Reading Lamentations

Lamentations is a small book. Didn't take long to finish. It is about 5 chapters. The book is mainly in reference to the punishment that Israel and Jerusalem received due to their sin against God and others. You might think that punishment from God seems evil or even view at as an injustice but the truth of the matter is it is punishment for those who deserved punishment.

Evil is always against good and those who support evil and self serving ways always find unique ways to pummel those who love God. Those that loved God and his ways were constantly taken advantage of. Innocent blood was shed, goods were stolen, false gods were worshipped (even right in God's temple), people stole from the poor and widows, and this was only a small portion of the monstrosities. 

Evil takes it's opportunistic stand against those that are humble and sincere and takes advantage of them. Often this came from those in power during this time. Priests, princes, kings, and nobles who were in charge of supporting and promoting God's ways were overcome by the temptation to do evil to others to fulfill their own selfish desires. Human children were even sacrificed on altars to false gods. There were many that cried out to God in prayer on a daily basis because of the pain and suffering that was caused by these evil and wayward men. As a result, God sends them destruction. 

Many of these evil men performed their rites and abused their power and influence under the guise of being the elite of God's people. Performing horrible acts in hidden rooms and in private, out of the way places and then returning to their normal life; pretended to be a follower of the God of Abraham. The punishment was necessary to teach Israel and Judah's future generations to turn from their evil ways and they have. In the end there is hope. God will save his people and forget their sins and bring them back better than their former glory.