Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Lamentations
Book: Lamentations
Chapter: 2
Overview:
Lamentation for the misery of
Jerusalem.
1-9 A sad representation is here made of the state of
God's
Church, of
Jacob and
Israel; but the notice seems mostly to
refer to the
Hand of the
Lord in their calamities. Yet
God is
not an enemy to his people, when he is angry with them and
corrects them. And gates and bars stand in
No stead when
God
withdraws his protection. It is just with
God to cast down those
By judgments, who debase themselves
By Sin; and to deprive those
of the benefit and comfort of sabbaths and ordinances, who have
not duly valued nor observed them. What should they do with
Bibles, who make
No improvement of them? Those who misuse
God's
prophets, justly lose them. It becomes necessary, though
painful, to turn the thoughts of the afflicted to the
Hand of
God lifted up against them, and to their sins as the source of
their miseries.
10-22 Causes for
Lamentation are described. Multitudes perished
By Famine. Even little children were slain
By their mother's
hands, and eaten, according to the threatening, De 28:53.
Multitudes fell
By the
Sword. Their false prophets deceived
them. And their neighbours laughed at them. It is a great
Sin to
jest at others' miseries, and adds much affliction to the
afflicted. Their enemies triumphed over them. The enemies of the
Church are apt to take its shocks for its ruins; but they will
find themselves deceived. Calls to
Lamentation are given; and
comforts for the cure of these
Lamentations are sought.
Prayer
is a salve for every sore, even the sorest; a remedy for every
malady, even the most grievous. Our business in
Prayer is to
refer our case to the
Lord, and leave it with him. His will be
done. Let us fear
God, and walk humbly before him, and take heed
lest we fall.