What is the purpose of 3:31-33 in relation to 3:28-30 in which the oppressed are encouraged to accept the tribulations?
These verses give the reasons that make it possible to accept God’s chastening as set out in the previous verses. It can serve to make it easier for the person who is in distress to bear his sorrow and wait for future deliverance. This stanza begins with the word for,
which can also be translated as because.
This introduces a substantiation for the advice given in Lamentations 3:28–30. Three reasons are given:
For the Lord will not cast off forever
(Lamentations 3:31). God does bring a sorrow upon his people that will not last forever. The action of God’s chastening is not permanent. The same thought is expressed in Psalm 103:9, Isaiah 28:24, Isaiah 57:16, Jeremiah 3:12, and Micah 7:18.In Lamentations 3:32 it is declared that when God has brought trouble, he follows it up with gracious compassion (see also Job 5:18). In contrast with the grief God caused, his compassion is in
the abundance of his steadfast love.
His mercies exceed the disasters (see also Psalm 30:6; Isaiah 54:8).Lamentations 3:33 notes that when God punishes,
he does not afflict from his heart or grieve the children of men.
God does not delight in tormenting people, or delight in their suffering. By analogy God’s attitude can be understood like a father’s heart that grieves when he must chastise his children. More so, God’s chastening can never last longer than is useful and necessary.1
It can be said that there is comfort and encouragement for God’s people when they suffer tribulation. They can also bear it more easily, knowing that (a) it does not last indefinitely, but will be replaced by God’s unfailing love; and (b) God only brings affliction in order to promote their spiritual well-being.2
31 Car le Seigneur Ne rejette pas à toujours.