1. (an overview of Lamentatiions)

2.  Author: Jeremiah  Background: sacking of Jerusalem and the burning of the temple in 587 by the Babylonians  Contribution to the Bible: It provides a voice for working through grief from "A" to "Z," and instruction on how and what to pray.

3.  Five chapters = five poems  Chapter 3 is the midpoint and climax  Alphabetic acrostic with the 22- letter Hebrew alphabet.

4.  The City (an outside view; Lam 1)  The Wrath of God (an inside view; Lam 2)  The Compassions of God (an upward view; Lam 3:1-66)  The Sins of All Classes (an overall view; Lam 4)  The Prayer (a future view; Lam 5)

6.  22 Because of the Lord ’s faithful loved we do not perish, for His mercies never end.  23 They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!  Love  Mercy (compassion)  Faithfulness

7.  25 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him.  26 It is good to wait quietly for deliverance from the Lord.  27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is still young.  Good  God can create good out of our suffering

8.  28 Let him sit alone and be silent, for God has disciplined him.  29 Let him put his mouth in the dust— perhaps there is still hope.  30 Let him offer his cheek to the one who would strike him; let him be filled with shame.

9.  (1) “sit alone and be silent” Allow reflection with God,  (2) “put your mouth in the dust” Don’t speak in anger  (3) “offer your cheek to the striker” have an attitude of humility

10.  39 Why should any living person complain, any man, because of the punishment for his sins?  40 Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the Lord.  41 Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven: