Why have You forgotten us forever?
This phrase reflects the deep anguish and despair of the Israelites during the Babylonian exile. The feeling of being forgotten by God is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, especially in times of national crisis. The Israelites believed they were God's chosen people, and their exile felt like a divine abandonment. This sentiment echoes Psalm 13:1, where David laments, "How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever?" Theologically, this reflects the human experience of feeling distant from God, often due to sin or disobedience. The exile was a consequence of Israel's persistent idolatry and failure to uphold the covenant, as warned by prophets like Jeremiah. The use of "forever" is hyperbolic, expressing the intensity of their suffering and the seeming endlessness of their plight. However, God's promises to Israel, such as those found in Isaiah 49:15-16, assure that He does not truly forget His people.

Why have You forsaken us for so long?
The term "forsaken" suggests a more active withdrawal of God's presence, which the Israelites interpreted as a result of their covenantal unfaithfulness. This phrase can be connected to Deuteronomy 31:17, where God warns that He will hide His face from Israel if they turn to other gods. The historical context of Lamentations is the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC, a catastrophic event that left the city in ruins and the people in despair. The lament is a communal cry, reflecting the collective suffering and longing for restoration. Theologically, this phrase points to the tension between divine justice and mercy. While God allows consequences for sin, His ultimate desire is for repentance and reconciliation. This cry of forsakenness also foreshadows Christ's words on the cross in Matthew 27:46, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" This connection highlights the typology of Christ as the ultimate sufferer who bears the weight of humanity's sin, offering hope of redemption and restoration.

1. Jeremiah
- Traditionally attributed as the author of Lamentations, Jeremiah is known as the "weeping prophet." He lamented the destruction of Jerusalem and the suffering of his people.

2. Jerusalem
- The city that faced destruction by the Babylonians in 586 B.C., which is the backdrop for the book of Lamentations.

3. Babylonian Exile
- The period when the Israelites were taken captive by Babylon, leading to the lament and questioning of God's presence and faithfulness.The Reality of Lament
Lamentations 5:20 teaches us that it is okay to bring our deepest fears and questions to God. Lament is a biblical way to process pain and seek understanding.

God's Faithfulness Amidst Silence
Even when God seems silent or distant, His faithfulness remains. The feeling of being forgotten does not equate to being abandoned.

The Importance of Remembering God's Promises
In times of distress, recalling God's promises can provide comfort and hope. Scripture is filled with reminders of God's enduring presence and love.

Community in Suffering
The communal nature of the lament in Lamentations reminds us of the importance of supporting one another in times of trial and seeking God together.

Hope in Restoration
The cry in Lamentations 5:20 ultimately points towards a hope for restoration and renewal, encouraging believers to trust in God's redemptive plan.(20) Wherefore dost thou forget . . .--This was the problem of the mystery of suffering then, as it has been at all times. Jehovah had seemed forgetful of His people, indifferent to their miseries.

Verse 20. - Wherefore dost thou forget us, etc.? The poet does not say," Wherefore hast thou forgotten us?" One of the psalmists, indeed, does go so far (Psalm 74:1); but the poet of this lamentation, with a more tender and trustful reserve, adopts the tense of feeling (the imperfect) in preference to that of fact (the perfect), and asks, "Wherefore dost thou [to my feeling] forget us? Wherefore, if Jehovah's power is still unbroken, does he allow Israel to feel herself forsaken?" The fact is certain, viz. that the land of Israel is desolate, and (the poet seems to imply) desolate for some time already. The interpretation is hypothetical, and, as the last verse will show, the poet cannot bring himself to believe that it can be accurate.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Why
לָ֤מָּה (lām·māh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

have You forgotten us
תִּשְׁכָּחֵ֔נוּ (tiš·kā·ḥê·nū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | first person common plural
Strong's 7911: To mislay, to be oblivious of, from want of memory, attention

forever?
לָנֶ֙צַח֙ (lā·ne·ṣaḥ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5331: Eminence, enduring, everlastingness, perpetuity

Why have You forsaken us
תַּֽעַזְבֵ֖נוּ (ta·‘az·ḇê·nū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | first person common plural
Strong's 5800: To loosen, relinquish, permit

for so long?
לְאֹ֥רֶךְ (lə·’ō·reḵ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 753: Length


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OT Prophets: Lamentations 5:20 Why do you forget us forever (Lam. La Lm)