Part 667 of 1838

24:7 4:17; 5:6

Study Notes

Second Kings, Jeremiah, and Lamentations Compared

2 Kings 25 (See also 2 Chron. 36:11–21) Jeremiah Lamentations

1. The siege of Jerusalem 1–2 39:1–3; 52:4–5 2:20–22; 3:5, 7

2. The famine in the city 3 37:21; 52:6 1:11, 19; 2:11–12, 19–20; 4:4– 5, 9–10; 5:9–10 3. The flight of the army and the king 4–7 39:4–7; 52:8–11 1:3, 6; 2:2; 4:19–20

4. The burning of the palace, temple, and city 8–9 39:8; 52:13 2:3–5; 4:11; 5:18

5. The breaching of the city walls 10 33:4–5; 52:7 2:7–9

6. The exile of the populace 11–12 28:3–4, 14; 39:9–10 1:1, 4–5, 18; 2:9, 14; 3:2, 19; 4:22; 5:2 7. The looting of the temple 13–15 51:51 1:10; 2:6–7 8. The execution of the leaders 18–21 39:6 1:15; 2:2, 20

9. The vassal status of Judah 22–25 40:9 1:1; 5:8–9 10. The collapse of the expected foreign help 24:7 27:1–11; 37:5–10 4:17; 5:6

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 1:1–22 How lonely sits the city. Jerusalem was lonely, its people mourning (v. 2), forsaken by formerly friendly nations (v. 2), in captivity (v. 3), uprooted from their land (v. 3), their temple violated (v. 10). The multitude of sins (vv. 5, 8) had brought this judgment from the righteous God (v. 18).

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 1:1 like a widow. Verses 1–11 vividly portray the city like a bereft and desolate woman, as often in other Scriptures (cf. Ezek. 16; 23; Mic. 4:10, 13). a slave. Judah was taken captive to serve as slaves in Babylon.

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 1:2 she has none to comfort her. This ominous theme is mentioned four other times (vv. 9, 16–17, 21). lovers . . . friends . . . have

become her enemies. This refers to the heathen nations allied to Judah, and their idols whom Judah "loved" (Jer. 2:20–25). Some later joined as enemies against her (2 Kings 24:2, 7; Ps. 137:7).

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 1:3 exile. C. 586 B.C. as in Jer. 39; 40; 52. There had been two deportations earlier, in 605 B.C. and 597 B.C. (cf. Introduction: Author and Date).

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 1:4 Zion. This represents the place where Jehovah dwells, the mount on which the temple was built. festival. Passover, Pentecost (Feast of Weeks), and Booths, or Tabernacles (cf. Ex. 23; Lev. 23). priests groan. These were among those left in Judah before fleeing to Egypt (Jer. 43), or possibly exiles in Babylon who mourned from afar (cf. Lam. 1:3).

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 1:5 the multitude of her transgressions. This was the cause of the judgment (cf. Jer. 40:3; Dan. 9:7, 16).

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 1:8 became filthy. This could refer to either the vile, wretched estate of continued sin and its ruinous consequences through judgment, or to being "moved, removed," as the lxx and Vulgate translate it. Probably the former is correct, as befits the third and fourth lines, i.e., a despised, shameful, naked condition in contrast to her former splendor (cf. v. 6b).

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 1:9 Her uncleanness was in her skirts. A graphic description of the flow of spiritual uncleanness reaching the bottom of her dress (cf. Lev. 15:19–33).

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 1:10 enter her sanctuary. This was true of the Ammonites and Moabites (Deut. 23:3; Neh. 13:1–2). If the heathen were not allowed to enter for worship, much less were they tolerated to loot and destroy. On a future day, the nations will come to worship (Zech. 14:16).

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 1:11 Look, O Lord. The description of the devastated widow ends with a plea for God's mercy.

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 1:12 all you who pass by? Here was the pathetic appeal of Jerusalem for some compassion even from strangers!

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 1:13 fire; into my bones. This emphasizes the penetrating depth of the judgment. turned me back. God's purpose was to bring

repentance.

