LAMENTATIONS
Author:
Jeremiah.
Date:
Sometime after 586 BC.
Themes:
A lament about the fall of Jerusalem in poetic language; the reason for it; Jeremiah’s mental anguish; the spiritual lessons he declares; his prayer for the people of Israel. In the midst of the mournful lament we have the beautiful and meaningful words of Lam 3:21-27.
Contents:
The prophet describes the city’s ruined condition 1:1-11
Jerusalem personified laments her condition 1:12-22
The prophet speaks again in his own voice 2:1-22
The prophet continues to lament 3:1-20
Bright beams of hope 3:21-42
But grief remains 3:43-66
Jerusalem’s past glory and present sad state 4:1-22
The prophet, representing the city,
pleads with God for mercy 5:1-22