How is the thought “of whom I cannot withstand” (1:14) further carried out?

This elaborates on the idea that Jerusalem was handed over to enemies that she could not withstand (Lamentations 1:14). The mighty ones she had in her midst were as nothing before the mighty enemy. Indeed, they were swept away by the hand of God from the midst of the city. The verb used is reminiscent of something very light, which can be removed very easily. The arrival of her enemies is even presented as a celebration — the expression to proclaim a feast was otherwise used for Israel's great feasts (see Leviticus 23:2). It was a bloody festival, during which Jerusalem's young, able-bodied men died (see also Jeremiah 15:8). Another image is used: treading the winepress (see also Isaiah 63:3; Joel 3:13; Hebrews 4:13). Those who are struck by divine judgment are depicted as ripened grapes, cut off and thrown into the winepress.¹