them are: (1) as an aid to memorization; (2) as a symbol of the fullness of the people’s grief (i.e., from A to Z); (3) to ne the expression of boundless grief by the limiting device of acrostic E MESSAGE The message of Lamentations is threefold: Mourning over Jerusalem’s judgment for sin Most of the book presents this Compare Jesus’ mourning over Jerusalem in Luke 13:34-35 and 19:41-44 Confession of sin (e.g., 1:8; 3:59; 5:16) Ray of hope (e.g., 3:21-32; 5:21) Only one who saw into the far-distant future could speak of hope Babylon was the conqueror now, and Jerusalem the vanquished; in that future day, it would be glory for Jerusalem and desolation for Babylon With such a hope, the author could exclaim, “Great is Thy faithfulness” (3:23b) III SURVEY Scan the book of Lamentations, chapter by chapter Check your own observations with the following: The book has ve chapters, each of which is a separate poem Sometimes Jeremiah speaks for himself (“I”); sometimes the Jewish captives (including Jeremiah) speak (“We”); and sometimes Jeremiah writes about his brethren (“They”) The prevailing tone is utter grief and resignation At a few places a ray of hope shines through Such hope is brightest in the middle of chapter There is much imagery in the book (E.g., “From on high He sent re into my bones,” 1:13.) Short prayers to God appear from time to time The entire last chapter is a prayer Jeremiah continually acknowledges God’s holiness, justice, and sovereignty in the judgments which He has sent upon Judah References to the people’s sins appear from time to time in the book The book ends on a note of hope (5:1922).5 Study carefully the survey Chart 85 Relate it to the survey you have already made of the book Note the following on the chart, rereading the Bible text to justify any outlines which not seem clear: a) The rst four chapters are dirges, written in acrostic style chapter is basically a prayer; and it is nonacrostic b) The middle chapter (3) is the brightest Various references to the Lord’s mercies are made here c) There is a natural progression of thought throughout the chapters In chapter 1, the prophet and people are weeping over Jerusalem’s destruction; in chapter 2, God’s judgments, as the cause of the grief, are described; chapter shows where hope is to be found; in chapter 4, sin is acknowledged as the cause of divine judgment; and in chapter 5, the prophet prays in behalf of his brethren as he pleads for God’s deliverance d) Each of chapters 1-3 ends with a prayer Although this is not so of chapter 4, all of the succeeding chapter (5) is a prayer IV KEY WORDS AND VERSES Note the key words on Chart 85 Also read the Bible text of the key verses cited V APPLICATIONS ... Chart 85 Relate it to the survey you have already made of the book Note the following on the chart, rereading the Bible text to justify any outlines which not seem clear: a) The rst four chapters... sovereignty in the judgments which He has sent upon Judah References to the people’s sins appear from time to time in the book The book ends on a note of hope (5:1922).5 Study carefully the survey Chart... nonacrostic b) The middle chapter (3) is the brightest Various references to the Lord’s mercies are made here c) There is a natural progression of thought throughout the chapters In chapter 1, the prophet