Old Testament-Writings Essay

Our world today has many criminal records within reach, both fiction and nonfiction. However, does a person fully understand what the author is trying to convey in their meaning and message to the listening? The same goes with the Bible, particularly, Lamentations, which is found in the sometime(a) Testament Scriptures. An individual has to understand where the book originated from, and what each chapter implies as swell as what message the author was trying to convey thence and now. Origin Title The interchange Lamentations means to weep, and the sorrow, which was caused by the destruction of the city of capital of Israel by the Babylonian army in 587. (Reyburn, 1992). fatherhood According to tradition, many believe that Jeremiah wrote Lamentations, which include the church father, despite his name non located anywhere in the text. A couple of witnesses ar also the Septuagint and Vulgate. Some more evidence is displayed in 2 Chronicles 3525 consequently, it refers to King Josiahs death. Since he greatly loved capital of Israel and the mickle, this shows that he is quite qualified to write the book (Keil, Delitzsch and Wiesmann, 1956). Date Jeremiah most be same(p) was the author (Goldingay, 2003). He most likely saw Jerusalems destruction imputable to eyewitnessing and lamenting over it.There is almost common home agreement that the book was written soon after 587 B. C. , while the level(p)ts were still vivid in the authors memory. Attempts to prove that Jeremiah wrote Lamentations oracleic anyy after King Josiahs death in 609 adopt no merit (Rudolph, 1962). Some unconvincing evidence is when others take attempted to date the book many eld later, especially during the Maccabean period (Rudolph, 1962). Background of the Book. One name appears in Lamentations, and that is Edom, which is found in 422. However, when the Chaldeans overthrew Jerusalem and make them fall in 586 B. C., this is what brought close the book of Lamentations. 2 Kings 2 5 is a connection that stick out non realise about any other conclusions. The siege that lasted for eighteen months brought about terrible suffering, but spiritually, they muzzy Zion as well the Temple, which also made it devastating psychologically (Smith, 1992). Theme of the Book. Lamentations has four laments from chapters one to four as well one prayer that is noted in chapter five, which is intended to help the audience understand how the raft felt once Jerusalem fell. The writer basically shared his experience with the people by not using ofttimes imagination in the process.In general, this book contains a detailed description of what occurred across the country in regards to suffering (Smith, 1992). Structure of the Book Lamentations consists of five poems. Each poem is unique because a cornerstone of sorrow over Jerusalems fall, though from different perspectives (Gottwald, 1985). On other occasions, the grief is individual. The funeral musical mode was communicated t o those who first heard or read Lamentations by the dirgelike meter (Qinah meter) that characterizes much of the book (Budde, 1883). To break it down, devil lines are the simplest, but the first three are syllables as well as two for the plump for.When it was heard, the speech sound was mournful (Budde, 1883). No one send away explanation with full agreement in regards to the acrostic social organisation with the five poems in the book. Some think they were composed as a pedagogic device to memorise schoolboys the alphabet. Some think the acrostic was intended to facilitate memorization of the poems. Some believe it reveals a popular opinion in the magical powers of letters. Others believe the poems were deliberately structured as acrostics with a view to liturgical use to commemorate Jerusalems destruction in solemn religious services (Kraus, 1960). Historical screen backgroundThe Babylonians capture of Jerusalem in 587 B. C. was not the first time the city had experienced invasion and muck up by enemies (cf. 1 Kgs 142526 2 Kgs 141314 2333 2 Chr 211617 2 Chr 252224 3311) (Hayes, 1997). However, In 588 King Zedekiah chose to rebel against King Nebuchadnezzar, so that Judah rouse have its independence. Jerusalem was taken and whole destroyed eighteen months later (Hayes, 1997). Many of its inhabitants were put to death, enslaved, exiled, or fled to Egypt. King Zedekiah and other leaders were taken to Babylon (Jer 39110 5229) (Hayes, 1997). Theological ValuesA theological dilemma came about overdue to the low morale in Judah, which is more devastating than the temples destruction due to the catastrophe. Human suffering always precipitates probing questions about theology. The faith of