2 KINGS 25:1-2, 5-7; LAMENTATIONS

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1 August 5 Bible Study Guide 10 LAMENTATIONS URGES HOPE IN GOD Bible Background 2 KINGS 25:1-2, 5-7; LAMENTATIONS 3:25-33, Printed Text LAMENTATIONS 3:25-33, Devotional Reading PSALM 23 LESSON OVERVIEW LESSON AIM KEEP IN MIND FOCAL VERSES IN FOCUS THE PEOPLE, PLACES, AND TIMES BACKGROUND AT-A-GLANCE IN DEPTH SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES DISCUSS THE MEANING LESSON IN OUR SOCIETY MAKE IT HAPPEN FOLLOW THE SPIRIT REMEMBER YOUR THOUGHTS MORE LIGHT ON THE TEXT DAILY BIBLE READINGS LESSON AIM By the end of the lesson, we will: UNDERSTAND some reasons for maintaining hope in God; FEEL God s compassion even when we are suffering; and CONTINUE waiting on the Lord in the midst of our struggles. KEEP IN MIND It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD (Lamentations 3:26). FOCAL VERSES Lamentations 3:25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. 27 It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. 28 He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him. 29 He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope. 30 He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach. 31 For the Lord will not cast off for ever: 32 But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. 33 For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. 3:55 I called upon thy name, O LORD, out of the low dungeon.

2 56 Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry. 57 Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not. 58 O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life. IN FOCUS Dexter knew that this was the end. He gazed as if hypnotized at the machines recording his mother s last struggle with life. She had such high hopes for me, Dexter thought. A few months ago he had been on top of the world, a young African American in good health with a rewarding career. The main supporter of his success was his mother. Most often, Dexter and his mother were in a battle about conversion: He believed in self-empowerment, and she put all her faith in God. Her favorite phrase was: I m just going to leave it in the hands of the Lord. Mom, he would say, the Lord gave you a brain, two arms and two legs, and everything else you need to make things happen, not to sit around waiting for divine intervention. His mother would smile and say, Dexter, my greatest hope is that one day you will understand the power of prayer. A month after being named vice president of his company, Dexter relocated his mother from the South to New York City so she could live near him. Finally he could take care of the person who had dedicated her entire life to him. He vowed to remove her financial worries and replace them with hope for the future. Several weeks after the move, without warning, Dexter s mom was diagnosed with cancer. Radiation treatments, sickness, and vomiting soon followed, but still his mother remained steadfast in her faith. As a matter of fact, to Dexter s amazement, the events of the past several weeks seemed to have made her faith stronger. Now, as Dexter leaned over his mother s hospital bed, he softly whispered prayers into her ear prayers that she had taught him as a child. He whispered his acceptance of Christ. He prayed that he would see his mother in heaven. Moments before the machine beeped a flat line, he was certain that he heard his mother say, That s all I have ever hoped for. Lamentations is also called the book of tears because the prophet Jeremiah cries out to God from the depths of despair. But we see that God answers those who hope in Him. THE PEOPLE, PLACES, AND TIMES Jeremiah. God told Jeremiah, Before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations (Jeremiah 1:4, NIV). Jeremiah began his prophetic ministry in 626 B.C., as he stood at the threshold of manhood when he was 13 years old. Thus, God called him to be God s mouthpiece, His spokesman to the world. God called him to lay aside his natural sensitivity and low self-esteem, and with the sword of God s words, root out... throw down, build and plant. Jeremiah had lived through the reign of godly King Josiah and had witnessed Israel s return to idolatry after Josiah s death. Tirelessly he had warned the people of the coming destruction, but his warning had gone unheeded. He grieved over Jerusalem s hopeless attachment to idols. He saw Jerusalem partly destroyed in 606 B.C. by Nebuchadnezzar, further devastated in 597 B.C., and finally burned and made desolate in 586 B.C. He watched as the people of Israel were taken into exile. Jeremiah was chosen to provide God s last warning to the Holy City before its destruction. BACKGROUND Lamentations consists of passionate expressions of grief composed by the prophet Jeremiah during the exile. He expresses his sorrow over Jerusalem, the city he had done his best to save, and the horror of being torn from the Jewish homeland and taken away to

