Remember, O Lord, what has befallen us;
look, and see our disgrace!
2 Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers,
our homes to foreigners.
3 We have become orphans, fatherless;
our mothers are like widows.
4 We must pay for the water we drink;
the wood we get must be bought.
5 Our pursuers are at our necks;
we are weary; we are given no rest.
6 We have given the hand to Egypt, and to Assyria,
to get bread enough.
7 Our fathers sinned, and are no more;
and we bear their iniquities.
8 Slaves rule over us;
there is none to deliver us from their hand.
9 We get our bread at the peril of our lives,
because of the sword in the wilderness.
10 Our skin is hot as an oven
with the burning heat of famine.
11 Women are raped in Zion,
young women in the towns of Judah.
12 Princes are hung up by their hands;
no respect is shown to the elders.
13 Young men are compelled to grind at the mill,
and boys stagger under loads of wood.
14 The old men have left the city gate,
the young men their music.
15 The joy of our hearts has ceased;
our dancing has been turned to mourning.
16 The crown has fallen from our head;
woe to us, for we have sinned!
17 For this our heart has become sick,
for these things our eyes have grown dim,
18 for Mount Zion which lies desolate;
jackals prowl over it.
19 But you, O Lord, reign forever;
your throne endures to all generations.
20 Why do you forget us forever,
why do you forsake us for so many days?
21 Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may be restored!
Renew our days as of old—
22 unless you have utterly rejected us,
and you remain exceedingly angry with us. Lamentations 5 ESV
Lamentations 5 Restore us to Yourself, O Lord
“Though this chapter consists of exactly twenty-two verses, the number of letters in the Hebrew alphabet, yet the acrostic form is no longer observed. Perhaps any thing so technical was not thought proper when in agony and distress (under a sense of God’s displeasure on account of sin) they prostrated themselves before him to ask for mercy.” (Adam Clarke)
Look and see our disgrace - They had become a byword, the people of God, and look their own God has deserted them, or some would say, "look, He was not a God strong enough to stand against our armies or our idols." As Adam Clarke points out, this poem has left off from the acrostic form, it is more guttural, grievous, broken. One would come later of whom Isaiah would write, surely He has born our griefs and carried our sorrows, and the Psalmist too would tell of His despised nature. What a High Priest.
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?
2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,
and by night, but I find no rest. Psalm 22: 1-2
But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by mankind and despised by the people.
7 All who see me mock me;
they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;
8 “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him;
let him rescue him, for he delights in him!” Psalm 22: 6-8
Our inheritance - Israel was brought out of Egypt into the land of promise, and all the tribes except Levi were given ancestral lands, that passed down through the families; God was Levi's portion. The laws regarding this and the divisions according to the clans are discussed in the books of Moses.
52 The Lord said to Moses, 53 “The land is to be allotted to them as an inheritance based on the number of names. 54 To a larger group give a larger inheritance, and to a smaller group a smaller one; each is to receive its inheritance according to the number of those listed. 55 Be sure that the land is distributed by lot. What each group inherits will be according to the names for its ancestral tribe. 56 Each inheritance is to be distributed by lot among the larger and smaller groups.” Numbers 26: 52-56
We have become orphans - Sadly they had ignored the plight of the fatherless and widows before, but now they identify with them. This will be a point of contention again between Christ and the Pharisees. Now, even if a man could grow his own food, cut his own wood, or dig his own well, but no, those that govern see a chance to tax. Judgment often falls this way, people need water and warmth, and when the excesses of those that rule exceeds this then they tax the more. We have seen governments become worse than drug dealers, taxing those things which people are addicted to or depend upon, and exploring the limits of how much they are willing to pay. They say, "compassion", but only a fool believes that, just follow the money.
“2 Kings 24:14; 25:12, and Jeremiah 39:10 make it clear that most of those left in Judah were the very poor, who were expected to keep the fields and vineyards in order.” (Ellison)
ii. We pay for the water we drink: “I suppose the meaning of this is, that every thing was taxed by the Chaldeans, and that they kept the management in their own hands, so that wood and water were both sold, the people not being permitted to help themselves. They were now so lowly reduced by servitude, that they were obliged to pay dearly for those things which formerly were common and of no price.” (Clarke)
We have given the hand - In order to live they have sold themselves to those who were also slaves of Babylon. They labor just to barely get by, whereas before they rejected God's warning they thrived, even in His patience and forbearance, they thrived. They had hoped in both Egypt and Assyria at different times.
And we bear their iniquities - This was a proverb that was popular amongst the people, suggesting that God was unfair, much as those against God protest to Paul in Romans 9. Many today would find it sound reason to blame their parents, though their own behavior is appalling, and while we may say that I stole because I saw you steal, or because you would not buy it for me, yet God has said thou shalt not steal, and we are hypocrites because we don't like it when anyone takes from us. If I say my parents did wrong, well then I have acknowledged it as wrong, and so must I also continue in it? Who do I blame now that the decisions are my own? If God shows patience in not destroying a generation, in warning them, does He not have the right all along to bring justice, and if God is real then why don't you fear Him? Are you able to separate the immediate and temporal with that which carries the weight of eternal implications? So what if your forefathers lived rich here, how will that compare with eternal glory?
