The Book Of Lamentations – Part 10 – A Defeated Nation Mocked And Hissed At – God’s Word Never Returns Empty - Chapter 2:15-17 Series

{{Lamentations 2:17 “The LORD has done what He purposed. HE HAS ACCOMPLISHED HIS WORD which He commanded from days of old. He has thrown down without sparing, and HE HAS CAUSED THE ENEMY TO REJOICE OVER YOU. He has exalted the might of your adversaries.”}}

The LORD is seen here as the Operator of good and evil; of blessing and cursing; of prosperity and judgement. In regard to His own nation Judah, all He purposed in its overthrow had come to pass. All is according to His divine word spoken through the prophets, for the way God will act in His creation is laid out in His inspired word.

The expression used here, “from days of old”, tells how long ago these principles were established. Before the Israelites entered the promised land, God spelt out to then what obedience and disobedience would mean at Mount Ebal and Mount Gerezim. Obedience meant the prosperity of God in the land, and disobedience meant expulsion from the land. Prophet after prophet reminded the people of this, but they never listened or learned from their mistakes.

God is longsuffering not willing that any of His people would perish, or that the nation would be condemned and expelled, but the people never listened. They willfully sinned in idolatry and corruption while faithful prophets preached their hearts out for the people’s return but to no avail. For hundreds of years the longsuffering LORD gave the nation one opportunity after another to repent but they always refused. The false prophets and the priests and elders were driving them to destruction.

God is not mocked and His word never returns empty to Him. It will always accomplish the purpose for which it was given. God promised deliverance for the Jews in the exodus and here it happens – {{Exodus 14:13 but Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever.”}} David knew he could trust God’s word for God is faithful – {{Psalm 138:8 “The LORD will accomplish what concerns me. Your loving-kindness, O LORD, is everlasting. Do not forsake the works of Your hands.”}}

Isaiah and Jeremiah, along with many unnamed prophets warned the people what the consequences of their sin would be, but the people ignored God and persecuted and killed the prophets. The hour of accountability arrived with Assyria overthrowing the northern kingdom of Samaria/Israel and the southern kingdom overturned by the Babylonians. These overthrows are attributed to the LORD because His will executed them as the last resort. The people loved their sin and refused to repent. The godless nations rejoiced over God’s earthly people.

God is always in control even when things don’t look good and our lives suffer hardship. Endurance is a sound biblical word, as are opposition and persecution. Those who live for God will know the wrath of the enemy – {{2 Timothy 3:12 “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. For us, His redeemed, He is accomplishing His word.”}}