The Pulpit Commentary — Lamentations — Section 52

0lfR GOOD. Observe that murmuring is not only wrong, it is most inexpedient, A c()mplaining spirit is inconsistent with the disposition which Blone can receive the wholesome lessons and discipline of sorrow and oan turn them to highest and lasting profit.-T. Ver. 40.-R~iince. Sin Bnd suffering Bra the topic of much thought and inquiry and speculation. But it is of supreme concern to the sinner and the sufferer to act riright.. He may or may not be able to explain the mysteries of the human henrt, of the Divine government. But it is most important that he should repent and turn unto the Lord. I. THE OO~"'DITION OF B.EPENTAN0E, The unreflecting and careless will not repent. There are two c-0nditions necessary to such an attitude of mind. 1. Those afflicted because of sin sbould search themselves. To take a favourable view of self is natural; but truth and justice require that every man should look below the surface, should explore his inmost nature. Thus the springs of action, its hidden motives, will be brought to light. 2. They should consider against whom they have sinned. It was a profoundly just exclamation of David, " Against thee, thee only, have I sinned I" We may indeed wrong our fellow-men, bu(we sin against our Creator and Lord. Conduct must be looked at in this light, in order that it may lead to repentance. II. THE NATURE OF REPENTANCE. This exercise of the heart is accompanied with sorrow for sin, but it consists mainly (1) in turning away from sin, and (2) in turning unto the Lord. This involves the seeking of pardon and acceptance, and the acceptance by faith of the Divine terms of mercy. III. THE PROOF oF B.EPE:NTANCE. This may be said to consist in : 1. The hatred and loathing of the evil in which the sinner in his impenitence took pleasure. 2. The love 8.Jld pursuit of holiness as pleasing unto God.-T. Ver. 41.-" Surswm cord,a, 1" Religion takes possession of the whole of our nature. A service professedly of the heart, and of the heart alone, is a hypocritical service, which because of its insincerity God cannot accept, inasmuch as it is contradicted by the life. On the other band, how can the Searcher of all hearts be pleased with a service which is of the hands, the outward posture and actions only, in which the heart has no share? The true worship and homage consists in the combination of the spirit and the body. L HEART .AND B.A.:NDS .A.RE LIFTED IN PENITENCE AND CONFESSION. It seems to this exercise that the prophet here admonishes and invites. The heart has been engrossed by earthly pursuits and pleasures ; and these it now quits, directing its contrite sighs to heaven, and lifting with it the clasped bands of penitence. II. IiEAET AND BANDS .A.RE LIFTED IN EARNEST ENTREATY. In its anguish, in its conscious helplessness, the heart seeks mercy and acceptance with God; the hands are raised as in rnpplication, to give expression to the imploring petitions. ill HEART AND BANDS ARE LIFTED IN BELIEVING CONFIDENCE. There is encourage- ment to trust in the Lord. The repenting and confiding Church of the Redeemer is ever lifting holy hands to heaven, in expression of that sentiment which is the condition of all blessing. It is the attitude of hope. " I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills whence cometh my help." And as the eyes of faith behold the God of grace upon the throne of power, they draw the heart upwards; the hands follow, and the posture of the spiritual na.ture is becoming to man and honouring to God.-T. Vers. 48-51.-Sympiithetic sorrow. This passage is sufficient to justify the title prefixed to this collection of sacred lyrics. It is indeed a "larnentatio □." And, what is deserving of specilt.l notice, the lament is not for personal affliction, it is occasioned by the distress and woe of the fellow-countrymen of the prophet. I. THE occABION OF THIS BY.MPATliETIC BORROW. 1. '!'he affliction of" the daughters of the city." Whether by this expression we are to understand dependent towns or literally the maidens of Jerusalem, in any case it is the calamities of his countrymen that awaken corupa11sion. 2. This affliction is of the extremest kind, eveu "destruc- tion." Some of those whose woes call forth the prophet's commiseration are homeless, IIOIDe are wounde:d, and some are slain. A hard heart can witness the distresses of 4'.ln, tu. 1-GG.] Tirn LAMEN'fATIO.NS m' JEREMIAH.