1. The Lord's fierce anger (1-10)

God's anger was like a dark cloud covering his people. God brought down Judah and humiliated her princes. Instead of being Judah's protector, God was like an enemy. He consumed everything like a flaming fire. He destroyed her strongholds. God multiplied mourning and even allowed enemy peoples to shout victory in his temple. Kings were exiled and prophets silenced. The people went about in sackcloth with their heads bowed.

3. Cry out to the Lord (11-22)

The people's suffering was immense. Women and children lay faint in the streets. There was no food and women resorted to cannibalism. (20) Their enemies scoffed at them. The prophets should have warned them to repent but spread lies of peace and prosperity. Then God brought disaster upon his people. All of this came from the LORD who did just as he promised. (Dt 28:15-68) The writer calls on his people to cry out to the Lord day and night in prayer, begging his mercy.