Reading for December 12th

Read Lamentations 1-18. In 5.1-22: A community lament. This final poem follows the syliistic features of the communal laments of the Psalms (Ps 44; 79). A long description of misery and specfic losses offers a glimpse into a conquered country. Babylonian conquerors force young and old into labor (vv. 5, 13) food and water are scarce (vv. 4, 6, 9, 10); women are raped (v. 11); and the once civilized city is now a haunt of jackals (v. 18). In verse 7: We bear the iniquities: is the community accepting the guilt of their forebears or complaining that it is punished for sins not its own? In verses 14-18: All joy (music, dancing, public gathering at the city gate) has ceased. Comments or Questions..