LAMENTATIONS
Author: the prophet Jeremiah
When Written: Soon after Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC.
Written to Whom: The exiled peoples of Judah.
Note: Jerusalem was leveled, and the people were either tortured, killed, and taken captive back to Babylon.
“Jeremiah’s grief ran deep. He is remembered as the ‘weeping prophet’ ... his tears flowed from a broken heart. As God’s spokesman, he knew what lay ahead for Judah, his country, and for Jerusalem.... God’s judgment would fall, and destruction would come. So Jeremiah wept. His tears were not self-centered, mourning over personal suffering or loss. He wept because the people had rejected their God - the God who had made them, loved them, and sought repeatedly to bless them. Jeremiah’s heart was broken because he knew that the selfishness and sinfulness of the people would bring them much suffering and an extended exile. Jeremiah’s tears were tears of empathy and sympathy. His heart was broken with those things that break God’s heart.” [1]
The Blueprint
1) Jeremiah mourns for Jerusalem - Lamentations 1:1-22
2) God’s anger toward sin - Lamentations 2:1-22
3) Hope in the midst of affliction - Lamentations 3:1-66
4) God’s anger is satisfied - Lamentations 4:1-22
5) Jeremiah pleads to God for restoration - Lamentations 5:1-22
The reason Jeremiah grieves so deeply is his homeland had been devastated. His grieve is also from the people’s not taking God’s warnings seriously. The prophet knows there is a ray of hope because of the Lord’s faithfulness and compassion. Jeremiah knows that is the only reason the nation hadn’t been completely laid to waste.
Lamentations reveals to us the serious consequence of sin and though tragedy may strike God in love is more than able to turn the entire situation around for good.
Our next posting will speak of the Mega-Themes found in Lamentations. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.
In His Name & for His Glory,
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
Resource: The Life Application Study Bible
[1] P. 1674 from the Life Application Study Bible
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