A Study Guide For The Book Of Lamentations
An Expose’ On Hope
Much More Than A Poignant Story
Lesson 2
Different outline possibilities for the Book of Lamentations.
Introduction: A.
The Book of Lamentations is a series of “laments” (mourning, grief, weeping, sorrow, anguish, pain).
1.
The lamentations progress from one level of grief to other levels.
a.
First, there is Grief at arm’s length. Jeremiah saw the grief in denial and as an onlooker.
b.
Second, there is grief up close and personal. Jeremiah saw the grief affected him on a close and personal basis.
c.
Third, there is grief shared in community. Jeremiah sees that his grief is also the grief of the nation. They lost as much as he lost.
2.
Throughout the Book of Lamentations, the memories of the recent events in Jerusalem play counterpoint to issues that the author was forced to confront.
a.
Sometimes our first explanation of an event has to change when actually confronted with the real reason rather than what we first gave.
b.
This point counterpoint confrontation is something like a action and reaction drama playing fast before us causing us to understand the whys only after we have seen the whole picture from other perspectives.
3.
As Jeremiah sought to find meaning in his life over what was, is and will occur, he found the basis for what he and we really need, and that is discovering hope that does not go away.