September 11, 2001

A Series on Lamentations
(Click on the link below to read the verses.)
Jeremiah 52; Lamentations 1 

[The book of Lamentations was written by Jeremiah to the Jews in Babylon who had been exiled and were lamenting the destruction of Jerusalem. Known as the “weeping prophet”, his tears flowed from a broken heart for Jerusalem – the “City of God” – and her people. This series will look at Lamentations to learn about God’s justice and mercy, the consequences of sin and the hope for redemption.]

 

Do you remember where you were on September 11, 2001? I do. I was at a meeting when someone got a message on his pager from his wife. When he called back, she told him that a plane had flown into one of the World Trade Center Towers.

 

For the rest of the day, Americans were glued to their TV’s unable to believe what they were seeing. People openly wept as they watched victims jumping out of the towers and were stunned as both towers collapsed like a house of cards. A total of 2,606 people died at the towers that day, not including those in the planes.

 

Jeremiah is known as the “weeping prophet” because he wept over the sins of Jerusalem. But not only for their sins, but also for the consequences of their sins. That is, the destruction of Jerusalem – the “City of God”.

 

In 586 BC, the Babylonian army of King Nebuchadnezzar laid siege on Jerusalem. Eventually, Jehoiachin, the king of Judah, surrendered. As a result, Jehoiachin, his family members and all of Jerusalem’s elite were taken prisoners. Only the poorest people remained. Nebuchadnezzar also seized the Temple treasures.

 

Following this, Zedekiah, who was appointed as the puppet king of Judah, rebelled against Babylon. As a result, Nebuchadnezzar once again laid siege upon Jerusalem. Because it lasted for over two years, the famine became so severe that there was no food left.

 

¹¹ Her people [Jerusalem] groan as they search for bread.
    They have sold their treasures for food to stay alive.
“O Lord, look,” she mourns, “and see how I am despised”.   NLT

 

Finally, the Babylonian army breached the walls of Jerusalem. Zedekiah was taken prisoner and forced to watch as the Babylonians killed his sons. Then they gouged out his eyes and led him to Babylon where he died in prison.

 

In addition, the Babylonians did much more than take the Temple treasures.

 

¹³ He burned down the Temple of the Lord, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem. He destroyed all the important buildings in the city. ¹⁴ Then he supervised the entire Babylonian army as they tore down the walls of Jerusalem on every side.  NLT            Jeremiah 52

 

The Lord used Babylon as a tool of judgment for the sins of the people of Jerusalem. Jeremiah was the prophet who warned them of the consequences of their sin. But they didn’t listen.

 

¹⁸ “The Lord is right,” Jerusalem says, “for I rebelled against him.
Listen, people everywhere; look upon my anguish and despair,
for my sons and daughters have been taken captive to distant lands.      NLT

 

Yet, there is hope. Despite the Lord’s judgment, he opened another door for forgiveness and redemption. Almost 600 years later, a tiny baby boy was born in Bethlehem. As it turned out, one of the ancestors of that baby was King Jehoiachin, who survived the Babylonian judgment.

 

Just like Jeremiah wept over the people of Jerusalem, so did Jesus during his triumphal entry as king. Only he wasn’t coming to establish a worldly kingdom but a spiritual one. One that is still available for us today.

 

¹⁵ “The time promised by God has come at last!” Jesus announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”    Mark 1           NLT

 

Copyright 2026 Joseph B Williams

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