Bible Study Notes in Lamentations- Chapter 5

Lamentations 5

 

-Jeremiah makes one last plea for restoration and God’s redemptive favor in this powerful last chapter of the book of Lamentations. His desire first and foremost is that the LORD will remember His covenant, but too that He will look and see what has befallen them in regards to the reproach they are receiving from Babylon. He speaks truthfully about how Israel’s inheritance has been turned over to strangers and their houses to aliens. Israel has become orphans without a father, and her mothers are now widows. Their hardship is portrayed in having to pay for water, wood, and food from the likes of Egypt and Assyria, nations not exactly prone to follow Yahweh. To these foreign powers they have had to submit for survival. There is no rest for them, they are worn out, and they are pursued relentlessly by their enemies. The famine has scorched their exposed skin. Their women have been violated and ravished in Zion and in the cities of Judah. Princes were hanged by their hands, and the elders were not respected. The young men had to do forced-hard labor at the grinding mill and carrying loads of wood. No longer do elders of wisdom sit in the gate, and no young men are heard singing their beautiful music (Lamentations 5:1-14).

-“The joy of our hearts has ceased; our dancing has been turned into mourning. The crown has fallen from our head; woe to us, for we have sinned (Lamentations 5:15-16)!” This is the sad, but accurate commentary on the people of the LORD during the Babylonian captivity period of the mid-500’s B.C. These things have left their hearts faint and their eyes dim with grief. Mount Zion lies desolate, and foxes prowl in it as scavengers (Lamentations 5:17-18).

-Jeremiah’s final four verses give all authority back to God, who rules forever from generation to generation. The plea goes forth to the Almighty not to forget His promises to His people. The final hope is for restoration and renewal as in the days of old. The possibility is left open that the LORD could utterly reject them with His exceeding anger, but knowing the heart of God this could never happen (Psalms 105:8-11, Lamentations 3:31-32; 5:19-22, Luke 1:67-79). *Application* Does God get angry with us? Absolutely, when we transgress His ways and His design. We justly deserve His agitation and wrath. Does He show mercy, compassion, forgiveness, and patience way more than we deserve? Of course He does. He is our only hope for the malaise that we have created. When you have come to the end of your own means, which will leave you tired, hungry, burned, and hopeless (among other adjectives of futility), turn back to the LORD who is able to restore your soul and make all things new again (Revelation 21:5-8).

 

Verses to Memorize: Lamentations 5:15-16, 19-21

Bible Study Notes in Lamentations- Chapter 4

Lamentations 4

 

-The completion of God’s anger towards His rebellious house is ghastly portrayed in this fourth chapter. The scene of destruction almost overwhelms us when we consider the suffering of little ones with no food to eat and mothers who have become cannibals (Lamentations 4:4, 10). Their sin is called “greater than the sin of Sodom, which was overthrown as in a moment (Lamentations 4:6).” What was and what has become is the topic of discussion as the chapter elaborates on the scene of God’s suffering people. Pure white snow-like individuals are now “blacker than soot” with shriveled skin on their bones. They have withered like wood and are slain with hunger. The slaying sword is said to have been a better plight. “The LORD has accomplished His wrath, He has poured out His fierce anger; and He has kindled a fire in Zion which has consumed its foundations (Lamentations 4:7-11).” This overtaking seemed unbelievable even to the kings of the earth, but the gates of Jerusalem were entered and all was taken by force (Lamentations 4:12). Why did the unthinkable happen? Because of the sins of Israel’s prophets and the iniquities of her priests. They shed the blood of the righteous with wicked violence themselves. They wandered, blind, in the streets; they were defiled with blood so that no one could touch their garments (Lamentations 4:13-14). As priests and prophets of Israel they should have been the most consecrated and holy, but they did much evil and were defiled before the LORD despite their ritualistic show. Their example greatly led their people astray in God’s country. This lead to the downfall of the nation and the capture of Jerusalem, the once proud and blessed city. Now they were to be scattered among the nations and not even received there, far from the presence of the LORD. They trusted in that which could not save. Their end drew near, their days were finished, their end had come, their pursuers were swifter than the eagles of the sky, and they were chased on the mountains and in the wilderness. They were captured in their pits trusting in a king, King Zedekiah, who neglected the true prophecy of Jeremiah but listened to the false oracles of evil men (Lamentations 4:15-20).

