Bitter Tears for Zion

BITTER TEARS FOR ZION
TEXT: Lamentations 1

SUMMARY: As the prophet laments the fall of Jerusalem, he reveals an important truth in God's dealings with man: that even the elect will be brought through the valley of humiliation before they can experience the mountaintop of God's blessing.

I. BY GOD'S DECREE, SHE ASCENDED TO GREATNESS, vv. 1-11a.
A. Blessed in Her People, v. 1.
B. Blessed in Her Position, vv. 1, 6.
C. Blessed in Her Power, v. 3.
D. Blessed in Her Provisions, vv. 10-11a

II. BY GOD'S DECREE, SHE DESCENDED INTO HUMILIATION, vv. 11b-22. Beginning in v. 12, the city herself begins to speak:
A. To Passers-by: Acknowledgment of Her Condition, vv. 12-15.
B. Within Herself: Humble Repentance, vv. 16-19.
C. To God: Honest Confession and a Plea for Mercy, vv. 20-22Bitter