Old Testament Vistas

There is an End to God’s Patience

Lamentations is a National Lament

It is Also a Structured Lament

Anonymous, but traditional author: JeremiahFive chapters – each an acrostic poemFirst two and last two have 22 versesMiddle has 66 versesStructure shows deliberate thought

Biblical Confession Begins by Being Honest with God and

Self

No Whitewashing the Situation

Lamentations 1:1-4 NIV How deserted lies the city, once so full of people! How like a widow is she, who once was great among the nations! She who was queen among the provinces has now become a slave. Bitterly she weeps at night, tears are upon her cheeks.

No Whitewashing the Situation

Among all her lovers there is none to comfort her. All her friends have betrayed her; they have become her enemies. After affliction and harsh labor, Judah has gone into exile. She dwells among the nations; she finds no resting place.

No Whitewashing the Situation

All who pursue her have overtaken her in the midst of her distress. The roads to Zion mourn, for no one comes to her appointed feasts. All her gateways are desolate, her priests groan, her maidens grieve, and she is in bitter anguish.

Things Couldn’t Be Much Worse

Lamentations 3:45 ESV You have made us scum and garbage among the peoples.

The Biblical Concept of “Brokenness”

Lamentations 2:11 NLT I have cried until the tears no longer come; my heart is broken. My spirit is poured out in agony as I see the desperate plight of my people. Little children and tiny babies are fainting and dying in the streets.

Biblical Confession is Honest About the Cause of the

Calamity

The Disaster is Our Own Fault!

Lamentations 1:5 NLT Her oppressors have become her masters, and her enemies prosper, for the LORD has punished Jerusalem for her many sins. Her children have been captured and taken away to distant lands.

The Disaster is Our Own Fault!

Lamentations 1:20 NLT "LORD, see my anguish! My heart is broken and my soul despairs, for I have rebelled against You. In the streets the sword kills, and at home there is only death.

The Disaster is Our Own Fault!

Lamentations 5:16 NIV The crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us, for we have sinned!

Others Contributed to Our Downfall

Lamentations 2:14 NIV The visions of your prophets were false and worthless; they did not expose your sin to ward off your captivity. The oracles they gave you were false and misleading.

Others Contributed to Our Downfall

Lamentations 4:13-15 NIV But it happened because of the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests, who shed within her the blood of the righteous. Now they grope through the streets like men who are blind.

Others Contributed to Our Downfall

They are so defiled with blood that no one dares to touch their garments. "Go away! You are unclean!" men cry to them. "Away! Away! Don't touch us!" When they flee and wander about, people among the nations say, "They can stay here no longer."

The Key to Restoration is Confession

1 John 1:9 NIV If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Repentance Yields God’s Forgetfulness

Lamentations 5:21 NIV Restore us to yourself, O LORD, that we may return; renew our days as of old

God is Never Blamed

Lamentations 1:18 NIV "The LORD is righteous, yet I rebelled against his command. Listen, all you peoples; look upon my suffering. My young men and maidens have gone into exile.

God is Never Blamed

Lamentations 2:17 NIV The LORD has done what he planned; he has fulfilled his word, which he decreed long ago. He has overthrown you without pity, he has let the enemy gloat over you, he has exalted the horn of your foes.

God is Never Blamed

Lamentations 3:4-6 NLT He has made my skin and flesh grow old. He has broken my bones. He has besieged and surrounded me with anguish and distress. He has buried me in a dark place, like those long dead.

Faith is at the Heart of Biblical Confession

Lamentations 3:21-26 ESV

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:21-26 ESV

"The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him." The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

This Tells of the Character of God

2 Timothy 2:11-13 NIV Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

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Lamentations 3:22-24 ESV

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."