Our next book of study is Lamentations. To define a Lament is to feel or express deep sorrow, grief, or regret. It can be considered as both a verb and as a noun. But in this context, it is a noun, which refers to an expression of grief, or a mournful song, poem, or piece of music written to honor someone who has died.
The book was written by Prophet Jeremiah to reflect the turning point experienced by the Israelites – where Judah and Jerusalem were both conquered by the Babylonians. And the temple of God was destroyed with the peoples hopes dashed, indicating Sin and Rebellion as the reason for this fall.
The book of Lamentations is for people grasping for the right words to express the deep longings of suffering and pain from their hearts to God. In comparison with the Jews in the old age, grief was performed through rituals and symbols with the use of poetry while in this modern age, we tend to analyze grief through Introspection/Self- examination and Therapy/Counseling.
Today, the book voices the fear and frustration we all face when confronted with loss and grief, despair and suffering thereby articulating the groanings of the heart when we are left speechless. It reminds us and offers us a means through which God’s people could mourn their loss, remember the cause of their suffering (either for the sake of Christ or through Sin), articulate their grief and petition God for grace, mercy, healing and help.
In conclusion, as we venture into the chapters, let us put our trust and confidence in God’s mercy in all our trials – exercising repentance, faith, and prayer with the hope of a promised deliverance, knowing it will be well at the end of it all. For those that trust in, love, fear, and serve the Lord ,will never be put to shame (Romans 10 vs 11 and Isaiah 49 vs 23).
PRAYER
May we find the words to express our own suffering/grief and pain and rest in the revelation truth that God is listening to us and He is ready to answer them in Jesus name 🙏
Shalom 🕊️
Bimpe Lawal