Thurs.’s Devo - Lamentations Over Jerusalem

Read: Lamentations 1:1-2:22; Philemon 1:1-25; Psalm 101:1-8; Proverbs 26:30 Lamentations was first named “How!” or “Alas” since that was the first word of the book but was later translated into English as “Lamentations”. Tradition says it was written by Jeremiah though no one knows for sure. It is the songs of sorrow over the overthrow of Jerusalem. The people of Judah considered themselves the “chosen ones” and Israel the “wayward ones.” So, they believed that they would always be blessed with good things. First and Second Chronicles gives the account of the downfall of Judah into sin. The last king, Zedekiah rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar causing them to come and attack them, destroy Jerusalem and take all but the poorest to Babylon. Jeremiah had opted to stay with the remnant left behind. In these first two chapters, Jeremiah is looking over the burnt and destroyed Jerusalem remembering her former glory. He cries for his people as a father would for his own children. As an intercessor he takes responsibility for her sins as if he was guilty also. All the nations have watched as Jerusalem fell and they laughed and were glad. Jeremiah asks for vengeance for his nation. Jeremiah realizes that it was God that brought them down and not the Babylonians - they were only his tools. Their false prophets had told them lies and they had believed them. Now, everything he told them has happened and it is gut-wrenching. Jeremiah calls them to cry out and repent even now. To understand Philemon we have to know the background story. Paul led Philemon to the Lord in the church he started in Colosse. Philemon had a slave named Onesimus who had escaped to Rome. While in Rome, Onesimus met Paul and became a convert to Christianity. He became a great help to Paul while he was in chains there. (The name Onesimus means “helpful”.) Paul was sending him back to Philemon so they could restore their relationship. They were not only slave and slave-owner but now they were brothers in Christ. Paul was hoping that Philemon would forgive him and send him back to Paul. To help him in his decision, Paul reminds him that he owes him his very soul. That was a pretty good bargaining chip! Owning slaves was an accepted way of life in their day. How they treated their positions was important to God. Owners should treat their slaves as sons and slaves should treat their owners as fathers. This could only happen if both were Christians. Lord, help us to learn to honor one another as fellow believers part of the same family. We honor You as our maker and Lord over all the earth.