Dear MUC family
Over the next few days I will be walking you through the book of Lamentations. I trust it will help you respond biblically to the Corona Virus Pandemic. Whereas Job deals with the problem of personal suffering, Lamentations deals with the problem of national disasters like famine, warfare and global pandemics. In a world of overwhelming human suffering, Lamentations gives voice to the deepest agonies of grief, with the hope that some comfort may come from crying out to God for mercy.
- READ LAMENTATIONS 1&2
The above sculpture was carved by William Westmore Story late in the 19th century. It is titled “Jerusalem in her desolation.” Jerusalem is personified as a queen. She sits among the ruins, slumped slightly to one side. Her gaze is turned downwards in a resolute frown. Clearly she has endured great suffering, a grief too deep for words. - BACKGROUND
After a long siege the city of Jerusalem finally fell to Nebuchadnezzar in 587 BC and her citizens were deported to Babylon. The sculpture above depicts the aftermath – a city numb with grief. - STRUCTURE
Lamentations is the most formally crafted book in the OT. Of the five chapters, chapter 1, 2 and 4 are each divided into 22 stanzas (the number of letters in the Hebrew alphabet), and each stanza begins with a different letter of the alphabet. Chapter 3 is the climax of the book and is even more tightly structured. Again there are 22 stanzas, but now each stanza has exactly three lines. The three lines in each stanza begin with the same letter, and each of the 22 stanzas begins with a different letter in alphabetical order. Chapter 5 is the only chapter that is not an acrostic, but still has 22 lines in conformity with the acrostic pattern of chap 1-4. - MESSAGE OF CHAPTER 1&2
The first word of the first two chapters (1:1; 2:1) reflects the tone of the entire book. In English it is translated as “How?” In Hebrew “How?” is the title of the book. It reflects the struggle of lament. “How could this happen?” “How can God allow this?” “How can God’s people survive?” We ask these questions when facing dark clouds of grief. Perhaps you are asking them as you respond to Covid 19. In these two chapters Jerusalem is portrayed as a broken, lonely widow and a princess now a slave. The city weeps with “tears upon her cheeks” (1:2). The once glorious nation is now scattered “among the nations” with no “resting place” (1:3). Lamentations is not silent as to why it happened (1:5, 8, 13-15; 2:14). It is because of the multitude of her transgressions. Jerusalem has sinned grievously and is facing the judgment of God because of their sin. In William Story’s sculpture above the most significant detail is the tiny serpent slithering near the queen’s feet. The serpent stands for sin, showing that Jerusalem’s desolation was the result of her disobedience.
Not all suffering (Corona Virus) is directly connected to a specific sin in your life but there is a connection between the fallen state of this world and pain. Creation groans under its brokenness (Romans 8:22) and we along with the entire created order long for a better day (Romans 8:23). The corona virus’ existence is the result of original sin. The root of all human pain and suffering in the world is the rebellion of our first parents – a rebellion that Christ conquered on the cross and will one day wipe away, along with all it’s sad and sinister effects. Lament is the song we sing while living in a world that is under the curse of sin. Lament longs for the day when cities like Jerusalem will no longer be leveled and huge swathes of people are no longer decimated by viruses. Just think of it – there will be no lament in the New Jerusalem. Revelation 21:4 gives us the stunning promise. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”