Good Morning “Eicha Askers”. Today we wrap up Lamentations w/ chapter 5.
You might find it interesting to know that “Lamentations” in our Bible is not titled that way in the Hebrew Bible. In Hebrew it’s more appropriately called “Eicha”. The word means “How”. Why do I say that “How” is a more appropriate title? It chronicles a time when Gods people were doing more than lamenting of their circumstances. They were digging deep, searching within, and… as God intended learning from their judgment. The book, although a collection of Jeremiah’s, Laments (songs) over Gods Judgment, should and did spur within Israel’s hearts the question of “How”. How did we get here? How did we miss Gods many warnings? How did we become so hard, so deceived, so messed up? How can we be forgiven and reconciled to God?
“You, O Lord, remain forever; your throne from generation to generation. Why do You forget us forever, and forsake us for so long a time? Turn us back to You, O Lord, and we will be restored; renew our days as of old, unless You have utterly rejected us, and are very angry with us!” Lamentations 5:19-22 (NKJV)
Jeremiah appears to be speaking on behalf of the people…a national confession, as it were. Chapter 5 begins with some blame-shifting. i.e., “Our fathers sinned, and we are suffering because of their poor choices…” While that may be true to some extent, eventually, they get around to their personal choices, “Woe to us, for we have sinned!”
And that confession, the recognition that we have fallen short of God’s clear standard (His Word), is always the trigger that leads to restoration.
Every year, “religious” Jews read the book of Eicha aloud. It is read softly at first, then the volume of the reader’s voice builds to the climax, which is sung aloud by the entire congregation: “Turn us to you, O Lord, and we will return. Renew our days as of old.” But God has already turned, not only to the Jewish community but also to any Gentile who seeks a right relationship with Him.
His desire to restore comes through Messiah, Jesus our Lord & Savior! The ball is not in God’s court - but in OURS! We must choose Jesus because He has already chosen to redeem us (1 John 1:9, Acts 3:19, John 3:16, Romans 10:9, John 1:12)
“Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.”
Zechariah 1:3 NIV
Love you all! Dig in!
You might find it interesting to know that “Lamentations” in our Bible is not titled that way in the Hebrew Bible. In Hebrew it’s more appropriately called “Eicha”. The word means “How”. Why do I say that “How” is a more appropriate title? It chronicles a time when Gods people were doing more than lamenting of their circumstances. They were digging deep, searching within, and… as God intended learning from their judgment. The book, although a collection of Jeremiah’s, Laments (songs) over Gods Judgment, should and did spur within Israel’s hearts the question of “How”. How did we get here? How did we miss Gods many warnings? How did we become so hard, so deceived, so messed up? How can we be forgiven and reconciled to God?
“You, O Lord, remain forever; your throne from generation to generation. Why do You forget us forever, and forsake us for so long a time? Turn us back to You, O Lord, and we will be restored; renew our days as of old, unless You have utterly rejected us, and are very angry with us!” Lamentations 5:19-22 (NKJV)
Jeremiah appears to be speaking on behalf of the people…a national confession, as it were. Chapter 5 begins with some blame-shifting. i.e., “Our fathers sinned, and we are suffering because of their poor choices…” While that may be true to some extent, eventually, they get around to their personal choices, “Woe to us, for we have sinned!”
And that confession, the recognition that we have fallen short of God’s clear standard (His Word), is always the trigger that leads to restoration.
Every year, “religious” Jews read the book of Eicha aloud. It is read softly at first, then the volume of the reader’s voice builds to the climax, which is sung aloud by the entire congregation: “Turn us to you, O Lord, and we will return. Renew our days as of old.” But God has already turned, not only to the Jewish community but also to any Gentile who seeks a right relationship with Him.
His desire to restore comes through Messiah, Jesus our Lord & Savior! The ball is not in God’s court - but in OURS! We must choose Jesus because He has already chosen to redeem us (1 John 1:9, Acts 3:19, John 3:16, Romans 10:9, John 1:12)
“Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.”
Zechariah 1:3 NIV
Love you all! Dig in!
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