many Jews must(prenominal) have been bust by the events. They had believed that Jerusalem was inviolable and that divinity fudges temple could not be destroyed because he dwelt in that location (cf. Jer 718) (Gottwald, Weiser, Kraus and Moore, 1983). paragon woul d fight the battles for his people. He later delivered Jerusalem in 701 B. C. from Sennacherib as seen in 2 Kings 19 (Gottwald, Weiser, Kraus and Moore, 1983).Individuals were shocked that God did not help them, but thought in their minds that He abanthroughd them. Maybe a select few realized it was the lord punishing them due to the recent events because they refused to obey the warnings from various prophets during that time, so His wrath was upon them both as a nation and for the people. For those who unsounded the prophets words, they realized that a remnant is spared, so that a nation is rebuilt as seen in Jeremiah 2456 2910, 14 and Ezekiel 689 1117 (Gottwald, Weiser, Kraus and Moore, 1983).Purpose of the Book. In general, Lamentations is not the lone book found from ancient times. Several bemoans over great cities that fell were uncover in the heart of Mesopotamia (Smith, 1992). The book of Lamentations gave the people a reason to express their pain over what had happened t o them, so as to help them out psychologically. However, the poems serve to allow the Israelites could express their grief over the sorrow of what was lost nationally from a liturgical point of view (Smith, 1992). ForeshadowingJeremiah was known as the weeping prophet for his deep and abiding passion for his people and their city (Lamentations 348-49). This same sorrow over the sins of the people and their rejection of God was expressed by Jesus as He approached Jerusalem and looked ahead to her destruction at the hands of the Romans (Luke 1941-44). Because of the Jews rejection of their Messiah, God used the Roman siege to punish His people (Book of Lamentations, 2009). The Lord does not find it joyous when He has punish His own children, but later offered Jesus as a final sacrifice for everyones sins (Book of Lamentations, 2009).Key Verses Three key verses are worth noting. One, Lamentations 217 ( parvenu International Version) says, The LORD has done what he planned he has fulfil led his word, which he decreed bulky ago. He has overthrown you without pity, he has let the enemy gloat over you, he has exalted the horn of your foes (Book of Lamentations, 2009). The second verse is Lamentations 322-23 (NIV), which says that because of Gods wonderful love no one is consumed because He neer fails us because they are always new and faithful (Book of Lamentations, 2009).Last is Lamentations 519-22 (NIV), which says, You, O LORD, reign evermore your throne endures from generation to generation. Why do you always forget us? Why do you forsake us so long? Restore us to yourself, O LORD, that we may return renew our age as of old unless you have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure(Book of Lamentations, 2009). Meaning 1122 The author uses lots of imagery to express the actual state of Jerusalem, which is the city of Zion. Babylon, Egypt, Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, and Sidon, and Judah was close friends with them (Hughes, 2001).The roads were now deserted as seen in 14. desire Zedekiah, Israels leadership fled from Jerusalem (16 cf. Jer. 3947). The siege conditions in Jerusalem were reflected in 111, when people exchanged their precious treasures for food. The figures of fire (meaning total destruction) and a cakehole (that is, captivity) describe the calamities that befell Jerusalem (113) (Hughes, 2001). In the Hebrew, the word eachies (119) is easily translated to lovers as seen in 12. The author of Lamentations prayed for God to bring Babylons judgment on the day(121 cf. Jer.5051) (Hughes, 2001). 2122 Zions sorrows came about because of judgment from the Lord. They experienced a famine as mentioned in Lamentations 21112, which happened because of warfare (Hughes, 2001). The false prophets had predicted a return to peace and prosperity (214 cf. Jer. 1413). Jeering and scoffing were ancient gestures of malicious joy and contempt (Lam. 215). In ancient times the night was divided into three four-hour periods (219) (Hughes , 2001). During each of the periods, the writer of Lamentations wanted the people to turn on up, so weeping could continue.A judgment that was placed on them due to their disobedience was cannibalism through starving of the Judeans, who lived in Jerusalem, which was prophesied in Deuteronomy 2853 (Hughes, 2001). 