What emotions are expressed by the enemies in Lamentations 2:16? The Passage “ All your enemies have opened their mouths against you; they hiss and gnash their teeth. They cry out, ‘We have consumed her! This is the day for which we waited; we have lived to see it!’ ” (Lamentations 2:16) Snapshot of the Scene Jerusalem lies shattered. God’s discipline has fallen, and now foreign foes gloat over the city’s ruins. Verse 16 captures a chorus of enemy voices, revealing four distinct emotions. Hissing: Scornful Contempt • Ancient armies hissed like snakes or cats to show derision—an audible sneer. • Psalm 35:15–16 pictures similar mockers who "gnash their teeth" and are “like profane mockers at a feast.” • The hiss says, “You’re beneath us. Your downfall amuses us.” Gnashing Their Teeth: Hostile Rage • Gnashing signifies deep-seated hatred and violent intent (Job 16:9; Psalm 37:12). • It is the physical manifestation of murderous anger, yet here it mixes with delight—they hate and enjoy hating at the same time. “We Have Consumed Her!”: Triumphant Gloating • The cry brims with victory lust—“Mission accomplished!” • Proverbs 24:17 warns, “Do not gloat when your enemy falls,” yet that is precisely what these invaders do. • Their words fulfill Deuteronomy 28:37, where Israel was warned she would become “a byword and object of scorn.” “This Is the Day for Which We Waited”: Perverse Satisfaction • Long-nurtured anticipation bursts into celebration. • Micah 7:8 voices righteous confidence that enemies should “not rejoice over me,” but in Lamentations they rejoice anyway, revealing their cruel hearts. • The phrase exposes enjoyment in someone else’s suffering—sinful delight that Scripture consistently condemns (Obadiah 12). Why These Emotions Matter Today • They spotlight human depravity unchecked by God’s grace. • They remind us that divine judgment may allow wicked triumph for a season, yet the Lord remains just (Psalm 73:3–19). • They caution believers never to mirror such attitudes toward those under discipline or hardship (Galatians 6:1). Key Takeaways • Scorn, rage, gloating, and perverse satisfaction stain the enemies’ celebration. • The verse proves God’s warnings true and underscores His sovereignty even when foes exult. • Followers of Christ are called to the opposite spirit—compassion, humility, and trust in God’s righteous timing. |
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