Lamentations: How Lonely Lies the City…

Outline I.Introduction. II.Structure and Style. III.Theological content. IV.Food for Thought. V.Practical content.

I. Introduction: A.Authorship. B.Canonical Placement. C.Title. D.Historical Background.

A. Authorship Jeremiah authorship according to the LXX, the Vulgate, Jewish tradition, and the KJV bible (external evidence). Jeremiah authorship based similarities between some parts of Jeremiah and Lamentations (internal evidence). II Chron 35:25 could also be a proof of Jeremiah authorship though the lament referred to was a lament for Josiah.

B. Canonical Placement The Hebrew Scriptures were probably originally canonized into a two- fold division: the Law (Torah) and the Prophets (Nebhim), but a later division adds the sacred writings (Hagiographa). The Hebrew canon places Lamentations just after Ruth in the Megilloth of Kethubhim (the rolls). The LXX divides the Old Testament according to subject matter and is the basis of the modern four-fold classification of the: five books of Law, twelve books of History, five books of Poetry, and seventeen books of Prophecy. This translation places Lamentations after the prophecy of Jeremiah, and this position was later adopted by the other versions, including the Vulgate and subsequent English translations.

C. Title In the Hebrew text, the book is named after its first word hkya ('Ekhah), meaning “how” or “alas” or “oh”. This word also appears first in 2:1 and 4:1. (see also 2 Sam 1:25-27, Isa 1:21 and Isa 42:12) The LXX reads threnoi (or qinoth in Hebrew meaning tears) “of Jeremiah” The Vulgate retains the title “tears” in Latin- threni and adds “id est lamentationes Jeremiae prophetae”

D. Historical Background. Shalmeneser V( BC) invaded the Northern Kingdom in 725 B.C-II Kings 17. Sargon II deports the Israelites to Assyria sometime between 722 and 709 B.C. Judah itself fell years later and Jerusalem was destroyed in the 9 th of Av 587 B.C (July/August in solar calendar). This time should be identified with Jer 39:1-18. Other historical accounts are in 2Kings and 2Chron 36 Interestingly, Lamentations was and is presently being used by Jews as public recitation on the ninth of Av at the western (wailing) wall, on the day Jerusalem was destroyed by the Chaldeans and later by the Romans in AD 70 centuries later.

II. Structure and Style Although many forms of Hebrew poetry are used in Lamentations such as parallelisms, meters, and strophic arrangements our focus will be on the use of acrostic patterns in the book.

Focus on the use of an Acrostic Structure. Each chapter of the book is comprised of a poem making five poems in all. 1,2,4,and 5 have 22 verses, while chapter 3 has 66 The poems use the literary style of an acrostic where the poem is built around the alphabet. In each of chapter 1 and 2, 22 verses and 66 lines. Each Hebrew alphabet beginning a verse. Three lines per stanza In chapter 4, same format as 1 and 2 but with two lines per stanza. In chapter 3, one Hebrew alphabet begins three verses. For example, Aleph begins verses 1, 2, and 3 and Beth begins verses 4, 5, and 6 etc. There is only one line per stanza. In chapter 5, the alphabets are not used but there are still 22 verses for 22 alphabets. However verses are themselves mini-acrostic.

III. Theological Content A.Possible reasons for writing the book. B.Obvious themes found in Lamentations. C.Interesting parallelism between Lamentations and Deuteronomy.

A. Possible Reasons for Writing the Book To show that sin has consequences. To bring the readers to repentance. To ask for mercy in the midst of judgment. To offer hope of forgiveness and restoration to the readers. To offer a portrait of Jesus’ suffering (chap 3 is similar to Ps 22).

B. Obvious Themes Fulfillment of indictment.- 2:17 Retribution-1:8,9 Grace-3:22, Judgment. Reprobation and Equal Ultimacy.- 2:6; 5:21 Misery of judgment.-2: 15,3:1-20 Hope of restoration.-3:25,26; 31-33; 5:21

C. Interesting Parallelism… Interestingly the book of Lamentations points to Deuteronomy 28. Here God warns the Israelites about the impending retribution for disobedience. Here God also anticipates their imminent apostasy.

Deuteronomy Among those nations you will find no repose, no resting place for the sole of your foot. There the LORD will give you an anxious mind, eyes weary with longing, and a despairing heart. 44 He will be the head, but you will be the tail. 32 Your sons and daughters will be given to another nation. 25 The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies. You will come at them from one direction but flee from them in seven 41 You will have sons and daughters but you will not keep them, because they will go into captivity. 37 You will become a thing of horror and an object of scorn and ridicule to all the nations where the LORD will drive you. 1:3 She dwells among the nations; she finds no resting place. All who pursue her have overtaken her in the midst of her distress. 1:5 Her foes have become her masters; her enemies are at ease. 1:5c Her children have gone into exile, captive before the foe. 1:6c …in weakness they have fled before the pursuer. 1:18c …My young men and maidens have gone into exile. 2: 15 All who pass your way clap their hands at you; they scoff and shake their heads Lamentations

Deuteronomy Because of the suffering that your enemy will inflict on you during the siege, you will eat the fruit of the womb, the flesh of the sons and daughters the LORD your God has given you. 30 You will build a house, but you will not live in it. 65 Among those nations you will find no repose, no resting place for the sole of your foot. 50 a fierce-looking nation without respect for the old or pity for the young. 2:20 "Look, O LORD, and consider: Whom have you ever treated like this? Should women eat their offspring, the children they have cared for? 5:2 Our inheritance has been turned over to aliens, our homes to foreigners. 5:5 Those who pursue us are at our heels; we are weary and find no rest. 5:12 Princes have been hung up by their hands; elders are shown no respect. Lamentations

IV. Food for Thought How can God make them forget their Sabbaths and appointed feasts and then punish them for it? 2:6, II Chron 36: Why couldn’t the people of Judah learn from the fall of the nation of Israel? How does chapter 3 point to Christ? How is God’s wrath so consuming yet his mercy so abounding? For what atrocities was Edom to be punished? 4:21,22

V. Practical Content It becomes necessary to avoid those things that led to God’s judgment on Judah. Lessons are learned in the chastisement that brings on his children. Jeremiah sets an example of love for Judah by warning them, and then offering up intercessory prayer on their behalf after the fall.

Questions, comments…