3 Babylon. The book of Lamentations must have been written after the death of King Josiah and between the burning of Jerusalem and the departure of the remnant to Egypt (Jeremiah 39:2; 41:1, 18; 43:7). However, Jeremiah s sorrow was not without a mixture of faith. He believed that beauty would come from the ashes of the city. He had hope that the city would rise again from its ruins. In fact, Jerusalem did rise again and will give its name to the capital of a world of eternal glory (Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 21:2). AT-A-GLANCE 1. God Is Trustworthy and Good (Lamentations 3:25-26) 2. God Uses Hardships for Our Good (vv ) 3. God Allows Hardships for a Season (vv ) 4. God Hears the Prayers of His People (3:55-58) It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD (Lamentations 3:26). IN DEPTH 1. God Is Trustworthy and Good (Lamentations 3:25-26) Verses all begin with the Hebrew word for good, communicating to us the fundamental idea that Yahweh is good to all. All of His creatures taste of His goodness, but He is especially good to those who silently (i.e., without complaining) and patiently wait for Him and seek Him, resting in His will. Sometimes trouble can seem to last a long time, and we wonder whether we will ever see God s deliverance. These times provide an opportunity for us to learn to wait patiently by faith in confident expectation and to seek God prayerfully. He will be gracious to those who patiently wait on and seek Him. To such people, He will show His wonderful loving-kindness.

4 Hope is fundamental to faith. A person without hope cannot believe. If there is no expectation, there can be no confidence. In the Old Testament, hope is expressed by numerous words meaning safety, security, and trust (Psalm 16:9; 22:9). Another Hebrew word translated refuge or trust (Psalm 71:5) denotes a sense of firm and certain expectation. The word is also used in the sense of refuge or shelter (Jeremiah 17:7, 17; Joel 3:16). In another context, this word denotes something waited for (Ezra 10:2). Zechariah 9:12 refers to prisoners of hope. In the New Testament, hope relates to the expectation of good. The original term expressed a joyful and contented expectation of eternal salvation (Acts 23:6; 26:7; Romans 5:4-8; 1 Corinthians 13:13). Because God has provided salvation through Christ, and because He is the believer s source of expectation, He is called the God of hope (Romans 15:13). The source of hope is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (1 Peter 1:3). Christ in you is the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). In the New Testament, hope has to do with the coming of the Lord (Titus 2:13), the blessed hope. As Christians, we can rejoice! We have much in which we can hope! 2. God Uses Hardships for Our Good (vv ) Many of the young men in Israel had been carried away into captivity in Babylon. Jeremiah encouraged them to bear their yoke patiently and make the best of their situation, allowing God to do His work in their lives. Certainly, it is good to develop good habits and to learn restraint while one is still young so that one can become a vessel to be used in advancing God s kingdom. Of course, discipline is always a part of early training! It would be wonderful if we, as adults, eventually no longer experienced hardships or needed discipline, but we always seem to have an area in which we still need to grow. Remember, God is more concerned with our character than with our comfort. Hardships can yield the fruit of righteousness if we allow that to happen. God wants to make His people more like Himself. He desires that we become all we can be. To accomplish His will in our lives, He often uses hardships. Nevertheless, hardships can be used for our good only if we allow God to discipline us when we need it and learn what He wants to teach us. Allowing God to work in us, during times of trouble, requires several things: (1) an attitude of humility and submission (v. 27), (2) quiet reflection on what God wants (v. 28), (3) the practice of self-control in the face of trouble (v. 30), and (4) confident patience in God s desire and ability to bring about loving lessons in our lives (v. 26). Jeremiah challenged the Israelites to not be vindictive toward their captors, but to have a forgiving spirit and turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39) because vengeance belongs to God (Romans 12:19). Jesus was the perfect example of forgiveness, responding with kindness to those who abused Him (Isaiah 50:6; Matthew 27:27-31; Luke 22:64; John 18:22; 19:3). 3. God Allows Hardships for a Season (vv ) In the Mosaic Covenant, if the people looked to God for salvation and demonstrated their faith by obeying His commandments, they would receive His promised blessings. If the people did not keep these terms, the covenant curses would be visited upon them. Unfortunately, the Israelites broke the terms of the covenant. They were not faithful to follow God s commandments and observe the Passover. They made and worshiped idols, involving themselves in despicable acts that were a common part of the idolatrous worship of those around them. Only for short periods of time during the reigns of aggressively godly kings did they turn their attention to worshiping the God of their fathers, the one true God. It seems doubtful, however, that they truly repented during those times, because as soon as a wicked king was on the throne, the people turned again to idolatry. True repentance requires a change of heart that also changes one s behavior.