-Edom is lambasted in the final two verses of this text. They get sarcastic derision and predictions of coming judgment from the true prophet as they have deserved because of their own iniquity and sin, which has made them drunk and naked. They had conspired with Nebuchadnezzar to overtake Judah in supreme treachery. God was certainly not pleased with Edom. Meanwhile, God’s just punishment of Zion is now completed according to the genuine prophetic word, and they are promised a return from their exile (Lamentation 4:21-22).

-*Application* We should be careful to heed historical lessons as to following after false gods and idols in times of prosperity. While things seem to be going fine, in an instant God can sweep in with His judgment upon those who are self-righteous and have no need for Him in their own pride and arrogance. Again, we see that the effects are devastating upon all involved. Stay tuned in to the LORD and His mercies with humble reverence. Also, notice that leadership in a nation is key. Israel fell because of corrupt governance in kings, priests, and prophets. In our democratic-republic of the United States, we have the right and privilege to elect our leadership. So we the people will either bear the brunt of our own bad or uninformed decisions, or reap the reward for electing to office Godly individuals to run our nation. The onus really is on us.

 

Verses to Memorize: Lamentations 4:11, 13

Bible Study Notes in Lamentations- Chapter 3

Lamentations 3

 

-This 66 verse middle chapter, which the longest in the book by way of a triple acrostic in the Hebrew language, begins with lamentation, then teaches the hope of God in spite of intense judgment in the middle, and ends with an imprecatory fervor. Jeremiah has seen the affliction because of the wrath of God on His people. The LORD has driven him to walk in darkness and not in light during this tribulation. The prophet feels the effects of God’s Hand being turned against a wayward-obstinate people. His flesh and skin waste away and his bones have been broken (Lamentations 3:1-4). He has been besieged and encompassed with bitterness and hardship. He feels like death has overtaken him in dark places, walled in with heavy chains to keep him from any escape. The prophet even feels that God has shut out his prayers and petitions for help.  All his ways have been blocked with large cut-out stones, and his paths are now so crooked in this place of torment. He feels like he’s been torn to pieces by a ravaging animal; there is a desolate feeling. He feels like the target that has been shot with an arrow, right into the inward parts. He has become a laughingstock to all of his people who mock him all day long. Bitterness, brokenness, drunkenness, and cowering are his solemn descriptions. His soul has been rejected from peace, and he has forgotten what happiness is. His strength has perished as well as his hope from the LORD (Lamentations 3:5-18).

-But, in the midst of the most depressing time of his life, he regains hope as the chapter and book take a dramatic turn. Now we see that the prophet calls on God to remember his affliction, wandering, wormwood, and bitterness. His hope is in the LORD, whose lovingkindnesses indeed never stops and whose compassion never fails. These are new every morning because great is the LORD’s faithfulness. The LORD is Jeremiah’s portion, and his hope is restored when he realizes this. He proclaims that God is good to those who wait for Him in patience. The person who diligently seeks Him will find the way eventually. A silent waiting is good the prophet claims, for it brings the salvation of the LORD. Bearing the yoke in his youth is also good as a teacher of righteousness and correct living. The LORD will not reject forever. “For if He causes grief, then He will have compassion according to His abundant lovingkindness (Lamentations 3:19-32).” It is not the will of God to have to do these types of things. He does not delight in grieving the sons of men. He takes no pleasure in crushing people under His powerful feet. He hates injustice in His presence and defrauds no one. His discipline is for corrective action, plus He is under obligation to always fulfill His Word. Good and ill go forth from His mouth with supreme authority. He is the Most High (Lamentations 3:33-38). “Why should any living mortal, or any man, offer complaint in view of his sins? Let us examine and probe our ways, and let us return to the LORD (Lamentations 3:39-40).” Repentance toward God in Heaven is the key to realizing that we have transgressed and rebelled, and really, we do not deserve any pardon. His anger is just and the penalties are deserved. It only His mercy that can save us from this despair. This is why Jeremiah screams out for it with all his passion and vigor (Lamentations 3:41-56). This when he finds that the LORD would draw near and say, “Do not fear (Lamentations 3:57)!” God would plead his soul’s case and redeem his chosen one’s life (Lamentations 3:58).

