Lamentation Overview

Who Wrote 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

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

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)

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

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

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”

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 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 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)

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

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)