Why
the Book of Lamentations is important:
This book records the grief of the weeping prophet Jeremiah after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. Jeremiah predicted the destruction, watched it occur, and he reflects on all this with great sadness. He grieves over the disobedience of God's chosen people as he sees them taken captive to a foreign land.
Chapter 1 Jeremiah mourned for Jerusalem and Judea as they laid in ruin after being destroyed by Babylon. How lonely sits the city that was full of people. Yet now she has become like a widow who was once great among the nations, but has now become a forced laborer.
Chapter 2 Jeremiah describes the anger of the Lord as he brought judgment to the wicked land, just as He had warned He would do. He has cut off all the strength of Israel and drawn back His protective right hand from before the enemy.
Chapter 3 Jeremiah expresses his troubled spirit, suffering, and gloom. He feels afflicted because his home has been pillaged. Yet he remembers that God is faithful and will restore and bring His promise to pass. His loving-kindness never ceases. His compassions never fail.
Chapter 4 God brings justice and rules accordingly. The city of Jerusalem suffered terribly during the siege. Starvation was so bad that the people ate their own children. God warned the nation about their sin and disobedience and the penalty that would come as a result of God's judgment and wrath.
View an index of Old Testament books