Lamentations 3:28

"Let him sit alone and keep silence,

because he hath laid it upon him.

Let him put his mouth in the dust,

if so be there may be hope.

Let him give his cheek to him that smiteth him;

let him be filled full with reproach.

For the Lord will not cast off forever.

For though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion

according to the multitude of his lovingkindness.

For he doth not afflict willingly,

nor grieve the children of men."

Jeremiah repeatedly warned Israel to accept their captivity as something the nation deserved and for them to submit to Babylonian rule; and these are exactly the sentiments which are included in these verses.

"Let him keep silence ... put his mouth in the dust ... give his cheek (to the smiter) ... and be filled with reproach" (Lamentations 3:29-30). We paraphrase. Let Israel not rebel, let them humble themselves, let them turn the other cheek and accept their punishment.

Why should Israel submit?

"The Lord will not cast off forever" (Lamentations 3:31). Jeremiah himself had told them their captivity would end in seventy years. There was from the beginning of it, a projected end of Israel's captivity.

"Though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion" (Lamentations 3:32). God's love of Israel and his love for all men were not diminished by his drastic punishment of Israel.

"He doth not afflict willingly" (Lamentations 3:33). God was greatly grieved at the necessity of Israel's captivity. He destroyed their evil kingdom and sent the people to Babylon as a last resort, the only way possible to preserve that `righteous remnant' who, in time, would deliver the Messiah to mankind.

Note that these three verses give three reasons why Israel should meekly submit to the will of God in their terrible punishment.