Lamentations 3:37–39 (ESV)

37 Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it?

Here Jeremiah answers the question of verses 34–36. Not only does the Lord know everything that happened, but he is the one who said it should happen. God’s speech has creative power. Whatever he says is what happens. In this case, the evil that occurred was because of God’s curse over Israel.

The people thought more of the wrongs that the Babylonians committed against them, than of the wrongs that they themselves have committed against God. That is why Jeremiah reminds them here of their own sin. It was themselves, not God, whom they had to accuse. Let us as Christians also remember this lesson today. Instead of complaining when we suffer, let our suffering make us more aware of our sins and the sins of the world.