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Lamentations: Jerusalem's Desolation

The book of Lamentations mourns the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BC. It views the smoldering ruins of the beloved city and acknowledges God's righteousness in judging His people for their sins. The five poems in the book contrast Jerusalem's past glory with its current desolation under God's wrath. Though the city suffers, the author sees God as their only hope and the book concludes with a prayer for mercy.

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76 views1 page

Lamentations: Jerusalem's Desolation

The book of Lamentations mourns the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BC. It views the smoldering ruins of the beloved city and acknowledges God's righteousness in judging His people for their sins. The five poems in the book contrast Jerusalem's past glory with its current desolation under God's wrath. Though the city suffers, the author sees God as their only hope and the book concludes with a prayer for mercy.

Uploaded by

aweda142
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Lamentations

The occasion for the writing of such a book, is the destruction and desolation of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. The writer appears to be viewing the smoldering ruins of the beloved cit of peace, and mourns its fate. !t the same time "od is acknowledged as righteous in #is $udgement upon this people. %hen the $udgement of "od falls upon a nation, or an individual, the faithfulenss of "od should be remembered in confession of sin, and unwavering faith in #im. !ncient rabbis attributed the book to Jeremiah, and it has been attributed to him until the last few centuries, when some have &uestioned Jeremiah's authorship. (ince then, other authors have been suggested, however, it seems that none could be more suited to this task than Jeremiah. )%hoever wrote the book, must have been an e e*witness.+ ,ive distinct, beautiful poems are bound together in this book. -t is not all sorrow. !bove the clouds of the poet's weeping over the sins of the people, the .sun/ of "od's grace is shining )0122*234 -sa. 6510+. The arrangements of the first four chapters are alphabetic acrostics. 6ach chapter has 22 verses, or a multiple thereof. -n chapters one and two, the 22 letters of the #ebrew alphabet are used successivel to begin each verse. Chapters three and four, allot two verses respectivel to each #ebrew letter. )!lthough chapter 5 has 22 verses, it is not an acrostic.+ !s we pointed out in our surve of the 7salms, man of the 7salms show this alphabetic scheme, but these are lost to 6nglish readers. -n a ver realistic wa , the author describes the desolations of Jerusalem. Jerusalem is seen as a princess, now reduced to a vassal. The glor of the past is contrasted with the destruction and desolation of the presnt. "od's wrath is seen, as Jerusalem is reduced to ashes and e8posed to the derision of its surrounding enemies. (uffering is seen as realit , the helplessness of Judah is portra ed, and "od is seen as their onl hope. The book concludes with a pra er for merc . CHAPTER TITLES: 9Chapter :ne * 7rovocation !gainst "od. 9Chapter Two * 7unishment from "od. 9Chapter Three * 7rophet of "od. 9Chapter ,our * 7eople of "od. 9Chapter ,ive * 7ra er to "od.

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