231001 Lamentations 3 Navigating God's Judgment

Lamentations 3.23b Great Is God’s Faithfulness

INTRODUCTION

Romans 1 | 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, both His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the likeness of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. 25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions; for their females exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27 and in the same way also the males abandoned the natural function of the female and burned in their desire toward one another, males with males committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. 28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to an unfit mind, to do those things which are not proper, 29 having been filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, violent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; 32 and although they know the righteous requirement of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

MAINPOINT

Lamentations 3.23b Great is Your Faithfulness

ROADMAP 31min

4min Intro Romans 1.18ff

1min Main Point Lamentations 3.23b

3min Overview of the book: Lamentations

Theme: Jeremiah’s grief over the destruction of Jerusalem

Chapter 1 Lament over Zion

Chapter 2 Jerusalem’s sorrows brought on them by God

Chapter 3 Comfort in the Faithfulness of God

Chapter 4 Calamities in Jerusalem

Chapter 5 Pleading for Restoration

5min Context 2 Chronicles 36:16–18 .

Sermon Lamentations 3.19-39 .

4min I. Remember and Hope v19-21 Remember and Hope

Promised Jeremiah 9:15 “therefore thus says Yahweh of hosts, the God of Israel, “behold, I will feed them, this people, with wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink.” JOSIAH Jeremiah 23:15 ““Therefore thus says Yahweh of hosts concerning the prophets, ‘Behold, I am going to feed them wormwood And make them drink poisoned water, For from the prophets of Jerusalem Pollution has gone forth into all the land.’”” ZEDEKIAH

Psalm 79:1–7 “O God, the nations have come into Your inheritance; They have defiled Your holy temple; They have laid Jerusalem in ruins. They have given the dead bodies of Your slaves for food to the birds of the heavens, The flesh of Your holy ones to the beasts of the earth. They have poured out their blood like water round about Jerusalem; And there was no one to bury them. We have become a reproach to our neighbors, A mockery and derision to those around us. How long, O Yahweh? Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy burn like fire? Pour out Your wrath upon the nations which do not know You, And upon the kingdoms which do not call upon Your name. For they have devoured Jacob And laid waste his abode.”

8min II. The Basis for Hope v22-24 The Absolutes

The Name Exodus 34:6 “Then Yahweh passed by in front of him and called out, “Yahweh, Yahweh God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth;”

Immutable Malachi 3:6 ““For I, Yahweh, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.”

Promises 1 Corinthians 3:23 “and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.” John 14:1–3 ““Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” 2 Timothy 2:11–13 “It is a trustworthy saying: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we will deny Him, He also will deny us; If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.”

5min III. Yahweh is Good v25-27

A model of mourning Leviticus 10:6 “Then Moses said to Aaron and to his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, “Do not uncover your heads nor tear your clothes, so that you will not die and that He will not become wrathful against all the congregation. But your relatives, the whole house of Israel, shall weep over the burning which Yahweh has brought about.” GOD IS NOT OPPOSED TO MOURNING BUT IS OPPOSED TO REBELLION

People bearing up under suffering are to speak with God and even thank Him Philippians 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

IV. Right Submissive Response (v28-30)

Isaiah 53:7 “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.”

Acts 9:16 “for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.””

Colossians 1:24 “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and I fill up what is lacking of Christ’s afflictions in my flesh, on behalf of His body, which is the church,”

2 Corinthians 4:17 “For our momentary, light affliction is working out for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,”

V. Restoration is Coming (v31-33) Will He Always Reject? God w

VI. Elyon Sees All (v34-36)

VII. Adonai is Sovereign (v37-39)

Observations

1 Thessalonians 4:13 “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.”

Application From 2 Sam 16.5-14 or Psalms 7

Conclusion Luke 19/John 11 Christ’s willingness to enter into suffering

PRAYER

CONTEXT

2 Chronicles 36:15–21 | 15 And Yahweh, the God of their fathers, sent word to them again and again by the hand of His messengers, because He had compassion on His people and on His habitation; 16 but they continually mocked the messengers of God, despised His words and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of Yahweh arose against His people, until there was no remedy. 17 Therefore He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans who killed their choice men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion on choice man or virgin, old man or infirm; He gave them all into his hand. 18 And all the articles of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of Yahweh, and the treasures of the king and of his officials, he brought them all to Babylon. 19 Then they burned the house of God and tore down the wall of Jerusalem, and burned all its palaces with fire and destroyed all its valuable articles. 20 And those who had escaped from the sword he took away into exile to Babylon; and they were slaves to him and to his sons until the rule of the kingdom of Persia, 21 to fulfill the word of Yahweh by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had made up for its sabbaths. All the days of its desolation it kept sabbath until seventy years were fulfilled.

