The Book Of Lamentations – Part 13 – Jeremiah And The Nation Are In Affliction; The Nation Is Expelled; Bodies Suffer; Bitterness - Chapter 3:1-5 Series

THE BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS – PART 13 – JEREMIAH AND THE NATION ARE IN AFFLICTION; THE NATION IS EXPELLED; BODIES SUFFER; BITTERNESS - CHAPTER 3:1-5

LAMENTATIONS CHAPTER 3

Now we enter into a lot of shorter verses but each one has a definite, strong meaning. I trust you might find a delight in these as I did when examining them to gather the meanings and messages they contain. Some are disturbing and most are instructive. May the Lord bless His word to us.

[1]. A MAN OF UNWELCOMED EXPERIENCES

{{Lamentations 3:1 “I am the man who has seen affliction because of THE ROD OF HIS WRATH.”}}

Chapter 3 verse 1 is the introduction to the next section, and now we look at the 20 “He” in this chapter (“HE” used 20 times). All are descriptive of the LORD’S actions against the nation. These are laments from the nation. In some verses it is unclear if it is mostly the nation that speaks, or if it is Jeremiah, or if it is all inclusive. In any case the lamenting is there for all the horrors that have happened.

The prophet identifies himself as the man who has seen affliction, and when you read his prophecy, some of that is seen. He had a constant battle with the false prophets and priests and the king, and he was opposed and persecuted and locked up. All that was at the hand of demonic men. The expression he uses is “because of the rod of His wrath”. At face value God’s wrath executed through Babylon has caused Jeremiah affliction.

It must be said that many opinions from commentators attribute this verse and all the others following, to a generic person speaking on behalf of the nation or the people. A few say it is the nation speaking. Interestingly, Jeremiah does not use the word God or LORD in this chapter until 3:18. If the word “he” does not refer to God it can only refer to Babylon and in some of the verses that would not make any sense. Largely in this little devotional commentary of mine I have made “he” to reference the LORD. Sanely, it can be no other way unless one is being contrary. A good number of the more notable commentators consider this to be Jeremiah speaking of himself and in subsequent verses.

When some Christians have everything go wrong they wonder if it is God doing it or the devil’s agent attacking them. Is it the discipline of the Lord, or the persecution outlined here – {{2 Timothy 3:12 “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”}} ? Quite honestly, I have been uncertain myself at times in my life. Then again, it just might be the difficulties of life that everyone experiences.

We will let this verse rest here and conclude that no one is 100% certain.

[2]. THE LORD EXPELLED THE NATION INTO DARKNESS

{{Lamentations 3:2 “HE has driven me and made me walk in darkness and not in light.”}}

The nation was driven into captivity in Babylon and deserved what it got. It is not callous to say that but is the natural conclusion of expulsion from God’s presence that all sin causes. All of us, even Christians sometimes, do not think seriously about the holiness of God. We can flaunt it and disregard it. Christians may respect it but the unsaved world has no regard for it. Judah despised it.

The odd person says about this verse the walking in darkness would refer to Jeremiah being cast in prison and the pit. I tend not to think that.

The first instance in scripture of God expelling/driving out was from Eden – {{Genesis 3:24 “So HE DROVE THE MAN OUT and at the east of the garden of Eden, He stationed the cherubim, and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.”}} Sinners will never exist in the presence of God’s holiness, because they can not, and it is for this reason they end in the lake of fire that originally was prepared for the devil and his angels. The only reason I can dwell in God’s presence is because I have the righteousness of Christ and am accepted in Him.

Some of the most dire words of scripture are these – {{Matthew 25:41 “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘DEPART FROM ME, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels.”}} There are only two eternal destinies and it was the grace of God and the reconciliation of the Lord Jesus Christ that made the second one possible. {{Revelation 20:15 “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”}}