Bible Studies

A SIMPLE TEACHING GUIDE By Henry Jaegers THE BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS

by Henry Jaegers
05/05/20
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A SIMPLE TEACHING GUIDE

By Henry Jaegers

THE BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS

Title: The Heart o the Prophet Jeremiah

Time: After the Destruction of Jerusalem

Summary and Application

The book of Lamentations is one that is often overlooked and some time is not even mentioned by some leading Bible commentators. Some have come to the conclusion that Jeremiah was weak because he wept over the devastation of Jerusalem. I have even heard one minister referring to Jeremiah as the "weepy prophet". He is not that at all and we could only wish that all men had the heart that Jeremiah had when viewing all that his people had passed through.

As we read through the prophecy carefully, we capture the emotion of Jeremiah and we cannot help but weep with him as he displays a great heart of love for Jerusalem and for the nation of Israel who has gone into Babylonian captivity. One cannot read this book casually and understand his love. God made no mistake when he called Jeremiah at this particular time while Israel and Jerusalem were being totally destroyed right before his very eyes. How could he not weep?

The book of Lamentations service as a companion study to the beatitude that says "Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted". (Matthew 5:4).

The practical value of this book can be seen that Jeremiah was not only concerned by this present destruction alone but that which would take place in eternity. In like manner, we must feel compassion not only for those who were dead in sins and separated eternally from God in this life but that separation will be eternal. The only true happiness that can occur in a person's life is that when he begins to experience the life of God every day in his existence living in the eternal presence of our loving God.

The book is not without difficulties to outline but allow me to make a suggested one:

Chapter 1: the sorrow of Jeremiah over the destroyed Temple and the people of Jerusalem.

Chapter 2: Sorrow over the actions of God in revealing his arm of wrath.

Chapter 3: Sorrow expressed by Jeremiah as it pertains to him.

Chapter 4:  Sorrow over the devastation and terrible describe the destruction of the people in the suffering that they experienced because of their disobedience.

Chapter 5, The final call of God for repentance and their refusal to respond to his invitation of love.

At the end of each chapter, there are words of encouragement given and we shall examine these more closely in our questions for discussion. 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. In chapter 1:1-3, describe the reason for Jeremiah's sorrow. What is the condition that he addresses?

2. In chapter 1:12-22, describe the sorrow expressed here. Is it Jeremiah speaking, or is it the land itself describing its sorrow? Or is it possible both may be true? Discuss the possibilities.

3. In chapter 2:1-9, describe the actions of God toward Judah and his purposes for such.

4. In chapter 2:14-23, describe the good news that will occur and the action that they must take to receive it.

5. In chapter 3: 1-20, Jeremiah himself describes his grief. Do you think that all of his conclusions that he is describing sometimes come to our minds when we face situations we do not fully understand? Is Jeremiah possibly attributing things to God (like Job often did in his defense) that are not altogether true but how he is viewing the situation?

6. In chapter 3:54-66, discuss the comfort that Jeremiah finds in the depths of sorrow that fills his heart.

7. In chapter 4:1-16, describe the devastation that has taken place and the causes mentioned.

8. In chapter 4:21, 22, describe the words of hope given by God, despite all that they have suffered?

9. In chapter 5, steps of action are given to help them to find hope for their future. Versus 1-16, describe their confession prior to receiving forgiveness. Describe the things they have confessed.

10. In verses 19-22, describe the positive note found at the end of this book. Consider Jeremiah 29:11 and consider the goodness of God in the midst of all of this.