Jeremiah is the man who has seen affliction (Lamentations 3:1 “I am the man who has seen affliction Because of the rod of His wrath.” ) He has been forced to leave his home (Lamentations 3:2 “He has driven me and made me walk In darkness and not in light.” ) He has prematurely aged (Lamentations 3:4 “He has caused my flesh and my skin to waste away; He has broken my bones.” )There is no escape (Lamentations 3:7 “He has walled me in so that I cannot go out; He has made my chain heavy.” ) He has been assaulted and mangled (Lamentations 3:10–11 “He is to me like a bear lying in wait, Like a lion in secret places. He has turned aside my ways and torn me to pieces; He has made me desolate.” ) He has been humiliated (Lamentations 3:14 “I have become a laughingstock to all my people, Their music of mockery all the day.” )

In some ways Jeremiah is a personal illustration of what happens in Jerusalem in 586 BC. Like him Jersualem has seen 18 months of starvation. Like him, the city has been reduced in its beauty, marred. Like Jeremiah there is no escape for Jerusalem. Like Jeremiah Jerusalem has been been mangled and humiliated and impoverished. This is a time of the righteous wrath of God where the remains of the people of Judah who have not been victims of cannibalism are dragged away. Jerusalem has hated God, turning to pagan idols, has committed gross injustice, defiled God’s temple and must be judged. The people of Jerusalem must accept responsibility for what has come upon them

August 14th 586BC is when Jerusalem fell

SERMON

I. Remember and Hope v19-21 Zayin (זְכָר)

19 Remember my affliction and my homelessness, the wormwood and gall. 20 Surely my soul remembers And is bowed down within me. 21 This I will return to my heart; Therefore I will wait in hope.

Restate

Draft 1 19 You remember (seems to be addressing self perhaps?) my oppressive misery and aimless wandering, the bitter wormwood and poisonous gall 20 Surely he will remember and melt away in humiliation upon my living soul 21 Such a one will be caused to turn back in remembrance in my heart. For this reason I will be caused to expectantly await

Draft 2 v19 FORMS THE BASIS OF THOUGHTS FROM v21-39 19 IMPERATIVE In my mind I remember my oppressive misery and aimless wandering, the bitterness of wormwood and poisonous gall. REASON 20 Indeed my soul (she) remembers and melts away in oppressive humiliation inside me TRANSITION 21 But now I am caused to turn back in remembrances in my heart, so I will expectantly wait

Verse 20 seems to fit within the following with regard to זכר

“or to intensify the action of another verb (which is often an imperfect form of the same root)”

Observations

v20 K&D state that the thoughts of the speaker are only directed to God - this seems to be erroneous because the succeeding verses describe God not internalize a conversation with God

v19-20 NAC suggests that the victim is internally discussing this within himself and he is depressed

v21 NAC a radical shift in the victims mental state takes place - the cause is the Lord and remembering Him - see verses 22-39

Cross References

Job 13:15 ““Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him.”

Psalm 42:5–6 “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Wait for God, for I shall still praise Him, For the salvation of His presence. O my God, my soul is in despair within me; Therefore I remember You from the land of the Jordan And the peaks of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.”

Psalm 42:11 “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Wait for God, for I shall still praise Him, The salvation of my presence and my God.”

Psalm 71:14 “But as for me, I will wait continually, And will praise You yet more and more.”

Psalm 130:5–7 “I hope for Yahweh, my soul does hope, And for His word do I wait. My soul waits for the Lord More than the watchmen for the morning, The watchmen for the morning. O Israel, wait for Yahweh; For with Yahweh there is lovingkindness, And with Him is abundant redemption.”

Micah 7:7 “But as for me, I will watch expectantly for Yahweh; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.”

Lamentations 3:19 “Remember my affliction and my homelessness, the wormwood and gall.”

Questions:

Is this an allusion to David by Jeremiah, is it a picture of the suffering Servant?

