Text: Lamentation 4:1-2; 7-9; 5:21-22
::: GOD WILL ALWAYS WANNA KNOW H.O.W IT HAPPENED NOT WHY...
Notes...
<*> How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street. The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter! (Lamentations 4:1-2 KJV)
... Jeremiah a prophet sent by God to warn His people (Judah & Benjamin) to yield to the hand of the King of Babylon who's set to carry them captive but these people won't listen because of the fake prophets prophecies and their hardened heart. Jerry's lamentation came because every doom as speculated by God was fulfilled on His people. So, he felt he should lament and that's what brought about the book of Lamentation as written by Jeremiah.
<*> Our glittering gold has grown dull; the stones of the Temple lie scattered in the streets. Zion's young people were as precious to us as gold, but now they are treated like common clay pots. (Lamentations 4:1-2 GNT)
... It's important to know that this lamentation question or issue as raised by Jeremiah was coming after the aftermath of the exile or captivity of the land of Judah. GNT gave a specific account of whom Jerry was lamenting about "Zion's Young People" or Youths.
<*> Oh, oh, oh . . . How gold is treated like dirt, the finest gold thrown out with the garbage, Priceless jewels scattered all over, jewels loose in the gutters. And the people of Zion, once prized, far surpassing their weight in gold, Are now treated like cheap pottery, like everyday pots and bowls mass-produced by a potter. (Lamentations 4:1-2 MSG)
... When a man weeps, cries or shed tears you can begin to ask him what's wrong. You can pet him by condoling and consoling him. However, when you see a man lamenting, what does that means. Lamentation is:
>>> to feel or express sorrow or regret for.
>>> to mourn for or over.
—verb (used without object)
to feel, show, or express grief, sorrow, or regret.
to mourn deeply.
—noun
>> an expression of grief or sorrow.
>> a formal expression of sorrow or mourning, especially in verse or song; an elegy or dirge.
<*> HOW THE gold has become dim! How the most pure gold has changed! The hallowed stones [of the temple] are poured out at the head of every street. The noble and precious sons of Zion, [once] worth their weight in fine gold–how they are esteemed [merely] as earthen pots or pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter! [Isa. 30:14; Jer. 19:11; II Cor. 4:7.] (Lamentations 4:1-2 AMP)
....
Foremost, it is important to know that very one of us here on earth is valued as gold even-though that assumption is an understatement. You're gold as far as God is concerned (2Timothy 2:20-21). Even the devil knows that.
<***> IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT GOLD (FACTS ABOUT GOLD)
#1. Gold has been discovered on every continent on earth.
#2. Due to its high value, most gold discovered throughout history is still in circulation. However, it is thought that 80% of the world’s gold is still in the ground.
#3. There are more than 400 references to gold in the Bible, including specific instructions from God to cover furniture in the tabernacle with “pure gold.”
#4. Gold remains useless until it's refined in fire. Gold melts at 1064.43° Centigrade.
#5. It can conduct both heat and electricity
#6. It never rusts.
... HOW DID THE GOLD THEN CHANGED?
.. Then that brings us to Jerry's lamentation question: how the gold has become dim! How changed the fine gold? He has likened precious sons of Zion as 'Fine Gold'! So, we can restructure Jerry's question by asking: how changed the precious sons (& daughters of Zion). If he had said the sons of Israel, we would say that was directed to everybody but it wasn't directed to everyone but the sons of Zion i.e. sons and daughters of servants of God.
Jerry said in vs. 7&8; he gave the ex-picture and the now-picture of Zion's sons;
<*> Her Nazirites were brighter than snow And whiter than milk; They were more ruddy in body than rubies, Like sapphire in their appearance.
... Many of us when we were born, the church, the communities, our parents and everyone around rejoices as they had already thought another 'torch bearer' is born. Yoruba will say"omo t'aja ba bi, aja nio joo; be lo'mo ekun" I remember then how we got popularity by the mere fact we're born into the home of God's servant. We received the same accolade and title as our parents. We immediately become Pastor simply because out father is the pastor of the church or assembly.
