THE BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS
Lamentations |ˌlamənˈtāSH(ə)ns| noun the passionate expression of grief or sorrow; weeping. From the Hebrew word incipit meaning “how” a collection of poetic laments for the destruction of Jerusalem.
The book of Lamentations comes from the Hebrew word incipit meaning “how” and is a collection of poetic laments from the Jewish people after the destruction of Jerusalem captured by an anonymous author.
It starts in Chapter 1 with a poetic expression of the sorrow in Jerusalem. “In the midst of her sadness and wandering, Jerusalem remembers her ancient splendor. But now she has fallen to her enemy, and there is no one to help her.” (1:7)
Lamentations can be a great book for us to read when we are walking through seasons of suffering or pain—when we don’t understand. When we’re hurting. They are raw, honest poems that acknowledge the legitimacy of the pain and suffering we experience in life while still turning our faith and trust back to God.
At the time Lamentations was written, the Jewish people had a hope for the future (Jeremiah 29:11) in their coming Messiah, Jesus, but their current season of exile, pain, and suffering was very real. They had famines in the land, the rich had lost everything and become poor, and people were dying every day. These beautiful chapters are a very authentic and real look into how we should approach seasons of suffering while still holding on to God’s promises and faithfulness.
“The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet, I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, ’The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him!’ The Lord is good to those who depend on Him, to those who search for Him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord. And it is good for people to submit at an early age to the yoke of His discipline… For no one is abandoned by the Lord forever. Though He brings grief, He also shows compassion because of the greatness of His unfailing love.” Lamentations 3:22-31
In the chapter above, the Jewish people are expressing the depth of their suffering and pain—but how no matter how great the suffering becomes, they will always remember the faithfulness of God. He remains their hope no matter what their current circumstance appears.
This is the kind of faith we can still strive to have today. In this life, we will experience trials and troubles (John 16:33) but as believers, we are called to a higher level of understanding and faith. No matter what we experience in this life, we must remember that God is good and God is faithful. Whatever our circumstances look like on the outside, we can always put our hope in Him.
At the end of Lamentations, the poet doesn’t offer a nice, neat conclusion—much like our own experiences of pain and suffering. But this very important book shows us how lament, prayer, grief are a crucial part in the journey of the faith of God’s people in a broken world. It shows our great need for a Savior.
“Joy has left our hearts; our dancing has turned to mourning. The garlands have fallen from our heads. Weep for us because we have sinned. Our hearts are sick and weary, and our eyes grow dim with tears. For Jerusalem is empty and desolate, a place haunted by jackals. But Lord, you remain the same forever! Your throne continues from generation to generation.” Lamentations 5:15-19
Though we have hope in God, sometimes our lives still look anything but hopeful. I pray the book of Lamentations will be a comfort to you in difficult life seasons—comfort to know that God understands and is near to us in our brokenness (Psalm 34:18) and that He is still good and still faithful, even when we can’t see it yet. That’s the definition of faith.
XO-
Sabrina