We get our bread at the risk of our livesThis phrase reflects the dire circumstances faced by the people of Jerusalem during the Babylonian siege and subsequent exile. The struggle for basic necessities like bread highlights the extreme scarcity and danger present. Historically, sieges often led to famine, as seen in
2 Kings 25:3, where the famine in Jerusalem became severe. The risk of life for food echoes the curses of disobedience in
Deuteronomy 28:48, where God warns of serving enemies in hunger and thirst. This situation also foreshadows the spiritual hunger and risk of life that Jesus addresses in
John 6:35, where He declares Himself the Bread of Life, offering sustenance that transcends physical needs.
because of the sword in the wilderness
The "sword" symbolizes the constant threat of violence and death from enemy forces, likely referring to marauding bands or Babylonian patrols. The "wilderness" suggests a place of desolation and danger, reminiscent of Israel's historical wanderings in the desert, where survival was precarious (Exodus 16:3). This imagery connects to the broader biblical theme of the wilderness as a place of testing and reliance on God, as seen in Jesus' temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). The wilderness experience underscores the need for divine provision and protection, pointing to the ultimate deliverance found in Christ, who overcomes the spiritual wilderness of sin and death.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Jeremiah- Traditionally attributed as the author of Lamentations, Jeremiah was a prophet who witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem and expressed deep sorrow and lament over the city's downfall.
2.
Jerusalem- The city that was besieged and destroyed by the Babylonians, leading to the suffering and lamentation expressed in this book.
3.
Babylonian Siege- The event where the Babylonians captured Jerusalem, leading to severe famine, destruction, and exile of the Jewish people.
4.
The Wilderness- Represents the dangerous and desolate areas surrounding Jerusalem, where obtaining food became life-threatening due to enemy presence.
5.
The Sword- Symbolizes the threat of violence and death faced by the people of Jerusalem during and after the siege.
Teaching Points
Dependence on God in Times of CrisisThe verse highlights the desperation and danger faced by the people, reminding us of the importance of relying on God during our own times of crisis.
Consequences of DisobedienceThe suffering described is a direct result of the nation's disobedience to God, serving as a warning to remain faithful to His commands.
The Reality of SufferingAcknowledges that suffering and hardship are real and present in the world, encouraging believers to seek God’s presence and comfort amidst trials.
Community Support and PrayerEncourages believers to support one another in times of need and to pray for those who are suffering, reflecting the communal aspect of faith.
Hope in God's RestorationWhile the verse depicts a dire situation, it is part of a larger account that ultimately points to God’s faithfulness and the hope of restoration.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Lamentations 5:9?
2.How does Lamentations 5:9 highlight dependence on God for daily sustenance?
3.What does "risk our lives" in Lamentations 5:9 teach about faith challenges?
4.How can Lamentations 5:9 inspire trust in God's provision during hardships?
5.Compare Lamentations 5:9 with Matthew 6:11 on seeking daily needs.
6.How can we apply Lamentations 5:9's message to modern-day struggles for resources?
7.What historical context surrounds Lamentations 5:9 and its depiction of seeking bread amid danger?
8.How does Lamentations 5:9 reflect the struggles faced by the Israelites during the Babylonian siege?
9.What theological implications does Lamentations 5:9 have on understanding God's provision in times of distress?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Lamentations 5?
11.What did Jesus mean by bringing a sword?
12.In Ezekiel 5:11-12, how can we reconcile the promised devastating punishment (famine, sword, and scattering) with accounts from other biblical or secular sources?
13.In James 5:9, how can believers reconcile the warning against grumbling with other biblical passages that encourage honest lament or complaint (e.g., in the Psalms)?
14.What challenges test one's resilience and strength?What Does Lamentations 5:9 Mean
Lamentations 5:9: “We get our bread at the risk of our lives because of the sword in the wilderness.”
We get our bread• Even in devastated Jerusalem, ordinary needs remain—hunger drives the remnant to search for food (2 Kings 25:3;Lamentations 4:10).
• The phrase hints at “daily bread” dependence on God, echoingDeuteronomy 8:3 andMatthew 6:11.
• Their meager harvests had been stripped away by siege; now they scrape for scattered grain, firewood, or wild plants.
at the risk of our lives• Gathering food is no longer mundane but deadly. Hostile soldiers and roaming bands treat every forager as prey (Jeremiah 39:18; 40:9).
• The people fulfill Esther’s resolve—“If I perish, I perish”—each time they leave the ruined city (Esther 4:16;Acts 15:26).
• Sin’s consequences have collapsed normal safety nets; even basic chores call for courage.
because of the sword• “Sword” sums up violent judgment promised inLeviticus 26:33 and realized under Babylon (Jeremiah 21:7;Ezekiel 14:17).
• Babylonian patrols guard the fields; deserters and raiders prowl the ruins (Lamentations 1:3, 2:12).
• The verse shows the covenant curse in action: when God’s people rebel, the sword replaces peace (Deuteronomy 28:47-48).
in the wilderness• Outside the city lies a wasteland—fields burned, wells ruined, roads unsafe (Lamentations 4:19;Hosea 2:6).
• Like Gideon’s Israel hiding from Midianite raiders (Judges 6:2-4), Judah now forages in scrub and cave.
• “Wilderness” evokes spiritual desolation too: separation from the Lord’s presence that once filled the temple (Psalm 63:1).
summaryLamentations 5:9 paints a stark picture of post-siege life: God’s people struggle to secure the simplest necessities. Food, once a gift enjoyed in peace, now demands life-threatening sorties into a hostile wasteland patrolled by the sword. The verse reminds us that rebellion brings ruin, yet even in judgment the Lord allows survivors to seek “bread.” Their plight urges us to trust Him while obeying His word, so that our daily bread comes with His peace rather than peril.
(9)
The sword of the wilderness.--Another element of suffering is hinted at. Those who were left in the land were attacked, as they gathered in their scanty harvest, by the nomad tribes of the wilderness. Amalekites, Midianites, and others. (Comp.
Jeremiah 40:14.)
Verse 9. -
We gat our bread; rather,
we get our bread. The allusion in the following words is perhaps to murderous attacks of Bedawins (as we should call the Ishmaelites) on the Jews who attempted to gather in the scanty harvest.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
We getנָבִ֣יא(nā·ḇî)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 935:To come in, come, go in, goour breadלַחְמֵ֔נוּ(laḥ·mê·nū)Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural
Strong's 3899:Food, bread, grainat the risk of our livesבְּנַפְשֵׁ֙נוּ֙(bə·nap̄·šê·nū)Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common plural
Strong's 5315:A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotionbecause ofמִפְּנֵ֖י(mip·pə·nê)Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440:The facethe swordחֶ֥רֶב(ḥe·reḇ)Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2719:Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, swordin the wilderness.הַמִּדְבָּֽר׃(ham·miḏ·bār)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4057:A pasture, a desert, speech
Links
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OT Prophets: Lamentations 5:9 We get our bread at the peril (Lam. La Lm) 
