The kings of the earth did not believe, nor any people of the world, that an enemy or a foe could enter the gates of Jerusalem. The kings of the earth did not believeThis phrase highlights the disbelief among the rulers of surrounding nations regarding the fall of Jerusalem. Historically, Jerusalem was considered a stronghold due to its strategic location and formidable defenses. The city was seen as divinely protected, especially after miraculous deliverances in the past, such as during the reign of King Hezekiah when the Assyrian army was supernaturally defeated ( 2 Kings 19:35-36). The disbelief of the kings underscores the unexpected nature of Jerusalem's downfall, emphasizing the severity of the judgment against it. nor any people of the world
This broadens the scope of disbelief to include all nations, not just the rulers. Jerusalem was renowned for its religious significance and its association with the God of Israel, who was known for His mighty acts. The phrase suggests that the city's fall was a shock to the international community, which had heard of or witnessed the power of Israel's God. This disbelief reflects the widespread reputation Jerusalem had as a city under divine protection, making its conquest seem impossible. that an enemy or a foe could enter the gates of Jerusalem
The gates of Jerusalem symbolize the city's security and strength. Historically, the gates were heavily fortified and guarded, serving as the primary points of defense against invaders. The idea that an enemy could breach these gates was unthinkable, especially given the city's past deliverances. This phrase also connects to the prophetic warnings given by prophets like Jeremiah, who foretold the city's destruction due to its people's unfaithfulness (Jeremiah 21:10). The entry of enemies into Jerusalem serves as a fulfillment of these prophecies and a demonstration of God's judgment. Additionally, this breach can be seen as a type of Christ's later entry into Jerusalem, where He would confront the spiritual corruption within, offering a path to redemption rather than destruction. Persons / Places / Events 1. JerusalemThe capital city of Judah, known for its strong fortifications and the location of the Temple, the center of Jewish worship. 2. Kings of the EarthRefers to the rulers of various nations who would have been aware of Jerusalem's reputation for being a well-defended city. 3. People of the WorldRepresents the general populace beyond Israel, indicating a widespread disbelief in Jerusalem's vulnerability. 4. Enemy or FoeThe Babylonians, who ultimately breached Jerusalem's defenses, leading to its destruction and the exile of its people. 5. The Prophet JeremiahTraditionally credited as the author of Lamentations, he witnessed the fall of Jerusalem and expressed profound grief over the event. Teaching Points The Illusion of InvincibilityThe belief that Jerusalem could not fall serves as a warning against overconfidence in human strength and security. We must remember that true security comes from God alone. The Consequences of DisobedienceThe fall of Jerusalem was a direct result of the people's disobedience to God. This reminds us of the importance of living in accordance with God's will to avoid spiritual downfall. God's Sovereignty Over NationsDespite human expectations, God can use any nation or circumstance to fulfill His purposes. We should trust in His sovereignty and seek His guidance in all things. The Reality of JudgmentThe disbelief of the kings and people highlights a common tendency to ignore warnings of judgment. We must take God's warnings seriously and live in a way that honors Him. Hope in DesolationEven in the midst of destruction, Lamentations points to the possibility of restoration. We can find hope in God's faithfulness and His promises of redemption. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the fall of Jerusalem challenge our understanding of security and invincibility in our own lives? 2. In what ways can we ensure that we are not ignoring God's warnings in our personal and communal lives? 3. How does the sovereignty of God over nations and events provide comfort in times of uncertainty? 4. What are some modern-day "fortresses" we rely on that might distract us from trusting in God? 5. How can we find hope and assurance in God's promises, even when facing the consequences of our actions? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 25Describes the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians, providing historical context to the lament in Lamentations. Psalm 48Celebrates the strength and beauty of Jerusalem, highlighting the shock of its eventual fall. Isaiah 39Foretells the Babylonian captivity, showing that the fall of Jerusalem was prophesied as a consequence of disobedience. Jeremiah 21Contains warnings from Jeremiah about the impending siege, emphasizing the inevitability of God's judgment due to the people's sins. People Jeremiah, NazaritesPlaces Edom, Jerusalem, Sodom, Uz, ZionTopics Adversary, Attackers, Believe, Believed, Didn't, Doors, Enemies, Enemy, Enter, Entered, Foe, Foes, Gates, Haters, Inhabitants, Jerusalem, Kings, Possible, Seem, World'sDictionary of Bible Themes Lamentations 4:11-13 7150 righteous, the Library A Message from God for Thee
Our two messages we will try to deliver in their order; we shall then want your attention and patience for a minute while we answer the question--Why the difference? and then we will press upon each character the force of the message, that each may be led to believe what is addressed to him. I. Our FIRST MESSAGE IS ONE OF COMFORT. "The punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished, O daughter of Zion; he will no more carry thee away into captivity." 1. We find, at the outset, a joyous fact. Read it …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 8: 18631875-1877. Mrs. Way's Sewing --Class for Jewesses --Bible Flower Mission --George Clarice --Incidents in Home Work --The Lord's Day --Diary at Sea -- Letters of Cheer
Mrs. Way's sewing--class for Jewesses--Bible Flower Mission--George Clarice--Incidents in home work--The Lord's Day--Diary at sea-- Letters of cheer from Canada. The Home of Industry has been already likened to the Pool of Bethesda with its fine porches. Many sights there have been peculiar to itself, and in no instance has this in past years been more remarkable, than in the meeting for Jewesses, which has been carried on ever since the year 1870. From fifty to seventy daughters of Israel are gathered …
Clara M. S. Lowe—God's Answers The Children of the Poor.
