Topical Bible: The Law of God: Saints: Lament Over the Violation of, by Others

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Law of God, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, serves as a divine guide for righteous living and a reflection of God's holy character. Throughout biblical history, the saints—those set apart for God's purposes—have often found themselves lamenting over the violation of God's law by others. This lamentation is not merely an expression of personal grief but a profound sorrow over the dishonor brought to God's name and the spiritual and moral decay that results from such transgressions.

Biblical Instances of Lamentation

1. Psalm 119:136 · The psalmist, deeply devoted to God's statutes, expresses his sorrow over the disregard for God's law: "My eyes shed streams of tears because Your law is not obeyed." This verse captures the heartache of witnessing the widespread neglect of divine commandments, reflecting a deep love for God's law and a desire for others to walk in obedience.

2. Jeremiah 9:1-3 · The prophet Jeremiah, known as the "weeping prophet," laments the unfaithfulness of his people: "Oh, that my head were a spring of water and my eyes a fountain of tears, I would weep day and night for the slain of my people." Jeremiah's lament is rooted in the spiritual infidelity and moral corruption of Israel, which leads to their downfall.

3. Ezekiel 9:4 · In a vision, God instructs a man clothed in linen to mark those who "sigh and groan over all the abominations committed" in Jerusalem. This passage highlights the righteous remnant who mourn over the city's sins, demonstrating their alignment with God's heart and their distress over the violation of His law.

4. Habakkuk 1:2-4 · The prophet Habakkuk cries out to God, perplexed by the prevalence of injustice and the apparent triumph of wickedness: "How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but You do not listen? Or cry out to You, 'Violence!' but You do not save?" His lament underscores the tension between the reality of sin and the expectation of divine justice.

Theological Reflections

The lamentation of the saints over the violation of God's law by others is a recurring theme that underscores the seriousness with which God's commandments are to be regarded. It reflects a deep-seated conviction that God's law is not only a personal guide but a universal standard for all humanity. The saints' sorrow is a testament to their alignment with God's holiness and their yearning for His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

This lamentation also serves as a prophetic witness to the world, calling attention to the consequences of sin and the need for repentance. It is an expression of love for both God and neighbor, as the saints desire that all people come to a knowledge of the truth and live in accordance with God's righteous decrees.

Practical Implications

For contemporary believers, the lament over the violation of God's law by others invites a response of prayer, intercession, and action. It calls for a commitment to uphold God's standards in one's own life and to be a light in a world that often disregards divine truth. The saints' lament is a reminder of the importance of standing firm in faith, advocating for justice, and seeking the transformation of society through the power of the Gospel.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 119:136
Rivers of waters run down my eyes, because they keep not your law.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Purposes of God.
... of peace, as in all churches of the saints.". ... opposite supposition represents God
and the law as infinitely ... of the greatest good, must not God lament that he ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xlvi purposes of god.htm

Apart
... Still, even there, among the holiest and best of saints, among those devoted to
the ... God had turned the bull's-eye of the great lantern of the law full into ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 43 1897/apart.htm

Blessed are they that Mourn
... run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law' (Psalm 119 ... Our tears may help
to quench God's wrath. The saints are members of the body mystical as well as ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/6 blessed are they that.htm

Letter Xlv (Circa AD 1120) to a Youth Named Fulk, who Afterwards ...
... of the flesh, forgetful of reason and law, as it ... Not that I regarded them as saints,
nor had nothing to ... yet your piety is not acceptable to God, because it is ...
/.../some letters of saint bernard abbot of clairvaux/letter xlv circa a d 1120.htm

Period iii. The Critical Period: AD 140 to AD 200
... sisters, but they withdraw from them, and give them over to the judgment of God;
nor do ... several countries do not hinder them from obeying the law of their ...
/.../a source book for ancient church history/period iii the critical period .htm

Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ...
... with glory from heaven and shall seek out all the saints. ... dogma, alleging that it
is said in the Law, "I am ... Jesus, the Nazarene, a man appointed of God for you ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iv the age of.htm

The Greatness of the Soul,
... peace at the day of judgment that saints shall have ... the nature and occasions of sin;
of God, and of ... with glory, clash with justice, clash with law, clash with ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the greatness of the soul.htm

part ii
... own heart according to the strict law of requital ... if their father or brother passes
over one of ... solemnly honour and worship the holy angels and God's saints? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm

Preface.
... Bold violation of our law supreme,. ... Through distant age; saints travell'd; martyrs
bled; ... Oh! be a man;"and strive to be a god. "For what? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/young/youngs night thoughts/preface.htm