<*> Now their appearance is blacker than soot (or coal); They go unrecognized in the streets; Their skin clings to their bones, It has become as dry as wood. (Lamentations 4:7-8 NKJV)
... Now, something is wrong. What used to be white is appearing blacker than coal. Now, something with much accolade and recognition now goes unrecognized. Now, the body that used to be ruddy, appearing like sapphire has become dry as wood. Jerry was asking How? did these happened vs. 1
... God wasn't asking Why the gold changed? He asked How it changed? Many of us have reasons for becoming what we are today thus providing answer to questions such as why did you do that? You ask many children of God today; bro, why did you do that? He responds to say 'it's devils work'. God knew our craftiness so He was asking How?
How changed the fine gold? Saul has something to offer! [disobedience]
How changed the Nazarenes? Samson has a clue for us! [lust]
How changed the white Colour? Eli was a perfect picture [carelessness]
How changed the ruddy body? Solomon [strange women]
How changed the appearance like that of sapphire? How? Judas [love of money]
Bible references for the above issues!
<*> 1 Samuel 15:1-3; 7-9; 19 --> Saul changed (vs. 19) by disobeying the voice of The Lord.
<*> Judges 14:1; 16:1 --> Samson as powerful as he was got changed by a strange woman (16:16-20)
<*> 1 Samuel 3:18 --> Eli's response showed he had been changed and that's why the word of God was scarce in his days (3:1)
<*> Mark 14:44-45; Luke 22:48 Judas got changed for money.
Where have you changed? When have you changed? How did we changed? What has changed with us?
<**> Where!!! Many had changed @
Salvation, Sanctification, Holiness, Righteousness, Purity, Endurance, Obedience, Prayers, Fasting, Meditation, Study, Watching, Charity, Giving, Worship, Service, etc.
<**> When!!! Many 'changes' couldn't be traced while some is over a decade or for so long a time. Was it when you had the first taste of befriending, dating, or online chatting. When? Was it at home, at work or at school. Was it even at fellowship or church? Where?
<**> How!!! The extent of 'change' is unknown to everyone but someone like you, God, the devil. Although, for dome, friends perceived the change; and that's why you heard friends or brethren at times saying "bro/sis, you've changed oooo" and you knew what they were saying is just true.
<**> What!!! This is better answered by individual. The will of God is re-initialize if we can be faithful here by telling God, What has changed. Isaiah 1:18-19. Jerry started telling God what has went wrong in ch. 5:1 of Lamentation.
... WHAT'S THE WILL OF GOD?
Jerry said, Remember, O LORD, "WHAT" has come upon us; Look, and behold our reproach! (Lamentations 5:1 NKJV). The first thing that re-introduce quickly the WILL of GOD in any man's life is to pray that God should Remember. Have you had better days sometimes before, were there days of revival you remember you've had before, were there moments of glory you've enjoyed in past but it's changed now, you've gotta soberly ask God to remember those times. Job had such experience and he prayed earnestly in Job 29:1-11 as he remembered his past best days.
Jerry said in Lamentation 5:21; saying "Turn us back to You, O LORD, and we will be restored; Renew our days as of old, (NKJV)"
The good news is; "The will of God isn't in the bad days you've had, not in the terrible days you now have but in the future HE has for you!" Jeremiah 29:11
Even if you've aborted severally, even if it's your zeal and vision for God that's been aborted, even if you're a lawful captive, even if you're not sure if God can do nothing for you; yet, it is still THE WILL OF GOD that you and I be Healed and Restored.
Jeremiah 8:20-22; Isaiah 49:24-26; the bible says it is God's will that Jesus will save us from our sins.... Matthew 1:21. Amen.
Song: __
[chrs]
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll
Fastened to the Rock which can not move
Grounded firm and deep in The Saviour's love
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