Lamentations 5 Commentary
Lamentations closes with chapter 5 rather unceremoniously but we understand. These are simply lamentations – men and women crying out to their God in prayer. We could decide to be easy about the Book of Lamentations. After all, Israel deserved the punishment.
The ‘us’ and ‘we’ of Lamentations refer to the entire community of God’s peoples – the same errant, arrogant, and rebellious lot. But wait a minute. Aren’t we looking at the writings of believers or possibly a believer – probably the same one who also composed laments for Josiah. 2 Chronicles 35:25
Have these believers also deserved this punishment?
“Our ancestors sinned and are no more, and we bear their punishment.” Verse 7.
It is easy to see how the actions of one man cascade into consequences for another generation. Won’t the righteousness of one man mean greater fortunes for his own children and the children after? And, won’t the righteousness of one man – the man Jesus Christ mean salvation for generations in time and space?
While the Book of Lamentations has a mournful tone to it, there is the voice of hope and salvation written everywhere. Yes, it spells the fulfillment of God’s ‘uprooting’ plans but it also strongly says yes to the good plans of the LORD – the planting plans.
Why have we received this punishment like we sinned alongside ‘them’? The remnants are too polite to ask this question – probably because the Book of Job has exhausted the subject. But probably because the saint won’t ask another important question: why have I received so much in life without actually working for it?
Again the thought of one who generously gave His own begotten son for you and me comes to mind. When lamentations or mourning is mixed with this ingredient called grace, it becomes a point of worship to the Creator God, who, alone holds it all together. It all works out for the good of them that love the LORD and are called according to His purpose.
So the saint in times of lamentation must know they are more than conquerors through Christ. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
When slaves rule over us – is the cry of the saint who knows too much of God’s word to sink into a position of slavery. Yet there we have it and we must read Romans 8 again and again. Then we can proclaim: “You, Lord, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation.” Verse 19.
Lamentations ends here.
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