The LXX and NIV take this as being written from the standpoint of the writer - not a plea to God but something that he himself remembers

Lamentations 3:20 “Surely my soul remembers And is bowed down within me.”

Questions: Is this a statement by David, Jeremiah, the Suffering Servant, God Most High? Does it communicate depression, sadness at the affliction suffered? This seems to be a response but perhaps it is a furtherance of the idea of remembrance

this is a furtherance of remembrance

Cross References

PROMISED THREAT Jeremiah 9:15 “therefore thus says Yahweh of hosts, the God of Israel, “behold, I will feed them, this people, with wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink.” POSSIBLY DURING THE REIGN OF JOSIAH

Jeremiah 23:15 ““Therefore thus says Yahweh of hosts concerning the prophets, ‘Behold, I am going to feed them wormwood And make them drink poisoned water, For from the prophets of Jerusalem Pollution has gone forth into all the land.’”” KING ZEDEKIAH RULING (LAST KING)

Lamentations 3:21 “This I will return to my heart; Therefore I will wait in hope.”

Questions: Who is speaking? What is the basis of the speakers hope? Is it the affliction, the remembrance of the soul, its humiliation. Is it the contraction to the heart?

the basis of the hope is the succeeding verses in 22-39

Cross References

Psalm 79:1–7 “O God, the nations have come into Your inheritance; They have defiled Your holy temple; They have laid Jerusalem in ruins. They have given the dead bodies of Your slaves for food to the birds of the heavens, The flesh of Your holy ones to the beasts of the earth. They have poured out their blood like water round about Jerusalem; And there was no one to bury them. We have become a reproach to our neighbors, A mockery and derision to those around us. How long, O Yahweh? Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy burn like fire? Pour out Your wrath upon the nations which do not know You, And upon the kingdoms which do not call upon Your name. For they have devoured Jacob And laid waste his abode.”

TAKEAWAY

v21 Sometimes waiting is the only thing that can be done

II. Basis for Hope v22-24 Heth (חַֽסְדֵ֤י)

22 The lovingkindnesses of Yahweh indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. 24 “Yahweh is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I wait for Him.”

Restate

Draft 1 22 Surely, the unfailing covenant love of Yahweh [cannot expire]/[we are not utterly consumed], because of His sympathy for suffering cannot come to an end. 23 [Your steadfast faithfulness]/[the proof of Your grace] is fresh until the morning, and larger than all others 24 My soul declares “My share in life is Yahweh,” and, “For that reason I am caused to hope to Him” SEEMS TO BE A DIRECTIONAL ASPECT THAT IS LOST IN TRANSLATING “FOR HIM”

Observation

Yahweh is faithful to judge as He promised - NAC reminds that the root of אֱמוּנָתֶֽךָ׃ is אֵמוּן which is the basis for “amen” what we end our prayers with

NAC v22 is the basis of the hope expressed in v21 and it is Yahweh’s hesed - such a contrast between v1-18 and v22-24

Cross References

Exodus 34:6 “Then Yahweh passed by in front of him and called out, “Yahweh, Yahweh God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth;”

Numbers 18:20 “Then Yahweh said to Aaron, “You shall have no inheritance in their land nor own any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the sons of Israel.”

Psalm 16:5 “Yahweh is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot.”

Psalm 33:18 “Behold, the eye of Yahweh is on those who fear Him, On those who wait for His lovingkindness,”

Psalm 36:5 “Your lovingkindness, O Yahweh, is in the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.”

Psalm 73:26 “My flesh and my heart fail, But God is the rock of my heart and my portion forever.”

Psalm 103:11 “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.”

Psalm 103:17 “But the lovingkindness of Yahweh is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children,”

Malachi 3:6 ““For I, Yahweh, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.”

Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”

Hebrews 13:5 “Make sure that your way of life is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,””

Promises to include

Lamentations 3:22 “The lovingkindnesses of Yahweh indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.”

Questions/Observations: In verse 22 Your lovingkindess - Your Hesed, Your loyal love is in celebrated, even in the midst of sorrow the fullness of Your faithfulness is an anchor - Praise You Abba. It says "The lovingkindnesses of Yahweh indeed never cease (Never is a long time, can never, will never ever stop and the reason for that is because of Your Name, Your character, Your majestic glory which You declared to Moses and which I benefit from), For His compassions never fail (what a delight to know that Your character does not change like mine - You are the changeless One - thank You!)

