Lamentations is believed to be written by Jeremiah. He was grieving about the destruction of Jerusalem. He is often called ‘the weeping prophet’. He lived through the desolation. He realized that the total destruction happened to Jerusalem and the temple because of the judgment of a righteous God. He understood that the Babylonians were God’s tool for bringing judgment on Jerusalem. Knowing that God is merciful he appealed for mercy in prayer.
Each chapter of Lamentations highlights different pronouns.
There are expressions of lament throughout the Bible. Examples are in Job 3:3-26; Psalm 10; Matthew 23:37-39. The word lamentation means ‘funeral song’. It’s an expression of grief or sorrow or weeping. As we live this life on earth we feel loss, pain, and death. God doesn’t guarantee a smooth path in this life. He doesn’t exempt us from this world’s grief, but He does provide the strength to persevere through our hurtful moments.
In Lamentations 3:31-39 we learn that God doesn’t leave sinners forever. They bring Him grief, but He will show compassion and unfailing love when they repent. All calamities and all good things come from the Most High.
Jeremiah pleaded with the people and he pleads to us and with God in Lamentations 3:40-66. He said to examine your ways and test them. Admit that you have sinned and rebelled. Turn away from sin and turn back to the Lord.
God knows and understands your pain and He hears your hurting cries. He has purposes beyond your pain. You don’t tell Him anything He doesn’t already know, so why should you pray? Talking to Him about your problems brings you closer to Him. He wants to hear from you and to connect with your spirit and your soul. He treasures you and knows beyond what you’re praying for. He knows your soul really wants is Him. Praying reminds us of our weaknesses, needs and sin as we ask Him for help. Prayer brings us into fellowship with Him. The Bible says to persist in prayer and to pray about everything (Phil. 4:6). “Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” - 1 Thess. 5:17.
Even in terrible judgment, God is a God of hope (Lamentations 3:24-25). No matter how far we’ve gone from Him, we have the hope that we can return to Him and find Him compassionate and forgiving (1 John 1:9). He is a loving and faithful God (Lamentations 3:23). God is the God of many chances – He is also the God of the last chance!
Jeremiah 4:1-10 tells how the people were traumatized by the city’s destruction. The people were once as valuable as fine gold. But now the best and brightest were taken and only the poorest and least able were left behind. They were regarded as cheap clay pots. Those who ate delicacies were now desolate in the streets. Their princes were brighter than snow and like sapphires in their appearance. Now their appearance was blacker than soot. Their agony was worse than what fell upon Sodom. Their hunger was so bad that the compassionate women cooked their own children.
Lamentations 4 can be summarized by saying that things are not good in Jerusalem. The temple was in total ruins, tragedy had degraded the people, people were dying of thirst and no food, and those who died were better off.
Phrases from Lamentations 4:11-22 of God ‘s response to the sins of the people: “The Lord has given full vent to his wrath; He has poured out his fierce anger. He kindled a fire in Zion that consumed her foundations…. The Lord himself has scattered them; he no longer watches over them. The priests are shown no honor, the elders no favor…. The Lord’s anointed, our very life breath, was caught in their traps…. he will punish your sin and expose your wickedness.”
When we consider God’s judgment, we may be troubled especially if we are not a follower of Jesus. You should be very troubled if you are not saved, because you will experience the full hand of His judgment. Knowing this as Christians should help us because it keeps us accountable and can prevent us from sinning. Remember, God is always just and fair.
Lamentations 5 is a prayer for God’s mercy. Jeremiah remembered the people’s suffering and their weariness. He believed that the relationship between God and Judah still existed. He looked forward to the future possibility for forgiveness, not the past. In Jeremiah 5:19-21 he recognized God’s sovereignty and asked that God restore them to Himself.
He ends the book without positive hope for the future. He feared that God had utterly rejected them and His anger would remain forever. But we know from other Scriptures that God had not and did not utterly reject His people and His anger did not last forever.
There are many lessons in Lamentations:
Principles:
Key verses in Lamentations:
This week’s attribute of God is He is Accessible. He was accessible from the beginning with Adam and Eve. He made covenants with the patriarchs and promised a relationship with them. He made Himself near to people in the tabernacle and then through Jesus. Now He is available to us through the Holy Spirit and through prayer.
Next time we will continue our study of Kingdom Divided in the book of Habakkuk. Hope to see you here. – I encourage you to trust in Jesus.
__________________________________________
If you have enjoyed my post and have found if helpful, please leave a comment or share this post with the buttons below.
No comments:
Post a Comment