Another interpretation: Why does the Lord stand at a distance? As it is written (Hosea 5:6), "With their flocks and herds they will go to seek the Lord, but they will not find Him; He has withdrawn from them." A philosopher asked Rabbi Gamliel, "Do you expect God to redeem you?" He replied, "Yes."
The philosopher said, "But it is written 'He has withdrawn from them.'" (Hosea 5:6) Rabbi Gamliel asked him, "Who is permitted to initiate the process of yibum, a man or a woman?" The philosopher answered, "A woman." Rabbi Gamliel said, "He [the deceased brother] initiates it, and we do not initiate it for him. If the yevamah [the widow] had brothers, would her husband be allowed to return to her?"
The philosopher said, "No." Rabbi Gamliel said, "From here we learn that God does not return to us." They then began to recite, "Why does the Lord stand at a distance?" (Lamentations 3:43)