Key Themes In The Book Of Lamentations

Lamentation was written as Jeremiah wept over the destruction of Jerusalem and the burning of the temple. Jeremiah states how God has rejected his people because of their continuous sin and rebellion against the Lord. The book of Lamentations is all poetry that deals with many different key themes throughout such as justice, sin, and various imagery.

One of the key themes in the book of Lamentations is justice. All the suffering and destruction to Jerusalem has been brought on by God however he was right to do so as the people did not listen to him. Therefore, they brought it upon themselves. “The Lord has rejected all my warriors in the midst of me; he proclaimed a time against me to crush my young men; the Lord has trodden as in a wine press the virgin daughter Judah” (Lamentations 1:15).

Another key theme throughout the book is sin. The people were murdered and sent into exile both consequences of their sin because Judah did not obey God. Therefore he had to destroy the land. “My transgressions were bound into a yoke; by his hand they were fastened together;

The city was invaded, people were being murdered and sent into exile. The book of Lamentations speaks of the hardships that the people are dealing with through the destruction of the city. The author of Lamentations pleads on behalf of the people who are suffering. “Behold my suffering; my young women and young men have gone into captivity. I called to my lovers but they deceived me; my priests and elders perished in the city while seeking food to revive their strength. See, O Lord, how distressed I am; my stomach churns, my heart is wrung within me, because I have been very rebellious. In the street, the sword bereaves; in the house it is like death. They heard how I was groaning, with no one to comfort me. All my enemies heard of my trouble; they are glad that you have done it” (Lamentations 1:18-21). Watching all the people suffer is making the author physically