More pictures of the judged city of Jerusalem and the prophecy concerning Edom.
Lamentations 4: The Holy Stones Lie Scattered
1 How the gold has grown dim, how the pure gold is changed! The holy stones lie scattered at the head of every street.
2 The precious sons of Zion, worth their weight in fine gold, how they are regarded as earthen pots, the work of a potter's hands!
3 Even jackals offer the breast; they nurse their young, but the daughter of my people has become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness.
4 The tongue of the nursing infant sticks to the roof of its mouth for thirst; the children beg for food, but no one gives to them.
5 Those who once feasted on delicacies perish in the streets; those who were brought up in purple embrace ash heaps.
6 For the chastisement of the daughter of my people has been greater than the punishment of Sodom, which was overthrown in a moment, and no hands were wrung for her.
7 Her princes were purer than snow, whiter than milk; their bodies were more ruddy than coral, the beauty of their form was like sapphire.
8 Now their face is blacker than soot; they are not recognized in the streets; their skin has shrivelled on their bones; it has become as dry as wood.
9 Happier were the victims of the sword than the victims of hunger, who wasted away, pierced by lack of the fruits of the field.
10 The hands of compassionate women have boiled their own children; they became their food during the destruction of the daughter of my people.
11 The LORD gave full vent to his wrath; he poured out his hot anger, and he kindled a fire in Zion that consumed its foundations.
12 The kings of the earth did not believe, nor any of the inhabitants of the world, that foe or enemy could enter the gates of Jerusalem.
13 This was for the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests, who shed in the midst of her the blood of the righteous.
14 They wandered, blind, through the streets; they were so defiled with blood that no one was able to touch their garments.
15 "Away! Unclean!" people cried at them. "Away! Away! Do not touch!" So they became fugitives and wanderers; people said among the nations, "They shall stay with us no longer."
16 The LORD himself has scattered them; he will regard them no more; no honour was shown to the priests, no favour to the elders.
17 Our eyes failed, ever watching vainly for help; in our watching we watched for a nation which could not save.
18 They dogged our steps so that we could not walk in our streets; our end drew near; our days were numbered, for our end had come.
19 Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles in the heavens; they chased us on the mountains; they lay in wait for us in the wilderness.
20 The breath of our nostrils, the LORD's anointed, was captured in their pits, of whom we said, "Under his shadow we shall live among the nations."
21 Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, you who dwell in the land of Uz; but to you also the cup shall pass; you shall become drunk and strip yourself bare.
22 The punishment of your iniquity, O daughter of Zion, is accomplished; he will keep you in exile no longer; but your iniquity, O daughter of Edom, he will punish; he will uncover your sins.
Things to think about…
1. Jeremiah continues in his fourth stanza of painting a picture of the suffering of Jerusalem post the Babylonian siege in 586BC. The Holy Stones that were part of the temple lay at the head of every street, Lam 4:1. Christians are called living stones, even in Israel today. The church is called to be alive and active within a community. The picture painted by Jeremiah here is of a city that rejected her Lord and His law and as such rejected her identity. When the church does the same the stones which should living together in unity as one, lie scattered without form, structure or purpose within the community. We often see evidence from their shells – old churches abandoned, not being used or changed into another purpose.
2. Ongoing suffering is horrible. Jeremiah says Jerusalem’s punishment is worse than Sodom because Sodom’s destruction was swift, whereas Jerusalem’s destruction is drawn out and lamented over, Lam 4:6. The children who remain beg in the street for food – but none is supplied. They were also open to attack, there was no protection, the wall was broken down. Such is the case for many Christians today in parts of Africa and the middle east where there are no laws for religious freedom and protection.
3. Jeremiah records the reason for this misery is due to the sins of the prophets and the priests, Lam 4:13 who shed the blood of the righteous who lived in the city. What a tragedy when those who are entrusted with God’s word fail morally. Please continue to pray for the ministry leaders of CBC that they desire to lives that are open, teachable and accountable.
4. Have a look at Lam 4:21 and 22. They speak about Edom. Edom attacked those that were being taken captive by the Babylonians. Edom (Esau) has been a long enemy of Israel (Jacob). But their destruction was coming. They were destroyed by other Arab groups and the Nabateans took over the region around 400BC. This is where the city of Petra is today. Edom was no more, just a destination and point of fascination for tourists.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Cell groups on Holiday break
Prayer Points
1. Pray for testimonies that people will be doing every second week. Please consider when you would like to do yours when the pastor asks you to share yours 😉
2. Pray for those on holidays and travelling.
3. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof and solar.
4. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
5. Church finances to meet our new staff and to put a roof over our café.
6. Sunday’s message from Lam 4 - “This is kinda sad.” – Pastor Jay.
Praise Points.
1. Gina’s testimony on Sunday was a great blessing and wonderfully tailored into the sermon.
2. New cell groups.
3. Praise and worship – thanks Josh, Ben, Rin, Tim, Dan and Doug. great job.
Announcements
1. Cell groups and other ministries on break over the holidays.
2. PlayPatch starting up next term for toddlers at church. See Maddison for details.
3. Men’s brekky TBA. But will be down at Colleges Crossing within the next month or so on a Saturday morning.
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