THE CHILDREN OF THE POOR. The young children ask bread, and no man breaketh it unto them.--LAMENTATIONS iv., 4. The writer of these words bewailed a state of War and Captivity--a state of things in which the great relations of human life are broken up and desecrated. But it is strange to find that the most flourishing forms of civilization involve conditions very similar to this. For, if any man will push beyond the circle of his daily associations, and enter the regions of the abject poor, he will …
E. H. Chapin—Humanity in the City It Will be Attempted to Give a Complete List of his Writings In
chronological order; those included in this volume will be marked with an asterisk and enumerated in this place without remark. The figures prefixed indicate the probable date. (1) 318: *Two books contra Gentes,' viz. c. Gent. and De Incarn. (2) 321-2: *Depositio Arii (on its authorship, see Introd.) (3) 328-373: *Festal Letters. (4) 328-335? *Ecthesis or Expositio Fidei. (5) Id.? *In Illud Omnia, etc. (6) 339: *Encyclica ad Episcopos ecclesiæ catholicæ. (7) 343: *Sardican Letters (46, …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius Sermons of St. Bernard on the Passing of Malachy
Sermon I (November 2, 1148.)[1005] 1. A certain abundant blessing, dearly beloved, has been sent by the counsel of heaven to you this day; and if it were not faithfully divided, you would suffer loss, and I, to whom of a surety this office seems to have been committed, would incur danger. I fear therefore your loss, I fear my own damnation,[1006] if perchance it be said, The young children ask bread, and no man offereth it unto them.[1007] For I know how necessary for you is the consolation which …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh The Great Shepherd
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. I t is not easy for those, whose habits of life are insensibly formed by the customs of modern times, to conceive any adequate idea of the pastoral life, as obtained in the eastern countries, before that simplicity of manners, which characterized the early ages, was corrupted, by the artificial and false refinements of luxury. Wealth, in those …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 The Holy Spirit and the Incarnation of the Word. ...
The Holy Spirit and the Incarnation of the Word. We have seen how Justin declared that it was not permissible to regard "the Spirit" and "the Power" that came upon the Virgin as any other than the Word of God Himself. And we also noted in passing that Theophilus of Antioch spoke of the Word as being "Spirit of God" and "Power of the Highest," the second of which designations comes from Luke i. 35. We have now to ask whether the language of Irenæus corresponds with this interpretation and makes …
Irenæus—The Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching That the Ruler Relax not his Care for the Things that are Within in his Occupation among the Things that are Without, nor Neglect to Provide
The ruler should not relax his care for the things that are within in his occupation among the things that are without, nor neglect to provide for the things that are without in his solicitude for the things that are within; lest either, given up to the things that are without, he fall away from his inmost concerns, or, occupied only with the things that are within bestow not on his neighbours outside himself what he owes them. For it is often the case that some, as if forgetting that they have …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great What Messiah did the Jews Expect?
1. The most important point here is to keep in mind the organic unity of the Old Testament. Its predictions are not isolated, but features of one grand prophetic picture; its ritual and institutions parts of one great system; its history, not loosely connected events, but an organic development tending towards a definite end. Viewed in its innermost substance, the history of the Old Testament is not different from its typical institutions, nor yet these two from its predictions. The idea, underlying …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah The Upbringing of Jewish Children
The tenderness of the bond which united Jewish parents to their children appears even in the multiplicity and pictorialness of the expressions by which the various stages of child-life are designated in the Hebrew. Besides such general words as "ben" and "bath"--"son" and "daughter"--we find no fewer than nine different terms, each depicting a fresh stage of life. The first of these simply designates the babe as the newly--"born"--the "jeled," or, in the feminine, "jaldah"--as in Exodus 2:3, 6, 8. …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Lamentations
The book familiarly known as the Lamentations consists of four elegies[1] (i., ii., iii., iv.) and a prayer (v.). The general theme of the elegies is the sorrow and desolation created by the destruction of Jerusalem[2] in 586 B.C.: the last poem (v.) is a prayer for deliverance from the long continued distress. The elegies are all alphabetic, and like most alphabetic poems (cf. Ps. cxix.) are marked by little continuity of thought. The first poem is a lament over Jerusalem, bereft, by the siege, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Lamentations 4:12 NIVLamentations 4:12 NLTLamentations 4:12 ESVLamentations 4:12 NASBLamentations 4:12 KJV
Lamentations 4:12 Commentaries
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