“The Judeans
Had no regard
For his statutes.
They did not walk
In the ways
Of God’s commandments.
They did not tread
The paths
That his righteousness
Showed them.
Let the neighbors of Zion
Come!
Remember
The capture of my sons,
The capture of my daughters!
The Everlasting One
Brought this upon them.
He brought
A distant nation
Against them.
This was
A ruthless nation,
With a strange language.
They had no respect
For the aged.
They had no pity
For a child.
They led away
The widow’s beloved sons.
They bereaved the lonely woman
Of her daughters.”
This author points out that the Judeans in Jerusalem had no regard for God’s statutes. They did not walk in the ways of God’s commandments, since they did not tread the paths of disciple and righteousness. Zion’s neighbors should come and remember the capture of the sons and daughters of Jerusalem. The Everlasting One, not Yahweh, brought this upon them, since he brought a distant ruthless nation with a strange language to attack Jerusalem. These attackers had no respect or pity for the old people and the children. Thus they took the sons and daughters of the lonely widows into captivity.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 