Lamentations 1:18
The LORD is righteous; for I have rebelled against his commandment: hear, I pray you, all people, and behold my sorrow: my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
This confession reflects the prophets' consistent message. Jeremiah repeatedly called Judah to acknowledge sin and accept God's righteous judgment (Jeremiah 3:13, 14:20, 25:5-7). Daniel's prayer in Babylon (Daniel 9:4-19) exemplifies this same theology: God is righteous, we have sinned, our suffering is deserved, yet we appeal to God's mercy.
The historical context shows that many in Judah resisted this conclusion. False prophets insisted God would never let Jerusalem fall because His temple was there (Jeremiah 7:4, 26:9). Some blamed Josiah's reforms for angering the "Queen of Heaven" (Jeremiah 44:17-18). Others blamed political mistakes rather than spiritual rebellion. But the faithful remnant, represented in Lamentations' voice, recognized that no one could righteously complain against God's judgments (Lamentations 3:39).
The call for "all people" to hear witnesses to the nations. Israel's election as God's people meant their judgment would be visible to surrounding nations as a testimony to God's holiness. Deuteronomy 4:6-8 promised that obedience would cause nations to marvel at Israel's wisdom; conversely, disobedience would demonstrate that even God's favored people cannot escape consequences of rebellion (1 Peter 4:17-18).
Questions for Reflection
- Why is acknowledging God's righteousness in judgment essential to genuine repentance and restoration?
- How does the statement 'The LORD is righteous' challenge our tendency to view ourselves as victims when facing consequences of sin?
- What does it mean that rebellion is not just against rules but against God's 'commandment'—His personal, authoritative word?
- In what ways does Jerusalem's public confession before 'all people' model the corporate nature of repentance that God desires from His covenant community?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse marks a crucial theological shift: "The LORD is righteous; for I have rebelled against his commandment" (tsaddiq hu YHWH ki fihu mariti). After sixteen verses describing suffering, Jerusalem finally acknowledges God's justice. The word tsaddiq (צַדִּיק) means righteous, just, in the right. Even in judgment, God's character remains unblemished. This confession is essential—repentance begins with acknowledging God's righteous anger against sin.
The phrase "I have rebelled against his commandment" uses marah (מָרָה), meaning to be contentious, rebellious, or bitter against authority. This isn't mere weakness or mistake but willful defiance. The singular "commandment" (fihu, פִּיהוּ, literally "His mouth") may refer to God's authoritative word in general or to specific prophetic warnings Judah ignored. Rebellion against God's revealed will brought inevitable judgment.
The appeal "Hear, I pray you, all people, and behold my sorrow" calls witnesses to observe how God deals with covenant breaking. The phrase "my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity" emphasizes loss of future hope—the next generation taken away. Yet this honest acknowledgment of deserved judgment prepares the heart for receiving mercy. Reformed theology emphasizes that genuine repentance includes confessing God's righteousness even while experiencing His discipline.