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Lamentations : Outstanding Facts
One could read the book of Lamentations without a grasp for the outstanding facts of the book and still get a lot out of it, but a review of the outstanding facts will deepen one's appreciation. The authorship of the book is understood as being written by Jeremiah in a poetic style. The book is an eye witness lament of Jeremiah, who standing in the midst of the ruins of Jerusalem and mourning for her fall from grace. The poetic style is not of rhyme and meter, but could best be understood in the english language by a child's alphabet book. 'A' is for absolute destruction. 'B' is for because Israel sinned. 'C' is for her calloused heart... In this way the writer is saying, 'From A to Z the desolation of Jerusalem is complete.'
The main points for the reader should be apparent. People can not live in sin with out consequence and neither can a nation. People often choose to believe that because they have yet to see the consequences of sin (national or individual) that will not come to pass. People often prefer to listen to the superficial optimism of a false prophet. People turn to false hope when out of touch with God, just as Israel turned to Egypt for hope of deliverance from forthcoming Babylon destruction and captivity in Jeremiah's day. People, when dealing with the consequences of sin, often blame God for their circumstances, and in the process sear their own conscience. Thus was the case with national Israel in Jeremiah's day, as they justified themselves and propped up their own false hope and prophets.
It should be noted that however bleak the situation may look, that there is still hope for a thief on a cross. Remorse and repentance lead to a restoration by God's grace. Remorse is a first step back towards God. Israel, in captivity, began to understand and be sorry for its gross national sin, as it awakened from the slumber of idolatry. Repentance, turning from the idols and false prophets and back towards God in humble supplication, is the next step of a prodigal son. In captivity, Israel's stoney heart was melted, as they agonized and asked for God's grace and forgiveness. Restoration is assured to Israel, but only after the penalty of seventy years captivity is paid. Even the Christian may have to pay the natural consequences for sins, and although God may choose to miraculously deliver a person from such consequences, that would be his sovereign choice, not man's. The penalty of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.
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