S) "10 The hands of compassionate women
Boiled their own children;
They became food for them
Because of the destruction of the daughter of my people."
Lamentations 4:10 (NASB)
O) Brutal. Disgusting. There is no easy way to comprehend this level evil. It takes a particular blend of desperation and perversion. One of the most alarming things to learn, though, is that it is actually the fulfillment of prophecy (see Deuteronomy 28:57), when Moses lays out the warnings of unfaithfulness and disobedience toward the LORD. I must be very clear here, though, to point out that the prophecy did not dictate what evils would take place. God warned the people that their disobedient, unfaithful hearts would eventually result in this evil. That is not, at all, to say that the LORD somehow made this come to pass. Jeremiah recounts the horrors of the war, siege, and exile of Jerusalem in this book of Lamentations, but this was the most difficult for me to read.
A) There should be no way to literally apply this verse. I think there can be a parabolic application, though. While it is true, this is a historical narrative, a record of actual events. This verse is not a parable, but I think the lesson can be used as one. One element that led to this atrocity, was perversion. Thankfully, through the Holy Spirit, we are given a correct understanding of right and wrong (see Jeremiah 31:32-34). The other main factor was desperation in their hunger. We all have physical hunger, but Jesus made it clear that we also have a spiritual hunger. He quoted Moses when He said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'" (Matt. 4:4) and then again, Jesus describes Himself plainly as the bread of life (see John 6:33-51). So, this is the crucial lesson for me, now. If I am not consuming Jesus, the Bread of Life, the Word of God, reading my Bible daily, then I am going to be hungry - unable to be spiritually satisfied by anything else. The longer I go, the more hungry I will get. Eventually, the danger is a spiritual starvation. If I ever get to that point, what kinds of things will I sacrifice, spiritually? I can tell you right now, with fearful confidence, that if I am not fed by Jesus, my children will suffer. My wife will suffer. This is an extreme example, I know. I don't know how long I could go without reading the Bible, before I ever got to that level of spiritual starvation, but I don't ever want to know. The verse above is a brutally honest reminder that spiritual starvation could be devastating. Considering the inexhaustible source, that is Jesus Christ (see John 6:35), and the ease of access, there really is no excuse to ever be anything, other than satisfied by His word.
P) Father, the brutality of this verse, and the Lamentations in total, is enough to make me weep. These are the very real dangers of life without You. I am so very thankful, that I never have to experience this terror. Remind me, though, that there is a spiritual cost that is equally severe. Your words satisfy me daily. Let them be sweet to my mouth for my entire life, LORD. But, even if they were bitter, give me the discipline and wisdom that your Simon Peter had, in John 6:68, to see that Your words hold eternal life, even if they are difficult. Thank You for the eternal promise of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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