Lamentations

Lamentations

Historical Background and Purpose

The book of Lamentations was most likely written by the prophet, Jeremiah, shortly after the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in 586 B.C.  The prophet, Jeremiah, had repeatedly warned the people of Judah that God would judge them and punish them for their sinful rebellion and disobedience.  However, the people of Judah stubbornly ignored his warnings and persisted in their sinful ways.  As a result of their foolish choices, God did what He said He would do and punished them for their sins.  The city of Jerusalem fell into the hands of their enemies, the Babylonians.  The people were now filled with pain and suffering.  They had lost everything they once held dear and now they were feeling hopeless.  However, they then remembered the character of the one true God.  They remembered God’s mercy.  They remembered God’s compassion.  They remembered God’s faithfulness.  As they dwelled on God and His attributes, they began to hope again!  They began to hope in the one true God! According to Nelson’s Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts (page 215), “The five chapters of Lamentations consist of five mournful poems which can be entitled: (1) the destruction of Jerusalem, (2) the anger of Yahweh, (3) the prayer for mercy, (4) the siege of Jerusalem, (5) the prayer for restoration.”  The people had lost everything but their hope in God.  According to the introduction to the book of Lamentations in the Sourceview Bible, “he [most likely Jeremiah] wrote this poem to express his nation’s grief.”

Character and Nature of God

God is faithful.  God (through His prophets) repeatedly warned the people of Judah that they would be punished if they persisted with their sinful rebellion and disobedience.  God clearly warned them that they would be led away as captives by the Babylonians if they continued in their sinfulness.  The people of Judah did not heed His warning to them; therefore, God did what He said He would do and punished them for the sinful rebellion and disobedience.  The people of Judah were led away as captives by their enemies, the Babylonians.  God kept His word even to the point that He allowed the Babylonians to destroy His temple.  God is faithful to do what He says He will do.  God is a Judge; however, God is also a Restorer.  Lamentations 4:22a states, “O beautiful Jersusalem, your punishment will end; you will soon return from exile.”  God is faithful to who He is.  God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Lamentations 5:19 states, “But LORD, you remain the same forever!  Your throne continues from generation to generation.”  God is Judge. God is Restorer. God is faithful. Since God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, we can always hope in God!

God's Redemptive Plan for Mankind

Lamentations 5:19 states, “But LORD, you remain the same forever! Your throne continues from generation to generation.” The people of Judah remembered who God is; therefore, they had hope in the one true God.  The people of Judah remembered that they are His children.  The people of Judah remembered that God cares for the poor, the widows, and the orphans.  They remembered that God is just and their enemies, the Babylonians, are oppressing them.  They remembered that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Once the people of Judah remembered who God is and who they are as His children, the people of Judah placed their hope and trust in the one true God.

Personal Application / Point of Passion

My personal application for the book of Lamentations is to continually remind myself who God is and who I am as His son.  Further, I will remind myself that God is faithful and He keeps His promises.  I choose to believe what God says about Himself in His Word.  I choose to believe what God says about me and other believers in His Word. I choose to believe that God keeps His promises to His children. I choose to believe in God and His ways and I will encourage others to do the same. I choose to faithfully obey God and His ways and I will encourage others to do the same. God is who He says He is. His children – His sons and His daughters – are who God says they are.  God makes promises to His people and God faithfully keeps His promises.  God is who He says He is in His Word.  God is the same yesterday, today, and forever!