Lamentations 2
BSB1 How the Lord has covered the Daughter of Zion with the cloud of His anger! He has cast the glory of Israel from heaven to earth. He has abandoned His footstool in the day of His anger. 2 Without pity the Lord has swallowed up all the dwellings of Jacob. In His wrath He has demolished the fortified cities of the Daughter of Judah. He brought to the ground and defiled her kingdom and its princes. 3 In fierce anger He has cut off every horn of Israel and withdrawn His right hand at the approach of the enemy. He has burned in Jacob like a flaming fire that consumes everything around it. 4 He has bent His bow like an enemy; His right hand is positioned. Like a foe He has killed all who were pleasing to the eye; He has poured out His wrath like fire on the tent of the Daughter of Zion. 5 The Lord is like an enemy; He has swallowed up Israel. He has swallowed up all her palaces and destroyed her strongholds. He has multiplied mourning and lamentation for the Daughter of Judah. 6 He has laid waste His tabernacle like a garden booth; He has destroyed His place of meeting. The LORD has made Zion forget her appointed feasts and Sabbaths. In His fierce anger He has despised both king and priest. 7 The Lord has rejected His altar; He has abandoned His sanctuary; He has delivered the walls of her palaces into the hand of the enemy. They have raised a shout in the house of the LORD as on the day of an appointed feast. 8 The LORD determined to destroy the wall of the Daughter of Zion. He stretched out a measuring line and did not withdraw His hand from destroying. He made the ramparts and walls lament; together they waste away. 9 Her gates have sunk into the ground; He has destroyed and shattered their bars. Her king and her princes are exiled among the nations, the law is no more, and even her prophets find no vision from the LORD. 10 The elders of the Daughter of Zion sit on the ground in silence. They have thrown dust on their heads and put on sackcloth. The young women of Jerusalem have bowed their heads to the ground. 11 My eyes fail from weeping; I am churning within. My heart is poured out in grief over the destruction of the daughter of my people, because children and infants faint in the streets of the city. 12 They cry out to their mothers: “Where is the grain and wine?” as they faint like the wounded in the streets of the city, as their lives fade away in the arms of their mothers. 13 What can I say for you? To what can I compare you, O Daughter of Jerusalem? To what can I liken you, that I may console you, O Virgin Daughter of Zion? For your wound is as deep as the sea. Who can ever heal you? 14 The visions of your prophets were empty and deceptive; they did not expose your guilt to ward off your captivity. The burdens they envisioned for you were empty and misleading. 15 All who pass by clap their hands at you in scorn. They hiss and shake their heads at the Daughter of Jerusalem: “Is this the city that was called the perfection of beauty, the joy of all the earth?" 16 All your enemies open their mouths against you. They hiss and gnash their teeth, saying, “We have swallowed her up. This is the day for which we have waited. We have lived to see it!" 17 The LORD has done what He planned; He has accomplished His decree, which He ordained in days of old; He has overthrown you without pity. He has let the enemy gloat over you and exalted the horn of your foes. 18 The hearts of the people cry out to the Lord. O wall of the Daughter of Zion, let your tears run down like a river day and night. Give yourself no relief, and your eyes no rest. 19 Arise, cry out in the night from the first watch of the night. Pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to Him for the lives of your children who are fainting from hunger on the corner of every street. 20 Look, O LORD, and consider: Whom have You ever treated like this? Should women eat their offspring, the infants they have nurtured? Should priests and prophets be killed in the sanctuary of the Lord? 21 Both young and old lie together in the dust of the streets. My young men and maidens have fallen by the sword. You have slain them in the day of Your anger; You have slaughtered them without compassion. 22 You summoned my attackers on every side, as for the day of an appointed feast. In the day of the LORD’s anger no one escaped or survived; my enemy has destroyed those I nurtured and reared.
Study Notes — Lamentations 2
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Lamentations 2
- Themes from Lamentations 2
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Lamentations 2
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
Lamentations 2 describes the siege and fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians, with the author expressing deep sorrow and lament over the city's destruction. The chapter begins with a description of God's judgment, where He has covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud and cast down the splendor of Israel from heaven to earth (Lamentations 2:1). The author then details the destruction of the city, including the demolition of the temple and the slaughter of its inhabitants (Lamentations 2:6-8). The chapter also expresses the emotional and psychological impact of the disaster on the survivors, including the author's own feelings of despair and hopelessness (Lamentations 2:11-12). Throughout the chapter, the author acknowledges God's sovereignty and justice in the judgment, while also pleading for mercy and restoration (Lamentations 2:20).