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 1:14 My transgressions were bound into a yoke; by his hand. Once the farmer had put the yoke on the animal's neck, he would control it with the reins in his hands. So God, who has brought Jerusalem under yoke-bondage to Babylon, still controlled his people.

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 1:15 an assembly against me. Not the usual assembly for a solemn feast; rather the army of Babylon for destruction. in a winepress. Speaks of forcing blood to burst forth like juice from crushed grapes. Comparable language is used in Rev. 14:20 and 19:15 in regard to God's final wrath.

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 1:17 filthy thing. This refers to a menstruous woman, shamed, separated from her husband and the temple (cf. vv. 8–9 and Lev. 15:19ff.).

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 1:18 The Lord is in the right . . . I have rebelled. The true sign of repentance was to justify God and condemn oneself.

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 1:21–22 brought the day. A prayer that God will likewise bring other ungodly people into judgment, especially Babylon (3:64– 66; 4:21–22). Such prayers are acceptable against the enemies of God (cf. Ps. 109:14–15).

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 1:22 come before you. Cf. Rev. 16:19.

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 2:1 How the Lord. Much in ch. 2 depicts God's judgment in vivid portrayals. He covered the Judeans with a cloud (v. 1), withdrew his hand of protection (v. 3), bent his bow and had slain with his arrows (v. 4), and stretched out a surveyor's line to mark walls to be destroyed (v. 8). He will work a rebuilding of Jerusalem in the future kingdom (Zech. 2:1– 13). the splendor of Israel. Likely refers to Mount Zion and the temple (cf. Ps. 48:2; 50:2; Isa. 60:13; 64:11; Ezek. 16:14; Dan. 11:45). his footstool. Refers to the ark of the covenant as indicated by 1 Chron. 28:2 and Ps. 99:5; 132:7.

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 2:2 he has broken down. The Lord had cast down the bastions of Judah's defense, as he told Jeremiah he would do from the outset of his ministry (Jer. 1:10).

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 2:6–11 Tragedy comes to everything and everyone through sin. The account mentions the temple or tabernacle where Israelites came to worship (v. 6), feasts and Sabbaths (v. 6), leaders such as the king and priests (v. 6), his altar and holy places (v. 7), city walls (v. 8), the law (v. 9), and children in the family (v. 11).

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 2:6–7 Cf. 1:4.

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 2:7 clamor in the house of the Lord . . . day of festival. A shout of triumph in the captured temple resembled the joyous celebrations in the same place at the solemn feasts.

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 2:11–12 This description of Babylon's invasion depicted the reality of a hungry child dying in its mother's arms as a result.

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 2:14 false and deceptive visions. As Jer. 23:16–17 indicates, these lies spoke of peace and comfort, not judgment. Cf. Jer. 23:30–40 to see how such lying led to destruction.

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 2:17 he has carried out his word. The enemy that gloats in vv. 15–16 should recognize that the destruction was the work of a sovereign God. This verse is the focal point of the chapter (cf. Jer. 51:12).

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 2:18 wall of the daughter of Zion. The penetrated walls of Jerusalem cried out in anguish that they had been broached by the Babylonians.

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 2:20 Look, O Lord, and see! The chapter closes by placing the issue before God. women eat the fruit of their womb. Hunger became so desperate in the 18-month siege that women resorted to the unbelievable—even eating their children (cf. 4:10; Lev. 26:29; Deut. 28:53, 56– 57; Jer. 19:9).

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 2:21 the day of your anger. This describes the complete slaughter, as does 2 Chron. 36:17.

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 3:1–20 the man who has seen affliction. Jeremiah's distress in such tragedy comes from God, referred to as "he" throughout this section. Even the righteous experience "the rod of his wrath."

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 3:8 he shuts out my prayer. Cf. v. 44. God's nonresponse to Jeremiah's prayers was not because Jeremiah was guilty of personal sin (cf. Ps. 66:18); rather, it was due to Israel's perpetual sin without repentance (Jer. 19:15). God's righteousness to judge that sin must pursue its course (Jer. 7:16, and see note there; 11:14). Jeremiah knew that, yet prayed, wept (Lam. 3:48–51), and longed to see repentance.

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 3:16 my teeth grind on gravel. This refers to the grit that often mixed with bread baked in ashes as was common in the east (cf. Prov. 20:17).

