Jerusalem was once a glorious city, and Judah, a powerful nation. But when the Babylonians came, they burned Jerusalem. They burned the temple of the Lord. The city lay deserted. Her friends, Egypt and Moab, had deserted her. She was alone with no one to comfort her. She was a city to be despised, even by those that remembered her glory. Judah had gone into exile, scattered from the once mighty nation of Judah to a nation of exiles. Babylon, her great enemy, became her master. Why had this happened? This was the Lord’s judgment on Judah and her capital Jerusalem for all her many sins. The Lord is judge of all the earth. He shows no favoritism when it comes to judging sin.

The lamenter’s eyes are full of tears. He weeps for what has become of the once great city. But he also weeps tears of repentance. He confesses his sin of rebellion against the Lord’s commands. Despite the deplorable situation his city and country are in, he calls on the Lord. He confesses the Lord’s righteousness and recognizes the Lord’s punishment is deserved.
Application: Father, you are the judge of all sin. I am sinful. We are all sinful. Forgive us in the precious blood of Jesus.
One Word: The Lord is the righteous judge