d.
God’s Word Has Been Fulfilled in Judgment (cf. Deuteronomy 28), 2:17.
2.
A Call for the People to Cry Out to God: The Prophet urges the people to cry out in prayer to God because all of their lives are dependent upon this, 2:18-19.
a.
Exhortation to Constantly Pray, 2:18.
b.
All of Their Lives Depend on Their Praying, 2:19.
3.
A Call upon God to See the State of the Nation. The prophet urges the Lord to see the tragic state of affairs in the city as dead children are eaten, and priests, prophets, and the people of God are slaughtered, 2:20-22
a.
An Exhortation for the Lord to See the Nation’s Inhumane State of Affairs, 2:20a.
b.
An Exhortation for the Lord to See the Slaughter of Those Who Administer the Covenant (Priests and Prophets), 2:20b.
c.
An Exhortation for the Lord to See the Slaughter of the Covenantal People, 2:21-22.
III C. Chapter Three is known as the Third Dirge or funeral poem and is the response of the Prophet (Jeremiah) to the destruction of Jerusalem. As a representative of the community, the prophet laments or grieves over God’s judgment upon him, yet Jeremiah expresses his hope in God and urges the nation to repent and confess their sins. The prophet is also found praying for vengeance upon his and their enemies in view of their present suffering, 3:1-66.
A.
Personal Suffering: The Prophet, as a representative of the people, laments God’s judgment upon him, 3:1-19.
1.
Suffering at God’s Hand, 3:1-3.
2.
The Life of Suffering and Hardship, 3:4-7.
3.
Ineffective Prayers, 3:8.
4.
No Escape, 3:9-13.
5.
Total Humiliation, 3:14-15.
6.
Total Depression, 3:16-18.