Lamentations 1-5; Psalm 137; 1 Peter 4
The Book of Lamentations was written shortly after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonian army and the Jews' exile. It is written as an acrostic, where each verse begins with a new letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Therefore, each chapter has 22 verses, except for the third chapter, where every three verses begin with the same letter, making it 66 verses long.
Jeremiah acknowledges the severity of Judah's sin and the righteousness of God's punishment: "Jerusalem has sinned grievously; therefore she has become vile" (Lam. 1:8), and "The Lord is righteous, for I have rebelled against His commandment" (Lam. 1:18).
The third chapter marks the climax of the prophet's emotional experience. Jeremiah vividly describes his sorrow over the destruction of Jerusalem. He understands that God, who is punishing Judah, does all this. As he sinks deeper into despair, he finally turns to the God he knows and whom he can trust: "This I recall to my mind. Therefore, I have hope: Through the Lord's mercies, we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not" (Lam. 3:21-22). Jeremiah realizes that God's mercy works in their lives even in the most difficult circumstances. Therefore, he can trust in the Lord: "The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I hope in Him" (Lam. 3:24). This radically changes everything.
The book ends with a prayer, asking for God's mercy: "Turn us back to You, O Lord, and we will be restored; renew our days as of old" (Lam. 5:21).
Psalm 137
This psalm, often referred to as one of the imprecatory psalms, reflects the real emotions of people who suffered at the hands of a foreign army that destroyed Jerusalem. The captives recall their suffering and plea for justice and retribution against their oppressors.
1 Peter 4
Just as Christ suffered while living on earth, those who believe in Him will also face persecution from the world around them. However, our privilege lies in the fact that even in such circumstances, we can serve God and others "as good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (1 Peter 4:10). Suffering for the sake of Christ brings joy, making us partakers in His work, which leads to the triumph of His glory (1 Peter 4:13).
Jeremiah acknowledges the severity of Judah's sin and the righteousness of God's punishment: "Jerusalem has sinned grievously; therefore she has become vile" (Lam. 1:8), and "The Lord is righteous, for I have rebelled against His commandment" (Lam. 1:18).
The third chapter marks the climax of the prophet's emotional experience. Jeremiah vividly describes his sorrow over the destruction of Jerusalem. He understands that God, who is punishing Judah, does all this. As he sinks deeper into despair, he finally turns to the God he knows and whom he can trust: "This I recall to my mind. Therefore, I have hope: Through the Lord's mercies, we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not" (Lam. 3:21-22). Jeremiah realizes that God's mercy works in their lives even in the most difficult circumstances. Therefore, he can trust in the Lord: "The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I hope in Him" (Lam. 3:24). This radically changes everything.
The book ends with a prayer, asking for God's mercy: "Turn us back to You, O Lord, and we will be restored; renew our days as of old" (Lam. 5:21).
Psalm 137
This psalm, often referred to as one of the imprecatory psalms, reflects the real emotions of people who suffered at the hands of a foreign army that destroyed Jerusalem. The captives recall their suffering and plea for justice and retribution against their oppressors.
1 Peter 4
Just as Christ suffered while living on earth, those who believe in Him will also face persecution from the world around them. However, our privilege lies in the fact that even in such circumstances, we can serve God and others "as good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (1 Peter 4:10). Suffering for the sake of Christ brings joy, making us partakers in His work, which leads to the triumph of His glory (1 Peter 4:13).
Posted in Reading Bible Together