All her friends have dealt treacherously with her, 2
They are become her enemies. 2
I.
Outline for the Book of Lamentations.
A.
Judah's desolation and sorrow, Lamentations 1:1-22.
B.
The vindication of God, Lamentations 2:1-22.
C.
Judah's hope in God's mercy, Lamentations 3:1-66
D.
Judah's future glory, Lamentations 4:1-22.
E.
A final prayer, Lamentations 5:1-22.
II.
Outline for the Book of Lamentation. Source from Bible.org An Argument of the Book of Lamentations.
A.
Some interesting information.
1.
The Book of Lamentations has a definite structural balance.
2.
Chapters 1-2 and 4-5 parallel each other and are arranged in a chiasm pattern.
3.
What is a chiasm? Learn this term and the information about it well because understanding this will help you understand and appreciate the Lamentations so much more.
a.
A chiasm is a natural result of the social need to package a difficult message in a way that prepares one for its force and provides encouragement after the delivery.
b.
Letter writing involves chiasms with an odd number of lines, while poetry often uses chiasms with an even number of lines.
1)
The odd number identifies the inner-most, unpaired element with the message.
2)
It becomes the "focus" of the letter.
a)
All other elements of the letter exist to help deliver that message.