Want articles like this one delivered straight to your email? The living man should be grateful he still has life, and recognize there is some justice in the punishment of his sins. The Lord himself sovereignly oversees all that his children go through, yet he does not afflict from his heart or grieve the children of men (Lamentations 3:33). d. You have made us an offscouring and refuse: In the desire to turn back to the LORD, Jeremiah knew that it was important to honestly see their condition. The possession of reason should stir us up to daily thanksgiving to Him whose mercies are new to us every morning. Its New Testament counterpart (1 Corinthians 4:13) is equally rare, depicting the suffering of the apostles. (Harrison), ii. In other words, nothing we have faced or will face can possibly remove us from Gods love. The prophet Jeremiah wrote the book of Lamentations hundreds of years ago but the suffering described in the book (especially in chapters 1, 2 and 4) pictures very much the suffering of the people of Syria and Iraq the past years. Lamentations provides eyewitness testimony of Babylons destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC in vivid, poetic detail. We owe it, further, to the character of God. C. J. Vaughan, Pulpit Analyst, vol. Evening- Magheralin. Woe to that home which lays no yoke upon its inmates. For there was an infinitely greater probability that Adam, with the fate of millions committed to his keeping, would have watched diligently against the assaults of temptation, than that any lonely individual of his descendants, left to obey for himself and disobey for himself, should have maintained his allegiance and preserved his fidelity. 1. The author of the Book of Lamentations had experienced real, actual events that caused bereft of hope to his soul. i. It is good for a man to become a decided Christian in early life. 4. He takes no delight in our pain and misery: yet, like a tender and intelligent parent, he uses the rod; not to gratify himself, but to profit and save us. (Clarke), ii. At the climax of the book, Gods covenant faithfulness is affirmed and celebrated. 4 Lamentations is written entirely in poetic form . Thus, chapter 3 has 66 lines, like chapters 1 and 2. The waiting habit is as constantly commended to us as the seeking: (1) as the test of real earnestness, and (2) as its stimulant. Generally in the combination of these two terms, each expresses the perfection of all prayer as it is either the active seeking of God or the passive waiting for Him; in other words, what man does and what he must expect God to do in the whole business of devotion. Its this idea of lamenting that, for many, links Jeremiah to the book. God will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love (Lamentations 3:32). This word carries with it a finality. Jeremiah could not help but acknowledge the abject state of this city, piled with rubble. When we pray we can be strengthened, encouraged, and reminded that Gods mercies are new for us each and every morning. The first thing is to be a Christian; the next thing is to avow it. The true tragedy in the destruction of the Temple is the distancing of an intimate relationship between God and the Jewish . When the Lord has not commanded it? i. How the Gold Has Grown Dim (4:122) I. All communion with God requires this. . It will never fail. Lamentations 2 - God's wrath against the city of Jerusalem. He Himself provides, and He Himself rules. In chapter 3, every third of the 66 verses begins with successive Greek letters. i. ( b ) The next element in Christian hope is faith. However, while Job dealt with unexplained evil, Jeremiah lamented a tragedy entirely of Jerusalems making. Through remembering how God has cared for us in the past we can be encouraged to continue to trust in him in the present. Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. Surely He has turned His hand against me. In His wise judgments God caused grief, but promised to also show compassion, and would do so according to the multitude of His mercies. In the middle of the book, the theology of Lamentations reaches its apex as it focuses on the goodness of God. Volume 19 in the Tyndale Old Testament . It is to this that our blessed Saviour invites us when He says, "Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me." Lamentations was most likely written to be prayed or sung in worship services devoted to asking Gods forgiveness. c. And turn back to the LORD: All the self-examination in the world does little good if it does not lead us back to this place. I. It is he that causes grief, and therefore we may be assured it is ordered wisely and graciously; and it is but for a season, and when need is, that we are in heaviness, 1 Pt. Gods mercies are true even then. Do not hide Your ear Yet even in this seemingly hopeless Thats why we need to be still. . The salvation of the Lord is when all conceivable means have been employed and have failed. That is the very office of the family toward its young and inexperienced members. When you remember that man is a transgressor, not only by imputation, but by every positive and personal working of evil, surely the marvel must be, not that so much of wormwood should drug the cup of human life, but that so much of sweetness should still have been left. One side is very dark and full of sadness, sharply inclined towards despair; the other is brighter than the summer morning, tuneful, sunned with all the lustre of saintly hope. Indeed, God himself is inflicting this pain upon his own people (Lamentations 2:18; 3:32). I. Without interruption, wake of the Babylonian invasion of 586 BC. III. I. vi., p. 141.Lamentations 4:22 . i. This helpful book introduction comes from the, 4 Encouragements to Read Sensitive Bible Passages with Kids. But in the meaning of Lamentations 3:22-23, theres a never in front of it. Do you see any of that destroyed city in your own life? I think this passage is the perfect reminder for us today. When we are constantly