Lamentation for Judah

  • 4:19 “my anguish” - Jeremiah is in pain over the vision shown him of the future destruction.
  • 4:20 “disaster after disaster proclaimed” - in the vision, Jeremiah hears the breathless messengers report the news of the disasters as city after city is taken.
  • 4:21 “how long must I see?” - scene upon scene of disaster upon disaster are portrayed in prophetic vision, until Jeremiah can’t take it anymore.
  • 4:22 “foolish children” - like Progressives today, they imagined themselves sophisticated and wise, while behaving like bratty spoiled children. “wise to do evil” - but have forgotten how to do good.
  • 4:23 “formless and void” - an echo of Genesis 1:2. Judah is being “uncreated” to a degree.
  • 4:27 “I will not finish its destruction” - the land will not be totally destroyed.
  • 4:28 “earth shall mourn” - creation also suffers in the judgement of God’s people, as it rejoices in their restoration. Isaiah 55:12
  • 4:30 “what will you do?” - after getting shafted three times by those troublesome Jews, Nebuchadnezar could no longer be entreated. “enlarge your eyes with paint” - just as Jezebel did when Jehu came to carry out her execution. 2 Kings 9:30-37 “your lovers despise you” - the demon gods and foreign allies despised them. They were being used.
  • 4:31 the screaming came from the daughter of Zion as she finally realized her true condition.