TSK · Lamentations 1:9

The LORD said,“I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt. I have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows.

and the people believed. When they heard that the LORD had attended to the Israelites and that he had seen their affliction, they bowed down close to the ground.

But I fear the reaction of their enemies, for their adversaries would misunderstand and say,“Our power is great, and the LORD has not done all this!”’

She made a vow saying,“O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, if you would truly look on the suffering of your servant, and would keep me in mind and not neglect your servant, and give your servant a male child, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life. His hair will never be cut.”

The LORD saw Israel’s intense suffering; everyone was weak and incapacitated and Israel had no deliverer.

See my pain and suffering! Forgive all my sins!

They say to themselves,“We will oppress all of them.” They burn down all the places where people worship God in the land.

ר(Resh) See my pain and rescue me! For I do not forget your law.

Evil Oppression on Earth So I again considered all the oppression that continually occurs on earth. This is what I saw: The oppressed were in tears, but no one was comforting them; no one delivers them from the power of their oppressors.

Perhaps the LORD your God will hear all these things the chief adviser has spoken on behalf of his master, the king of Assyria, who sent him to taunt the living God. When the LORD your God hears, perhaps he will punish him for the things he has said. So pray for this remnant that remains.’”

Whom have you taunted and hurled insults at? At whom have you shouted and looked so arrogantly? At the Holy One of Israel!

“Speak kindly to Jerusalem, and tell her that her time of warfare is over, that her punishment is completed. For the LORD has made her pay double for all her sins.”

These double disasters confronted you. But who feels sorry for you? Destruction and devastation, famine and sword. But who consoles you?

Even your clothes are stained with the lifeblood of the poor who had not done anything wrong; you did not catch them breaking into your homes. Yet, in spite of all these things you have done,

But if you will not pay attention to this warning, I will weep alone because of your arrogant pride. I will weep bitterly, and my eyes will overflow with tears because you, the LORD’s flock, will be carried into exile.”

No one will take any food to those who mourn for the dead to comfort them. No one will give them any wine to drink to console them for the loss of their father or mother.

“Call for archers to come against Babylon! Summon against her all who draw the bow! Set up camp all around the city! Do not allow anyone to escape! Pay her back for what she has done. Do to her what she has done to others. For she has proudly defied me, the Holy One of Israel.

ב(Bet) She weeps bitterly at night; tears stream down her cheeks. She has no one to comfort her among all her lovers. All her friends have betrayed her; they have become her enemies.

ש(Sin/Shin) They have heard that I groan, yet there is no one to comfort me. All my enemies have heard of my trouble; they are glad that you have brought it about. Bring about the day of judgment that you promised so that they may end up like me!

א(Alef)The Prophet Speaks: Alas! Gold has lost its luster; pure gold loses value. Jewels are scattered on every street corner.

It has tried my patience; yet its thick rot is not removed from it. Subject its rot to the fire!

Future Repentance and Restoration of Israel However, in the future I will allure her; I will lead her back into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her.

so many of the Jewish people of the region had come to Martha and Mary to console them over the loss of their brother.)

For it is time for judgment to begin, starting with the house of God. And if it starts with us, what will be the fate of those who are disobedient to the gospel of God?