moving and distracted by all the things in this world we will never notice Gods mercies. The author of this literary masterpiece is unknown. Everything that follows is because of Gods love for us. ( b ) We shall find how good it is in the enhancement of every blessing for which we have to wait. All rights reserved. We have transgressed and rebelled; Copyright 2009 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. V. Restore Us to Yourself, O Lord (5:122). Of this, death would deprive him; therefore let not a living man complain. (Clarke), ii. [OT LIT: JEREMIAH & LAMENTATIONS] Page 1 of 13 Jeremiah & Lamentations Objectives of this lesson 1. And threw stones at me. 3. They were against him like a fowler is against a bird. Tom Ed suffered a major stroke Sunday night. b. The word that is translated as fail or sometimes end is the Hebrew word kalah. Nederlandstalige Bijbelstudies door Stan Marinussen, Copyright - Enduring Word | . translation of the Greek OT, the Septuagint (LXX), and conveys the idea of "loud cries.". The Background of Lamentations 1 Author and Date The author of this literary masterpiece is unknown. First, their own efforts on behalf of themselves; and secondly, the appeal to their fellows. Some religious works are agreeable; for example, the meditation on God's goodness, and the benefits He has bestowed upon us. Jeremiah gives us two notions about human discipline as regulated by God the Judge and God the Father. In this patient seeking of God, there is reason for hope. 12-13 v. 5 v. 14 v. 6 vv. IV. What does Peter consider to be Scripture according to 2 Peter? It is not enough to be under the rule of others. Who is he who speaks and it comes to pass, when the Lord has not commanded it? Gods response to this seeking soul was, Do not fear!, i. Life, when regarded as the seedtime of eternity, must appear to be so enormous in value that its sternest and most aggravated sorrows dwindle away into comparative nothingness. Their taunting song: Mocking or taunt-songs were also frequently used to express derision or contempt for an enemy. (Harrison). With this should go the complete submission to God pictured in v.29 by the Oriental obeisance. How great soever his affliction may be, he is still alive; therefore, he may seek and find mercy unto eternal life. God never hides His ear from our breathing; or from those in- articulate cries, which express, as words could not do, the deep anguish and yearning of the heart. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. It is the part of hope to seek the future; it is the duty of patience to rest calmly in the present and not to fret. If so, complaint is at once removed by the second consideration which our text suggests. Now he prayed to God as his advocate. Our faith should have a direct impact on what we do and how we do it. To God in heaven. It also shares the Psalms emphasis on Gods sovereignty (see Psalm 103:19). He was so low that life seemed ebbing out, and he groaned. (Spurgeon), ii. 2023 Insight for Living Ministries. I don't have to tell you, this has been a traumatic week in the life of our church family. That, whatever sorrow we are in, it is what God has allotted us, and his hand is in it. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. O Lord, You have pleaded the case for my soul; The first thing is to understand what is meant by "the salvation of the Lord." There are deep emotions involved in lamentation. He remains in critical condition. Life is still left thee; and of whatsoever thou hast been stripped, there is such a counterpoise in the continuance of life that complaint must be groundless. " Whatever youve done, wherever youve been, Gods mercies are new for you every morning. The book of Lamentations articulates the anguish of the Hebrews in the wake of the conquest of Jerusalem and the razing of the city by Babylon. It also makes sense to date the book as close to the invasion as possible, meaning late 586 BC or early 585 BC, due to the raw emotion Jeremiah expresses throughout its pages. Notice a few of the common mercies which we are most prone to forget: (1) Take, as the first illustration, sleep. Reference: Lamentations 3:40 . But this appeal to God, this lifting up of our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens, may co-exist with effort, with activity, with diligence, with prudence, with the devout pursuit of an object, and with the right use of the strength, the talents, and the resources of our fellow-men and of our fellow-Christians. In Lamentations as well as around the world and down through time, as the leaders of a people go, so go the people. In darkness and not in light. These words were penned by Jeremiah in the short book of Lamentations in a dire situation. VIII. Look at their sitting down and their rising up; Lamentations 3 1 - I am the man who has seen afflictionby the rod of his wrath. ; The History of Rome - Brief Overview Of Roman History from Her Dawn to the First Punic War. 2 He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light. God seems to be absent, and his promises seem to be forgotten (Lamentations 1:12; 2:1). The salvation of the Lord here is something else than the first view which a sinful man obtains of pardon and peace, through "the great God our Saviour." 2. "A joyful and pleasant thing it is to be thankful." Lamentations 3 Jeremiah prays for Judah's deliverance and expresses hope in the Lord, whose mercy is upon those who trust in Him. Lamentations 3:21-26 (ESV) We have no argument that can win us back into God's favor, but his mercy and love are always available. The practice of self-examination will more assuredly soften and humanise the character in regard of the social intercourses of life; making him who is diligent in such practice gentle and merciful toward his fellow-creatures. 