Ezekiel 18 is an eloquent refutation of this proverb. It answers the serious error of believing in communal or family salvation or damnation and teaches the great truth of the individual’s responsibility before God. -E Word
1Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2“What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the teeth of the children are set on edge’? 3As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel.… Ezekiel 18: 1-3
We get our bread at the peril of our lives - They are getting taxed, but apparently policing and protection of life is not a perk of this. Now since the local governments have been destroyed their is a gap for warlords and other thieves to come in. They will also tax the place. I remember when I was a kid, the concerts on tv, USA for Africa, and they were well meant by many people, we were moved by the images of hunger. When the money that was donated was used to purchase food, the local warlords who had been of no service to their people used the food to profit from and control. This happened in Puerto Rico during the hurricanes, and groups like BLM have used the misfortune of others or promoted misfortune to benefit themselves, and not those who suffer. "Peace, peace, justice, compassion, equality" are cried up, but the heart of it does not look to those things. There was an episode of Anthony Bourdain's show where he decided to buy food for all the children that were watching them eat, he was moved and acted upon it, but then older boys stepped in and controlled how it was allotted, bullying the younger, smaller children. Israel left God's blueprint, His protection, for what men could offer, and men forsake the image of God that we should see in each other, they put this down to lift themselves up.
…36“Teacher, which commandment is the greatest in the Law?” 37 Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment.…
…39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22: 36-40
…26If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless. 27Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1: 26-27
Women are raped in Zion - Where was their protection?
“The evil mentioned here was predicted by Moses, Deuteronomy 28:30, 32, and by Jeremiah, Jeremiah 6:12.” (Clarke)
No respect is shown to the elders - Children have to be brought up by their parents in the nurture and admonishment of the Lord. The invaders had no respect to the aged, and as societies crumble this is a good measure, how they treat their most vulnerable, their young and their old. We have had legalized murder of our infants since 1973 in my country, and respect of elders has fallen off, so much so that one can see the pawns they became in places like New York and Michigan during the pandemic. People sent covid positive elderly people back into nursing homes, where elderly people had already been identified as the most vulnerable. Then they tried to use the death toll to justify their need for more power. Disgusting! Rulers take away the respect of parents because they want you to look to them, for their picture to hang in your living room, like in North Korea, for you to turn your parents in for disagreeing with the state.
1But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. 2For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good,… 2 Timothy 3: 1-3
Boys stagger under loads of wood - It is good for children to do chores, to help out. I disagree with those that think youth should all be laziness and play, that is not preparation for reality, and they will require someone else to do for them always, which will drive them towards politics and heavily taxing others or voting for handouts. But this is talking about putting burdens upon the backs of children that brake their bodies early. They would have the bodies of old men in their 20's and a very short life expectancy. This is blindness, these people haven't the ability to see the image of God inherent in each human being.
Our dancing has been turned to mourning - This is not all bad, if they would have mourned over their sin then they could have rejoiced in their salvation, but here is the start of the road unto that. The Holy Spirit convicts men's hearts.
…7But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9in regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me;… John 16: 7-9
The crown has fallen from our head - The Davidic line of kings will be broken until Christ, and there will not be a sitting king until His millennial reign. All the promises rest on Him, looking forward from the prophets to His coming as the lamb, the substitute, the prophet and the priest, which He has fulfilled, and then after the time of the gentiles is complete, His return as King.
1Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the Abyss, holding in his hand a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3And he threw him into the Abyss, shut it, and sealed it over him, so that he could not deceive the nations until the thousand years were complete. After that, he must be released for a brief period of time.… Revelation 20: 1-3
…4but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips. 5Righteousness will be the belt around His hips, and faithfulness the sash around His waist. 6The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat; the calf and young lion and fatling will be together, and a little child will lead them.… Isaiah 11: 4-6
…37“Jesus of Nazareth is passing by,” they told him. 38So he called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39Those who led the way admonished him to be silent, but he cried out all the louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”… Luke 18: 37-39
But you, O Lord, reign forever - God is sovereign. It is interesting that they see Him above all now, as He has done what He said, He reigns, God governs in the affairs of men, and He is unchanging. The Apostle said -
…7Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace and not by foods of no value to those devoted to them.… Hebrews 13: 7-9
…9And whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the One seated on the throne who lives forever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall down before the One seated on the throne, and they worship Him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying: 11“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things; by Your will they exist and came to be.”… Revelation 4: 9-11
Why do you forsake us for so many days - Seeing the reality of their sin they could not see hope in themselves. It would have to be that He had called them His own, that He would punish but also restore, and certainly He had provided a way. It is a strange thing for men to say, "O blessed day, that day when I hit bottom, my hands were nailed so that I could perform no work with them, my feet so I could not walk away. I found nothing to offer the holy God other than my sin, to look upon my Savior's face, all I can say is, Amen."
Be not far from me,
for trouble is near,
and there is none to help.
12 Many bulls encompass me;
strong bulls of Bashan surround me;
13 they open wide their mouths at me,
like a ravening and roaring lion.
14 I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint;
my heart is like wax;
it is melted within my breast;
15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to my jaws;
you lay me in the dust of death.
16 For dogs encompass me;
a company of evildoers encircles me;
they have pierced my hands and feet—
17 I can count all my bones—
they stare and gloat over me;
18 they divide my garments among them,
and for my clothing they cast lots.
19 But you, O Lord, do not be far off!
O you my help, come quickly to my aid! Psalm 22: 11-19
That we may be restored - He sounds like a Calvinist, like one who would say, "Salvation is of the Lord." God is not a partial sovereign, He is Sovereign.
“In a last brief and yet forceful word, he prayed Jehovah to turn the people unto Himself. This he introduced by a declaration of his confidence in the perpetual enthronement of Jehovah. It was a cry which recognized the last helplessness of man, namely, his inability even to repent.” (Morgan)
iii. “There is nothing better than to adopt the cry of the prophet, and ask God to turn the soul, and renew its blessed and holy experiences. There will be no doubt of our being turned, if He turns us.” (Morgan)
…26I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances. 28Then you will live in the land that I gave your forefathers; you will be My people, and I will be your God.… Ezekiel 36: 26-28
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