Using the Babylonians as instruments, it was God who planned and carried out the destruction: The Lord determined…he stretched out…he did not restrain…he caused…he has ruined and broken
(Lamentations 2:8–9a).
When God’s patience had come to an end, it was replaced with a plan to lay in ruins the wall of the daughter of Zion
(see also Lamentations 2:17).
God carefully and deliberately took away Jerusalem’s safety and security by stretch[ing] out the measuring line
to destroy her walls. Measuring lines were usually used for building (Zechariah 1:16), but here God used it to mark out where the work of destruction would take place.
There was no hesitation in the Lord's plan to demolish: He did not restrain his hand from destroying.
It is also stated that the Lord has ruined and broken her bars,
which refers to the strong pieces of wood that served to keep the gates closed. These beams were on the inside of the gate – so even from the inside God carried out his intended purpose and shattered all security.1
8 L'Eternel avait résolu de détruire les murs de la fille de Sion; Il a tendu le cordeau, il n'a pas retiré sa main sans les avoir exterminés; Il a plongé dans le deuil remparts et murailles, Qui n'offrent plus ensemble qu'une triste ruine.