Wednesday 14th May
Read Lamentations 4:11-15
“The Lord has given full vent to his wrath;
he has poured out his fierce anger.
He kindled a fire in Zion
that consumed her foundations.
12 The kings of the earth did not believe,
nor did any of the peoples of the world,
that enemies and foes could enter
the gates of Jerusalem.
13 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.
14 Now they grope through the streets
as if they were blind.
They are so defiled with blood
that no one dares to touch their garments.
15 ‘Go away! You are unclean!’ people cry to them.
‘Away! Away! Don’t touch us!’
When they flee and wander about,
people among the nations say,
‘They can stay here no longer.’” (NIVUK)
Whilst there is no stigma associated with touching that which is unclean it is understandable that it developed into something more serious and exclusionary. When the blood and death on one’s hands is shed deliberately and not incidental to daily life, the length of time one is separated from community and contact also increases. The Levitical laws limited one’s unclean state to sunset that same day, remedied by washing with water (Leviticus 22:6-7). Lamentations describes people so soaked in blood that they wander among the nations as pariahs, unable to receive the touch of compassion so they desperately need.
Even those so soaked in blood will eventually be free from that stain. Their time of judgement will come to an end. They will be comforted once more, gathered up by God Himself and slowly led back to a place of blessing.
“Burst into songs of joy together,
you ruins of Jerusalem,
for the Lord has comforted his people,
he has redeemed Jerusalem.
10 The Lord will lay bare his holy arm
in the sight of all the nations,
and all the ends of the earth will see
the salvation of our God.
11 Depart, depart, go out from there!
Touch no unclean thing!
Come out from it and be pure,
you who carry the articles of the Lord’s house.
12 But you will not leave in haste
or go in flight;
for the Lord will go before you,
the God of Israel will be your rear guard.” (Isaiah 52:9-12) (NIVUK)
The verses that follow these words of hope are amongst the most famous written…
