7.
A Call for the Lord to Remember His Afflictions, 3:19.
B.
Consolation and Hope of Grace in God. The prophet expresses his hope in God in the face of dark suffering, 3:20-39.
1.
He has been humbled, 3:20.
2.
Hope Because of the Lord’s Loyal Love, 4 3:21-23.
3.
A Remembrance of the Promise of Restoration through Yahweh, 3:24-38.
a.
Yahweh Inspires Hope, 3:24.
b.
Yahweh Is Good to a Seeker, 3:25.
c.
Suffering Can Be Good, 3:26-27.
d.
The Endurance of Suffering Is Necessary, 3:28-30.
e.
Suffering Is Not Forever, 3:31-38.
4.
A Need to Suffer in Silent Faith, 3:39.
C.
Exhortation of the Nation to Penitence. The prophet confirms that confession and repentance are proper for the nation to do, 3:40-42.
1.
An Exhortation for the Nation to Examine Itself: 3:40.
2.
A Reminder that the Nation is Rebellious, 3:41-42.
D.
An Imprecatory Prayer for Vengeance in View of Desolation. The prophet returns to the desolate state of the people and prays for vengeance on the enemy, 3:43-66.
1.
An Affirmation of the Nation’s Just Judgment for Her Sin, 3:43-51.
2.
An Affirmation of Personal Deliverance by the Lord, 3:52-58.
3.
A Plea for the Lord to Bring about Judgment upon His/Their Enemies, 3:59-66.
IV B. Chapter Four is known as the Fourth Dirge or funeral poem and is an account of the Lord’s anger in view of Zion’s former glory and present misery. The unstoppable judgment from Yahweh made the blessed people of Judah into a suffering people because of the sins of the religious leaders. Jeremiah points out too that the nation of Edom who mocked them in their captivity will also be destroyed, 4:1-22.