Lamentations chapter 1

vs 1

The pride of place that Jeremiah feels for Jerusalem is so powerful here. Though Jeremiah never saw Israel under the splendor of Solomon, I suppose he would have seen it possibly under Josiah, when its borders were expanded to take in the full promised land. But now, the last remnants of God's promise to his people for a land of rest have been taken away. They are utterly defeated.

vs 2

The painting here of the woman who has had a lot of lovers, but now finds herself scorned, all those nations who were previously looked to for help are now enemies. Indeed, Jeremiah ends up being forced to flee to Egypt - what a disgrace.

vs 3

Judah has lost. She won't be fighting back against her enemies any more. Judah is of course the people. The land didn't go into exile - the people were forced away. They are the ones who were worked harshly, who now dwell among the nations, where Jeremiah guesses there will be no rest for them. Not because it will be uncomfortable - but because the land brings with it shalom, the rest in God that he promised.

vs 4

Jerusalem may never have another religious feast dedicated to God. How can they really know? Even if they will, when will it be? Not so long as their captors don't allow it. It cuts them to the heart to think about this - that they have been separated from their God so strongly, so obviously. Not sure why the young women grieve.

vs 5

The enemies of God's people seem to have won. How demoralising, it's hard to imagine. What's worse is knowing that it has all happened because of the many and varied and constant and continual sins of the people. The only thing worse than having your enemies totally defeat you is knowing that it's your fault.

vs 6

There is now nothing good left in the city of God. Wealth has left, the aristocracy has left. All because God has left.

vs 7

The wealth is gone, God refuses to help, and now the nations laugh. They scorn the enemy that has been a thorn in the side of the surrounding nations for hundreds of years, who have always said, "God will protect us." Imagine their shame at feeling that they have let God down, and now his name is mocked.

vs 8

It is such a disgusting sight that no-one wants to look at the disgrace of Jerusalem. Not even she can stand it, and she groans at it. It's so cringeworthy that those who once were friends now shake their heads and turn away too.

vs 9

It was an astounding fall. The people didn't think about the consequences of their actions, they just went ahead with them. By the time the fall actually took place, there was nobody that the people could turn to for help. Even God had left them. That's how far they fell. I wonder how many people thought that their enemies, who they thought were God's enemies, would ever really win.

vs 10

After God had so jealously guarded his sanctuary, who would think that they could just waltz in and steal his precious golden lampstand and stuff? But without God there it just became a pretty, pointless room; the temple a large, useless building.

vs 11

Utter defeat - they don't even have food. They need to trade everything they have just for their day-to-day living, because the land is no longer theirs to provide for them. And of course they are the losers, so they are despised by all.