Crying Out for Death and Barrenness

A. Jesus applied two aspects of Hosea’s prophecy (Hos. 9:14; 10:8: crying for death and barrenness) to the time of Jerusalem’s judgment in 70 AD (Lk. 23:29-31) and in the Tribulation (Mt. 24:19).

28 Jesus, turning to them, said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!' 30 Then they will begin 'to say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!"' 31 For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?" (Lk. 23:28-31)

B. The destruction of Jerusalem is presented using two proverbial sayings concerning anguish in being childless and in facing such destruction that many would rather die than live through it. This prophecy was partially fulfilled in 70 AD. Its fullness occurs in the Tribulation.

C. In the sixth seal, some hide to be protected from death and others are overwhelmed with despair. Both the “death wish” of Hos. 10:8 and the desire to hide for safety of Isa. 2:10 will be present.

D. Jesus called the women to weep for their children and Jerusalem in light of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans as He prophesied (Lk. 13:34-35; 19:41-44; 21:20-24). Their tears would not change God’s plan concerning Jesus’ death, but could change what happens in them.

E. Joel prescribed weeping in repentance and intercession as part of God’s way to change the course of events. God is willing to relent, or to cancel judgment if His people cry out.

12 Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning." 13 So rend your heart…for He is gracious and merciful…and He relents from doing harm. (Joel 2:12-13)

F. Jesus applied this to the women of Jerusalem in the End Times. Children are God’s blessing. However, childlessness will be a blessing to those in Jerusalem in the final 3½ years.

19 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. (Mt. 24:15-20)

G. In v. 30, they will just begin to speak with despair at the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. This will reach a far more intense level during the Great Tribulation.

30 Then they will begin 'to say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!"' 31 For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?" (Lk. 23:30-31)

H. Jesus prophesied about the unprecedented judgment of Jerusalem by using a proverbial saying (v. 31). The obvious principle is that fire destroys trees, yet its destructiveness varies depending on the condition of the tree. When it is dry the fire is more destructive. When green, the fire is not as fierce. A dry tree is more quickly and easily set on fire. The proverb relates to fire burning with greater intensity at the later time when the conditions are worse.

I. The green and dry trees are parallel with Jerusalem being set on fire in different hours of history. This proverb is given to explain the exhortation to weep in intercession for Jerusalem because of the fire of destruction that will come on her in varying intensity. “They” refers to wicked men (Jews and Romans). Wicked men set a fire by betraying Jesus, then by worshiping the Antichrist.

J. Two applications of Jesus’ general principle: The time of the green wood is when sin has not yet ripened in the global and historical sense (as it will under the Antichrist). If God allowed the Romans to destroy Jerusalem, what will He allow when all nations worship the Antichrist?

K. Near fulfillment: The “green tree” represented that hour in which civil unrest was caused by Jesus’ good ministry. What did the “dry tree” season bring after the nation put Him to death? It brought fierce judgment on Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD.

L. Distant fulfillment: The “green tree” season of history may be represented by the oppression of Israel and other nations by Rome in the first century before the guilt of the nations had fully ripened. What will the “dry tree" season be like after all the nations worship the Antichrist?