A Time for Lamentation

You, raise a lament for Israel’s princes. (CEB)

Ezekiel 19:

Ezekiel 19 begins with God's command to the prophet: "You, raise a lament for Israel's princes" (19:1). The chapter ends with an acknowledgment that Ezekiel did as he was told: "This is a lamentation, and it will serve as a lamentation" (19:14). Between these bookends, Ezekiel uses two images to structure his expression of grief. First, Israel is seen as a lioness with cubs who are subdued by hunters (foreign nations). Second, Israel is a lush vine that is struck down and planted in a desert (Babylon), where it bears no fruit.

The Hebrew word translated as "lament" in verse 1 and "lamentation" in verse 14 is qinah. A qinah was not simply a spontaneous cry of sadness. Rather, it was a carefully structured poem, a song of mourning. It was used in corporate gatherings for the expression of grief, such as a funeral. In Ezekiel 19, the qinah puts into words the sadness of God over the rebellious pride of the leaders of Israel, whose folly led to the downfall of the nation. This lamentation would give the people of Israel words to grieve in the midst of their suffering.

I wonder: Do we give each other words for grief today? We rightly emphasize joy as a central expression of the Christian life. Yet, sometimes our quest for joy denies the importance of lamentation. Scripture provides ample support for the notion that there are times when it is appropriate and healthy for the people of God to express their sadness, both individually and corporately.

If we pay attention to the whole of Scripture and do not focus merely on our favorite passages, we will find words to express our grief. I can envision people using Ezekiel 19, for example, to mourn in times of loss, especially when that loss is shared by a community. Sometimes, in fact, the path to genuine joy passes through genuine lamentation. Giving words to our grief and sharing it with others can open us to receive afresh the peace and joy of the Lord.

QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER REFLECTION: How free are you to express your grief? Have you ever been in a context of corporate lamentation? Are there things in your life and work about which you are sad? Have you been able to share your sadness with the Lord and with your brothers and sisters in Christ?

PRAYER: Gracious God, I certainly don't like the idea of lamentation. And I certainly would rather not need to do it. But you make it clear that there are times when it is appropriate for your people to lament, both individually and together.

Teach me, Lord, to be fully honest with you, to share my heart with you in all situations. Help us as your people to find ways to share our grief so that we might share our joy more deeply. Amen.