NOTES for Lam 5:1-22

Despite understanding the reasons that led to the catastrophe, the author of the Book of Lamentations continues to complain to God about the disasters that befell his people (vv. 1-6; 8-18). This is not surprising: such understanding by itself does not ease suffering at all. Besides, understanding the causes did not give a direct answer to the question of what awaited the people ahead and where to seek a way out of the situation that had arisen. The sin was obvious; but what was to be done next, what could they hope for? One could, of course, hope that God would not punish the children for the guilt of fathers who were no longer alive (v. 7), but the Torah left little room for such hope: when it concerns a people, punishment for apostasy can stretch over several generations as well (Exod 20:4-6). And still hope remained, and it was connected with those plans of God that could not change. God's throne is established, if not on earth, then in heaven (v. 19).

But God also has His own plan for the earth, which He will certainly carry out in one way or another. And the people of God had long since become part of that plan, so that their destiny also could not end in the Babylonian captivity: the end of the people would mean the failure of God's design for the salvation of the world. And the author of the book understands that this is precisely why God will not leave His people for long, still less forever (v. 20). Of course, nothing will happen by itself, and the people will have to make considerable efforts to restore the relationship with God that was destroyed by their former way of life and former sins. But in principle this is possible. Something similar, according to the author of the book, had already happened before, "in days of old," and therefore one can hope that even now the people will be able to turn and return to the One whom they abandoned.

Still, the author harbors no illusions about the abilities and possibilities of his compatriots. He understands perfectly well that, if something like this is possible, it is possible only with the direct participation of God, who Himself will turn toward Himself those who sincerely seek a way out of what at first glance is a hopeless situation (v. 21). The author of the book is completely certain that God will remain faithful to the promises He once gave and to the covenant-union He once concluded; he does not admit the thought that He can abandon His people forever (v. 22). And his hope that the repentance and conversion of the people will become the beginning of their spiritual and historical rebirth is based on this certainty.