3166 Many personal experiences took place in the life of the authors ministry. Much encouragement was received and consolation through reflecting on Gods fidelity through the ages (Goldingay, 2003). The writer used hyperbole frequently, which is to exaggerate in hopes to emphasize the important points.For example, unfailing love, when it is translated from the Hebrew, it means stork, and upon breaking it down more so indicates motherly love (Hughes, 2001). 4122 Jeremiah made much reflection on what he saw with his own eyeball in the heart of Jerusalem, especially when the Babylonians siege in Jerusalem took place (Goldingay, 2003). Those who once lived in palaces (Lam. 45) were the wealthy. No one helped Sodom (46). After their true character was recognized, the false prophets and wicked priests were condemned as defiled like lepers (415 cf. Lev.134546) (Hughes, 2001). 5122 Jeremiah confessed on behalf of the nation their sins, and then asked the Lord for a complete restoration. One can become confused on 56, when there is a reference to Assyria unless a person understands it was in reference to Babylon. At one time, the Empire familial Assyria. According to Jewish custom, the request of 521 is repeated at the conclusion of the book in order to avoid ending on an unpleasant note. But history has shown that God had certainly not rejected his people (Rom. 1115) (Hughes, 2001). Message Old Testament ApplicationGod made it clear back then that the people who lived in the heart of Judah needed to follow and obey Him. This meant that they could not worship other gods, commit adultery, covet, and so forth. These people needed to understand the depth of G ods love for them, but He made them nervus judgment, so that they would turn to Him, and this is seen frequently throughout the Old Testament. For example, in the book of Judges, God placed them in a cycle. This cycle consisted of a Judge would prodigy about the coming judgment, they would caseful judgment, and then all would turn back to God through sorrow of their sin.Throughout Scripture, God never rejected anyone. He demonstrated His love for them in every book that is mentioned in the cannon. No one is perfect, but each day is a learning process to touch to live for Him, and not for the pleasures of this world. The issue back then is that the Judeans lived for what the world had to offer instead of what God has done for them, and continues to do. He deserves the glory, and not us. A similar concept is used today when it comes to Gods wrath, and for all of us to repent of our transgressions. Todays ApplicationThe book of Lamentations applies to our setting today too. One, w hen people are wicked a society at long last disappears. Two, a person should not ask for a boon that happened from the past, and continue to live in sin in the midst of it. Three, all countries of the world and churches will face judgment, if they do not remain faithful. Fourth, the Lord sticks to His Word, and make it come to pass. Fifth, many solutions are possible in the midst of suffering, but ultimately it comes down to a total faith in God (Hughes, 2001). hither are some more ways of looking at the book as well in a contemporary context.In attempting to understand what the book is trying to convey to the audience who reads it, then much can come from studying Lamentations. First, the book can speak to any, including Christians, who feel alone or even abandoned by God. In this respect it is like those Psalms which we have called laments. It is good to give candid expression to such(prenominal) feelings and to know the reassurance of Gods grace in the midst of them (Carson, 1994). Lamentations also can help the reader to identify with those around them, who are facing difficult situations.For example, our world faces daily disasters, such as wars and famines, which are constantly brought to our attention through the media on television. For us humans, all of us have the tendency to ask, Where is God in the midst of our circumstances? Of course, we can wonder more so, when our brothers and sisters are caught up in the chaos of it all as well, but end up sympathizing with them through identifying their pain. The book of Lamentations enables us to express our grief, not whole on our own behalf, but also on behalf of others (Carson, 1994).Another orifice is that an individual requires discipline. Much discipline goes into writing a phenomenal book, which can help in the present. A decision that a person makes is in seriousness, so that he or she is disciplined, so that problems, which are sometimes difficult to face are dealt with at the time. God Word can help us by teaching us how to deal with difficult circumstances by allowing us to express our hurts that are at times too deep as well as coaching our mind and heart throughout