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..