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

4:1 How. See note on 1:1. the gold has grown dim. Perhaps because it has been covered with dirt or has been burned. holy stones. The people, according to 3:2. at the head of every street. Cf. 2:19; 4:5, 8, 14. Suffering occurs in every section of the ravaged city.

4:2 worth their weight in fine gold. In the eyes of their parents and countrymen. earthen pots. To be shattered.

4:3-4 Even wild animals feed their young, but Jerusalem's mothers cannot feed their children because of the severity of the siege, famine, and devastation (cf. Jer. 15:1-4). like the ostriches in the wilderness. Job 39:13-17 depicts these creatures abandoning their eggs.

4:5 Some of these children were raised in luxury, but now they live in abject poverty. delicacies. Foods normally reserved for royalty. perish. Probably due to starvation. purple. Expensive clothing colored by the best dyeing processes. embrace ash heaps. Scavenge among garbage dumps.

4:6 Jerusalem's sin has been greater than that of Sodom, due to her greater knowledge of God's will; therefore, her punishment has been greater than Sodom's. Sodom was overthrown in a moment, but Jerusalem has suffered over a long time.

4:7 purer than snow. Their skin was untouched by the sun; they were not common laborers. more ruddy than coral. Their bodies were perfectly formed and healthy. beauty of their form. Their faces were handsome.

4:8 blacker than soot. A compete reversal of v. 7.

4:9 Happier were the victims of the sword. Because they died quickly (cf. v. 6). pierced by lack. Rather than by a sword.

4:10 The most compassionate women in the land boiled their own children, due to gnawing hunger and as a consequence of covenant infidelity (cf. 2:20; Lev. 26:29; Deut. 28:52-57; 2 Kings 6:29). during the destruction. During Babylon's siege of Jerusalem (Jer. 37:21).

4:11 his wrath. See 1:12; 2:1, 3, 6, 21, 22; 3:43, 66. gave full vent. Poured it out until it achieved its purpose (2:11, 22). he kindled a fire in Zion. See 2:3, 4; Amos 1:3-2:5. that consumed its foundations. Babylon served as God's instrument in carrying out this task (Jer. 52:12-13).

4:12 did not believe. Jerusalem had stood despite invasions by Egypt (1 Kings 14:25-28), Israel (2 Kings 14:13-14), Assyria (2 Kings 18:1-19:35), and Babylon (2 Kings 24:10-17), so it must have surprised those who heard that it had fallen.

4:13 sins of her prophets. In failing to warn and rebuke the people (cf. Jer. 5:30-31; 23:9-40). iniquities of her priests. In failing to teach the people God's word and its ramifications for godly living (cf. Hos. 4:1-9; Mal. 2:1-9). shed . . . the blood of the righteous. Persecuted those who told the truth.

4:14 The blood of the righteous covers the prophets and priests' garments, thereby rendering them morally and ritually unclean.

4:15 These blood-soaked, blind, unclean religious leaders find no refuge among the nations. No one wants such undesirable fugitives and wanderers.

4:16 God himself . . . scattered them. See 1:4, 19; 4:13; 5:12. no honor . . . no favor. The priests and prophets lost the respect usually reserved for their persons and offices because of their sins (4:13).