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Verse Takeaways
1
God's Reluctant Heart
Commentators emphasize that God does not afflict "from his heart." This is a Hebrew expression meaning that causing pain is not His primary desire or delight. Scholars like Calvin and Gill explain that God acts like a loving father or a just judge who must administer discipline out of necessity, not out of a cruel wish to see people suffer. His nature is mercy, and judgment is His "strange act."
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Book Overview
Lamentations
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Commentaries
8
Albert Barnes
On Lamentations 3:31–33
18th Century
Theologian
Reasons for the resignation urged in the previous triplet.
Charles Ellicott
On Lamentations 3:33
19th Century
Bishop
Not ... willingly. —Literally, not from the heart, as being the centre of volition as well as emotion.
Charles Spurgeon
On Lamentations 3:28–33
19th Century
Preacher
He sits alone and keeps silence, because he has borne it upon him. He puts his mouth in the dust, if perhaps there may be hope. He gives his ch…
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John Calvin
On Lamentations 3:33
16th Century
Theologian
This is another confirmation of the same truth: that God takes no delight in the evils or miseries of men. It is indeed a strong, yet very suitable…
John Gill
On Lamentations 3:33
17th Century
Pastor
For he does not afflict willingly
Or, "from his heart" F5; he does afflict; for all afflictions are from …
Matthew Henry
On Lamentations 3:21–36
17th Century
Minister
Having stated his distress and temptation, the prophet shows how he was raised above it. Bad as things are, it is owing to the mercy of God that th…