Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

3:41 The people should lift up their hearts (where repentance originates; cf. Deut. 4:30-31; 30:1-10; Jer. 4:3-4) and their hands, showing their total dependence on God. God in heaven. A reference to his sovereignty (cf. Lam. 3:37-39).

3:42 We have transgressed. See 1:5, 14, 22. rebelled. See 1:18, 20. you have not forgiven. God has not let their actions go unpunished.

3:43-44 God has pursued his people (see 1:3, 6; 4:19; 5:5), killing them (see 2:4, 21) without pity (see 2:2, 17, 22). His judgment has been thorough. He has wrapped himself in anger toward Jerusalem but has also wrapped himself in a cloud, having seemingly become unavailable to his own people.

3:45 Jerusalem has become garbage in the eyes of other nations (cf. 1:7-8; 2:15-16; 3:14). She endures great shame.

3:47 panic. The natural human reaction to divine judgment (cf. Ex. 15:16; Isa. 19:16; 33:14; Jer. 49:5; Mic. 7:17). pitfall. A trap or pit dug for catching animals; thus, a metaphor for judgment (cf. Isa. 24:17; Jer. 48:43). devastation and destruction. See Lam. 2:11; 3:48; 4:10. Such are the effects of the "day of the Lord" (cf. Joel 2:1-2; Amos 5:18; Zeph. 1:14-16).