Lamentations 1

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27
May '24

Lamentations 1

Posted on May 27, 2024 by Jerry Ingalls in Devotions, General |

27
May '24

Day 1532

The Comprehensive Nature of Judgment!

Lamentations 1

 

Happy Memorial Day! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Monday, May 27.

 

 

Lamentations captures the heartbreak of Israel over the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon in 586 BC. This poetic work is found immediately after Jeremiah because tradition upholds that he authored it, even though the prophet’s name is not found in it. Yet, 2 Chronicles 35:25a records that he was proficient in this literary form, “Then Jeremiah chanted a lament for Josiah.” For a man who was known as the weeping prophet, it makes sense that he would write sad poems about the most significant event of his life and times.

 

 

The first two chapters are alphabetic acrostic poems, meaning that the first letter of each line begins with the next consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet, which contains twenty-two letters. While this will be hidden from English readers, it was a common poetic device of Hebrew poetry, which is also found in the Psalms. Such poems were written for their aesthetic value but were also used to aid in memorization. Another purpose for this poetic device was how it clearly expressed the comprehensive nature of its topic. The intent of Lamentations was to capture the sheer horror of the total devastation of Zion’s fall, with the first of the acrostic laments beginning with verses 1-2, which personifies Jerusalem as an abandoned, destitute widow:

 

 

How lonely sits the city that was full of people! She has become like a widow who was once great among the nations! She who was a princess among the provinces has become a forced laborer! She weeps bitterly in the night and her tears are on her cheeks; she has none to comfort her among all her lovers. All her friends have dealt treacherously with her; they have become her enemies.

 

 

Seize the moment and weep over sin and its consequences, the comprehensive nature of judgment – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

 

 
 
God bless you!

 

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YOUTUBE:

If you prefer a video, Pastor Jerry reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.

 
 
 
 

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