October 30
Lamentations 3:1-66
Hebrews 1:1-14
Psalm 102:1-28
Proverbs 26:21-22
Lamentations 3:1 – A little bit of “technical analysis” – Lamentations 1, 2, and 4 are Hebrew Acrostics – each verse starts with a different Hebrew letter (Aleph/A, Beit/B, Gimel, Daleth, He, etc…), so each chapter is 22 verses (22 Hebrew letters).
Lamentations 3 is 66 verses – the first 3 verses all start with Aleph, the next three verses start with Beit, the next three verses start with Gimel. (Remember that Hebrew is written from right to left). In other words, this is clearly poetic writing. Not narrative (I did this, then he did that). Narratives can explain battles, but poetry can explain pain.
Lamentations 3:21–23 – Three chapters in and it seems there is no hope. But there is – in the Lord’s mercy, compassion, and faithfulness! Great is Thy Faithfulness!
Lamentations 3:24 – I saw a statistic on the internet – 1 in 3 people who touch alcohol become drunk, but we think we’re ok. 1 in 300,000,000 win the lottery, and we think – could be me! Hope is not the “Wishin and hopin and thinkin and prayin” as a pop singer sang. Biblical Hope is “Confidence in a future event” – and with Jesus – 1 in 1 are pluck-free (John 10:28)!
Hope is the theme of the mid-section of Lamentations 3.
- “my hope is perished” Lamentations 3:18
- “have I hope” Lamentations 3:21
- “will I hope in him” Lamentations 3:24
- “man should…hope” Lamentations 3:26
- “there may be hope” Lamentations 3:29
Our confidence is that grief is followed by compassion (Lamentations 3:32). Anger is followed by favour (Psalm 30:5). We must, however, acknowledge our sins, accept the punishment (Lamentations 3:39), and radically adjust our ways (Lamentations 3:40).
Lamentations 3:53 – Jeremiah isn’t speaking hyperbole – he actually knew what a dungeon was like (Jeremiah 38:6).
Lamentations 3:54 – Near drowning is a horrifying experience. Vic Eliason shared how his brother saved him from drowning as a young boy, and Vic never forgot the experience. Let’s look at Biblical references to near drowing:
- Jeremiah “waters flowed over mine head (Lamentations 3:54)
- Jonah “waters compassed me about, even to the soul” (Jonah 2:5)
- Psalmist “the waters are come in unto my soul” (Psalm 69:1)
Lamentations 3:66 – Jeremiah gave up his right to vengeance to God. Like David, Jeremiah knew he was a sinful man, but God has mercy and will forgive us – and even though we grievously offend our God – He still answers prayers such as David’s prayer that God would turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness (2 Samuel 15:31).
Hebrews 1:1 – From E. Schuyler English:
The theme of the Epistle to the Hebrews, the only book of the New Testament in which our Lord is presented in His high priestly office, is the supreme glory of Christ, the Son of God and Son of man.
https://www.ttb.org/resources/study-guides/hebrews-study-guide
Hebrews 1:3 – Who is this Son? Agent of Creation (Hebrews 1:2), Brightness of His glory, Image of His person, upholding all things. Upholding is the same idea as “by him all things consist (Colossians 1:17). He holds the universe together! Oh, and he’s so much better than the angels (Hebrews 1:4). This is not the mere brother of Lucifer. This is not the mere spirit creature named Michael. This is not a mere good teacher. Enjoy reading about the greatness of our Savior – the only Son of God!
Hebrews 1:14 – Angels are ministers of the heirs of salvation. Who are the heirs? We are! (Galatians 3:29, Romans 8:17, Titus 3:7, 1 Peter 3:7). Yes angels are serving us!
Psalm 102:2 – When life is easy we don’t need to call upon God. And if we do accidentally say grace over a meal, we don’t need a speedy answer. We don’t need to bother the Almighty with our insignificant needs.
Yet He wants to hear from his children! He has made us heirs of salvation. Fanny Crosby developed this theme – reminding us of our Blessed Assurance!
Proverbs 26:22 – Sometimes it’s better not to know.
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