In verses 2-15 of Lamentations 5, the author recounts many forms of distress that the people are experiencing. In verse 16, the author admits that the people have sinned, and includes personal responsibility by using the word “we”. Now, verses 17-18 pivot to describing the result.
Because of this our hearts are faint,
because of these things our eyes grow dim
for Mount Zion, which lies desolate,
with jackals prowling over it.Lamentations 5:17-18 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/lam.5.17-18.NIV
To me, the key words in these two verses are “Because of”. Whether the author is describing the people’s sorrow as a result of just their sin, or also because of the terrible situation they find themselves in, there is an action/reaction going on here. And, even the current environment that the people were living in was the result of persistent, ongoing, unrepentant sin.
As a result, I propose that each of following outcomes (for the people described in this lament) share a common cause. While reading these, though, I’d like us to also consider whether the same is true for us, today.
- As a result of sin, all of these lamentable things are happening.
- As a result of sin, the people are suffering.
- As a result of sin, it feels like God has forgotten them.
Here, we could be cynical and say, “Well, that’s what happens when you sin. I guess that the people are just getting what they deserve.”, and then leave it at that.
However, that’s a pretty callous response (even though I know that I have probably fallen into that same trap). When we stop at someone’s punishment for sin, we’re not being very Christ-like, are we? Jesus could have stopped at our sins, and watched us take the consequences for them. That would have been 100% fair. Instead, though, out of His love for us, He not only provided a means for us to avoid the penalty of our sins, but poured out blessings on us that we don’t deserve.
Could we show that kind of love to other people around us who are either stuck in sin, or are suffering because of their sins?
At the same time, some introspection is important for each of us, as well. Do we complain when we justly receive the consequences for our bad actions? Do we forget that suffering is the natural outcome of sin…including our own sin? Or, maybe we have spent too much time looking at how other people sin (and smugly reminding ourselves that we don’t do that), instead of pausing to inspect our own behavior to look for ways to drive more and more sins out of our own lives. (This site is called “Those Who Sin Differently“, after all.)
Could we appreciate the consequences of sin in ourselves, as much as we look for them in others? Like Jesus Christ, could we offer mercy and grace while appreciating the requirement for justice?
“Because of…” is a powerful phrase. Let’s consider the importance of that in our own lives and behavior today.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for May 14, 2023
References:
- The Lookout, May 14, 2023, © 2023 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – Jeremiah-Lamentations, by Timothy M. Willis. © 2002 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 