For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed.
Lamentations 1:16
We see that Jeremiah was clearly weeping. The immediate answer to why his eye was running with water is that he sensed an alienation from the source of comfort. The theme of there being “no comfort” is repeated five times in Lamentations 1. It was that sense of estrangement from God, the source of all comfort, and man that caused him to weep.
Walter C. Kaiser’s commentary, Grief and Pain in the Plan of God, contains some excellent insights into Lamentations. And it is needed. We need the whole counsel of God, and this grief filled portion of His Word should not be neglected.
So, looking at the whole chapter, why was Jeremiah weeping. Well, read the chapter. There is total desolation, both physically and emotionally. What else to do but weep?
Well, there are some things that accompany the weeping. Kaiser notes that the chapter is really just telling God how things are. It is pouring out the reality of the situation before God, even when His comforting presence is not experienced. And that is painful and real. It is plainly admitting the sin that has been committed. It is begging God to look on the distress, even though it is a result of rebellion.
There is another thing that must merge with weeping in time of grief. It is recognizing that God is righteous, as declared in verse 18. Whether our grief and apparent abandonment by God and man is a result of disobedience, as in Lamentations, or not, we must recognize that God is righteous and just and loving in all His dealings with us. And we can weep as we recognize this. Kaiser wisely concludes, “Jeremiah teaches us in Lamentations 1 that such emotions, properly controlled, are not obnoxious to God. He, in fact, planted the ability for such emotions in us. Romans 12:15 commands us in the normal affairs of life to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Steeling oneself against the misfortunes of life may lead to a heart of bitterness, revenge, and permanent loneliness. Weep, then, we must.”
There is a time, a season, of weeping. Joy will come, but often God works tremendous things in the night of weeping.
My comments:
ReplyDelete1. Whoever said that weeping was for weak people has never known physical or emotional pain when it has come, or, as was mentioned, has simply shoved his grief to the bottom of his heart, where it will rot, and turn to bitterness or some other molding thing.
2. We should weep more often. This indicates a sensitive heart to the Lord, I believe.
3. What is fasting, without weeping and begging God to answer some needful thing? Do we steel ourselves against HIM, and His great majesty and out own sinful inabilities?
4. Loving people entails weeping. He that goeth forth and WEEPETH, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him! Love people, weep for them, and weep with them. Share their burdens; it is what we should do, out of a heart of love, concern, and compassion.
And as for God's estrangement:
ReplyDeleteJeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Malachi 3:6
For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
God is merciful and abundantly loving toward His children, as a Father. In trials, He does not change. In life, He does not change. He never changes, and cannot be perfectly merciful and not perfectly merciful at the same time, Praise His Name!