1. Survey of the Old Testament
Chapter 30
Lamentations

2. The Writing of the Book Traditionally ascribed to Jeremiah
Collection of funeral songs for Jerusalem
Probably written by an unknown witness of Jerusalem's fall
Photo: "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Consider now! Call for the wailing women to come; send for the most skillful of them'" (Jer. 9:17). Women were often professional mourners in the ancient world, like this woman with dust on her head.

3. The Background Purpose and Message
Response to the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadrezzar in 587 BC
Prophets warned Judah of impending disaster for two centuries prior
Purpose and Message
Captures the pathos Israel's judgment
Admission of transgression and of God's justice
Hope for future restoration

4. Structure and Organization
Three funeral dirges, two lamentations
Four of five poems are alphabetic acrostics
Major Themes
Human Suffering
Divine Abandonment
Photo: "The LORD determined to tear down the wall around the daughter of Zion. He stretched out a measuring line and did not withhold his hand from destroying" (Lam. 2:8). Jeremiah was not the only ancient voice to mourn in writing over the fall of his city. This "Lament over the Fall of Ur" tells how Enlil devastated the city with a great storm (early 2nd millennium BC).