Lecture 3

^1:3^ Ghimel. Judah has removed her dwelling place because of her affliction, and the greatness of her bondage: she has dwelt among the nations, and she has found no rest: all her persecutors have taken her in the midst of straits.

3. Here he writes in detail about the misfortune of their servitude in order to show its greatness.

And this is divided in two parts.

In the first, he deplores this misfortune as regards the oppression of men;

in the second, as regards the pillage of their goods, at the enemy has put out his hand to all her desirable things (Lam 1:10).

The first is divided in two.

In the first, he deplores the misfortune of oppression;

in the second, he shows the reason for their misfortune, at Jerusalem has grievously sinned (Lam 1:8).

Concerning the first, he does two things.

First, he deplores their misfortune as regards things they were enduring in the present;

second, as regards past events which they brooded over, at Jerusalem has remembered the days of her affliction (Lam 1:7).

Concerning the first, he makes three points.

First, the misfortune of servitude for those who fled;

second, for those who remained, at the ways of Zion mourn (Lam 1:4);

third, for the captives, at her adversaries are become her lords (Lam 1:5).

Concerning the first, he makes three points.

First, the flight: removed her dwelling place, fleeing her land to neighboring countries***, because of her affliction***, amongst the people, and the greatness of her bondage, in the tributes that they endured in their own land from the Chaldeans. My fugitives shall dwell with you: O Moab, be a covert to them (Isa 16:4). You that inhabit the land of the south, meet with bread him that flees. For they are fled from before the swords, from the sword that hung over them (Isa 21:14–15).

Second, he deplores the anguish that threatens the fugitives: she has dwelt among the nations, Moabites and Ishmaelites, and has found no rest, because here too she suffered anguish on their account. Neither shall you be quiet, even in those nations, nor shall there be any rest for the sole of your foot (Deut 28:65).

Third, he predicts their anxiety at the arrival of the enemy’s power: all her persecutors, the Chaldeans, have taken her in the midst of straights, which they suffered from those to whom they had fled, as in Egypt. The sword which you fear, shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt: and the famine, whereof you are afraid, shall cleave to you (Jer 42:16). All that seek her shall not fail: in her menstruation they shall find her (Jer 2:24).

At the top of this verse is placed the letter, ghimel, which means “fullness,” since because of the multitude of their sins they have suffered the fullness of misfortune. Fill you up then the measure of your fathers (Matt 23:32). With the same measure with which you measure shall it be measured to you again (Luke 6:38).

This is the tenth topic of complaint. (“The tenth is one by which want, or weakness, or the desolate condition of any one is pointed out” (Cicero, De inventione 1.55).)

Allegorically, Judah: the Church, which is united with Christ; has removed her dwelling place: from enemies to enemies, among whom she seeks rest; and she has found no rest: but is oppressed by all at will.

Morally, Judah: the soul which ought to confess to God; has removed her dwelling place: towards vices; among the nations: vices or demons; no rest: because of the mockery of vices or demons; her persecutors: the demons; have taken her: in death.