-Now, with that settled once and for all, the biblical author knows that the LORD has seen his oppression, and asks the Sovereign to judge his case. The prophet knows that God has seen all the enemies’ vengeance and schemes. God has heard their reproach, their assailing lips, their whispering, and their mocking song. He asks for recompense upon them from the Hand of the LORD according to the works of their hands. Jeremiah knows that the LORD will 1) give His enemies hardness of heart, 2) be a curse on them, 3) pursue them in anger, and 4) destroy them from under His heavens (Lamentations 3:59-66). *Application* What is our response when things go bad? Do we react with wisdom in our lamentations realizing God is still at work? Or, do we get bogged down with false interpretations of what God is trying to accomplish in the difficult seasons of our lives? Be sensible and wait on God in times of distress. Turn to Him in probing reflection. Once you have confessed your shortcomings and sins, expect the LORD to pour out His lovingkindnesses and compassion upon you too! He will eventually save and redeem! There is hope in the midst of affliction!

 

Verse to Memorize: Lamentations 3:40

Bible Study Notes in Lamentations- Chapter 2

Lamentations 2

 

-This chapter may be entitled “God’s grief and anger over sin.” The LORD has covered the daughter of Zion with His cloud of anger and has cast down the glory of Israel. He is not sparing of the inhabitants in His indignation. He is cutting them off in justified wrath and fire. He has become like an adversary to His people and swallowed her up with destruction. The strongholds are torn down, and all that is left is mourning and moaning. Violence has overthrown even in the appointed meeting place of His Temple, and now the appointed feasts and Sabbath has been caused to be forgotten. The LORD has rejected His altar and abandoned His sanctuary. He has not restrained His punishment for disobedience this time. Wall and rampart are destroyed. Her gates have sunk into the ground, and the bars of security are totally broken. Israel’s “kings and princes are among the nations; the law is no more. Her prophets find no vision from the LORD (Lamentations 2:1-9).” The elders sit silently on the ground with dust on their heads girded with sackcloth. The virgins of Jerusalem have bowed their heads in humility to the ground. There is no hope in this distress (Lamentations 2:10).

-Jeremiah’s eyes fail from the plentiful tears; he is grieving. His spirit is greatly traumatized. His heart is broken and “poured out on the earth.” He sees the utter destruction of his people and the want of the faint little ones left in the land without food and drink. He compares Judah’s ruin to the vastness of the sea with no chance of healing. He remembers the false visions, prophecy, and oracles that lead to the rejection of the LORD’s Word, which could have thwarted their captivity and ruin. Now they must suffer the derision of their opponents who mock and ridicule with disdain and selfish pleasure. Jeremiah’s summation is this, “The LORD has done what He purposed; He has accomplished His Word which He commanded from days of old. He has thrown down without sparing, and He has caused the enemy to rejoice over you; He has exalted the might of your adversaries (Lamentations 2:11-17).”

-Though the cries now go out after the fact, their tears will flow day and night with no relief and no rest. They can beg in the presence of the LORD, but His annihilation was predicted and came to pass because they paid no attention to their Sovereign (Lamentations 2:18-22). *Application* God’s heart breaks with His judgment. He did not want this, but He was left with no choice. He could be shamed by their adultery with foreign gods no more. They did not heed the warning, but continued to go their own way until all was lost. Don’t let this happen to you, your family, your community, your region, or your nation. In fact, go ahead and change the world if you can with the warning message of Christ. His gospel is salvation for the repentant, but judgment for the ones who won’t believe. Turn before it’s too late. This will make God smile because that’s His desire.