The “never” referenced is based upon לא which is well attested but I dont understand it similar to ל translated “every” which seems like it should just be “to” .

Lamentations 3:23 “They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.”

Questions/Observations: 23 (tells me that Your lovinkindnesses/compassions do not stagnate, ever new they display Your faithfulness) They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness (Surely Your faithfulness must be great to be undissuaded by sin, Your covenant blessings have and will take effect and will never stagnate because unfathomable is Your faithfulness - what a delight also to learn that the hebrew for Faithfulness is where we get "amen." To end our prayers dependent upon Your faithfulness is right and good.)

Lamentations 3:24 ““Yahweh is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I wait for Him.””

Questions/Observations: 24 "Yahweh is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I wait on Him." (Who may ascend to Your Holy Hill - He who walks blamelessly and works righteousness and speaks truth in his heart - oh Abba, that that might be said of me by You. I know that Your Word says that I have the perfection of Christ and I am satisfied that is true. May I wait on You patiently as You make good Your promises).

Promises

1 Corinthians 3:23 “and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.”

John 14:1–3 ““Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”

2 Timothy 2:12 “If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we will deny Him, He also will deny us;”

III. Good v25-27 Teth (ט֤וֹב) Yahweh is good/ Always Good

25 Yahweh is good to those who hope in Him, To the soul who seeks Him. 26 It is good that he waits silently For the salvation of Yahweh. 27 It is good for a man that he should bear The yoke in his youth.

Restate

Draft 1 25 Yahweh is morally excellent towards those who confidently trust in Him, to the soul who earnestly attempts to encounter Him. 26 Of moral excellence is that expectant and silent waiting for deliverance from evil which comes from Yahweh. 27 It is desirable for the young strong man to bear up under the burden while he is young.

Observations

Interesting to think of Jeremiah who was likely not young say it is good for the young man to bear the burden of oppression in his youth - he had often done so and it must have helped in some ways

Yahweh is the One who saves from evil.

Cross References

Psalm 27:14 “Hope in Yahweh; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Hope in Yahweh.”

Isaiah 30:18 “Therefore Yahweh waits with longing to be gracious to you, And therefore He is on high to have compassion on you. For Yahweh is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who wait for Him.”

Isaiah 40:31 “Yet those who hope in Yahweh Will gain new power; They will mount up with wings like eagles; They will run and not get tired; They will walk and not become weary.”

Matthew 11:29 ““Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.”

2 Timothy 4:8 “In the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

2 Peter 3:14 “Therefore, beloved, since you are looking for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,”

Lamentations 3:25 “Yahweh is good to those who hope in Him, To the soul who seeks Him.”

Questions/Observations: Verse 25 says "Yahweh is good to those who hope in Him, To the soul who seeks Him." (I know that this is true, Yahweh You invite poor sinners in Matthew 11.28 to come to You, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give You rest." Abba, the promise made by the Son is good, thank You! May it be that I would seek after You Yahweh, May it be that I would hope in You alone and never in myself... can I really be like the Pharisee in Luke 18.11, "God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector" - yuck Abba, please smite me in my heart with conviction over sin so that I will never be like this hypocrite.)

Lamentations 3:26 “It is good that he waits silently For the salvation of Yahweh.”

Questions/Observations: You say in verse 26 It is good that he waits silently for the salvation of Yahweh (I have a question about this Abba, is the silence an agreement with You and a refrainment from objecting out of rebellion? This seems like it would be congruent with Leviticus 10 when You forebade Aaron from mourning over his boys... May it never be that I would blame You for any hardship. May it be that I would always delight in You even in hard times. Please Abba grant this great gift and the eternal mindset that surely must accompany it.)

Leviticus 10:6 “Then Moses said to Aaron and to his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, “Do not uncover your heads nor tear your clothes, so that you will not die and that He will not become wrathful against all the congregation. But your relatives, the whole house of Israel, shall weep over the burning which Yahweh has brought about.”

So how should we understand John 11:35 “Jesus wept.” John

Lamentations 3:27 “It is good for a man that he should bear The yoke in his youth.”

Questions/Observations: In verse 27 I read, "It is good for a man that he should bear the yoke in his youth." (Can this be because the mind is still plastic, changeable whereas an old fool cannot receive trials and hardship after a life of ease, untested until old age failure must happen? Is that the case?)

