Lamentations 1:8-9

B. Explanation of the Present Condition of Zion

Lamentations 1:8-9 a

TRANSLATION

(8) Jerusalem sinned grievously and therefore she has become filthy; all who once honored her now despise her, having seen her nakedness; even she herself sighs and turns away. (9) Her uncleanness was in her skirts! She did not remember her end and so her fall is terrible, she has no one to comfort her.

COMMENTS

Having hinted at the reason for Zion's present misery in Lamentations 1:5, the poet now develops that theme. The root of Jerusalem's trouble lay in the fact that she had sinned grievously against her God. Those who once honored Zion now have no respect for her. As God began to strip Zion of her splendor only filth could be seen, the filth of blatant sins and vices. An individual or nation that commits iniquity forfeits the respect of others. Sin results ultimately in contempt. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34). Even Zion herself moans and turns away in shame as her filthiness comes into public view (Lamentations 1:8). When one begins to gain some insight into the true character of sin he is shocked and shamed. He cannot stand to face the gaze of others let alone the scrutiny of God. For a time Zion was able to conceal her filthiness beneath skirts of external prosperity. Her sin was an inward perversity. She was as morally unclean as a menstrous woman was ceremonially unclean under the law of Moses. Yet during the period of her prosperity she gave no thought to her latter end i.e., the ultimate consequences of her evil ways. She lived only for the present and deceived herself into believing that God's repeated threats of national destruction simply could not come to pass. This is what made her final fall so shocking, so inconceivable, so terrible. That plus the fact that she had no one to comfort her or extend sympathy to her (Lamentations 1:9). How much more bitter one's grief and loss when no one else really cares!

C. A Prayer Concerning the Present condition of Zion Lamentations 1:9 b - Lamentations 1:11

TRANSLATION

(9) Behold, O LORD, my affliction, for the enemy has exalted himself. (10) The foe has spread forth his hand over her precious things. She has even seen the Gentiles entering her sanctuary, those whom You have forbidden to enter Your congregation. (11) All of her people are sighing as they seek bread; they trade their precious things for bread. Behold, O LORD, and observe! For I am dismayed.

COMMENTS

Keenly feeling Judah's affliction as his own Jeremiah cries out in desperation to God. In narrative prayer he summarizes the present plight of Zion. The enemy has become haughty and overbearing (Lamentations 1:9). All of the precious things, the gracious gifts that God had given Judah, had fallen into the hand of the enemy. Gentiles had even desecrated the sacred precincts of the Temple (Lamentations 1:10). The people of Jerusalem groveled for enough food to keep alive. They were forced to trade their most valuable possessions for their daily bread. As the spokesman for his people Jeremiah calls upon God to take note of the misery of His people and the dismay of His prophet (Lamentations 1:11).