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Intro & Lamentations 1

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5–7 minutes

About Lamentations of Jeremiah

Following the Book of Jeremiah come five laments (songs of mourning). The belief that these five laments were written by Jeremiah comes from those who translated the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek. This translation is called the Septuagint (LXX), which was produced in Alexandria around the 3rd century BC, translating the Old Testament into Greek, the common language of the time. The editors of the Septuagint regarded these five laments as the work of Jeremiah.

In contrast, the Jewish Bible, the Tanakh, treats these five laments as anonymous songs with no identified author. English Bibles name this book The Book of Lamentations. Following the Greek Old Testament, Korean Bible translators titled the book Lamentations of Jeremiah.

These songs mourn the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem. The first four laments are composed according to the Hebrew alphabet. Writing poetry by following the sequence of alphabet letters is called an acrostic poem, a literary technique frequently found in Hebrew poetry, including the Psalms. This structure helps the author discipline and order emotions, and it also makes the poems easier for readers to memorize.

The reason these five laments were included in Scripture was to ensure that later generations would learn from the judgment that came upon Jerusalem and not repeat the same fate. Jerusalem, chosen and blessed by God, turned away from His will and fell into corruption, and therefore faced severe judgment. Yet God’s judgment does not mean that the people were forever abandoned by Him. Because His discipline and judgment come from His love, He will ultimately restore them.

Lamentations of Jeremiah 1 “The Pain of Loneliness”

Lamentations 1 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:      

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

Explanation:

The poet sings about the disaster that came upon Jerusalem. This song begins in Hebrew with the word “How!”—a cry of lament over the calamity Jerusalem has suffered.

The poet recalls the former glory that Jerusalem once enjoyed. The city was like a queen, but now she has been brought low like a slave woman (v. 1). Jerusalem is like an abandoned woman who weeps through the night, with no one to comfort her (v. 2). The people of Jerusalem have been taken into exile, and the roads to Zion, once crowded with travelers, now lie deserted (vv. 3–4). Jerusalem has fallen into the hands of her enemies, and all the leaders of Judah have disappeared (vv. 5–6).

The poet reflects again on Jerusalem’s former glory and recognizes that all of it was shattered because of her sins. What was once honor has now turned into shame, and the nations look on and mock her. The enemies have plundered Jerusalem, and the people of Judah wander in search of food. The poet cries out to the LORD, asking Him to look upon Jerusalem’s humiliation (vv. 7–11).

All that she is suffering is God’s judgment brought upon her because of her sins (vv. 12–15). Because of this, the poet weeps bitterly. He acknowledges that the LORD’s judgment is right (vv. 16–19). Even so, his hope rests only in God. Therefore, he pleads that God would not forget the sins of the enemies who destroyed Jerusalem but would judge them as well (vv. 20–22).

Meditation:

When we fall into deep sorrow, we look for someone who can comfort us. We cannot bear such sorrow alone. The inner strength needed to endure what we have suffered has been exhausted. In that state, when we receive deep comfort through someone, healing takes place in hearts torn apart by grief. We gain the strength to rise again.

For this reason, it is especially painful when, in times of deep sorrow, we cannot find anyone to comfort us. At times, words meant as comfort from others pierce the heart like a dagger and only deepen the pain. Truly experiencing genuine comfort is rare, and offering sincere comfort to someone else is also very difficult.

The poet grieves over Jerusalem’s suffering as if it were his own. In the first lament, he repeatedly cries out, “There is no one to comfort her” (vv. 2, 9, 16, 17, 21). Some people considered what happened to Judah as only what they deserved and turned away with indifference. Others felt a sense of satisfaction, while still others avoided them out of fear that the same fate might befall them. More painful than the suffering itself is the feeling of being abandoned by everyone. There is hardly anything more hopeless than the sense of being completely deserted.

In that utter loneliness, the poet turns to God. Though they are being judged because of their sins, the only One who remains near and listens to their cry is God.

Prayer:

Lord, who comes to us as our Comforter, our true comfort is found in You alone. In Your love for us, all things are held together. Help us abide more deeply in You, and through the power of the comfort we receive from You, allow us to approach our neighbors as small bearers of comfort. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: Even when we feel lonely, misunderstood, or forgotten, God stays close and listens to our cries. God comforts us—and invites us to become gentle comforters to others.

  • For Preschool-Elementary:
    • How do you feel when you are sad or lonely? What helps you feel better?
    • Who are some people God gives us to help us when we are hurting? (family, friends, teachers, church)
    • What is one small thing you can do to comfort someone else this week?
  • Youth:
    • Why do you think feeling alone can hurt more than the problem itself?
    • The Bible says Jerusalem had “no one to comfort her.” When have you felt unseen or unsupported?
    • How does knowing that God listens to us change the way we handle sadness or pain?
    • What does it look like to be a “small comforter” to a friend at school or in your community?

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