Reading for December 2nd

Read Lamentations 1.11b-22 In 1.11b-22: Jerusalem herself speaks. The speaker changes at the end of v. 11, as the woman Jerusalem speaks in the first person. She repeats themes of the first speaker: She is shamed, and the devastation is punishment from God. In verses 13-15: Net, fire: Punishments are described generically (ps10.9;Isa 63.3). The weight of Israel's sin is compared to a yoke worn by captives of war (Isa 9.4). In verse 16: The lack of a comforter is a repeated theme of the book. In verse 17: The voice shifts back to third person briefly. Zion (the mountain on which Jerusalem is set ), Jacob the ancestor of the Israelites), and Jerusalem are used as synonyms. Fifthy things is the menstrual uncleanness of 1.9. In verse 18: The voice of Jerusalem returns, acknowledging her sin yet lamenting the pain she has experienced. In verse 20: Jerusalem's lament resembles that of Jeremiah (Jer 8.18-9.1). In verses 21-22: Again concerned with being shamed in the face of others, Jerusalem asks they they, too, be treated according to their deeds. Day you have announced refers to the day of the Lord, envisioned as a day of vindication against enemies (Isa 13.6-16). Comments or Questions..