Comparable to fine gold] Who were of the pure standard of holiness; holy, because God who called them is holy; but now esteemed no better than earthen pitchers-vessels of dishonour in comparison of what they once were.

John Gill's Bible Commentary

Zion is the church; her sons are her spiritual seed and offspring that are born of her, she being the mother of them all, and born in her, by means of the word; and brought up by her, through the ordinances, and so are regenerate persons; and these the sons of God: and who are “precious”, not in themselves, being of the fallen race of Adam; of the earth, earthly, as he was; of the same mass and lump with the rest of mankind; in no wise better than others, by nature; and have no intrinsic worth and value in them, but what comes by and from the grace of God; nor are they precious in their own esteem, and much less in the esteem of the men of the world; but in the eye of God, and of his son Jesus Christ, and of the blessed Spirit, and in the opinion of other saints; (see Psalm 16:3 116:15 Isaiah 43:4); in what sense these are comparable to fine gold, (see Gill on “ Lamentations 4:1”); how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter ! they are indeed earthen vessels with respect to their bodies, frail, weak, and mortal; but they are the work of God’s hands, even as creatures, and particularly as new creatures, and are a curious piece of his workmanship, and so valuable, and especially by him, who is as tender and as careful of them as the apple of his eye; and yet these are greatly disesteemed by carnal men, are reckoned as the faith of the world, and the offscouring of all things; as earthen vessels, fit for no use but common or dishonourable ones, or to be broke in pieces, and rendered useless and contemptible: (see Psalm 31:12).

Lam. 4:1-12 What a change is here! Sin tarnishes the beauty of the mos exalted powers and the most excellent gifts; but that gold, tried in the fire, which Christ bestows, never will be taken from us; it outward appearance may be dimmed, but its real value can never be changed. The horrors of the siege and destruction of Jerusalem ar again described. Beholding the sad consequences of sin in the church of old, let us seriously consider to what the same causes may justly brin down the church now. But, Lord, though we have gone from thee in rebellion, yet turn to us, and turn our hearts to thee, that we ma fear thy name. Come to us, bless us with awakening, converting renewing, confirming grace.

Lam. 4:13-20 Nothing ripens a people more for ruin, nor fills the measure faster, than the sins of priests and prophets. The king himsel cannot escape, for Divine vengeance pursues him. Our anointed Kin alone is the life of our souls; we may safely live under his shadow and rejoice in Him in the midst of our enemies, for He is the true God and eternal life.

Lam. 4:21,22 Here it is foretold that an end should be put to Zion' troubles. Not the fulness of punishment deserved, but of what God ha determined to inflict. An end shall be put to Edom's triumphs. All the troubles of the church and of the believer will soon be accomplished And the doom of their enemies approaches. The Lord will bring their sins to light, and they shall lie down in eternal sorrow. Edom her represents all the enemies of the church. And the corruption, and sin of Israel, which the prophet has proved to be universal, justifies the judgments of the Lord. It shows the need of that grace in Christ Jesus which the sin and corruption of all mankind make so necessary __________________________________________________________________

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