IV. Let Him v28-30 Yodh (יֵשֵׁ֤ב) So Respond in Submission

28 Let him sit alone and be silent Since He has laid it on him. 29 Let him put his mouth in the dust; Perhaps there is hope. 30 Let him give his cheek to the one who strikes him; Let him be saturated with reproach.

Restate

Draft 1 28 Let him remain seated, Let him remain peacefully quiet and alone because He has imposed this burden upon him 29 Let him set in the dust his mouth, perhaps there is hope 30 Let him surrender to he who smites the cheek, let him be over filled with reviling taunts.

Cross References

Joshua 7:6 “Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of Yahweh until the evening, both he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads.”

Job 42:6 “Therefore I reject myself, And I repent in dust and ashes.””

1 Samuel 25:23 “Then Abigail saw David; so she hurried and dismounted from her donkey and fell on her face before David and bowed herself to the ground.”

Lamentations 2:10–11 “The elders of the daughter of Zion Sit on the ground; they are silent. They have thrown dust up on their heads; They have girded themselves with sackcloth. The virgins of Jerusalem Have bowed their heads down to the ground. My eyes fail because of tears; My inmost being is greatly disturbed; My heart is poured out on the earth Because of the destruction of the daughter of my people, When infants and nursing babies faint In the open squares of the city.”

Jeremiah 3:5 “‘Will He be angry forever? Will He keep it to the end?’ Behold, you have spoken And have done evil things, And you have had your way.””

Jeremiah 3:12 ““Go and call out these words toward the north and say, ‘Return, faithless Israel,’ declares Yahweh; ‘I will not look upon you in anger. For I am One of lovingkindness,’ declares Yahweh; ‘I will not be angry forever.”

Jeremiah 32:42 ““For thus says Yahweh, ‘Just as I brought all this great evil on this people, so I am going to bring on them all the good that I am promising them.”

Acts 14:22 “strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many afflictions we must enter the kingdom of God.””

Romans 8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

Hebrews 12:6 “FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE FLOGS EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.””

Matthew 26:67 “Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him,”

Lamentations 3:28 “Let him sit alone and be silent Since He has laid it on him.”

Questions/Observations: Verse 28 says Let him sit alone and be silent since He has laid it on him (Are we alone in trials? Do we alone go through these hardships? 1st Peter 2.19-20 says for this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience towards God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unrighteously. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it, you endure this finds favor with God.... Abba, I would have it this way, not to receive credit for discipline but to receive credit from You when You acknowledge injustice and see when I suffer on Your behalf - may it be that I would silently sit and wait on the righteous vengeance of the Lord.)

Makes me think of Aaron and Levi too

Lamentations 3:29 “Let him put his mouth in the dust; Perhaps there is hope.”

Questions/Observations: Verse 29 says Let him put his mouth in the dust; perhaps there is hope (Abba, I immediately think of the intimate look just outside the Garden when You breathed life into man to bless with life... this seems contextually to be an inversion of this because suffering is in view as there is also hope. Was hope even something that we should consider in the garden? The breathing of the spirit/Spirit into man of the coming Adam who would be lifegiving Spirit... 1 Corinthians 15.45 says So also it is written, "The first man, Adam, Became a living soul." the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. However the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. The first man is from the earthy; the second man is from heaven. As is the earthy so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly. And just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly - wow! Is there not hope in this statement? Yahweh, what have You purchased for me? Life and hope and a future - please put Your mouth on this wretched dust and may I only live for You in the power of Your precious Spirit.)

K&D mouths in the dust cannot speak

2 Chronicles 33:12 “And when he was in distress, he entreated Yahweh his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers.”

1 Kings 21:29 ““Do you see how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the evil in his days, but I will bring the evil upon his house in his son’s days.””

Lamentations 3:30 “Let him give his cheek to the one who strikes him; Let him be saturated with reproach.”

Questions/Observations: It is said in verse 30 "Let him give his cheek to the one who strikes him; Let him be saturated with reproach." (That is a grim statement but submission in faith to even trials, abuse, hardship demonstrates the validity of the belief. To be saturated with reproach is also hard, Yahweh - surely You Yourself bore our griefs, You know what it is to be saturated with utter rejection and for that I am so sorry, my sins cost this. My rebellion and redemption came at such a cost, I thank You that You paid that cost and made me right with You by the blood of Your precious Son. Abba, how can I possibly say thank You for this indescribable gift! He was despised and rejected and I esteemed Him not but He has borne away all my sickness, sorrow and sin - surely Your Suffering Servant is good to me, surely You Abba are good to me.)