Other Laments

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 3:21–33 The relentless sorrow over Judah's judgment drove Jeremiah to consider the grace, mercy, and compassion of God. The tone of his thinking changed dramatically.

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 3:21 this I call. The prophet referred to what followed as he reviewed God's character.

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 3:22 steadfast love. This Hebrew word, used about 250 times in the OT, refers to God's gracious love. It is a comprehensive term that encompasses love, grace, mercy, goodness, forgiveness, truth, compassion, and faithfulness.

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 3:22–24 his mercies never come to an end. As bleak as the situation of judgment had become, God's covenant lovingkindness was always present (cf. vv. 31–32), and his incredible faithfulness always endured so that Judah would not be destroyed forever (cf. Mal. 3:6).

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 3:23 great is your faithfulness. The bedrock of faith

is the reality that God keeps all his promises according to his truthful, faithful character.

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 3:27 the yoke in his youth. This speaks of the duty from God, including disciplinary training, that Jeremiah received in his youth (cf. Jer. 1:6–7).

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 3:29 mouth in the dust. A term that pictures submission.

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 3:30 give his cheek. The Lord Jesus did this (cf. Isa. 50:6; 1 Pet. 2:23).

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 3:33–47 God had a just basis for judgment.

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 3:38 This contrasted God's sovereign bestowal of judgment with blessing.

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 3:40–41 return to the Lord! The solution to Judah's judgment was to repent, looking to God for relief and restoration.

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 3:42 not forgiven. God judged their sin righteously.

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 3:48–51 My eyes. The summary of Jeremiah's sorrow.

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 3:52–63 my enemies. Jeremiah's description of persecution sounded much like the time when his enemies at the palace had cast him into a cistern (cf. v. 53; Jer. 38:4–6). God reassured him in answer to prayer (Lam. 3:57), and redeemed him (v. 58) by sending Ebed-melech to rescue him (cf. Jer. 38:7–13). Jeremiah pleads for justice to be rendered on those enemies (Lam. 3:59–63).

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 3:58 you have redeemed my life. Jeremiah said this to encourage others to trust God.

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 3:64–66 repay them. This imprecatory prayer for divine vengeance would be answered in Babylon's fall (cf. Isa. 46–47; Jer. 50– 51; Dan. 5). It would also have its ultimate answer at the great white throne (Rev. 20:11–15).

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 4:1 How the gold has grown dim. The gold adornment of the temple, looted by the conquerors, lost its luster with a coating of dust where they scattered the remains.

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 4:3 nurse their young. Even worthless jackals by nature nurse their young, but under the severities of conquest, Israelite women were unable to nurse their babies (cf. v. 4). like the ostriches. Birds that are notable for ignoring their young (cf. Job 39:14–16).

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 4:6 the punishment of Sodom. Their sin was homosexuality. The fact that the suffering of Jerusalem was prolonged, while that of even Sodom was swift, marks it as the greater punishment (cf. 1 Pet. 4:17).

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 4:7–8 princes. Those who were the purest, most devout (cf. Num. 6), strong, healthy, and noble of the people became dirty, weak, and ignoble.

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 4:10 boiled . . . children. Cf. 2:20, and see note there.

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 4:15 Away! The people chased the false leaders away.

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 4:16 The Lordhimself. This was symbolic of divine anger. The Jews had to face up to God.

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 4:20 The breath of our nostrils. This was a term for God, the life-giver.

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 4:21–22 Edom . . . land of Uz. In effect God said, "Laugh all you want now. Your judgment will come" (cf. Jer. 25:15–29).

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 5:1 Remember, O Lord. Jeremiah prayed for mercy on his people. He summed up the nation's wounds and woes (vv. 1–10), recalled woes of specific groups (vv. 11–14), showed why God judged (vv. 15–18), and interceded for the renewal of Israel (vv. 19–22; cf. Mic. 7:18–20).

LAMENTATIONS—NOTE ON 5:6 Egypt . . . Assyria. The Jews submitted to unholy alliances, thus expressing trust in men for protection and goods (cf. Jer. 2:18, 36).

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