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LAMENTATIONS – INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

1. The book of Lamentations is comprised of FIVE “dirges” bemoaning the destruction of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans in 587/586 B.C.

a. Oh, “how!” 1:1, 2:1, 4:1

2. In the Hebrew Bible, the Book is found in the “Megilloth” – “Rolls”

a. Song of Solomon – Read at the Passover feast.

b. Ruth – Read at the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost.

c. Lamentations – Destruction of temple and Jerusalem

d. Ecclesiastes – Read at the Feast of Tabernacles.

e. Esther – Read at the Feast of Purim   

3. In the Septuagint (LXX) , the Book follows Jeremiah as in our Bibles.

4. Four of the five poems comprising the Book, are Acrostic – the lines begin with consecutive letters in the Hebrew alphabet – 22 letters in alphabet- 22 verses (chapters 1,2 and 4). Chapter five is not “acrostic” even though it contains 22 verses.

5. In the third poem, (third chapter), a Hebrew letter begins each of the three verses in our Bibles – 22 letters of Hebrew alphabet culminating in 66 verses of the chapter.

6. While the acrostic style was useful for memory, this writing may have been used to express the “complete,” “exhaustive,” or “full range”  of the lamenting expression of human suffering.

I. AUTHOR:

A. The Book is anonymous as to its author.

B. Jewish tradition attributes the Book to Jeremiah – The Talmud                              

C. Josephus in speaking of the sorrow over the death of Josiah (2 Chron. 35:25): “…and Jeremiah the prophet composed an elegy to lament him, which is extant till this time also.  Moreover, this prophet denounced beforehand the sad calamities that were coming upon the city.  He also left behind in writing a description of that destruction of our nation which had lately happened in our days, and the taking of Babylon;” (Antiquities of The Jews, Book X chapter 5; paragraph 1 (P. 216-217).

D. The Septuagint (LXX) begins with this statement: “And it came to pass, after Israel was led into captivity and Jerusalem laid waste, that Jeremiah sat weeping and lamented with this lamentation over Jerusalem, and said…”  

E. Internal evidence for Jeremiah’s authorship:

1. Eyewitness to horrors of siege (1:11, 19; 2:19, 20; 4:4)

2. The same sensitivity and sorrow for Jerusalem and her plight is seen in both Books, Jeremiah, and Lamentations.

II. FEATURES OF THE BOOK:

A. Jerusalem’s suffering is due to own sin (1:5, 8, 9, 18).

B. Gives eyewitness testimony as to what God’s justified wrath is like – feeling the consequences of sin (4:11, 13; 5:1-18).

C. Unparalleled sorrow in God’s judgement on Jerusalem (1:16, 2:11, 13).

D. God is no respecter of persons – He judges His people – “not willingly however” (3:31-33).                          

E. Having hope in the midst of God’s judgment on Jerusalem (3:24-26).

OUTLINE OF THE BOOK

I. Lament 1 – Jerusalem’s plight (Chapter 1)

A. Prophet’s description (v. 1-11)

B. City bemoans plight (v. 12-22)

II. Lament 2 – Jehovah’s anger (Chapter 2)

A. The anger described (v. 1-12)

B. The city exhorted (v. 13-22)

III. Lament 3 – Jeremiah’s grief  (Chapter 3)

A. Affliction, yet hope because of Jehovah’s lovingkindness (v. 1-39).

B. Plea for Nation to turn to God (v. 40-51)

C. Personal plea (v. 52-66)

IV. Lament 4 – Jeremiah’s wrath defended (Chapter 4)

A. Contrasting the Zion that was and the Zion that is (v. 1-11)

B. Thoughts and actions of outside kings and nations (Edom)  looking at Jerusalem’s destruction (v. 12-22)

V. Lament 5 – Jerusalem’s prayer (Chapter 5)

A. Plea: Zion is stricken – Asking God to remember her condition (v. 1-18)

B. Plea: Jehovah can renew His people (v. 19-22).