K&D speak of the escalation of submission from sitting silently to bowing low and giving up to physical assault and humiliation

Colossians 1:24 “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and I fill up what is lacking of Christ’s afflictions in my flesh, on behalf of His body, which is the church,”

Romans 8:17 “and if children, also heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.”

2 Timothy 1:8 “Therefore do not be ashamed of either the witness about our Lord or me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,”

V. v31-33 Kaph (כִּ֣י) Restoration is coming |Will He Always Reject?

31 For the Lord will not reject forever, 32 For if He causes grief, Then He will have compassion According to His abundant lovingkindness. 33 For He does not afflict from His heart Or grieve the sons of men.

Restate

Draft 1 31 Indeed never (CONSISTENCY) will Adonai refuse to accept or acknowledge indefinitely 32 Surely He has caused grief and He will demonstrate His tender compassion according to His unusually great loyal love. 33 Indeed, never (CONSISTENCY?) will He do violence out of His heart and torment the children of men.

Cross References

Psalm 78:38 “But He, being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them; And He abounded in turning back His anger And did not arouse all His wrath.”

Psalm 106:43–45 “Many times He would deliver them; But they were rebellious in their counsel, And so they sank down in their iniquity. Nevertheless He looked upon their distress When He heard their cry of lamentation; And He remembered for them His covenant, And relented according to the abundance of His lovingkindness.”

Psalm 119:67 “Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word.”

Psalm 119:71 “It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.”

Psalm 119:75 “I know, O Yahweh, that Your judgments are righteous, And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.”

Ezekiel 18:23 ““Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” declares Lord Yahweh, “is it not that he should turn from his ways and live?”

Ezekiel 33:11 ““Say to them, ‘As I live!’ declares Lord Yahweh, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?’”

Acts 14:22 “strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many afflictions we must enter the kingdom of God.””

2 Corinthians 4:17 “For our momentary, light affliction is working out for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,”

Hebrews 12:6 “FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE FLOGS EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.””

Hebrews 12:10–11 “For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our benefit, so that we may share His holiness. And all discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful, but to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”

Lamentations 3:31 “For the Lord will not reject forever,”

Questions/Observations: Oh is there ever hope in Lamentations 3:31... "For the Lord will not reject forever," (What a thing? You have not despised Your people, You will not abandon them but will redeem them. I know that this does not communicate Universalism, Your judgment must be effected on all Christ rejectors and I agree with that good judgment but can You help me to understand the scope of this rejection? Is it only for those who Jeremiah is ministering too? Is it for the people of Israel, Judah, covenant keepers? Please open my eyes so that I might see wonderful things from Your Word Psalm 119.18. Two verses down it seems like it is broadened to all men... I do not understand, please enlighten me I pray.)

NAC rejection and alienation are not indefinite for the people of God because His purpose is not to torment indefinitely

Lamentations 3:32 “For if He causes grief, Then He will have compassion According to His abundant lovingkindness.”

Questions/Observations: Verse 32 says, "For if He causes grief, Then He will have compassion According to His abundant lovingkindness." (What a most welcome statement! You will have compassion because of Your loyal love established not on the basis of my conduct but on the basis of Your own goodness. Do You cause grief? Is that a right statement, it seems to be left hanging there, if You cause grief - Aw Abba, discernment is needed, please give me understanding because navigating this well will likely shape conclusions and choices, help me to see clearly from Your Word what You mean.)

A question to leave hanging for engagement purposes - does God cause grief? To what end Hebrews 12.10-11/Psalm 119:67, 71, 75.

Lamentations 3:33 “For He does not afflict from His heart Or grieve the sons of men.”

Questions/Observations: Verse 33 says "For He does not afflict from His heart Or grieve the sons of men" (More questions Abba, from where do You afflict? You have indignation every day. Psalm 7 which talks about Shimei and David seems to suggest that You have indignation every day because You are a righteous Judge Psalm 7.11. Please give me understanding. From where does this affliction come from? 2 Corinthians 4:17 says that momentary light affliction is working our for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison - the purpose is glory. Your glory. Give me insight I pray)

Psalm 30:5 “For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning.”

