One of the most beautiful moments in Lamentations is when the accusing reporter of the first song breaks down in tears in the second.
There’s a complete turnaround in his attitude toward her. Instead of continuing to comment on her suffering from a distance, he now expresses a desire to draw close and comfort her.
Four questions
The first time the reporter speaks directly to Daughter Zion, he asks four questions.
What can I say for you?
With what can I compare you, Daughter Jerusalem?
To what can I liken you,
that I may comfort you, Virgin Daughter Zion?
Your wound is as deep as the sea.
Who can heal you?
— Lamentations 2:13 NIV
These four questions highlight our own natural inclinations when we attempt to comfort another. If we’re going to learn how to comfort well, we’ll have to avoid the pitfalls each of these questions represents.
Let's look at them briefly in turn.
