Reading for December 3rd

Read Lamentations 2.1-10. In 2.1-10: The poet on God's great anger The poet describes the severity of God's punishment: Jerusalem is destroyed and humilated. In verse 1: Footstool: the Temple (Ps 99,5). In verse 2: Without mercy: without restraint. In a series of reversals, the great are brought down to the ground. In verses 3-5: God's right hand, his weapon hand, does not defend Israel but draws a bow against her like an enemy (Ex 15.6-12). In verses 6-7: Booth, tabernacle: The temple, which along with a festival, king, and priest embodies the religious core of the nation, centered in Jerusalem and linked with the monarchy (2 Sam 7). In verse 8-10: Stretched a line: Apparently a step in destroying a building (2 Kings 21.13). God has broken down the very fetaures intended to protect Jersualem: wall, gates, and ramparts (used for defense during military attacks). The listing of groups within the city undrescores the totally of the destruction. Dust and sackcloth (v. 10) are typical gestures of mourning. Comments or Questions..