“It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” Lam.3:22 Lamentations chapter three switches the perspective from the tribe of Judah “Daughter of Zion” to an individual man. “I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.” God's chastening on this man becomes food for thought and reflection in our hearts as we read. The man in question realizes that God is chastening him due to the phrase “he has” appearing multiple times. God is putting limitations on this man to bring him to a state of repentance and renewed focus on God. “My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.” This is God's desire for Israel, that every man, woman, and child would humble themselves before Him willingly or be forced to be humbled by their enemies. Moses gave this law of the covenant to Israel in Deuteronomy 28-30 of all the blessings and curses that Israel would experience if they obeyed God or not. These curses align with Jeremiah's preaching of conflict, pestilence, and famine. Instead of God rejoicing over Israel being holy and giving God glory, God gets more glory through their destruction. Deut. 29:24 “Even all nations shall say, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this land? what meaneth the heat of this great anger?” The chapter continues with the nations around Israel seeing the destruction and knowing that Israel has forsaken God for other gods. This is also breaking the first commandment of not having any gods before the true God Ex 20:3. As we read down this chapter in Lamentations it progressively gets worse as God is trying to get the “Man's” attention. First darkness then hardship and brokenness until God himself stops the man in his tracks with God’s bow. When the man finally realizes that it is God fighting against him, he repents and remembers that God is merciful. Are we like this man? Do we wait until God himself stops us in our tracks before we repent of our sins? If God was not merciful we would all be completely consumed without any hope, but God wants to be merciful and desires to forgive us. Jesus was the man who ultimately bore all of God's wrath for us and invites us to lay all of our sin at His feet. Jesus said, “ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28