The glory and the shame of Jerusalem.
Contrast with misery escaped heightens the joy of the rescued and the happy; and, on the other hand, contrast with bygone prosperity adds to the wretchedness of those who are fallen from high estate.
I. THE BEAUTY AND RENOWN OF JERUSALEM IN ITS PROSPERITY. Into these many elements entered.
1. Its situation was superb. Nature pointed out the heights of Zion for a metropolis. Especially when beheld from the brow of Olivet the city impresses every traveller with admiration.
2. Its history and memorable associations. Won by the valour of David, adorned by the magnificence of Solomon, the home of heroes and of saints, this city possessed a fascination with which few cities of the earth could compare.
3. Its sacred edifice ranked alone, far above all the temples of the ancient world. Not that its architecture was commanding or beautiful in the highest degree; but. that its erection, its dedication, the presence of the Eternal, all lent an interest and a sacredness to the peerless building.
4. Its sacrifices and festivals, which were attended by hundreds of thousands of worshippers, were altogether unique.
II. THE DISGRACE OF JERUSALEM. This appears:
1. From its ruinous and almost uninhabitable condition,
2. From the slaughter or dispersion of its citizens.
3. From its degradation from its proud position as the metropolis of a nation.
4. From the hatred, scorn, and insults of its triumphant enemies.
APPLICATION. There is a day of visitation which it behoves every child of privilege and mercy to use aright. To neglect that day is surely to entail a bitter overtaking by the night of calamity and destruction.—T.
The entreaty of anguish.
This surely is one of those passages which justify the title of this book; these utterances are "lamentations" indeed; never did human sorrow make of language anything more resembling a wail than this.
I. THE SOULS FROM WHICH TEARFUL ENTEATIES ARISE The true language of passion—this utterance is lacking in coherence. The heart of the people cries aloud; the very walls of the city are invoked in their desolation to call upon the Lord. Clearly the distress is that of the inhabitants of the wretched city, of those survivors whose fate is sadder than that of those who fell by the sword.
II. THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT OCCASION THE ENTREATY.
1. Personal want, suffering, and distress.
2. The spectacle of the woes of others, especially of children. Literature has no more agonizing picture than this of the young children fainting and dying of hunger in every street.
III. THE BEING TO WHOM THE SUPPLICATIONS OF THE ANGUISHED ARE ADDRESSED. In such circumstances vain is the help of man. Upon whom shall Jerusalem call but upon the Lord, the King of the city, the great Patron and Protector of the chosen nation, who has forsaken even his own people because they have forgotten him, and in whose favour alone is hope of salvation?
IV. THE CHARACTER OF THE ENTREATY URGED.
1. It is sorrowful, accompanied by many tears, flowing like a river and pausing not.
2. Earnest, as appears from the description—heart, eyes, and hands all uniting in the appeal with imploring prayer.
3. Continuous; for not only by day, but through the night watches, supplications ascend unto heaven, invoking compassion and aid.—T.