Lamentations 2:3 (ESV)

3 He has cut down in fierce anger all the might of Israel; he has withdrawn from them his right hand in the face of the enemy; he has burned like a flaming fire in Jacob, consuming all around.

In the Bible, a horn is a symbol of power. Here it refers to Judah’s economic, political, and military strength. The Lord had destroyed every strength that Judah had possessed, making her powerless against Babylon.

In earlier days, God’s people knew that they could rely on his right hand to save them (Exodus 15:6). But now he has withdrawn his right hand. That is why his people could be conquered by the Babylonians. In Psalm 74:11 we also find the question: “Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand?”

We should also not see the things that happen to our churches today only on a human level. Our eyes should be open for God’s actions—also in judging his church. Just as he “burned in Jacob like a flaming fire that consumes everything,” he can still do it today (Hebrews 12:29).