Reading for October 14th

 Read Lamentations 3.42--51. In 3.42-51: Communal lament. While beginning with recognition of guilt, the section also complains that God has refused to forgive (vv. 42, 44). Further complaints follow the shame of defeat and enemy taunts, mentioned earlier in the book, is repeated. in verse 48: While the speaker shifts to "I" the theme remains the fate of the city. Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 13th

 Read Lamentations 3.25-41. In verses 25-41: A teaching on God's goodness. In a jarring shift, this section at the center of the book offers beautiful statement of God's mercy, faithfulness, and compassion (vv. 22-33) and teaches silence in the face of suffering. Because some passages appear to contradict material that comes before and after (v. 39: Why should anyone complain?), these verses are often considered a later addition to the book. They function however, to balance the community's expression of suffering with the book's insistent theme that God is justifiably punishing Judah for it sins. In verses 40-41: Because God has acted justly, Judah must examine its own wrongs. Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 12th

 Read Lamentations 3.1-24. In 3.1-66: Multiple responses to suffering. Speakers and moods shift throughout this chapter, making a neat outline difficult. Has the material been adjusted to fit the acrostic pattern? Does the jaring style mimic the dislocation of trauma. In verses 1-24: An individual lament. Like other individual laments (Ps 38; 22), this section includes nonspecific complaints of suffering (vv. 1-19) and a statement of confidence in God (vv. 21-24). Identified neither with the poet who has spoken previously nor with Woman Zion, the speaker is an individual male (Heb., "geber"). He explicitly blames God for his troubles, comparing God to a wild animal (v. 10) and an enemy warrior (vv. 12-13). His troubles are not outlined but are compared to heavy chains (v. 7) and gravel to the the teeth (v. 16). In verse 15: Wormwood (also v. 19) is a bitter-tasting plant (Jer 9.14). In verse 19: Gall: Bile (see comment on 2.1). In verses 21-24: Statement of confidence, a feature of individual lament. Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 11th

 Read Lamentation 2.20-22. In 2.20-22: Jerusalem petitions God. The stark picture of women eating their own children and the death of the young raises this question: Has God punished too severely? Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 10th

 Read Lamentations 2.11-19. In 2.11-19: The pot continues his lament. In verse 11: Both the stomach (also 1.20) and bile refer to the seat of emotions (Jer 4.19); bile in addition means "bitterness" (from the taste of digestive substance secreted from the gallbladder). In verse 14: False prophets gave unwarranted messages of comfort (Jer 14.13-16). In verses 15-16: Jerusalem suffers not only the famine of children but also the taunts of enemies (Jer 19.8). In verse 17: As he ordained long ago may refer to the teaching of the pre-exilic prophets, for whom destruction of the nation as punishment for sin was a common motif. In verses 18-19: The poet urges Jerusalem to petition God. Comments or Questions..

Reading for October 9th

Read Lamentations 2.1-10. In 2.1-10: The poet on God's great anger. The poet describes the severity of God's punishment: Jerusalem is destroyed and humiliated. In verse 1: Footstool: The Temple (Ps 99.5). In verse 2: Without mercy: Without restraint. In a series of reveals, the great are brought down to the ground. In verses 3-5: God's right hand, his weapon hand, does not defend Israel, but draws the bow against her like an enemy (Ex 15.6-12). In verses 6-7: Booth: Tabernacle: The Temple, which along with festival, king, and priest embodies the religious core of the nation, centered in Jerusalem and linked to the monarchy (2 Sam 7). In verses 8-10: Stretched the line: Apparently a step in destroying a building (2 Kings 21.13). God has broken down the features intended to protect Jerusalem: wall, gates, and ramparts (used for defense during military attacks). The listing of groups within the city underscore the totality of the destruction. Dust and sackcloth (v. 10) are typical gestures of mourning. Comments or Questions.. 

Reading for October 8th

 Read Lamentations 1.11b--22. in 1.11b-22: Jerusalem herself speaks. The speaker changes at the end of v. 11, as the woman Jerusalem speaks in the first person. She repeats themes of the first speaker: She is shamed, and the devastation is punishment from God. In verses 13-15: Net, fire: Punishments are described generally (Ps 10.9; Isa 63.3). The weight of Israel's sin is compared to a yoke worn by captives of war (Isa 9.4). In verse 16; The lack of a comforter is a repeated theme in the book. In verse 17; The voice shifts back to third person briefly. Zion (the mountain on which Jerusalem is set), Jacob (the ancestor of the Israelites), and Jerusalem are used a synonyms. Filthy things is the menstrual uncleanness of 1.9. In verse 18; The voice of Jerusalem returns, acknowledging her sin yet lamenting the pain she has experienced. In verse 20: Jerusalem's lament resembles that of Jeremiah (Jer 8.18-9.1). In verses 21-22: Again, concerned with being shamed in the face of others, Jerusalem asks that they, too, be treated according to their deeds. Day you have announced refers to the Day of the Lord, envisioned as a day of vindication against enemies (Isa 13.6-16). Comments or Questions..