5 Because of the Israelites disobedience, God withdrew His hedge of protection from around them. They became vulnerable to attacks from the surrounding nations. They were taken from the land that they loved into Babylonian captivity. Yet God had not forgotten them. His deliverance was coming! Even though God had temporarily withdrawn His protection from them, the Israelites still had their inheritance. God would still be true to the promises He had made to them in His covenant. Jeremiah encouraged the Israelites by telling them that God would graciously comfort them when their season of trouble was over (vv. 31, 32). They were to be penitent and patient because God is gracious and merciful. As believers, we can take comfort in the fact that when we are cast down, we are not cast off. A father s correction of his son is not the same as his disinheriting him. Likewise, God does not take pleasure in our affliction, but uses it for our good. He uses the rod to save us. God is gracious because of His great mercy, not because of our merit. As believers, we should not think that all difficulties come as a result of our disobedience. Sometimes things just happen. We are sinners, living in a sinful world, surrounded by ungodly people. When difficulties come, we can rest in Christ and take comfort in knowing that God has a purpose, even in difficult times. 4. God Hears the Prayers of His People (3:55-58) Throughout this chapter, we read of the prophet Jeremiah s struggles between sight and faith, fear and hope. Ultimately it is faith that conquers and has the last word. Jeremiah comforts himself by meditating on his own experience of God s goodness in difficult times. During the lowest times of Jeremiah s life, God was there. When he had cried out in despair, God had answered. When despair began to overtake him, there was hope. God had not closed His ear to Jeremiah s prayer nor will He close His ear to our prayers. Jeremiah knew what it was like to be weak and left to die. At one point in his ministry, he had been thrown into an empty cistern and left in the mud to die (Jeremiah 38:6-13). But he had been rescued by Almighty God through the heroic actions of Ebed- Melech, a godly Cushite (African) official in the royal palace (Jeremiah 38:6-14). Jeremiah used this experience as an illustration of the nation of Israel sinking into sin. The prophet encouraged the people to turn to God so He could rescue them. Jeremiah cried out to the Israelites on the authority of God, Fear not! God will plead your cause and redeem you. These same words ring out to believers today: Fear not! God is with you. Sources Moule, C. F. D. The Meaning of Hope: A Biblical Exposition with Concordance. Minneapolis, Minn.: Augsburg Fortress Publishers, Zimmerli, Walther. Man and His Hope in the Old Testament. Atlanta: John Knox Press, SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES 1. What did Jeremiah say was good (Lamentations 3:25-27)? 2. Why can believers have hope when they face trouble (vv , 55-58)? 3. What is the correct way for human beings to bear hardship (vv )? 4. How does God view the affliction He allows (vv )? 5. Why was Jeremiah able to speak about hope in the midst of trouble (vv )? 6. Why does God say to us, Fear not (v. 57)? DISCUSS THE MEANING 1. What about today s lesson gives you hope? 2. When you have gone through hard times, have you followed the guidance given in Lamentations 3:25-33, 55-58? Why or why not? 3. Think about times when God has delivered you. Why should you fear not? LESSON IN OUR SOCIETY

6 Both believers and unbelievers of all ages face trouble. At the very least, youth are troubled by physical growing pains, peer pressure, and moral dilemmas. However, as we grow to adulthood, our problems become more complex due to increased responsibilities. Adults are concerned about financial problems, job problems, marital problems, and problems with their children. Personal expectations of how life was supposed to turn out are often not fulfilled, and we realize that sometimes bad things do happen to good people. Even when we are suffering, we have reason to hope because God has promised to be good to those who hope in Him. He wants us to persevere in waiting on Him because maintaining hope in difficult times will strengthen us spiritually. MAKE IT HAPPEN Along life s way, we may experience injustices, trials, and catastrophes that we cannot logically comprehend. As time goes on, however, God will begin to unfold the reasons these things occurred in our lives. Can you think of anything that God allowed to happen that initially caused you to doubt Him? How long did it take you to realize that God was still in control? Share your experience with another believer to help strengthen that person in his or her walk with God. FOLLOW THE SPIRIT What God wants me to do: REMEMBER YOUR THOUGHTS Special insights I have learned: MORE LIGHT ON THE TEXT Lamentations 3:25-33, In Lamentations 3, in the midst of his lament over the destruction of Jerusalem and the captivity of the Israelites, the prophet Jeremiah demonstrates strong faith in God, holding steadfastly to the promises and goodness of God. 25 The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. As in the previous lesson, Jeremiah speaks on behalf of the Lord (Heb. Yehovah, yehho-vaw, meaning existing One, the proper name of the one true God). Jeremiah lets us know that God is good (Heb. towb, tove, meaning pleasant or agreeable ) to those who silently inquire after Him or seek Him carefully (Heb. darash, daw-rash) and look eagerly for Him. This good spoken of by the prophet does not mean that things always conform to our expectations. Rather, it is an expression of God s purpose and will. In essence, Jeremiah affirms the truth often spoken by our forefathers: God has been better to us than we have been to ourselves. The all-surpassing goodness of God is showered on those who yield to and seek God s will and perfect timing. 26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. Many times we complain and see only the negative side of events that occur in our lives. However, we are encouraged to always have hope. This is not an empty hope, nor is it mere wishful thinking. The hope God commends to us will never disappoint us (Romans 5:5). Therefore, this hope can bear the full weight of our faith. It can empower us to quietly learn not to worry. This is the discipline of true faith. On the other hand, when people lose hope, they have lost the very desire to live. They see no way out of a dire situation, thinking that they have innumerable questions that have no answers. Unless they base their faith on the hope that God gives, they will never

