The presence of the LORD has scattered them; He regards them no more. The priests are shown no honor; the elders find no favor. The LORD HimselfThis phrase emphasizes the direct involvement of God in the events described. The Hebrew word for "LORD" is "YHWH," the sacred and personal name of God, indicating His sovereignty and authority. In the context of Lamentations, this highlights that the scattering of the people is not merely a result of human actions or foreign powers, but a divine judgment. This serves as a sobering reminder of God's active role in the world and His righteous standards. has scattered them
The Hebrew root for "scattered" is "פוץ" (puts), which conveys the idea of dispersing or spreading out. Historically, this scattering refers to the Babylonian exile, where the people of Judah were forcibly removed from their land. This scattering is a fulfillment of the covenant curses outlined in Deuteronomy 28, where disobedience to God's laws would result in dispersion among the nations. It serves as a call to repentance and a return to covenant faithfulness. He regards them no more
The phrase "regards them no more" suggests a withdrawal of God's favor and attention. The Hebrew word "פנה" (panah) means to turn or face, implying that God has turned His face away from His people. This is a profound expression of divine displeasure and abandonment, reflecting the severity of their sin and the broken relationship between God and His people. It underscores the importance of seeking God's face and maintaining a right relationship with Him. The priests are shown no honor
Priests, in the Hebrew "כהנים" (kohanim), were central to the spiritual life of Israel, responsible for offering sacrifices and teaching the law. The lack of honor shown to them indicates a breakdown in religious and societal order. Historically, this reflects the corruption and failure of the priesthood, as seen in the prophetic critiques of their behavior (e.g., Malachi 2:1-9). It serves as a warning of the consequences of spiritual neglect and the need for integrity among spiritual leaders. the elders find no favor
Elders, or "זקנים" (z'kenim) in Hebrew, were leaders and decision-makers within the community. Their loss of favor signifies a collapse of leadership and wisdom in society. In ancient Israel, elders were respected for their experience and guidance, but here, their failure to lead righteously has resulted in disgrace. This highlights the critical role of godly leadership and the impact of its absence on the community's well-being. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who is depicted as actively involved in the judgment and scattering of His people due to their disobedience. 2. The PriestsReligious leaders in Israel responsible for maintaining the temple worship and teaching the law. Their dishonor signifies a breakdown in spiritual leadership. 3. The EldersCommunity leaders who were expected to provide wisdom and guidance. Their loss of favor indicates a societal collapse. 4. The People of JudahThe recipients of God's judgment, scattered due to their persistent sin and rebellion against God. 5. The Babylonian ExileThe historical context of Lamentations, where Judah was conquered, and its people were exiled by Babylon as a consequence of their unfaithfulness. Teaching Points Divine JudgmentGod's judgment is a direct response to persistent sin and rebellion. It serves as a reminder of His holiness and the seriousness of disobedience. Leadership AccountabilitySpiritual and community leaders are held to high standards. Their failure can lead to widespread consequences for the people they lead. The Consequences of SinSin has real and devastating consequences, not only spiritually but also socially and politically, as seen in the scattering and dishonor of Judah. Hope in RestorationWhile Lamentations is a book of mourning, it also points to the hope of restoration for those who repent and return to God. The Importance of RepentanceThe scattering and dishonor serve as a call to repentance, urging believers to turn back to God and seek His favor. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the scattering of Judah reflect the warnings given in Deuteronomy 28 about the consequences of disobedience? 2. In what ways can the failure of the priests and elders in Lamentations 4:16 serve as a warning to current spiritual and community leaders? 3. How can we apply the lessons of divine judgment and mercy in Lamentations to our personal lives today? 4. What steps can we take to ensure that we are honoring God in our leadership roles, whether in the church, community, or family? 5. How does the theme of hope and restoration in Lamentations encourage us in times of personal or communal crisis? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 28This chapter outlines the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, providing a backdrop for understanding the consequences faced by Judah. Jeremiah 25Jeremiah's prophecy of the Babylonian exile, which aligns with the scattering mentioned in Lamentations 4:16. Ezekiel 22Describes the sins of the priests and leaders, offering insight into why they were shown no honor or favor. People Jeremiah, NazaritesPlaces Edom, Jerusalem, Sodom, Uz, ZionTopics Add, Aged, Anger, Behold, Care, Continue, Didn't, Directions, Divided, Elders, Face, Favor, Favored, Favoured, Gracious, Honor, Honour, Lifted, Longer, Persons, Presence, Priests, Regard, Respect, Respected, Scattered, Shown, WatchesDictionary of Bible Themes Lamentations 4:16 6026 sin, judgment on
7520 dispersion, the Lamentations 4:16-19 8795 persecution, nature of 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 4:16 NIVLamentations 4:16 NLTLamentations 4:16 ESVLamentations 4:16 NASBLamentations 4:16 KJV
Lamentations 4:16 Commentaries
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