Lam 4:1-2 | MHM | STEP | Desolate Condition of Jerusalem; Effects of Famine in Jerusalem; Destruction of Jerusalem This chapter begins with a sad poem about how much Jerusalem has changed. Once, the city was beautiful and rich, like pure gold. Now, it is ruined and has lost all its glory. The people, the leaders, and even the children suffer because of the judgments God has sent. The prophet describes the misery of the famine, the fall of the temple, and the complete destruction of the city. He also compares Jerusalem’s suffering to other disasters, showing how terrible it is. v. 1 : The prophet mourns how the gold of the temple is now dull and worthless. He says, How is the gold become dim! How is the most fine gold changed! The beautiful stones of the sanctuary are scattered in the streets. The temple, once the pride and protection of Jerusalem, is now destroyed (1 Kings 6:22 ). Because of the people’s sins, even the holy things have been treated as nothing.

‏ Lamentations 4:1-2

Desolate Condition of Jerusalem; Effects of Famine in Jerusalem; Destruction of Jerusalem

This chapter begins with a sad poem about how much Jerusalem has changed. Once, the city was beautiful and rich, like pure gold. Now, it is ruined and has lost all its glory. The people, the leaders, and even the children suffer because of the judgments God has sent. The prophet describes the misery of the famine, the fall of the temple, and the complete destruction of the city. He also compares Jerusalem’s suffering to other disasters, showing how terrible it is.

v. 1: The prophet mourns how the gold of the temple is now dull and worthless. He says, How is the gold become dim! How is the most fine gold changed! The beautiful stones of the sanctuary are scattered in the streets. The temple, once the pride and protection of Jerusalem, is now destroyed (1 Kings 6:22 ^a). Because of the people’s sins, even the holy things have been treated as nothing.

v. 2: The people who were once precious, especially the princes and priests, are now treated like cheap clay pots. The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers . They have lost their honor and are now poor, broken, and insulted. This shame should make us sad for God’s people.