Why Lamentations?

I usually don’t post things I write in Tiny Bible Bits. It’s not because they aren’t insightful, but because the idea of regularly sharing something in two places online seemed a tad self-indulgent.

But my latest post was really good. It was about the value of the book of Lamentations.

Enjoy…

Lamentations 1:12 - 12 “Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look around and see. Is any suffering like my suffering that was inflicted on me, that the Lord brought on me in the day of his fierce anger?”

No one reads the book of Lamentations. 

Why would you? It’s so very depressing.

Furthermore, why does such a woeful book belong in the bible?

The book of Lamentations is valuable for a number of reasons.

First, it provides us with a vocabulary of suffering.

This is important, secondly, because life - this side of heaven - involves suffering. We, to varying degrees, will feel the same as the author of Lamentations to the suffering around us.

Third, Lamentations gives a voice to the suffering of those who lived through Jerusalem’s destruction. Their suffering, especially as a consequence of continual covenant failure, deserves to be heard. These five chapters are their memorial.

Fourth, it must serve as a warning for us who read the account of the acrostic Lament poems. Rebellion against God, even with Him patience, has consequences.

Finally, Lamentations serves as a comfort to those who suffer. Through the words of the poet the present-day sufferers tears are validated. 

We can believe that the life of faith will always be comfortable and without tragedy. We can fall into the trap that Jesus is like a cosmic lucky charm. Lamentations consoles those who are intimately aware that this is not the case.

They can cry out with Lamentations to the God who, in time, hears and sees our suffering.

The book of Lamentations, while not comfortable, is a book that deserves our time amd attention. Because the life of faith, walked with Jesus, can still reflect the words of Lamentations. 

And, when we read, empathise and learn from Lamentations we do so beside the God who is Himself familiar with suffering and reaches out to those who need comfort.