Are we to mourn over affliction or over personal sin - hold onto this idea it is answered in a bit in v37-39

VI. Elyon Sees All v34-36 Lamedh (לְדַכֵּא֙)

34 To crush under His feet All the prisoners of the land, 35 To deprive a man of justice In the presence of the Most High, 36 To defraud a man in his legal case— These things the Lord does not see with approval.

Restate

Draft 1 34 To oppressively crush under His feet everyone imprisoned in the land. 35 To cause perversions of justice of the young man before the most exalted One Elyon 36 To intentionally and unjustly suppress in his dispute - This Adonai never (CONSISTENCY?) looks on with approval/commandment

Draft 2 36 Is it possible that Adonai might not see these things? / Or Should not Adonai see it?(NOTED ACCORDING TO K&D SO IS VERSE 38 ANOTHER VERSE CLOSELY CONNECTED WITH THE REPETITION OF ELYON)

Cross References

Exodus 23:2–3 ““You shall not follow the masses in doing evil, nor shall you testify in a case so as to turn aside after the masses in order to cause justice to be turned aside; nor shall you be partial to a poor man in his case.”

Exodus 23:6 ““You shall not cause the justice due to your needy brother to be turned aside in his case.”

Psalm 140:12 “I know that Yahweh will maintain the cause for the afflicted And judgment for the needy.”

Proverbs 17:15 “He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.”

Jeremiah 22:3 “‘Thus says Yahweh, “Do justice and righteousness, and deliver the one who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor. Also do not mistreat or do violence to the sojourner, the orphan, or the widow; and do not shed innocent blood in this place.”

Lamentations 3:34–36 “To crush under His feet All the prisoners of the land, To deprive a man of justice In the presence of the Most High, To defraud a man in his legal case— These things the Lord does not see with approval.”

Questions/Observations: Verse 34-36 "To crush under His feet All the prisoners of the land, to deprive a man of justice in the presence of the Most High, to defraud a man in his legal case - these things the Lord does not see with approval" (How do You see these things Abba? Is this the situation amongst men that You are referring to? )

He sees everyone and everything Matthew 10:29 ““Are not two sparrows sold for an assarion? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.”

VII. Adonai is Sovereign v37-39 Mem (מִ֣י)

37 Who is there who speaks and it happens, Unless the Lord has commanded it? 38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High That both calamities and good go forth? 39 Why should any living person or any man Complain because of his sins?

Restate

Draft 1 37 Who is there can speak and it comes to pass, unless my Adonai has commanded its occurrence 38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High Elyon that wicked evil and good proceed? 39 Why do the young living men on offending Him

Observations

Calvin connects David and Shimei from 2 Sam 16.10. Hardship is produced at the command of God) James 1:2–4 “Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith brings about perseverance. And let perseverance have its perfect work, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”

Cross References

Genesis 50:20 ““As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to do what has happened on this day, to keep many people alive.”

1 Samuel 16:14 “Now the Spirit of Yahweh departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Yahweh terrorized him.”

Job 2:10 “But he said to her, “You speak as one of the wickedly foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept calamity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.”

Isaiah 45:7 “The One forming light and creating darkness, Producing peace and creating calamity; I am Yahweh who does all these.”

Amos 3:6 “If a trumpet is blown in a city will not the people tremble? If a calamity happens in a city has not Yahweh done it?”

Micah 7:9 “I will bear the rage of Yahweh Because I have sinned against Him, Until He pleads my case and does justice for me. He will bring me out to the light, And I will see His righteousness.”

Lamentations 3:37 “Who is there who speaks and it happens, Unless the Lord has commanded it?”

Questions/Observations: Verse 37 says Who is there who speaks and it happens, Unless the Lord has commanded it? (Surely Yahweh You are sovereign! Many plans are in the heart of man but what comes out of the mouth is from You - Proverbs 16.1. Surely You direct steps Proverbs 16.9. Surely it is Your counsel that will stand Proverbs 19.21).

Lamentations 3:38 “Is it not from the mouth of the Most High That both calamities and good go forth?”

Questions/Observations: Verse 38 says Is it not from the mouth of the Most High That both calamities and good go forth (Behold a mystery, the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God's kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off Romans 11.22 - astonishing that I could be a beneficiary when I am undeserving, and now I cannot lose what has been granted because it was not gained by any merit of my own.)

