生命之道

Category: 耶利米哀歌

  • 耶利米哀歌大纲

    耶利米哀歌大纲

    1. 希伯来圣经的书名是“何竟”，说出了这本书的主题
      1. 第一个“何竟”（1：1）的重点是圣城变成寡妇。城代表见证，教会失去了基督的见证。
      2. 第二个“何竟”（2：1）的重点是神不纪念自己的脚凳。脚凳代表约柜（代上28：2），是神同在的象征。教会失去了主的同在。
      3. 第三个“何竟”（4：1）的重点是锡安宝贵的众子从精金变成瓦瓶。锡安是大卫的居所，代表基督的宝座。教会失去了基督是王是主的实际。
    2. 第一首诗描写耶路撒冷犹如哭泣的寡妇孀居哀悼，她是‘没有安慰，’（一2，9，17，21，）‘没有安息，’（3，另译，）‘没有草场。’（6，另译。）
      1. 圣城遭受灾难。（一1～7。）
      2. 神的审判显祂为公义。（一8～11。）
      3. 向过路人哀求同情。（一12～19。）
      4. 向神祷告。（一20～22。）
    3. 第二首诗描写耶路撒冷被围的情形。先知说得非常清楚，这些严厉的刑罚是乃出乎神。
      1. 城被围困和倾覆。（二1～14。）
      2. 过路人的嘲笑和侮辱。（二15～16。）
      3. 审判出乎主。（二17。）
      4. 向神祷告。（二18～22。）
    4. 第三首诗是旧约中极可注意的诗歌。在此先知使自己和城（代表百姓）一致，看它的困苦和伤痛就是自己的。
      1. 城受困苦。（三1～20。）
      2. 城有指望。（三21～39。）
      3. 向百姓的要求。（三40～54。）
      4. 向神祷告。（三55～66。）
    5. 第四首诗描写耶路撒冷像失光变色的金子。
      1. 城被困时的恐怖。（四1～10。）
      2. 神的审判是祂公义的表示。（四11～16。）
      3. 仇敌的残酷。（四17～20。）
      4. 以东遭报。（四21～22。）
    6. 第五首诗是先知所发的祷告，作第四首诗的结束。
      1. 城的遭遇。（五1～6。）
      2. 承认罪孽。（五7。）
      3. 痛苦。（五8～18。）
      4. 求神施恩。（五19～22。）
  • Lamentation Overview

    Lamentation Overview

    Who Wrote The Book?

    • Author was not mentioned
    • Strong evidence inside and outside the text points to Jeremiah as the author
    • Septuagint has a note stating Jeremiah as the author

    The Name of the Book

    • In Hebrew is “ekah”, it is the first word of the of this book in Hebrew bible (1:1;2:1;4:1). Can be translated “Alas!” or “How”
    • Translators substituted in the title “Lamentations” to give it a clearer meaning
    • The author witnessed the invasion and the result of the destruction of Jerusalem

    Location and Time

    • Jeremiah walked through the streets and alleys of Jerusalem and saw nothing but pain, suffering, and destruction in the wake of the Babylonian invasion of 586 BC
    • It makes sense to date the book as close to the invasion as possible

    Other Lamentations Songs in the Bible

    • David wrote one for Saul and Jonathan (2 Sam 1:17-27)
    • David wrote one for Abner (2 Sam 3:33-34)
    • Jeremiah wrote one for King Josiah (2 Cro 35:25)
    • Amos wrote one for Israel (Amos 5:1)
    • Ezekiel wrote one for Tyre (Eze 27:1-36)

    Hebrew Poetry

    • Ch 1,2, 4 have 22 verses, each starts with a different Hebrew alphabet, in sequential order
    • Ch 3 has 66 verses, each Hebrew letter for three consecutive verses in sequential order
    • Ch 5 is in parallel style
    • Ps 119 has similar style. (8 verses in a group, 22 groups for 22 alphabet) It is interesting to contrast Ps and Lamentation, one is to lift up praises and the other one is to lament

    Destruction of Jerusalem

    • Recording 4 times in OT:
      • 2 King 25
      • 2 Chron 36:11-21
      • Jeremiah 39
      • Jeremiah 52
    • The second temple was destroyed on the same month in 70AD
    • The Jews read Lamentation on 9th of Av (May in Jews Calendar, usually in July/August) in  in synagogues every year to remember the event

    Mourning for Jerusalem

    • Even tough Jeremiah was prophesying the destruction, but when he had 1st hand experience, he mourned for it
    • The Jews exiled in Babylon mourned for Jerusalem (Ps 137)
      • “If I forget you, O Jerusalem, May my right hand forget her skill”

    God’s Covenant with King David

    • Did the end of David’s throne mean God didn’t keep His covenant?
      • 2 Sam 7: 13 “… I will establish the throne of His kingdom forever”
      • 2 Sam 7:16 “Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.”
    • Fulfilled in King Jesus:
      • Acts 2:31 “he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ”

    God’s Covenant with the Jews

    • God had a covenant with the Jews after they left Egypt and before they entered Canaan (Lev 26, Deut 28-29)
    • God is always faithful to His covenant, either to bless the obedient or chasten the disobedient. His Word will never fail
    • God’s chastening is an expression of His love, a tool He uses to mature His children
      • Heb 12:10 For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness

    The Flow of the Book

    • The whole book is filled with the pictures of the destructions and the suffering of Jerusalem
    • However in the middle of the book (3:22-26), we are reminded of the faithfulness of God and we can put our hope in Him
    • Ends with consolation (5:19-22)

    Why is Lamentations So Important?

    • Like the book of Job, Lamentations pictures a man of God puzzling over the results of evil and suffering in the world.
    • Job dealt with unexplained evil, and unexpected suffering.
    • Jeremiah dealt with the suffering that has been prophesied by God from Joshua (23:15-16) to Jeremiah, and he knew the reason why it happened: because of their sins
    • There is hope in the midst of suffering: 3:22-26
      • Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail
      • They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness
      • I say to myself, “ The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.”
      • The LORD is good to those whose hope is in Him , to the one who seeks Him;
      • It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD

    Applications in Christians Life

    • Reminds us of the importance of asking the Lord for His forgiveness when we fail Him
    • Are you mourning over the sin of God’s people?
    • We should submit and trust God that His discipline is for our good, so that we can be holy like Him (Heb 12:10)
    • Discipline produces a harvest of righteousness and peace (Heb 12:11)
    • In the midst of suffering, the Lord is our portion (3:24)
    • Our hope is in Christ in the midst of suffering (3:25)