Context for the Chapter
Lamentations 2 is part of the book of Lamentations, which is a collection of poetic laments over the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BC. The book is attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, who witnessed the fall of Jerusalem and wrote these laments as a expression of sorrow and repentance. The chapter fits into the larger biblical narrative as a fulfillment of God's warnings to Israel about the consequences of sin and rebellion, and it points forward to the hope of restoration and redemption through the Messiah.
Heart Application
This chapter calls believers to reflect on the severity of God's judgment and the importance of repentance and obedience. It also encourages believers to trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, even in the face of adversity and suffering, and to seek comfort and solace in His presence.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
Lamentations 2 is a chapter about God's judgment on Jerusalem for its sins. The city was destroyed by the Babylonians, and the author is lamenting this destruction. The chapter teaches us about the importance of obeying God and the severity of His judgment. It also reminds us that God is sovereign and just, and that His actions are not arbitrary but are in fulfillment of His word and plan. As seen in Lamentations 2:1, God's judgment is a call to repentance and restoration.
Voices from the Church
“The judgments of God are always tempered with mercy, and His mercy is always tempered with judgment.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“The destruction of Jerusalem is a testament to the fact that God is not a God who can be trifled with, but a God who demands obedience and worship.”
— John Calvin
“The fall of Jerusalem is a reminder that God's judgment is not limited to the Old Testament, but is a present reality for all who rebel against Him.”
— Martin Luther
Outline for Preaching
- God's Judgment on Jerusalem (Lamentations 2:1-9) — The chapter begins with a description of God's judgment on Jerusalem, where He has covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud and cast down the splendor of Israel from heaven to earth.
- The Destruction of the City (Lamentations 2:10-17) — The author then details the destruction of the city, including the demolition of the temple and the slaughter of its inhabitants.
- The Emotional Impact of the Disaster (Lamentations 2:11-12) — The author's personal lament and expression of sorrow and despair provide insight into the emotional and psychological impact of the disaster on the survivors.
- The Acknowledgment of God's Sovereignty (Lamentations 2:17-20) — Throughout the chapter, the author acknowledges God's sovereignty and justice in the judgment, recognizing that His actions are not arbitrary but are in fulfillment of His word and plan.
- The Call to Repentance and Restoration (Lamentations 2:20) — The chapter concludes with a call to repentance and restoration, where the author pleads with God to have mercy on His people and to restore them to their former glory.
Core Doctrines
- The Sovereignty of God
- This chapter teaches that God is sovereign over all nations and events, and that His actions are not arbitrary but are in fulfillment of His word and plan.
- The Importance of Repentance
- The chapter emphasizes the importance of repentance and obedience, highlighting the consequences of sin and rebellion against God.
- The Justice of God
- The chapter demonstrates the justice of God, where He judges sin and rebellion, but also shows mercy and compassion to those who repent and turn to Him.
- The Hope of Restoration
- The chapter concludes with a call to repentance and restoration, highlighting the hope of redemption and restoration through God's mercy and grace.
Lessons from Lamentations 2
- The Importance of Obedience — The chapter teaches that obedience to God's commands is crucial, and that rebellion against Him has severe consequences.
- The Severity of God's Judgment — The chapter demonstrates the severity of God's judgment, highlighting the importance of taking sin and rebellion seriously.
- The Hope of Restoration — The chapter concludes with a call to repentance and restoration, highlighting the hope of redemption and restoration through God's mercy and grace.
- The Comfort of God's Presence — The chapter encourages believers to seek comfort and solace in God's presence, even in the face of adversity and suffering.
- The Balance of God's Justice and Mercy — The chapter demonstrates the balance of God's justice and mercy, highlighting the importance of trusting in His goodness and wisdom.
Themes from Lamentations 2
- Judgment and Restoration — The chapter explores the themes of judgment and restoration, highlighting the consequences of sin and rebellion, and the hope of redemption and restoration through God's mercy and grace.
- Sovereignty and Providence — The chapter teaches that God is sovereign over all nations and events, and that His actions are not arbitrary but are in fulfillment of His word and plan.
- Sin and Rebellion — The chapter emphasizes the importance of taking sin and rebellion seriously, highlighting the consequences of disobedience to God's commands.
- Repentance and Obedience — The chapter encourages believers to repent and obey God's commands, highlighting the importance of turning to Him in humility and faith.
- Comfort and Solace in God's Presence — The chapter encourages believers to seek comfort and solace in God's presence, even in the face of adversity and suffering.
