Lamentations 5:7-16

[7] Our fathers sinned, and are no more; and we bear their iniquities. [8] Slaves rule over us; there is none to deliver us from their hand. [9] We get our bread at the peril of our lives, because of the sword in the wilderness. [10] Our skin is hot as an oven with the burning heat of famine. [11] Women are raped in Zion, young women in the towns of Judah. [12] Princes are hung up by their hands; no respect is shown to the elders. [13] Young men are compelled to grind at the mill, and boys stagger under loads of wood. [14] The old men have left the city gate, the young men their music. [15] The joy of our hearts has ceased; our dancing has been turned to mourning. [16] The crown has fallen from our head; woe to us, for we have sinned!

This struck me today as a picture of our time. Western culture has fallen so very far. I suggest reading through this line by line and consider the modern equivalent for each sign of judgement (or call it discipline if you’re hopeful).

“Women are raped…” While this is literal in many cases, the sea of pornography and lust-inciting movies and advertising causes a culture where women (and men) are lusted after and degraded sexually. All evil starts in the heart and mind.

“The old men have left the city gate…” The wise rulers with experience of many years are no longer present in society to guide and correct thinking. All the business of the city was done in the city gate with the wise leaders applying the law and ensuring justice. Now, we celebrate young and fresh leaders and don’t have respect for elders and the wisdom of years. Terrible mistakes are certain.

And notice the end compared to the start. At the start, the previous generation had sinned. At the end, and the result of teaching the next generation by example, they too had sinned.

The rest of the chapter is sobering, hinting at God leaving them in their sin and no longer being their God:

[19] But you, O LORD, reign forever; your throne endures to all generations. [20] Why do you forget us forever, why do you forsake us for so many days? [21] Restore us to yourself, O LORD, that we may be restored! Renew our days as of old— [22] unless you have utterly rejected us, and you remain exceedingly angry with us.

And this is the end of Jeremiah’s lamentation on behalf of Israel… he has submitted them to God’s judgement and has left mercy in the hands of God. Will God have mercy, or will he utterly reject them?

Will God have mercy on the church today, or will he utterly reject her? We know he will not because he delights to save through his Son Jesus. Our response is to trust that he will save us, and to walk in that salvation, living in keeping with that heavenly calling on our lives.