SUMMARY OF LAMENTATIONS 4
Jeremiah is lamenting the punishment and loss of the people. He compares them to gold that has lost its luster. And they are now destitute. All because of their sins that caused the Lord’s wrath. The Lord has scattered His people. Their punishment will end after the punishment is over.
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 27, Day 4: Lamentations 4
9a) They and their. The people of Jerusalem. Us. The people of Jerusalem. He. God.
b) The children of Zion are now pots of clay in a potter’s hand (they have gone from gold to clay). The people are heartless. The infant is thirsty. The children beg for food. The rich are destitute. Kings and royals are now dead. The princes are unrecognizable. Many will die of famine. Women cooked their own children for food.
c) We see the punishment of God’s people. But their punishment will end after this punishment.
10) The Lord has given full vent to his wrath; he has poured out his fierce anger. He kindled a fire in Zion that consumed her foundations. The enemies and foes entered the gates of Jerusalem. The Lord himself has scattered them; he no longer watches over them. The priests are shown no honor, the elders no favor. The Lord’s anointed, our very life breath, was caught in their (the enemies’) traps. God will punish their sin and expose their wickedness.
11) It’s good. It helps to keep me accountable and prevent me from sin. God’s judgment is just; everything He does is just. I think it’s helpful to know you are being watched, so you don’t sin.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 27, Day 4: Lamentations 4
It can be hard to read the troubling consequences of sin and God’s punishment. Yet, it serves as a lesson to us to not do/be the same.
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 27, Day 4: Lamentations 4
Jeremiah uses comparison and contrast to point out how the people used to be versus what they are now.
Jeremiah laments the loss of the people who were as precious as gold. Everyone was punished by God; no one was exempt.
The nobility are unrecognizable. It is so bad that women cooked their own children for food.
God’s wrath was deep. The people wandered the streets, stepping on dead bodies and defiling themselves. The people were scattered and were shunned everywhere they went.
No one could escape as the Babylonians pursued them.
Edom was happy Jerusalem had fallen, but they would be punished soon for their sins.
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