A Time To Weep

II  Chronicles 35:23-25 Archers shot King Josiah, and he told his officers, “Take me away; I am badly wounded.” So they took him out of his chariot, put him in his other chariot and brought him to Jerusalem, where he died. He was buried in the tombs of his ancestors, and all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for him. Jeremiah composed laments for Josiah, and to this day all the male and female singers commemorate Josiah in the laments. These became a tradition in Israel and are written in the Laments. 

This was a sad end to one of the great kings of Judah.

Lamentations is a difficult book to read. It is full of remorse and sorrow. It is Jeremiah's reflections as he viewed the city of Jerusalem after it was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar in judgement by the LORD.

Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet. There is not one recorded conversion in his entire ministry. There are no recorded miracles in the entire book he wrote or in any other records lime the one here at the end of II Chronicles. Yet when Jesus came they said. "Some say You are Jeremiah..."

Why would they say that? Jesus was a Man of Sorrows and familiar with suffering. We are told in Hebrews 5:7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, He offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the One Who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission. 

We also know there were times when He was gripped with compassion. 

Mark 6:34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. 

So there was a close relationship between Jesus and Jeremiah in personality and brokenness over people.

Jeremiah was a man of sorrows. He was familiar with suffering. He wrote the book of Jeremiah and Lamentations. Here we see he composed a lament for Josiah. No one was more qualified than he to do it.

Josiah's death caused profound sorrow throughout the nation. It appear his death was celebrated in a memorial service annually years later.

1. When we lose a loved one it is a time to weep.

Certain quarters where they are told to celebrate over death of a Christian, to not cry, to praise God.

Spanish pastor's son years ago

Bellevue, Haiti a few weeks ago

There is a time to weep in our losses.

We know it is not permanent.

We know God is with us.

We believe in heaven.

We are without someone we loved.

2. Like Jeremiah we should weep over the nation.

911

Oregon

Revelations of our worsening spiritual condition each day.

Superficial Reformation under Josiah . The reforms seem to be made on the basis of the love the people had for the king rather than their heart for God.

3. There is a time to weep in other life events.

Someone leaving... Church in Haiti. When we all get to heaven!

Someone losing their way.

Someone hurts us.

4.What Makes God  Cry

Let my heart be broken

Weeping lasts for the night but joy comes in the morning