Day 316- Today we are reading chapters 4-5 of Lamentations/Eicha.

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  Dawn Marie McAlister
  November 12, 2019 at 8:00 am  /

  Lamentations is so hard to read and yet still full of hope. Chapter 3:21 – 26 is all about the hope Jeremiah still has in Yehovah because His “kindness is not ended, His mercies are not spent” (22). Then in verse 31, Jeremiah reminds us that Adonai does not reject forever (Adonai is in the Hebrew).

  The last few verses of the book are bitter sweet as Jeremiah again reminds himself and his readers that Yehovah is in control (5:19 – “But You, Yehovah are enthroned forever, Your throne endures through the ages” (TIB)) but also admits that He has rejected His people for their iniquities (5:22). The last line lingers in my heart as a hopeful cry to the Father, but one that He will only respond to when His people repent

  “Take us back, Yehovah, to Yourself, And let us come back; Renew our days as of old!” (TIB)

  It is reported in The Talmud that Rabbi Akiva laughed when he and other sages saw jackals/foxes amidst the ruins of the Temple. When asked why he said something like this: “If the prophesies of destruction have been fulfilled, we can be certain that the prophesies of redemption will also be fulfilled.”

  I look forward to the coming redemption and the days of Messiah. May they come quickly!