Lamentations 4

Lamentations 4:1

V. THE PAST AND PRESENT OF JUDAH CONTRASTED (4:1-20)The prophet compares the former glory and the present pitiful condition of Jerusalem. The temple is destroyed, mothers desert their young (vv. 3, 4), people die of hunger (v. 5), the punishment is prolonged (v. 6), the princes are unrecognized in the streets (vv. 7, 8), cannibalism prevails even among compassionate women (v. 10), and the city that was considered impregnable has fallen (v. 12). It was all caused by the sins of her prophets, . . . the priests, and the people (vv. 13-16). They looked in vain to Egypt for their help (v. 17). The Babylonians besieged them suddenly (vv. 18, 19), and King Zedekiah, the anointed of the LORD, was captured (v. 20).

Lamentations 4:21

VI. THE FUTURE PROSPECTEDOM TO BE DESTROYED AND JUDAH RESTORED (4:21, 22) The daughter of Edom rejoiced over the fall of Jerusalem, but she will be punished severely and her sins laid bare. Zion will be restored.