Reading for October 9th

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 humiliated. In verse 1: Footstool: The Temple (Ps 99.5). In verse 2: Without mercy: Without restraint. In a series of reveals, 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 the bow against her like an enemy (Ex 15.6-12). In verses 6-7: Booth: Tabernacle: The Temple, which along with festival, king, and priest embodies the religious core of the nation, centered in Jerusalem and linked to the monarchy (2 Sam 7). In verses 8-10: Stretched the line: Apparently a step in destroying a building (2 Kings 21.13). God has broken down the features intended to protect Jerusalem: wall, gates, and ramparts (used for defense during military attacks). The listing of groups within the city underscore the totality of the destruction. Dust and sackcloth (v. 10) are typical gestures of mourning. Comments or Questions.. 

Reading for October 8th

 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 generally (Ps 10.9; 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 in 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 a synonyms. Filthy 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 that 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..