Questions for Meditation
- What are some ways in which God's judgment is evident in the world today?
- How can believers balance the severity of God's judgment with the mercy and compassion of His character?
- What are some practical ways in which believers can apply the lessons of Lamentations 2 to their own lives and circumstances?
- How does the destruction of Jerusalem in Lamentations 2 relate to the events leading up to the crucifixion of Christ?
- What comfort and solace can believers find in God's presence and character in the face of adversity and suffering?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. God's Judgment on Jerusalem (Lamentations 2:1-5)
| 2:1 | The chapter begins with a description of God's judgment on Jerusalem, where He has covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud and cast down the splendor of Israel from heaven to earth. |
| 2:2 | The Lord has swallowed up without pity all the habitations of Jacob; He has torn down in His wrath the strongholds of the daughter of Judah; He has brought to the ground in dishonor the kingdom and its rulers. |
2. The Destruction of the City (Lamentations 2:6-9)
| 2:6 | He has cut off in fierce anger every horn of Israel; He has withdrawn His right hand in the presence of the enemy; He has blazed like a flaming fire in the midst of the tent of the daughter of Zion. |
| 2:7 | The Lord has rejected His altar; He has abhorred His sanctuary; He has given the walls of her palaces into the hand of the enemy; they have raised a shout in the house of the Lord as on the day of an appointed feast. |
3. The Emotional Impact of the Disaster (Lamentations 2:10-12)
| 2:10 | The elders of the daughter of Zion sit on the ground in silence; they have thrown dust on their heads; they have girded themselves with sackcloth; the virgins of Jerusalem have bowed their heads to the ground. |
| 2:11 | My eyes have failed with tears; my bowels have been troubled; my liver has been poured out on the ground because of the destruction of the daughter of my people, because the children and the infants have fainted in the streets of the city. |
4. The Acknowledgment of God's Sovereignty (Lamentations 2:13-17)
| 2:13 | What can I say for you, to what can I compare you, O daughter of Jerusalem? To what can I liken you, that I may comfort you, O virgin daughter of Zion? For your ruin is as vast as the sea; who can heal you? |
| 2:14 | Your prophets have seen for you false and foolish visions; and they have not exposed your iniquity so as to restore you from captivity, but they have seen for you oracles of falsehood and misleads. |
5. The Call to Repentance and Restoration (Lamentations 2:18-22)
| 2:18 | Their heart cries out to the Lord, 'O wall of the daughter of Zion, let tears run down like a river day and night; give yourself no relief; give your eyes no rest. |
| 2:19 | Arise, cry aloud in the night, at the beginning of the night watches; pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord; lift up your hands to Him for the lives of your little ones, who faint with hunger at the head of every street.' |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the historical context of Lamentations 2?
Lamentations 2 is part of the book of Lamentations, which is a collection of poetic laments over the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BC. The book is attributed to the prophet Jeremiah, who witnessed the fall of Jerusalem and wrote these laments as a expression of sorrow and repentance. As seen in Lamentations 2:1, God's judgment is a call to repentance and restoration.
How does Lamentations 2 relate to the rest of the Bible?
Lamentations 2 is part of the larger biblical narrative, which explores the themes of sin, judgment, and restoration. The chapter points forward to the hope of redemption and restoration through the Messiah, and it highlights the importance of obedience, repentance, and trust in God's sovereignty and goodness. For example, in Lamentations 2:14, the prophet Jeremiah calls the people to repentance, which is a central theme throughout the Bible.
What are some key themes and doctrines in Lamentations 2?
Some key themes and doctrines in Lamentations 2 include the sovereignty of God, the importance of repentance and obedience, the justice and mercy of God, and the hope of restoration and redemption. The chapter also emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's goodness and wisdom, even in the face of adversity and suffering. As seen in Lamentations 2:17, God's judgment is a call to repentance and restoration, and it highlights the importance of seeking comfort and solace in God's presence.
