The cup will be passed; you will be drunk and stripped naked

 Lamentation 4:1-22

Even jackals offer their breasts to nurse their young, but my people have become heartless like ostriches in the desert.

The punishment of my people is greater than that of Sodom, which was overthrown in a moment without a hand turned to help her.

Those killed by the sword are better off than those who die of famine; racked with hunger, they waste away for lack of food from the field.

But it happened because of the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests, who shed within her the blood of the righteous.

The Lord himself has scattered them; he no longer watches over them. The priests are shown no honor, the elders no favor.

Rejoice and be glad, Daughter Edom, you who live in the land of Uz. But to you also the cup will be passed; you will be drunk and stripped naked. Your punishment will end, Daughter Zion; he will not prolong your exile. But he will punish your sin, Daughter Edom, and expose your wickedness.

This lament contrasts the city's former glory, and the horrors of siege: the cries of starving, children; wizened faces; shriveled bodies; never to be forgotten. Who is to blame? It is the sins of the people, the prophets, and the priests that have brought the city low. And Edom - Judah's old arch-enemy- gloats, not knowing that its own punishment is yet to come.

Why?

The situation of the people of Israel was so hard and difficult. Even killed by the sword are better off than those who die of famine.

The author described it is because their sins are greater than that of Sodom. They shed within her the blood of the righteous. The Lord has scattered them, and no longer watches over them. So they were worse than the jackals could not feed their children.

But author pointed out these will be passed away. Rejoice and be glad. The punishment will end.

How?

No matter how much distress comes over us, God is with us when we are walking with the Lord. Rejoice and be glad!