Notes: May 1, 2009

From white to black

The white-as-snow promised land (Lamentations 4:7-8) turned to coal-black like an oven (Lamentations 5:10) in punishment for its sins.

Lamentations 4

  • Fine gold turned to common clay (v. 1-2).
  • Sumptuous delicacies and colorful finery exchanged for dunghills (v. 4-5).
  • Reminiscent of Sodom and Gomorrah (v. 6).
  • Famine’s toll on its victims (v. 7-10).
  • Who would have believed such could happen to this people? (v. 11-12).
  • Sinful prophets and sinful priests have contributed to national blindness (v. 13-16).
  • What a pitiful state is the former land of glory (v. 17-20).
  • Edom, too, will suffer; but God will deliver his people from captivity (v. 21-22)

Lamentations 5

  • What better end to these laments than a prayer.
  • Oh Lord, take notice of our condition (v. 1).
  • We have lost everything (v. 2-6).
  • Those who lived before us have given us this legacy of shame (v. 7).
  • Famine (v. 8-10)
  • Rape (v. 11)
  • Humiliation (v. 12)
  • Forced labor (v. 13)
  • Sadness and depression (v. 14-18)
  • Lord, You are eternal (v. 19).
  • Will your wrath be eternal also? (v. 20).
  • Revival must come from God (v. 21-22)

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