The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his


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The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” A skillful and emotional poet described the devastation of the city of Jerusalem – brought by the Babylonians but ultimately caused by the Lord’s anger against His people – and poured out his own personal expressions of sorrow.   

What does Lamentations means and why is this title appropriate for this book? When is the last time you found yourself weeping over your own sin? What about the sin of others within the church or the sin of our nation? Share a time when disobedience to God resulted in difficult consequences for you? Would you agree that you have learned more through your suffering than through the good times? Explain.

Outline for Lamentations Focus Destruction of Jerusalem Reference 1:1 Division Mourning City Topic Grief Location

Anger of Jehovah 2:1 Broken People Cause

Prayer for Mercy Siege of Jerusalem 3:1 4:1 Suffering Prophet Ruined Kingdom Hope Repentance Jerusalem [586 B.C.]

Prayer for Restoration 5:1 5:22 Penitent Nation Prayer



Discuss how you see these major themes illustrated through each of the 5 poems [chapters] in Lamentations?



Read 2 Kings 25 and Jeremiah 52 for the facts related to the siege of Jerusalem. In light of these events, how does Lamentations express the emotions of Jeremiah?



What theme do you see in Lamentations 1:2, 9, 16, 17, and 21? How does this Chinese proverb relate to what Jeremiah is experiencing? “A day of sorrow is longer than a month of joy.” When you feel like there is no one to comfort you, remember the promise of 2 Corinthians 1:3-7.

“In verse 3:18 Jeremiah seems to have simply given up both in endurance and in hope. But then hope revives [v.21]. His lamenting has had a cathartic effect. Grief is important even for Christians, but with this proviso “we should not grieve as those without hope” [1 Thess. 4:13]. And here hope is reborn out of grief; the basis of this hope is the steadfast covenant love of God [Lamentations 3:22-24]. God is indeed rich in mercy [Ephesians 2:4], and His mercies are ever new. Hope is a much devalued word in our day, often expressing our desire for an uncertain outcome. In the Bible it is a strong word to express certainty in God’s future provision based on His truth and faithfulness [Romans 5;3-5, Galatians 5:5; Ephesians 1:18-23; 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11; Titus 2;13-14, 3:4-7]. Though God has cast off His people, He will not do so forever [Lamentations 3:31-39]. “Steadfast love” translates the Hebrew word hesed, which links God’s love to His covenant faithfulness. This covenant was never conditioned on human faithfulness, and it leads straight to the new covenant established solely by the sovereign mercy of God and ultimately sealed in Jesus’ blood [Luke 22:20; 1 Corinthians 11:25]. God will never cast His people off, because He did cast off His own Son in their place [Romans 8:32].” -- Gospel Transformation Bible

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Read Lamentations 3:19-26. As you reflect on the steadfast love of God and His character, write down specific examples from your own trials and difficulties in which you experienced the power of these truths.



Which phrase[s] in verses 19-25 help you to “live with expectation” every day?



All the heartaches and hardships experienced by Jerusalem in this book had been predicted 900 years earlier by Moses. God has warned of the fearful consequences of disobedience and, as Jeremiah carefully noted, God faithfully carried out those curses. Read Deuteronomy 28 in comparison with Lamentations. [From the Bible Knowledge Commentary] Lamentations 1:3 1:5 1:6 1:18 2:15 2:20 2:21 4:10 5:2 5:5 5:10 5:11 5:12 5:16

Deuteronomy 28:65 28:32, 44 28:25 28:41 28:37 28:53 28:50 28:56-57 28:30 28:65 28:48 28:30 28:50 28:26

“The same covenant that promises judgment for disobedience also promised restoration for repentance [Deut 30:1-10]. Thus Jeremiah could offer hope in the midst of despair (Lamentations 3:21-22). The prayer for restoration in 5:21-22 was a response of faith from those in captivity who understood the lessons of Deuteronomy 28 and Lamentations. They were calling on God to fulfill the final part of His covenant and to restore them as a nation from captivity.” – The Bible Knowledge Commentary



The final prayer in chapter 5, especially verses 21-22 is a prayer for restoration. How would the words of God in Jeremiah 32:36-44 and a second time in 33:1-11 give God’s people hope in this coming restoration?



What is your take away or application from Lamentations? What did you learn about God, about yourself and sin, about the salvation we have in Jesus?

Thank the Lord for His great faithfulness toward you. If you are in the midst of a trial, ask God for the eyes to see the hope of God’s mercy and faithfulness, which is given to us anew each and every day.

Read Ezekiel! Memory Verse: Ezekiel 36:26-27