 

Verses to Memorize: Lamentations 2:11, 17

Bible Study Notes in Lamentations- Chapter 1

Lamentations 1

 

-The book of Jeremiah had predicted the destruction of Jerusalem. Lamentations is now the second book by Jeremiah the prophet which looks back in grief over the destruction of Jerusalem and Judah under the Babylonian captivity occurring soon after 586 B.C. Jerusalem had been ransacked, her people taken, tortured, or killed. It was a gruesome scene of devastation and mourning. We sense the grief of God poured out into his prophet Jeremiah through these words. We see the backside, the aftereffects, of God’s judgment upon a rebellious society. And, to be honest, it is not pretty. We hear the groans, we experience the crying as it pulls on our emotional heartstrings. Therefore the purpose of the book was to show people that to disobey God is to invite disaster. But, also it is written to express that God suffers when His people suffer as we will see. Out of the ashes, the prophet will give a glimmer of God-given hope as the LORD’s compassion never fails ultimately. His faithfulness is greater than our demise, and He alone will prevent total annihilation through His power to save. The megathemes of the work include the importance of desperate prayer, confession of sin, destruction as a result of disobedience, God’s enduring mercy, and the final hope.

-Chapter one should be entitled “Jeremiah mourns for Jerusalem.” The sorrow for Zion is palpable as the lonely city sits without its inhabitants. The once great city among the nations has become like a hollow widow and slave. She weeps bitterly in the night with tears on her cheeks with none to comfort her. All her friends have denied her and dealt treacherously with her as enemies. Judah experiences exile under affliction with harsh servitude her plight. She dwells among the nations now finding no rest in her land. All her pursuers have overtaken her, and she is distressed completely. Her roads are in mourning because no one is joyously going up them to the appointed feasts of Moses’ Law. Her gates are desolate. Her priests are groaning in agony. Her virgins are afflicted. God’s city is bitter. Her adversaries have now become her masters with prosperity and riches, for the LORD has caused her to grieve due to her transgressions. All her majesty has departed, and she has no strength left (Lamentations 1:1-6).

-In these days of affliction and homelessness, she remembers all her precious things that were from the days of old. Now she is mocked by her adversary in her ruin. “Jerusalem sinned greatly” is the sad commentary by the true prophet of God. She became unclean and lost her honor as God’s people. The enemy therefore saw her nakedness, and even she herself must now groan and turn away. “She did not consider her future, therefore she has fallen astonishingly (Lamentations 1:7-9a).” The cry goes out to the LORD to see their affliction, but it is too late. The enemy has magnified himself by entering into her sanctuary and entering His congregation in an unholy fashion. The people of Jerusalem are now groaning as they seek for bread and sustenance. Their precious things they give away just to eat. The LORD has dealt out His vengeance in anger causing pain and suffering untold. The prophet Jeremiah pines, “From on high He sent fire (judgment through prophetic word) into my bones, and it prevailed over them.” Now the land is left desolate and faint all day long. There is a yoke of transgression binding the people and making their strength fail. They are not able to stand to defend. The LORD has rejected their strong men and crushed them, even the virgin daughter of Judah (Lamentations 1:9b-15).

-For these horrific things the prophet weeps and far away is his comforter, the One who restores his soul. The enemy has prevailed as predicted. The summary for Israel is this, “The LORD is righteous; for I have rebelled against His command; hear now, all peoples, and behold my pain; my virgins and my young men have gone into captivity (Lamentations 1:16-18).” The foreign lovers deceived in their idolatry. The elders and priests who went along with their folly have now perished in the city while they sought out food to strengthen themselves. “In the street the sword slays; in the house it is like death.” The ravages of being taken over are reiterated with a plea for the day of the LORD to come for vindication upon the enemies who have done this to Jerusalem. As for this time though, all is desperate as they pay for their transgressions. Their groans are many, and their heart is faint (Lamentations 1:19-22). *Application* This is a stark reminder of the society once prosperous because of the blessing of God forgetting their way to the point of annihilation and depravity. We should remember all God has done for us and be thankful, being ever vigilant against compromise with the deceit of idolatry and transgression against the King (Psalm 77:11). God is holy and will not share His glory with an obstinate bunch. His discipline can be severe as we see here, so stay humble and obedient to His righteous ways. It is for our good. He does not desire to show His heavy Hand, but will to straighten out the wayward (Psalm 5:4).

 

Verse to Memorize: Lamentations 1:18