Lamentations 5:1-22
Q.1. How bad was the state of the nation? With what attitude did Jeremiah call upon the God of Israel? – (Lam.5:1-14)
The prophet pleaded on behalf of the nation – Remember O Lord, what has befallen us; Look and see our reproach (Lam.5:1). Jeremiah had been an eyewitness of the destruction of Judea and Jerusalem as – they ravished the women in Zion, the virgins in the cities of Judah. Princes were hung by their hands; Elders were not respected (Lam.5:11-12). He reported that – our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, our houses to aliens. We have become orphans without a father, our mothers are like widows (Lam.5:2-3). He agreed that previous generations had sinned, and that now they were bearing punishment justly – Our fathers have sinned and are no more; It is we who have borne their iniquities (Lam.5:7). However, the prophet joined the people in a lament over the horrible punishment that Israel’s enemies had exacted on God’s people. He acknowledged that – there is no one to deliver us from their hand (Lam.5:8).
Q.2. How did the nation feel following God’s judgment? Did this change Jeremiah’s view of God? – (Lam.5:15-22)
The devastation of the land, its people, and the Temple had removed all Israel’s former joy (Lam.5:15). Yet Jeremiah recalled that – You, O Lord rule forever; Your throne is from generation to generation (Lam.5:19). Thus, he pleaded with the Lord – 20 Why do You forget us forever? Why do You forsake us so long? 21 Restore us to You, O Lord, that we may be restored; Renew our days as of old (Lam.5:20-21). Though the prophet considered that God may simply want to walk away from His people, as they had done to Him, He called on God to restore them once again. The God that spans the generations was their only hope.