An Army Of Weepers

by R. Darke, Victoria, B.C., Canada | Category: General | Oct 1988

We have not been told when the first human tears were shed. Could it have been when sin entered into the world and Adam and Eve were removed from their earthly paradise?

It is not difficult to envisage a picture of the banished couple weeping as they left their secluded haven of rest to seek a dwelling place among the beasts of the field. We are told of their multiplied sorrow (Gen. 3:16), which indicate grief pangs, pain, and possibly tears.

Not everyone is able to shed tears. An acquaintance had an eye problem which was medically diagnosed as dry sockets. No fluid was produced to provide the much needed briny lubrication of the eye, a distressing condition which inhibits the shedding of tears. Christians in all their generations have had their share of experiences which have precipitated tears of joy or sorrow, but a time has been arranged when our tear shedding will be over. "And He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more: the first things are passed away" (1:ev. 21:4). That will be a time of permanent tearlessness; a glorious day of great wonder as we find our place in the new order of things, the new heaven, new earth, and the new Jerusalem.

Among the earliest recorded tears of Scripture are those of Hagar (Gen. 21:16), and Abraham's weeping over Sarah's death (23:2). The list of named and unnamed weepers could form an honour roll similar to the roll of the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11; for example, Joseph's numerous occasions of weeping over his brothers, culminating in his copious tears at the death of his beloved father Jacob (Gen. 42:21; 43:30; 45:14,15; 50:1, 4, 10, 11). Job provided this exclamation of his distress: "My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God (16:20). David said, "I water my couch with my tears' (Ps. 6:6), and asks God, "Put Thou my tears into Thy bottle; are they not in Thy book?" ~s. 56:8). The soul-panting and thirsting of Korah's sons overcome by their separation from the house of God, were accompanied by tears day and night as the mockers took their toll by saying: "Where is thy God?" (Ps. 42: 1-3,10).

These noble recruits in the army of weepers are joined by other men of high calibre such as Nehemiah. Hearing the sad news of the affliction and reproach of Jerusalem's inhabitants, and the ruin of the city's walls and gates, Nehemiah sat down and wept, mourned, fasted, and prayed (1:1 4). If Nehemiah wept on hearing a report of conditions in Jerusalem, what were his emotional reactions when he saw the broken walls and burned gates of the beloved city? Did he make his tour of inspection by night so that his tears of distress might be known only to himself and God? The nocturnal venture was not known by the people or leaders; only a few chosen confidants accompanied him (2:11-13). Perhaps there were more tears to follow as Nehemiah rallied the people to perform their gigantic task in the face of great opposition; but the day came when the work was completed and "the children of Israel were in their cities" (7:73). This was followed by a celebration, encouragement from the book of the Law, and the drying of their tears. It was said of the once weeping Nehemiah, "And Nehemiah

and Ezra ... said unto all the people. This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep! For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law" (8,9). Nehemiah the Tirshatha, governor of God's people, became a drier of tears.

Women who find a prominent place in the army of weepers include Hannah, whose tears of vexation, grief, and sorrow, seemed not to be understood by Eli, but were certainly noted by God (1 Sam. 1:10); and the nameless intruder (Luke 7:36-50), who yearned to be so near to the Lord that she found herself splashing His feet with her tears. It was a literal shower upon the dusty feet of the divine traveller who had been neglected by His host. And she gladly became a slave as she gently dried them with her beautiful tresses, which Paul tells Christian women are "a glory" to them. Surely there were tears of joy when the Saviour said to this dear devoted woman, whom Luke describes as a woman which was in the city, a sinner: "Thy sins are forgiven ... thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace" (vv. 48-50).

Our narrative would be incomplete without a tribute to Mary Magdalene from whom the Lord cast out seven demons. With others, she cared for Him during His busy life (Luke 8:1-3); she was there at the crucifixion (Luke 23:49); and at the empty tomb, where she sobbed audibly and without restraint, because "they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid Him" (John 20:13). Tears so filled and misted Mary's eyes that she mistook the Lord for the gardener. Tears of sorrow surely changed to tears of joy when He revealed Himself with the calling of her name, "Mary". What a reunion!

What shall we say of Peter's bitter tears at the time of betrayal? Bitter indicates acutely painful, poignant, anguished, weeping (Luke 22:62). Of Paul's writing with many tears (2 Cor. 2:4), and his three year spell of tears night and day in his anxiety for those at Ephesus (Acts 20:31). And of

John's much weeping because none was found worthy to open the book with the seven seals (Rev. 5:4). One Hebrew word for weeping is baw-kah from which Baca is derived. The psalmist speaks of some, possibly returned exiles, "Passing through the valley of weeping" (Baca, Ps. 84:6). It is through such a valley in life that the army of weepers marches, with the Lord at its head as Leader-in-chief. Tears were an integral part of His earthly experience; "strong crying and tears" says the Hebrew epistle, alluding to the extreme intensity and prolongation of the experience. Tears which came readily at the tomb of Lazarus did not pass unnoticed by the onlookers, who commented, "Behold how He loved him" (John 11:36). Copious tears of love and yearning were wept over Jerusalem as He sorrowed over His rejection by its population. It was this same Man of Sorrows, as He carried His cross to Golgotha, who asked the daughters of

Jerusalem to transfer their sympathetic tears for Him to themselves, because of the dreadful things that were ahead for the nation (Luke 23:27,28).

In a variety of ways the Lord's people are passing through the valley of weeping today. The loss of loved ones, prolonged illness, breakdown of family life, the spiritual battle, loneliness, disappointment, depression, are only a few of the tear-provoking experiences that we must endure on this march home to glory. So let us lift up our eyes to see in the very forefront our glorious Leader-in-chief guiding us to the place where there are no tears. Meanwhile, to strengthen our resolve, let us remember too, that He knows the cause of every tear; He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities and is able to aid and strengthen us to the end of the valley (Heb. 2:17,18; 4:15). This assurance should help to reduce and dry our tears.

R. Darke, Victoria, B.C., Canada | Oct 1988
General