Lamentations 4: The Responsibility of Spiritual Leaders

Lamentations 4 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:      

• Trust In God – Elevation Worship
• Speak O Lord – Keith & Kristyn Getty
• Jesus Culture – Holy Spirit

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• The Story of the Walls of Jericho | Bible Stories for Kids – Lesson for Kids
• How to be a Godly Leader – Whiteboard Series – Lesson for Older Kids
• Never Let Go Of Me | Shipwrecked VBS | Outback Rock VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• I’m All In | Cave Quest VBS Music Video | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• God Will Guide Us | HLA Wilderness Escape VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth are located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

In chapter 3, the poet confessed hope in God’s steadfast love and mercy. In chapter 4, however, he once again pours out a cry of utter despair.

The poet describes the disaster that has come upon Jerusalem in figurative language (vv. 1–5). He laments that Jerusalem has become like the city of Sodom. This means that the sins of the people of Judah were that severe, and that Jerusalem was judged with such brutality (v. 6). No one ever imagined that the city of Jerusalem and the temple would come to such an end. As a result, mothers were driven to the extreme of boiling and eating their own children (vv. 7–12). The greatest responsibility for this tragedy lies with the prophets and priests, who acted wickedly. Now they have become objects of hatred to everyone (vv. 13–16).

Then the poet uses the first-person plural to speak on behalf of the entire people of Judah. The people of Judah looked for a nation that would rescue them from Babylon, but no one came to their aid (vv. 17–19). Even the king, in whom they trusted and believed would protect them among the nations, fell into a trap (v. 20).

Finally, the poet pronounces a curse on Edom (vv. 21–22). Edom rejoiced when Babylon destroyed Judah and Jerusalem, but it too will soon face the same fate. At that time, the Lord will restore Judah.

Meditation:

The poet accuses false prophets and evil priests of bearing responsibility for God’s judgment that came upon Judah and Jerusalem. The “sins of the prophets” (v. 13) refer to the sin of deceiving the people by proclaiming their own thoughts as God’s word, without ever seeking the will of God. The “wicked deeds of the priests” refer to their own impurity and injustice, and to their closing their eyes to the people’s sins while nonetheless granting blessings. The poet says that “the righteous were murdered in her midst” (v. 13) because leaders who were supposed to awaken the people and guide them into holy living failed to carry out their roles. When there is spiritual corruption, the righteous inevitably become victims. When spiritual sight grows dim, people rush headlong into sin. That is why Jerusalem became like the city of Sodom.

The poet says that when judgment comes, false prophets and priests will become objects of hatred and curses among the people. Those who once cheered for them before judgment now treat them like carriers of disease, shouting, “Go away! You are unclean! Away! Away! Do not touch us!” (v. 15). Rejected by God and abandoned by the people, false prophets and priests will become wanderers with nowhere to go. Authority and honor were given to them so that they might lead the people on the right path, but they regarded these as privileges. Drunk on that status, they lost discernment and became guides who led the people down the road to destruction.

When what is meant to be holy becomes defiled, its ugliness is multiplied. When those who are called to live holy lives live in impurity, the damage is even greater. Those who are established as spiritual leaders must first live lives worthy of that calling—holy, pure, and truthful. They must also strive to proclaim God’s word through deep discernment. If they do not, even before judgment comes, they will face cries of disgust: “Go away! You are unclean! Away! Away! Stay back!” This is a disaster not only for them, but also for the people they were meant to lead. The greater the responsibility, the greater the accountability.

Prayer:

We pray for those who stand in the positions of spiritual leadership. Help them to truly understand how noble and heavy the responsibility given to them is, so that they may live lives worthy of that calling and rightly discern Your will. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: God calls leaders—and all of us—to live holy, truthful lives, because when those who are meant to guide others lose integrity, many people can be hurt, but when we walk faithfully, God protects and restores the community.

• For Preschool-Elementary:
  • Who are some leaders God gives us to help us follow Him? (parents, teachers, pastors)
  • How does it feel when someone we trust tells the truth and does the right thing?
  • When you make a mistake, who can you go to for help and forgiveness?
  • What is one way you can try to live in a way that makes God happy this week?
    
• Youth:
  • Why do you think God gives leaders a greater responsibility for their actions?
  • How can someone quietly lead others in a good way, even without speaking much?
  • What helps you stay spiritually honest when it feels easier to go along with the crowd?