe our ways and let us return to the Lord. 41 We lift up our heart and hands toward God in heaven (Lam.3:40-41). It is a unique quality of God that He has warned in advance – 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 both good and evil go forth? (Lam.3:37-38). Jeremiah warned the people, so they could return to God. Like his Master in heaven, Jeremiah wished his message could have been different. It broke his heart, to bring prophecies of pending doom – 48 My eyes run down with streams of water because of the destruction of the daughter of my people. 49 My eyes pour down unceasingly, without stopping, 50 until the Lord looks down and sees from heaven (Lam.3:48-50). It can be painful to be God’s spokesman.
Q.2. What comfort did God bring to those who wait upon Him? Will He prevent acute suffering? – (Lam.3:54-66)
As with the suffering servant, for a time it appeared that all was lost (Lam.3:54-55). Jeremiah clung to the confidence that – 56 You have heard my voice. Do not hide Your ear from my prayer for relief … 57 You drew near when I called on You; You said – ‘Do not fear!’ O Lord, You have pleaded my soul’s cause; You have redeemed my life (Lam.3:56-58). Jeremiah was very aware of the people’s hatred toward him, which resulted from his prophecies. The suffering Christ would have identified with these descriptions (Lam.3:59-63). However, Jeremiah was comforted to know that the Lord would recompense these indignities against him, in His time (Lam.3:64-66).