The study of Lamentations
Lamentations
The Genre of this book is prophetic poetry and prayer. The key theme of this book is that sin has consequence. That God punishes sin. That if a person or a nation repent they can receive God’s mercy, forgiveness and restoration. That in the midst of great sorrow, suffering, death, and destruction and war God mercy can be experienced. This is a book tells of the prophet Jeremiah sorrow as he watches the devastation of his nation and it total collapse due to sin. The key characters and event are as follows. This poem written by Jeremiah starts with a metaphor comparing Jerusalem to a princess, who has become a slave, comparing the past to the present. She takes responsibility for her sin and prays for relief from her terrible sorrow. Then his poem tells of the devastation of the city, weeping mothers, starving children, false prophets, and relentless enemies. God has judged his people and withdrew his mercy. Then he goes on to give an eyewitness account to God’s wrath and the carnage. He feels without hope at first. Then he realizes that God anger will not last forever. That God faithfulness, love and kindness for his people will save them. His hope is restored despite all that is around him that say otherwise. Through his pain he praises God and repents. Then Jeremiah prays that God would consider his people plight with a plea of salvation. That with what he sees around him redemption seems unattainable, but Gods love and faithfulness for his people remain. This message tells us that, fear and doubt may assault the human spirit, but the eternal God is dependable and loving. When one confesses and repents they can experience Gods restoration and forgiveness.
The Genre of this book is prophetic poetry and prayer. The key theme of this book is that sin has consequence. That God punishes sin. That if a person or a nation repent they can receive God’s mercy, forgiveness and restoration. That in the midst of great sorrow, suffering, death, and destruction and war God mercy can be experienced. This is a book tells of the prophet Jeremiah sorrow as he watches the devastation of his nation and it total collapse due to sin. The key characters and event are as follows. This poem written by Jeremiah starts with a metaphor comparing Jerusalem to a princess, who has become a slave, comparing the past to the present. She takes responsibility for her sin and prays for relief from her terrible sorrow. Then his poem tells of the devastation of the city, weeping mothers, starving children, false prophets, and relentless enemies. God has judged his people and withdrew his mercy. Then he goes on to give an eyewitness account to God’s wrath and the carnage. He feels without hope at first. Then he realizes that God anger will not last forever. That God faithfulness, love and kindness for his people will save them. His hope is restored despite all that is around him that say otherwise. Through his pain he praises God and repents. Then Jeremiah prays that God would consider his people plight with a plea of salvation. That with what he sees around him redemption seems unattainable, but Gods love and faithfulness for his people remain. This message tells us that, fear and doubt may assault the human spirit, but the eternal God is dependable and loving. When one confesses and repents they can experience Gods restoration and forgiveness.
