Lamentations 2:1-22
Q.1. How extensive was God’s judgment on His people? How did the prophet respond to Israel’s demise? – (Lam.2:1-11)
In anger, God had poured out His judgment against Judah (Lam.2:1-8). Jeremiah described the utter devastation of the nation, its palaces, the Tabernacle (i.e. dwelling place) of the Lord, its festivals, and its sacrificial system. It had all been desecrated and destroyed (Lam.2:2-10). The prophet Jeremiah was devastated, even though he repeatedly had warned them it would happen. Far from gloating – My eyes fail because of tears and my spirit is greatly troubled; My heart is poured out on the earth because of the destruction of the daughter of my people (Lam.2:11).
Q.2. How did the enemies of Israel respond to her destruction? Why was this punishment brought on the nation? – (Lam.2:12-22)
The nation had been deceived by their false prophets. Consequently famine and destruction had come (Lam.2:12-14). The city that was built by Solomon … the city of God, had been gradually dismantled during the reigns of succeeding kings, because of their treachery. Its awesome reputation was gone – Is this the city of which they said – ‘The perfection of beauty, a joy to all the earth? (Lam.2:15). Israel’s enemies gloated over their demise. Israel had strayed, and their prophets had failed to warn the people to repent and turn from their wicked ways. Jeremiah summed it up – The Lord has done what He purposed; He has accomplished His word which He commanded from days of old. He has thrown down without sparing, and He has caused the enemy to rejoice over you (Lam.2:17). Therefore, – there was no one who escaped or survived in the day of the Lord’s anger. Those whom I bore and reared, My enemy annihilated them (Lam.2:22).