THE LAMENTATIONS OF JEREMIAH--A SEQUEL TO THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH

THE LAMENTATIONS OF JEREMIAH
A SEQUEL TO THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH

Introduction:

A series of dirges (a funeral song or tune) in the form of an acrostic (a series of lines or verses in which the first, last, or other particular letters when taken in order spell out a word, phrase, etc.), are written as if for a National Funeral, portraying the capture and destruction of Jerusalem. In the Septuagint Version the following introductory words are found, “And it came to pass after Israel was led into captivity that Jeremiah sat weeping and lamenting and lamented this lamentation over Jerusalem.” ---Typical Index of the Bible.

“The touching significance of this book lies in the fact that it is the disclosure of the love and sorrow of Jehovah for the very people who He is chastening—a sorrow wrought by the Spirit in the heart of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 13:17; Matthew 23:36, 38; Romans 9:1-5).” ---Scofield.

A Brief Summary of the Book:

1) The ruin of Jerusalem and misery of the exiles, because of their sins, Lamentations 1.

2) Jehovah, the ancient defender of Israel, has given up his people to their awful fate, Lamentations 2.

3) Jeremiah’s grief over the afflictions of his people, -his trust God, and his own persecution, Lamentations 3.

4) The former glory of Israel contrasted with their present misery, Lamentations 4.

5) A prayer for mercy, Lamentations 5.

Key Verse: Lamentations 1:12, “Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the LORD hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger.”