103:19 ). A determination to go, yet a willingness to stand still that is the mystery of true waiting. In the time of his trial the Lord had become terrible to him. It is good because it gives one many years of experience. All our enemies 2 - He has led me and caused me to walk in darkness,and not in light. The prophet calls his countrymen to a work to which they needed to be exhorted and pressed; and well he might do so, for the work of self-examination is not at all an agreeable work. 1291.Lamentations 3:31-33 . They equip us, they give point and definiteness to new intention, they offer fresh feelings, they take us out of grooves, they stir up in us our immortality. Lamentations agrees with the Psalms that prayer is the way to restore a broken relationship with God. Book Title. But each line in Lamentations 3:1-3 begins with aleph; Lamentations 3:4-6 has each line begin with beth; and so forth. E. Mellor, The Hem of Christ's Garment, p. 138. They did it by despising him (their reproach), with schemes, with whispering lies, and their taunting song against him. It was only a breathing. (Clarke), ii. He hath inclosed my ways with hewn stone: he hath . The book of Lamentations deals with suffering. Do you feel overrun by an alien power; are you in need of some hope from the Lord? (2) This is true also of spiritual requests. 1. a. Sign up to receive e-mail from Insight for Living Ministries. When we seek him and put our hope in him, he is there. Being still is more challenging than ever in our culture, but its also more important than ever. And turn back to the LORD; II. Therefore the complaint is to be met not by any demonstration that by one particular line of conduct the complaining individual has brought down a particular judgment, but simply by the fact of general sinfulness. Self-examination is a rehearsing of the judgment day, for it is a having the soul up before conscience, and conscience is God's voice in the heart. Without repentance we shall perish, and repentance absolutely requires and supposes a careful review of the actions of our life, and that at stated and oft-recurring periods, so that the actions may be remembered and not slip through, from the length of time through which the review extends and the difficulty of recalling its performances. II. He hath set me in 7 dark places, as they that be dead of old. The Book of Lamentations (Hebrew: , , from its incipit meaning "how") is a collection of poetic laments for the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE. 1812.Lamentations 3:58 . Explain with xxx., No. Forgiveness is possible even for people who have deserved Gods judgment (Lamentations 1:18). V. The self-examiner is a profitable attendant in the services of the church. . We should, we must, turn away from sin and self and turn back to the LORD. When confronting national tragedy, spiritual introspection is key to avoid future catastrophe. I. Even the citys roads mourned over its condition (1:4)! Why, he was accused of every crime that even Sodom knew; and perjury stood up and swore that all was true. b. Lord, You have pleaded the case for my soul: From formerly feeling forsaken, Jeremiah rested in the confidence that God was his advocate. There is no greater evil committed by any of us than a practical forgetfulness of the common mercies of life: mercies, which because of their commonness, cease to be regarded as mercies. N/A. 4 My flesh and my skin hath he made old; he hath broken my bones. All their schemes against me, And whatever the woe and bitterness of our portion, wherefore should living men complain? Your browser does not support JavaScript. A consensus of Jewish tradition attributes authorship of this book to the prophet Jeremiah. He has led me and made me walk. Not only does the author of the book witness the results of the recent destruction of Jerusalem, he seems to have witnessed the invasion itself (Lamentations 1:1315). Prophets such as JeremiahProphet who condemned Judah's infidelity to God, warned of Babylonian conquest, and promised a new covenant More announced the Babylonian invasion as the judgment of God. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website. BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS KEY VERSES: 2:17: The LORD has done what he planned; he has fulfilled his word, which he decreed long ago. And its a verse that each of us should reflect on and commit to memory. We owe an appeal to God on whatever concerns us. Try Reading the Bible. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. a. From under the heavens of the LORD. Now Jeremiah prayed that Yahweh would repay their enemies, and give them a veiled heart even as Judah was blind. Speaking in the first person, Jeremiah pictured himself captured in a besieged city, without anyone to hear his prayers, and as a target for the arrows of the enemy (3:78, 12). Even in the midst of this low point in Israels history, however, hope remains. holy God, and the results were devastating. Lamentations chapter 3. Prophets such as Jeremiah announced the Babylonian invasion as the judgment of God. The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them: You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page. Lamentations 5 - God's faithfulness is worthy of trust. He is faithful and he will do it! It is good for us all to have to work for our bread. Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience. The composition of acrostics requires great skill. Gods mercies are new every morning. Why should a living man complain, 590. In Lamentations 3:18, Jeremiah's endurance and hope have perished, but two verses later Jeremiah remembers something, and it fills him with hope once again. For He does not afflict willingly, It is good for a man to bear in his youth the yoke of difficulty and toil. The cause of all this pain is unmistakably clear: the people have sinned (Lamentations 1:5, 8, 14). i. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. It provides great insight into the nature of pain, sin, and redemption. Lamentations begins with the Hebrew word Eicha (how), and the book is known in Hebrew as Megillat Eicha (the scroll of Eicha.
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