7 know the assurance of His continual presence. They may even conclude that the only way out is death. We must understand that God will never abandon us. He will make a way for us in the midst of the turmoil of this world. The Hebrew word for salvation is teshuw`ah (tesh-oo-aw), meaning deliverance, usually deliverance by God through human agency. 27 It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. 28 He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him. A yoke is a curved piece of wood fitted on the necks of oxen for the purpose of binding them together so they can pull a plough or do some other work. It is easier for a young ox to bear (Heb. nasa, naw-saw, meaning to carry or support ) a load than for one who is old and tired. For us as human beings, it is easier to carry heavy weights when our bodies are young and vibrant. As we grow older, the weight that we are able to carry becomes lighter and lighter. There are times when we wonder whether we have gotten weaker or the task has gotten heavier. So it is with life. It was much easier for us to bounce back from the stresses we encountered when we were younger. As we age, those same stresses become more difficult to deal with; they seem to linger a little longer, especially if we feel we have no one to share our burdens with. The yoke God lays on us is one of service. It will transform our lives from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Whether we gain the favor or disfavor of others will not matter as long as we are in God s will. Let us remember that God has a plan for our lives. Verse 27 in the Amplified Bible reads, Let him sit alone uncomplaining and keeping silent [in hope], because [God] has laid [the yoke] upon him [for his benefit]. This truth is confirmed in Romans 8:28 (NLT): And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose. 29 He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope. 30 He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach. Here we find a description of one who is so submitted to God that he is willing to endure humiliation. The yoke mentioned in verse 27 was a symbol of servitude; yet there is hope, in spite of being filled with reproach (Heb. cherpah, kher-paw), or shame and disgrace at not being able to solve one s own problems. However, God has promised us, just as He promised His children in Isaiah 49:23, that they shall not be ashamed that wait for me. 31 For the Lord will not cast off forever: 32 But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. 33 For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men. Jeremiah realizes that although the Lord may bring sorrow and grief (Heb. yagah, yaw-gaw) into our lives, it will not last forever. He will not continue to reject someone because of his or her wrongdoing. The Hebrew word for compassion is racham (raw- KHAM), meaning to love, love deeply, have mercy, be compassionate, have tender affection, or have compassion. The Hebrew word for multitude is rob (robe), meaning abundance or greatness. The Hebrew word for mercies is checed (KHEH-sed), meaning goodness, kindness, or faithfulness. The Hebrew word translated children is ben (bane), meaning son, grandson, child, or member of a group of people (nation). We can rest assured that it is not God s will for us to receive punishment from Him. Yet because He loves us, He will chastise us: For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes those he accepts as his children (Hebrews 12:6, NLT). 3:55 I called upon thy name, O Lord, out of the low dungeon. 56 Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry. Verse 55 is a description of the deepest depression possible. For the prophet Jeremiah to describe himself as being in a low dungeon is to see himself in the bottom or lower

8 parts ( low being the equivalent of the Hebrew word tachtiy [takh-tee]) of a cistern or dungeon (Heb. bowr, bore), meaning pit, well, or cistern, crying (Heb. shav`ah, shav-aw) to the Lord for help. The Hebrew word for breathing is revachah (rev-aw- KHAW), meaning respite or relief. We can call on the name of the Lord wherever we are, and He will hear our cry. 57 Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not. As Jeremiah continues his conversation with the Lord, he acknowledges the Lord s response to his lament. We are not to be afraid, since God hears our voice wherever we may be in our journey through life. He is with us every step of the way, even when our enemies may strike at us from all directions. Therefore we must trust in the purpose of God for our lives and not worry about the opposing forces that may come against us. 58 O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life. As an attorney would plead (Heb. riyb, reeb, meaning to strive or contend; to conduct a case or legal suit ) a case for his or her client, so the Lord takes up the case of His servants. The successful attorney will save the life of the client. Jeremiah acknowledges that our all-powerful God has redeemed (Heb. ga al, gaw-al) his very life. Our God is an awesome God. He has not left us without a Comforter, in the person of His Holy Spirit. As Christ has died to redeem us from sin, so the Holy Spirit is ever with us to redeem us daily. We need not worry about our unfortunate circumstances; we simply need to learn to wait patiently on the Lord (Psalm 27:14). Remember the words of King Darius to Daniel as Daniel was being cast into the den of lions: Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you (Daniel 6:16, NKJV). Precepts DAILY BIBLE READINGS M: Promise of Deliverance Isaiah 30:15-19 T: Jerusalem Destroyed 2 Kings 25:1-2, 5-7 W: God Is Our Hope Psalm 33:12-22 T: My Soul Waits Psalm 130 F: God Is Faithful Lamentations 3:19-24 S: Wait for the Lord Lamentations 3:25-33 S: God Hears My Plea Lamentations 3:55-59