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamentations 2:1 → Jeremiah 25:11 | The destruction of Jerusalem is a fulfillment of God's warning to Israel about the consequences of sin and rebellion, as seen in Jeremiah 25:11. |
| 2 | Lamentations 2:2 → Isaiah 63:15 | The description of God's judgment on Jerusalem is similar to the description of God's judgment on Edom in Isaiah 63:15, highlighting the severity of God's judgment on sin and rebellion. |
| 3 | Lamentations 2:6 → Psalm 74:7 | The destruction of the temple is a fulfillment of God's warning to Israel about the consequences of sin and rebellion, as seen in Psalm 74:7. |
| 4 | Lamentations 2:10 → Job 2:13 | The emotional impact of the disaster on the survivors is similar to the emotional impact of Job's suffering, highlighting the importance of seeking comfort and solace in God's presence. |
| 5 | Lamentations 2:11 → Psalm 42:3 | The author's expression of sorrow and despair is similar to the expression of sorrow and despair in Psalm 42:3, highlighting the importance of trusting in God's goodness and wisdom, even in the face of adversity and suffering. |
| 6 | Lamentations 2:14 → Jeremiah 23:16 | The call to repentance and restoration is a central theme throughout the Bible, as seen in Jeremiah 23:16 and other passages. |
| 7 | Lamentations 2:15 → Isaiah 52:7 | The description of the destruction of Jerusalem is similar to the description of the destruction of Babylon in Isaiah 52:7, highlighting the severity of God's judgment on sin and rebellion. |
| 8 | Lamentations 2:17 → Deuteronomy 28:15 | The fulfillment of God's word and plan is a central theme throughout the Bible, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:15 and other passages. |
| 9 | Lamentations 2:18 → Isaiah 40:1 | The call to repentance and restoration is a central theme throughout the Bible, as seen in Isaiah 40:1 and other passages. |
| 10 | Lamentations 2:20 → Matthew 24:2 | The destruction of the temple is a fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy about the destruction of the temple, as seen in Matthew 24:2. |
Sermons on Lamentations 2
| Sermon | Description | |
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John 7:37 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker discusses a period of 400 years of darkness and stillness without any prophetic voice. Suddenly, a man appears in the wilderness, wearing a piece of old |
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Monday Night (2 Peter 1-21) - Part 2 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Samson from the Bible. He highlights how Samson, who was once a powerful and mighty warrior, is now imprisoned and bound with ch |
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God's Work in the Darkness by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that entertainment is a substitute for true joy and that the glory of God needs to be restored. He mentions the importance of being anointed |
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Call for the Wailing Women - Part 4 by Nancy Leigh DeMoss | This sermon emphasizes the importance of women embodying a meek and quiet spirit that trusts in God, highlighting the need for repentance and mourning over sins such as immodesty, |
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The Man God Tore Apart - Part 2 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of recognizing both the goodness and severity of God. He warns that America is experiencing an abundance of material blessing |
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Faithfulness - Being Called Out & Into by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of faithfulness to God. He refers to the letters to the churches in Revelation, specifically the letter to the church in Smyr |
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Cry Out for the Children by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the state of society, particularly the youth, who lack inner strength and hope for the future. He emphasizes that godlessness has infiltrate |
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On Eagles' Wings Pt 113 by Don Courville | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of staying vigilant and warning others about the corruption of the word of God. He highlights the need for accurate translati |
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God's Holiness - Part 4 by Richard Owen Roberts | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of holiness and the hatred of sin in the eyes of God. He quotes various Bible verses to support his message, including Luke 1 |
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7. Where Are the Men? by Denny Kenaston | Denny Kenaston preaches about the importance of men rising up to walk in God's ways, challenging them to be mature, financially stable, loving husbands, wise fathers, and dynamic l |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Lamentations 2
Matthew Henry's commentary on Lamentations 2 emphasizes the severity of God's judgment on Jerusalem, highlighting the importance of obedience and repentance. Henry notes that the destruction of the city is a fulfillment of God's warning to Israel about the consequences of sin and rebellion, and that it points forward to the hope of redemption and restoration through the Messiah. Henry also emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's goodness and wisdom, even in the face of adversity and suffering, and encourages believers to seek comfort and solace in God's presence. As seen in Lamentations 2:1, God's judgment is a call to repentance and restoration, and it highlights the importance of seeking comfort and solace in God's presence. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
The Severity of God's Judgment
The chapter describes the devastating consequences of God's judgment on Jerusalem, including the destruction of the city and the slaughter of its inhabitants. This severity is a testament to the gravity of sin and the importance of obedience to God's commands.
The Emotional Impact of the Disaster
The author's personal lament and expression of sorrow and despair provide insight into the emotional and psychological impact of the disaster on the survivors. This highlights the human cost of sin and the importance of seeking comfort and solace in God.
The Acknowledgment of God's Sovereignty
Throughout the chapter, the author acknowledges God's sovereignty and justice in the judgment, recognizing that His actions are not arbitrary but are in fulfillment of His word and plan. This emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's goodness and wisdom, even in the face of adversity and suffering.