Reading Through the Bible - LAMENTATIONS

Some Books of the bible are very short and some are very long but this one is one of the shortest.

It is also one of the most "not read" books which may be attributed to its title.

LAMENTATIONS  -  OLD TESTAMENT  -   PROPHECY

25th book of the OT 

25th book of the Bible

What is it?

The Book of LAMENTATIONS is counted as one of the books of  Prophecy in the Old Testament.

"Teach Sunday School"  tells us the following

"Lamentations is not so much prophecy as it is a lament over what had become of Jerusalem after the invasion and how it all could have been avoided"

The Overview Bible  tells us the following

"A collection of dirges lamenting the fall of Jerusalem after the Babylonian attacks."

How Long is it?

It has 5 chapters but some of them are quite long by Word Count.

When was it Written?

It is thought to have been written in 585 BC. due to the fact that the invasion and exile was in 586 BC.

Who Wrote it?

The Prophet Jeremiah

How does it start?

It starts with despair and sadness in Chapter 1 v 1

"How lonely sits the city

That was full of people!

How like a widow is she,

Who was great among the nations!

The princess among the provinces

Has become a slave!"

but it does not dwell here and chapter 3 shines through with some of the great qualities of God 

with God's love and mercy in verses 22-23

  

and God's goodness in verses 25-26

and God's comfort in verses 25-26

but also with good advice from Jeremiah in verses 40 - 41

Who was it Written to?

This is a hard question to answer as it is Jeremiah lamenting as he walked through the streets after the invasion and exile so we cannot say it was spoken or written directly to specific people but more as a warning in general for everyone about disobeying God. 

Why was it Written? 

It was written because Jeremiah was so disappointed  that the people had not walked as God wanted and this had led to the invasion and exile to Babylon.

The Overview Bible  tells us the following

"The people had rejected their God and His prophets. Before they ever entered the promised land, Israel was given a choice: remain loyal to God and enjoy His blessings and prosperity, or worship other gods and be exiled from their land (that’s from Deuteronomy). Israel followed other gods, showed injustice to the poor, and ignored God’s laws."

"Teach Sunday School"  tells us the following

"While not considered a story the book is a very visual and spiritual look at the horror that had become of Judah just after the Babylonian invasion and exile."

What is unusual about Lamentations compared to other books of Prophecy?

"Teach Sunday School" tells us the following

"It is the only book of prophecy that looks more backwards than forwards."

How does it end?

It ends with a prayer to God in chapter 5 which ends with some hope in verses 19 - 22

"Why do You forget us forever,

And forsake us for so long a time?

Turn us back to You, O Lord, and we will be [b]restored;
Renew our days as of old,

Unless You have utterly rejected us,
And are very angry with us!"

Quick outline of Lamentations

The Overview Bible  tells us the following

1. Jerusalem: punished and in pain (1)
2. The Lord’s anger on Jerusalem (2)
3. The individual’s distress turns to hope (3)
4. The siege of Jerusalem (4)
5. A plea for God’s mercy (5)

OTHER BOOKS OF THE BIBLE ARE ADDED REGULARLY AND AN UPDATED LIST CAN BE FOUND AT OUR READING THE BIBLE PAGE 

10 Things To Do About God's Promises - PLUS Free Printable - Coffee & Conversation

This is just a short blog post to remind you of many of the things God has promised and 

to encourage you to hang on these promises at all times.

Some of the things God has promised

• I Will Be With You
• I Will Protect You
• I Will Always Love You
• I Will Give You Peace
• I Will Hear Your Prayers
• I Will Be Your Strength
• I Will Answer You
• I Will Provide For You
• I Will Comfort You
• I Will Never Leave You
• I Will Abide In You
• I Will Walk With You

Some of the Things The Bible Tells Us That God's Promises are

Great & Precious     -     2 Peter 1 v 3 & 4

"....His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 

by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature...."

Yes & Amen     -     2 Corinthians 1 v 20

Better     -     Hebrews 8 v 6

"He [Jesus] is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises."

Trustworthy     -     Hebrews 10 v 23

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful."

True     -     Numbers 23 v 19

Fullfilled by God's Power    -     Romans 4 v 20 - 21

"He [Abraham] did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 

and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform." 

There are 10 things we need to do because of God's Promises

1. Thank God for His Promises
2. Recognise & Learn God's Promises as we Read His Word
3. Remember that many times God's Promises have Conditions 
4. Believe in God's Promises
5. Pray with His Promises in mind
6. Read the Bible with His Promises in mind
7. Tell Others about God's Promises
8. Help Others to Read & Understand His Promises
9. Encourage Others to Trust in God's Promises
10. Rejoice in God's Promises

So no matter what happens don't forget the Promises of God 

and 

read about them often in HIs Word.

Through His Promises we will remember His Love for us

But those Promises would never be worth remembering if if wasn't for 
God Himself

so

Don't Forget the Promise Giver

The Promises are only Great
because of
God

If you would like a reminder of The 10 Things To Do About God's Promises you can download this

Free Printable   (without watermark of course)

If you are interested in learning more about some of God's Promises you can have a look at 

Bible Verses for  10 Great Promises of God.

or 

remembering the things God has Promised in Promises - We Can't Always See Them

Reading Through the Bible - JAMES

Some Books of the bible are very short and some are very long but this one is one of the shortest.

JAMES  -  NEW TESTAMENT  -  EPISTLE

20th book of the NT 

59th book of the Bible

What is it?

The Book of JAMES is one of the Epistles in the New Testament which means it is a letter.

Teach Sunday School  tells us the following

"Known as the Proverbs of the New Testament"

 

Who Wrote it?

James the brother of Jesus

Notice that James is not prideful of being the brother of Jesus but speaks humbly as a servant of Jesus in chapter 1 verse 1

 "James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,"

Teach Sunday School  tells us the following

"James was not a follower of Jesus during the Saviour's time on earth.  He finally became a believer upon seeing Jesus alive and well after the crucifixion.  He became one of the leaders of the Church at Jerusalem."

Who was it Written to?

It was written to the Christians who were now living in various countries as we see in chapter 1 verse 1

 "James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings." 

How does it start?

It starts with instruction about attitude to trials which these Christians were going through in 

chapter 1 verse 2

and then on to advice about asking God for wisdom in

chapter 1 verses 5-6

Immediately James is instructing the Christians everywhere to be joyful & seek wisdom from God in all situations and believe God will answer so obviously this must be important for all of us now too.

How Long is it?

It has 5 chapters.

When was it Written?

It is generally thought to have been written between 67 & 69 AD

Why was it Written? 

It was written to instruct and encourage believers as to what true faith is. 

Obedience, truth & action are important.

The Overview Bible  tells us the following

"A letter telling Christians to live in ways that demonstrate their faith in action."

This can be clearly seen in 

chapter 1 v 19

and

chapter 1 v 22

What link is noted here with the Old Testament?

The Book of James is very supportive of the Biblical law.

How does it end?

by imploring them to be

 patient 

in 

chapter 5 v 8

and how to react in certain situations

in

Chapter 5 v 13

and a final message of how to help others who are 

drifting from the truth

Quick outline of James

The Overview Bible  tells us the following

1. Trials and temptation (1:1–20)
2. True religion (1:21–27)
3. Favouritism and judgment (2:1–13)
4. Faith and works (2:14–26)
5. Teachers and the tongue (3)
6. Submission to God (4:1–5:6)
7. Strength and anticipation (5:7–20)

OTHER BOOKS OF THE BIBLE ARE ADDED REGULARLY AND AN UPDATED LIST CAN BE FOUND AT OUR READING THE BIBLE PAGE