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 

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 

Reading Through The Bible - RUTH

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

RUTH  -  OLD TESTAMENT  -  HISTORY

8th book of the OT 

8th book of the Bible

It starts with Famine, Family, Death & Sadness in relationships.

But does not stay that way.

One of the most famous verses of the book is in chapter 1 v 16 which brings the first ray of hope into the sad story.

The love and compassion shown here are so important.

What is it?

The Book of Ruth is one of the History Books in the Old Testament which means it is Factual and has a place in the time frame of Christianity.

How Long is it?

It has 4 chapters each one being less than 25 verses.

When was it Written?

It was written between 1050 & 1000 BC.

Who Wrote it?

Some believe it would have been written by the Prophet Samuel but there is uncertainty about this.

Who was it Written about?

It was written about 3 people

Ruth (a moabitess) who had become a widow.

Naomi (an Israelite) who was the mother-in-law of Ruth and was also a widow.

Boaz (an Israelite) who was a relation of Naomi. 

The Overview Bible  tells us the following

"Two widows lose everything, and find hope in Israel—which leads to the birth of the future King David."

Who was it Written for?

It was written for the people of Israel to know an important fact in their history and help with the timeline of Christ.

 

Where did this part of history take place?

It started in the land of Moab where Naomi and her husband had gone to escape a famine in Israel and it continued in the land of Israel when Ruth and Naomi returned there after they were both widowed. 

Why was it Written? 

It was written to tell the true story of the faith of three people and of two relationships in the history of the Israelites which would have a most important effect on the future of the world. 

One between 2 women Ruth and her Mother-in-law Naomi, and the other between Ruth and Boaz.

 

The Overview Bible  tells us the following

"The story of Ruth takes place during the time of the Judges: it’s a bright story of hope during a very dark period in Israel’s spiritual and political history."

Teach Sunday School  tells us the following

"Ruth became the great grandmother of King David after a good deed of refusing to desert her mother-in-law.  Her story takes place mostly in Bethlehem the future birthplace of Jesus."

How does it end?

It ends with the marriage of Boaz & Ruth and part of the ancestry of Joseph who was to be the father of Jesus.

 

Descendants of Boaz and Ruth in chapter 4 v 13-17

13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son.  

14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel!  

15 And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.”  

16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him.  

17 Also the neighbour women gave him a name, saying, “There is a son born to Naomi.” And they called his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

The Overview Bible  tells us the following

Quick outline of Ruth

1. Naomi and Ruth return to Bethlehem (ch 1)
2. Ruth gleans in Boaz’ field (ch 2)
3. Ruth proposes to Boaz (ch 3)
4. Boaz redeems Ruth and Naomi (ch 4:1–15)
5. King David’s genealogy (ch 4:16–22)

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