Joy Was Replaced by Sadness And Mourning
June 11, 2022
Commentary
Judah’s forefathers, now dead, grievously disobeyed God and passed on to their descendants the penalty of their transgressions (v. 7). Although the people now are not innocent they do recognize the previous generations’ sins and their effect. Babylon appointed cruel taskmasters who forced the people of Judah into slavery and to submit to them (v. 8). The severe conditions and scarcity of food prompted the people to take desperate means for survival (vv. 9-10).
The people are now ruled by those who were formerly servants, and they must risk their lives to obtain their daily food. Probably the sword they had to brave was carried by the bands of roving desert Bedouins through whose area the people of Judah had to travel in order to buy bread. It is evident that slavery, peril and famine has transformed Judah’s order into chaos. Women were ravished (v. 11), princes slain (v. 12), elders dishonored (vv. 12-14) and young people enslaved (vv. 13, 14).
Joy is turned into mourning (vv. 14-18). The gate was not only for conducting public affairs, but was also a place of assembly for social entertainment. All public meetings and enjoyment have been suspended. Judah has fallen from her position of honor and power among the nations. She recognizes the cause as sin. This sorrow culminates in the realization that Mount Zion lies in desolation. The holy mount on which the house of God stood is now desolate and overrun by wild animals.
Application
I want to be quick to recognize sin in my life and confess it before I become a slave to it.
Lamentations 5:7– 18 (NET)
7 Our forefathers sinned and are dead, but we suffer their punishment.
8 Slaves rule over us; there is no one to rescue us from their power.
9 At the risk of our lives we get our food because robbers lurk in the wilderness.
10 Our skin is as hot as an oven due to a fever from hunger.
11 They raped women in Zion, virgins in the towns of Judah.
12 Princes were hung by their hands; elders were mistreated.
13 The young men perform menial labor; boys stagger from their labor.
14 The elders are gone from the city gate; the young men have stopped playing their music.
15 Our hearts no longer have any joy; our dancing is turned to mourning.
16 The crown has fallen from our head; woe to us, for we have sinned!
17 Because of this, our hearts are sick; because of these things, we can hardly see through our tears.
18 For wild animals are prowling over Mount Zion, which lies desolate.
Illustration: Celebration Slaves in Jamaica Set Free
In 1838, on the night when the slaves were set free in Jamaica, a large mahogany coffin was made and a grave was dug. Into that coffin the liberated slaves threw the reminders of their former life of slavery-whips, torture irons, branding irons, coarse frocks and shirts, large hats, fragments of a treadmill, and handcuffs. Then the lid of the coffin was screwed down. At the stroke of midnight the coffin was lowered into the grave and buried. Then the liberated natives sang the doxology:
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him, all creatures here below,
Praise Him above ye heavenly host,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! (Source Unknown)