More thinking on Lamentations.... As I read more about the background of this book, the overwhelming sadness of its events consume me. Though the author is not explicitly identified, scholars believe that the book's author is the prophet Jeremiah. How desolate must he have felt to have watched his enemies destroy his beloved Jerusalem, desecrating all that was holy, enslaving his people, and rejoicing in their suffering. Though he knew that this was a fulfillment of God's promise to punish the idolators, witnessing the destruction was clearly heart wrenching. Also noteworthy is Jeremiah's uncertainty in his plea to God to restore his people to him, "unless you have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure." Clearly he doesn't know if his people will ever be forgiven or if this is God's final condemnation. How alone must he have felt to have contemplated the notion of Divine abandonment? Particularly as a prophet who had previously had such a close relationship with God - the growing reality that God has turned away must have been overwhelming. I cannot imagine the loss he must have felt.