Lamentations 3:39 “Why should any living person or any man Complain because of his sins?”

Questions/Observations: Verse 39 says "Why should any living person or any man complain because of his sins?" (Surely no one can complain that You are unfair or unreasonable, You alone are just, You alone are holy. You alone are righteous altogether and no one can complain of unfairness. Abba, if I have misunderstood please let me know and speak from You what is true and right. I cannot be faithful in and of myself but I seek that which You describe as good and right so please enable and bless abundantly)

SUMMARY

CONTEXT

v19-39

v40-42

We have rebelled - You did not pardon

v43-54

You have prevented pleas from reaching Your ears

v55-66

Yahweh draws near to the victim in despair and ends with a prayer for Yahweh to recompense the enemies

APPLICATION Distinguishing between Complaining and Protesting

CONCLUSION

CROSS REFERENCES

Ecclesiastes 3:4 “A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance.”

2 Kings 25:11–12 “Then the rest of the people who were left in the city and the defectors who had defected to the king of Babylon and the rest of the multitude, Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard took away into exile. But the captain of the guard left some of the poorest of the land to be vinedressers and plowmen.”

Lamentations 1:6 “So all her majesty Has gone out from the daughter of Zion; Her princes have become like deer That have found no pasture; So they have fled without strength Before the pursuer.”

Lamentations 2:11 “My eyes fail because of tears; My inmost being is greatly disturbed; My heart is poured out on the earth Because of the destruction of the daughter of my people, When infants and nursing babies faint In the open squares of the city.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13 “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.”

Romans 15:4 “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through the perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

Romans 15:13 “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Luke 19:41–43 “And as He approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He cried over it, saying, “If you knew in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. “For the days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, and surround you and hem you in on every side,”

Genesis 12:3 “And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.””

Galatians 3:8 “And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, proclaimed the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.””

Galatians 3:14 “in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

John 11:17–44 | 17 So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen stadia away; 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them about their brother. 20 Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. 21 Martha then said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 “But even now I know that whatever You ask from God, God will give You.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die—ever. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, the One who comes into the world.” 28 And when she had said this, she went away and called Mary her sister, saying secretly, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” 29 And when she heard it, she got up quickly and was coming to Him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha met Him. 31 Then the Jews—who were with her in the house and consoling her—when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, they followed her, thinking that she was going to the tomb to cry there. 32 Therefore, when Mary came where Jesus was, she saw Him, and fell at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus therefore saw her crying, and the Jews who came with her also crying, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled, 34 and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept. 36 So the Jews were saying, “See how He loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have kept this man also from dying?” 38 So Jesus, again being deeply moved within, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. 39 Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, “Lord, by this time he smells, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” 41 So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 “And I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the crowd standing around I said this, so that they may believe that You sent Me.” 43 And when He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” 44 The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

0:30Hrs | 0:30Hrs Reset Manuscript with notes outline etc

1:00Hrs | 0:15Hrs Various research and confirm text to be studied

2:00Hrs | 0:15Hrs Read Passages in LSB/NIV/NKJV/LXX/BHS ONLY READ IN LSB NOT ANY OTHER YET

2:30Hrs | 2:30Hrs Write Passage in multiple formats

1:00Hrs | 1:00Hrs Pray over passage

0:30Hrs | 0:05Hrs Copy passages in the sermon template in italics

0:30Hrs | 0:30Hrs Make notes

0:15Hrs | 0:15Hrs Draft Roadmap

0:30Hrs | 0:20Hrs Write Sermon Outline

0:30Hrs | 1:00Hrs Copy cross references listed

1:00Hrs | 0:00Hrs Review all Cross References to see what I have missed

0:30Hrs | 0:00Hrs Read theology

1:00Hrs | 0:00Hrs Read Book commentary

2:00Hrs | 0:00Hrs Read Logos commentary on primary passages

2:00Hrs | 0:00Hrs Read Logos Commentary on secondary passages

0:30Hrs | 0:00Hrs Draft title/thesis/antithesis that connects the passages

2:30Hrs | 0:00Hrs Write Sermon

1:00Hrs | 0:00Hrs Write Introduction/prayer

1:00Hrs | 0:00Hrs Practice

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