it too (Carson, 1994). Confession is difficult for anyone, this goes for both believer and non-believer.The people of Judah knew that their exile was due to their disobedience to the pact made by their ancestors with God. We cannot treat all suffering in the same way. Nevertheless, here too we can identify with our ancestors in faith, by simply recognizing that human sinin which each of us has a partis the root cause of the worlds grief (Carson, 1994). When someone questions, this too is an act of confession. God grants both justice and mercy while judging others. His justice does not finally issue only in judgment, but also, and decisively, in mercy (Carson, 1994).Even in terrible judgment, God is a God of hope (Lamentations 324-25). No matter how far we have gone from Him, we have the hope that we can return to Him and find Him compassionate and forgiving (1 John 19). Our God is a loving God (Lamentations 322), and because of His great love and compassion, He sent His Son so that we would not perish in our sins, but can live eternally with Him (John 316). Gods faithfulness (Lamentations 323) and pitch (Lamentations 326) are attributes that give us great hope and comfort.He is not a disinterested, tearaway(a) god, but a God who will deliver all those who turn to Him, admit they can do nothing to earn His favor, and call upon the Lords mercy so that we will not be consumed (Lamentations 322) (Book of Lamentations, 2009). How are we to live in our current day and age? We must live with realism, and we must live by faith (Cameron, 1994). A person needs to look deep into themselves as well as circumstances. When an individual looks beyond what is happening in their lives, and then he or she will have faith because of what God has done for them.The church is quite sad, and God is the final judge of it all. For example, How the gold has openhanded dim, which is seen in Lamentations 41. However, we are disgraced as the church has become secularized, and our inheritance is given to strangers (52). No joy is present in our lives because it has turned into mourning. In our world, which includes the church, we will find it difficult to rejoice (Cameron, 1994). All of us seek answers to lifes questions, particularly from Psalm 137 4, which states (NIV), How shall we sing the Lords tenor in a foreign land(Cameron, 1994)When a person walks and talks with God, then he or she receives full joy in the Lord. The book of Lamentations may come across sad while edition what happened to the Judeans, but they soon realized that He wanted a relationship with them all along, so they eventually turned back to Him despite the current judgment that was upon them. In Lamentations 322, which says (NIV),The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end (Ca meron, 1994). To describe what it means for steadfastness, this is to indicate that the Lord is faithful with His lasting love.He is the same forever. God is wonderful to those who confess and turn to Him for their hope. We can praise God for His faithfulness from the past to the present. All of us are a testimony to His love because there is courage to face the future of whatever it is to come. He will supply our every need, and has proven it throughout history, which includes Lamentations. No need to worry because He already knows (Cameron, 1994). References Cameron, C. M. (1994). Lamentations. Retrieved February 21, 2009, from Biblestudies. org. uk http//www. biblicalstudies. org. uk/lamentations. php Carson, D.(1994). New Bible Commentary 21st Century Edition. 4th edition. Downers plantation Inter-Varsity Press, 281-289. Goldingay, J. (2003). Old Testament Theology (Volume 1 ed. ). Downers Grove Intervarsity Press, 295-305. Gottwald, N. (1985). The Hebrew Bible A Socio-Literar y Introduction. Philadelphia Fortress. Hayes, J. a. (1988). A New Chronology for the Kings of Israel and Judah and Its Implications for Biblical History and Literature. Atlanta John Knox. Hughes, R. B. (2001). Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. Wheaton Tyndale House Publishers. Keil, C. a. (1956). The Prophecies of Jeremiah.Grand Rapids Eerdmans, . Kraus, H. (1960). Klaelieder (Threni). Neukirchen Neukirchener. Reyburn, W. D. (1992). A enchiridion on Lamentations. New York United Bible Societies. Richards, L. (1991). The Bible Readers Companion. Wheaton Victor Books, 65-68. Rudolph, W. (1962). Das Buch Ruth, Das Hohe Lied, Die Klagelider. Gutersloh Gutersloher Verlaghaus Gerd Mohn. Smith, J. E. (1992). The major(ip) Prophets. Joplin College Press, 123-134. The Book of Lamentations. (2009). Retrieved 21 February, 2009, from Gotquestions. org http//www. gotquestions. org/Book-of-Lamentations. html