Reading for October 16th

Read Lamentations 4.1-10. In 4.1-10: Jerusalem's changed fortunes. The poet portrays a world upside down, where all all that is normal has vanished. In verses 2-4: Children, once treasured, are as fragile as clay pots, and scare food is not given to them. Ostriches have the reputation of neglecting their young (Job 39.13-18). In verses 5-8: Purple, due to the costliness of it dye, was worn by royalty. The once privileged class now starves. In verse 6: Sodom: See Gen 19.24-25. In verse 9: Quick death would be better than the slow torture of famine. In verse 8: Black skin is a description of famine (5.10; Job 30.30). In verse 10: In a dramatic reversal once compassionate mothers eat rather than feed their young. Comments or Questions...