The lamentations of the ages, the believer’s hope for tomorrow
By Dean Collins
Pain, grief, tears, and hope rising. All of this in the middle chapters of Jeremiah. Pages of warning and rebuke. Desperation, destruction, and exile all a part of the story of God’s people both then and now. The loss of innocent children grips us to the core. Reading this passage in the context of the current realities in the Middle East and the war between Ukraine and Russia brings fresh awareness of human life lost in the context of war.
We usually read or hear Jeremiah 31:15 when we read Matthew’s Gospel and learn of the great atrocity of Herod killing all the male children of Bethlehem. Matthew uses the words of Jeremiah to describe the agony and torment of the grieving parents and their greater community. We must bring our tears, and our lamentations to the Lord. He grieves with us. And we are reminded there is a way forward and hope in our future.
Rachel’s suffering, Ephraim’s lineage
In the historical context of Jeremiah, it is interesting to bring Rachel’s suffering to mind. Rachel’s life was filled with sorrow during years of barrenness and the ridicule of her sister, Leah. Finally, Rachel gives birth to Joseph and then dies during the birth of Benjamin. Jeremiah stirs the memories of those entering exile with these words of lament. He would continue with a reference to Rachel’s grandson, Ephraim. Neither Rachel nor Ephraim were alive when he wrote, yet God’s children could relate to the references.
Now, generations later, the lineage of Ephraim is described as experiencing a moment of conviction and repentance. God responds with his love and mercy and brings forth a promise that he is doing something new. This new thing will result in the redemption and restoration of all of God’s beloved children for all time.
Men’s hearts, God’s redemption
Jeremiah points us to a time when God would write on man’s hearts and no longer on tablets of stone. Through the power of the resurrection of Jesus and the coming Holy Spirit, he would dwell with man through every season of suffering until he comes one last time to renew and restore all things and all people. Then there will be no more weeping or grieving: every tragic event redeemed, all of God’s creation renewed for eternity.
We often forget or minimize that we are still living in exile. God is with us, yet all things are not yet complete. And during our time here we wait and grieve, and yet we feel hope rising as we trust in the eternal promises of God.
Father, we weep over the tragedies we are seeing in our generation. We cry out to you because of the innocent lives lost every day in our broken world. We grieve over the death and destruction across our planet. And yet we put our trust in you. Strengthen us and use us to share your love and mercy with those around us. We pray for all who grieve. And we pray, Jesus, that you will return soon to complete your perfect plan. Stir hope in us as we work to extend your kingdom here as it is in Heaven. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your time with God’s Word
Jeremiah 31:15-22, 24-26, 31-34 ESV
Photo at istockphotos.com, by globalmoments
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