Day 235-236, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Psalm 74, 79, 85, 102, 120, 137; Lamentations 1–3
Note: Because this is a two day study, it is suggested that the Bible reading be done on August 23 and the Bible study read on August 24.
Loss and Hope
Many Country and Western songs are written about painful experiences, especially lost love. Fans like the music style, even if they do not know the lyrics. Or, they might identify with the words because of similar circumstances they are going through. The best songs composed of any genre’ are usually born from experience.
These six Psalms and the book of Lamentations in today’s Bible reading are songs of national lament. Jeremiah may have written them; he was present at the destruction of the city of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. These were times of anguish, tears, despair, and present hopelessness. Still, amazingly, there is hope for Israel’s future.
What was happening in Jerusalem?
Jerusalem experiences famine while being besieged—there is nothing for the people or animals to eat or drink—the people result to cannibalism. Women are even eating their own children.
Finally, Jerusalem’s impregnable walls are battered down by their enemies and reduced to rubble. King Zedekiah and his small army flee the city. Still, the Babylonians capture the king as his army scatters. He is taken to Babylon in shackles, where they kill his sons as he watches.
In the meantime, Jerusalem’s temple is looted, destroyed, and burned. The king’s palace and all the prominent buildings are set on fire. Then the Babylonians either kill or exile the Jews remaining in Jerusalem, after they abuse them. The women are raped, the young men are tortured after they are strung up, and the elderly are despised.
Only a few of the poorest people, with no position or property, are allowed to stay in the land of Judah to care for it. Even the princes of Jerusalem are reduced to nothing, having to scrounge around for food. With any money that the remnant can find, the people buy water to drink and wood for cooking.
There is no joy in Jerusalem. The survivors wonder, “what do we do now? Where is God? Doesn’t he care anymore? Will we be totally forgotten? Will we perish?”
Where was God?
This was the question that Jeremiah (and a few righteous Jews) had. The answer is that the glorious presence of the LORD left the temple (Ezekiel 10-11). Perhaps he took the ark of the covenant with him; the next Biblical reference to it is in heaven (Revelation 11:19). God is not going to deliver the Israelites this time.
Lamentations—the book of weeping
The book of Lamentations is emotional. In it, the prophet Jeremiah tells us in graphic language, the plight of the Jews. There are much grief and tears.
The book of Lamentations demonstrates God’s faithfulness in fulfilling the covenant he made with Israel 900 years earlier in the time of Moses (Deuteronomy 28:49-59). It is a covenant of blessing for obedience and cursing for disobedience.
The LORD had been patient for almost 1,000 years as Israel became increasingly evil to the point of no return, no repentance. Now the LORD must be faithful to the other side of the agreement because he is just, righteous, and holy.
For Jerusalem, this day would be the dreadful fulfillment of the curses for disobedience. Even during the grief of these times, however, there is hope because God will never forget his people.
If any of us have gone through terrible experiences because of our sins, it does not mean God is unfaithful, and there is no hope. If we belong to God’s family, the LORD will never forget us. There is always hope for those who turn back from their sins. Unfortunately, even those who are innocent sometimes suffer from the sinful actions of others. Jeremiah suffered, and so might some of us.
Imagine the reaction of the Jews in Babylon when they hear of their beloved city. They are not allowed to cry publicly, but they groan in their spirits and weep privately for their town and her people. They lost their relatives, their homeland, and their temple. Will they cease to exist as a nation? Will they ever return to their land? Return to what—rubble and charred remains? Is there no hope?
A Future Hope
The few people in Judah and the exiles are in distress. They live as captives. Their bodies and souls waste away, yet Jeremiah offers this hope:
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD…
For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men. To crush underfoot all prisoners in the land, to deny a man his rights before the Most High, to deprive a man of justice-- would not the Lord see such things?
Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come? Why should any living man complain when punished for his sins? Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD (Lamentations 3:22-26, 33-40, NIV).
With the LORD, there is mercy and salvation. He can bring restoration and hope, even though we may experience terrible loss. We will see how God brings hope to the captives in the coming lessons.
Discussion
Have there been some instances where we felt like God didn’t care? What happened, and how was it resolved?
Is there hope for someone who continually sins? How will God forgive? What future hope will there be for him?
Focus Verse
Lamentations 3:31-33 (NIV) “For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rod, the author
Looking Ahead: Although their beloved city, Jerusalem, is destroyed, God allows the few Jewish residents and scattered people grace to live in their land. But that grace is forfeited. Join us for our Next Lesson and learn what can happen if we do the same.
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