A Study Guide For The Book Of Lamentations An Expose’ On Hope
Much More Than A Poignant Story
Lesson 5
Purposes For The Book Of Lamentations
Introduction: Lamentations is a meal having several layers. It is not a low calorie snack. In it can be found a most beautiful, beneficial and balanced meal that meets the demands of the hungriest need. Each portion reveals another purpose for its consumption.
The first purpose for Lamentations will begin in how it and the book of Jeremiah are related; but first read Jeremiah 15:16 “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.”
I.
To provide an emotional postscript to the book of Jeremiah. Several themes delivered by Jeremiah are found in both books. Themes like, the warning of God, the judgment of God, the righteousness of God, the holiness of God, the right of God to do as He wills, and also that after sin is judged, the sinner is still offered hope in forgiveness, restitution and the continued presence of the Almighty.
II.
To express grief over the fall of Jerusalem because of her sin. Jeremiah understands God bringing judgment. He points out the reason for that judgment and shows dismay that the people to whom God has so blessed had not just committed sin but had committed sin against the God of glory, against the holiness of God, against their creator and against the only One that truly loves them. Jeremiah’s grief involved sorrow for sinning against the God that has ever been so good to them.
III.
To remind the readers that “sin, in spite of all its allurement and excitement carries with it heavy weights of sorrow, grief, misery, barrenness, and pain. He desired Judah to understand that the judgment that came was based upon their refusal to hear the message of God. He wanted them to know that their self-centered attitude and practice provoked the Holy One unto anger. In the final analysis Jeremiah wished them to know that regardless of the allurement and excitement, the price paid because of willful sin is and will never be enough to undergo the grief that will follow sin.
IV.
To offer reproof, instruction, and hope to the survivors of fallen Jerusalem. As in the book of Jeremiah, the Prophet continued in Lamentations to reprove Judah of sin. He instructed her as to what to expect and what would come in their continue pursuit of sin.
In line with the work of a Prophet, Jeremiah delivered the message from God that though they had sinned, though judgment did fall, that there is still hope for them because God 35
had promised forgiveness and restoration even before judgment came. He did not tell Judah this to make it easier for them to sin but to let them know more fully the love of Jehovah for them. Jeremiah’s heart was broken so much the more because the people continued to sin until judgment came though they know how much the LORD loved them.
V.
To chasten Israel that they recognize the righteousness of God’s dealings with them, and that in a spirit of repentance they cast themselves once more upon His mercy.
A.
Jeremiah did not cease to deliver the message of God to the people because they refused to be obedient to Him.
B.
The Prophet continued to call out to the people to turn to God and He would forgive.
1.
Notice that Jeremiah did not tell them to repent and the captivity would not happen.
2.
He did not tell them to forgive themselves.
3.
He told them to repent and to cast or throw themselves once more upon the Mercy of God.
a.
And for this day we are living in (June 2009) Israel is following the same rebellious past they have followed many times and believe it or not, within a very few years from today (I believe less than 7 years), the world in hand with Antichrist will chastised Israel.
b.
But, God will deliver them when repentance is made and obedience is given.
c.
Call me a fool and quote no one knows the day nor the hour will be fine.
1)
I did not mention a day or an hour.
2)
I said our sin is bringing our national judgment.
3)
Now look at what that coming national judgment is fast approaching.
a)
This United States of America will soon be a bad memory because we have played the part of a fool and have elected folks who are proxies of Satan and 36
whose gold is weighed by their fighting against God and His people.
b)
Any nation choosing to curse Israel will be cursed.
c)
You do not have to believe it.
(1)
One day, every nation on this earth will be ruled from the throne in Jerusalem.
(2)
Yes, “Eho Sane O Bomb A” will initiate
more power to those that hate Jews and will help Jerusalem to fall soon, but he and his bunch of demonic thugs will be in Jerusalem only until Israel repents and Jesus Christ
throws then all out and Israel is again in
Jerusalem the city of God and in the land
Jehovah God gave His people, the Israelites of the seed of Jacob.
(3)
It matters not what country any president is suppose to represent, there is no chance of a snowball in hell that a Christian would quote the “koo-ran” over the inspired Holy Bible, the Word of the One True God?
VI.
Lamentations expresses grief and, by example, teaches us how to deal with that grief.
A.
One way to help deal with grief is by knowing that nothing is outside the Lord's command and control will help us deal with grief. I am not suggesting a guess that or hope so but a “know so” beyond any doubt whatsoever faith.
a.
The author of Lamentations ascribed the destruction of his home and the exile of his people to the Lord. That helped him in his time of grief and because of that, he in essence is teaching up that there is something for us to do in the overcoming grief process.
b.
We can acknowledge the actions of God in the tragic events that come to our lives and find assurance, consolation and hope even in the things that happen.
B.
Another way to help deal with grief is by recognizing that The Lord is full of loving kindness and mercy will help us deal with grief.
a.
It is important to remember that it is the Lord's mercies that are new every morning.