Learning to Lament as Elect Exiles - Introduction to Lamentations

Introduction:

Illustration: Job 1:18-22 There was a God-fearing, wealthy man. On a given day, all of his ten children were having a party at the oldest brothers house. During the party a strong wind came with such force that the house was leveled. All ten children were killed. One servant who was a survivor ran as fast as he could to let their father know of the tragedy. Hear the words of their father named Job:

Job 1:18–22 KJV 1900

18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: 19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, 21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return thither: The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord. 22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

This would be one of the early laments that we see in the scripture.

The book of Lamentations has an important role to play in the life of God’s people, but it is a role that is often overlooked. Perhaps you may consider it an irrelevant book of the Bible or one that is difficult to understand. Over the course of the next seven weeks, Jared Berry and I will serve you by preaching this book with hopes that you will find the God of Lamentations to be all-satisfying.

To whom is the book of Lamentations relevant?

It is especially relevant to those who are the elect exiles of God. As a reminder, this is how Peter addresses those who are the children of God in I Peter 1:1-2

1 Peter 1:1–2 (KJV 1900)

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

Proposition:

Learn to lament as elect exiles!

Body:

Part I: The Beginning of Lamentations

The Temple before Lamentation

Learning to lament as elect exiles requires a return to the beginning of lament. It is in Genesis where we find God’s people in God’s place under God’s rule. The Garden of Eden was the place where God and mankind met in harmonious relationship. It was Temple-like.

The Temple-People Exiled into Lamentation

The Temple-Garden was also where where mankind first rebelled against the word of God. This rebellion received the just curse of God and banishment from his presence, according to God’s word (Genesis 3:8). In the curses, they receive suffering and affliction that would continually be a reminder of what they had but lost.

Application: Suffering and affliction are the result of sin and the initial curse. No one is immune.

Why do bad things happen to good people? Bad things happen to all people.

Adam and Eve were sent into exile from the presence of God. Before they are banished, God provides them both a promise and skins. Genesis 3:15, 21. They became estranged to God while holding to his promise and wearing garments provided by him. They became the first of God’s people who had a promise to hold on to, but whose Temple-Garden had been destroyed by sin, and they entered in a period requiring lamentation.

The resulting history of Genesis reveals not only murder, polygamy, and deception but also a people and a creation who yearn for deliverance and justice. From the blood of Abel to the cries of Joseph, Genesis reveals early laments resulting from original sin.

Recap: Beginning with the exile from God’s presence in the Temple-Garden of Eden. [Temple destroyed]

Part II: The History of Lamentations

The Elect Nation Lament their Affliction

Lament finds historical expression in the nation of Israel who had grown while in Egypt, and they’d begun to groan to the Lord for justice and deliverance. The affliction had led to cries of dependence. The history of lament is best seen in the Old Testament within the story of the nation of Israel.

The Elect Nation Gather around built Temple

God brings the nation of Israel out of Egypt. They were in covenant with God, first through their father’s Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Covenant established in Abraham was unconditional. God was going to make of Abraham a great nation and bless all nations of the earth, but, now as a nation, if Israel would experience the blessings promised of God and not the curses, they would have to live under covenant laws handed down through Moses (Deuteronomy 28:1-2,15,45-48,29:1).

Here, in the Promised Land, God’s people build a Temple where God’s presence could once again dwell with His people. The nation of Israel was the elect people of God.

The Elect Nation is Exiled Into Lamentation

But, in one of the final words of Moses, he gives a song that is prophetic of the idolatry that Israel would perpetuate (Deuteronomy 32:16-18).

Deuteronomy 32:16–18 KJV 1900

16 They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, With abominations provoked they him to anger. 17 They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; To gods whom they knew not, To new gods that came newly up, Whom your fathers feared not. 18 Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, And hast forgotten God that formed thee.

This idolatry is what happened. After the period of the monarchy and the divided kingdom, God ultimately brought the Kingdom of Babylon in to destroy the walls, destroy the Temple, and exile God’s people (stories of Daniel and Esther). But, just like in Genesis, God had given a promise of a new covenant (Deuteronomy 30:6).

Deuteronomy 30:6 KJV 1900

6 And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

The Garden-Temple with Adam and Eve had been destroyed, and they were sent into exile. Now, the Temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed and God’s people sent into exile. In both cases, God is the one to perpetuated the affliction in response to sin, and in perfect faithfulness to His Word.

Application: Lamentations will teach us you and I must believe that God afflicts, and his afflictions prove His faithfulness to His Word.

This is where the book of Lamentations fits into our study. Lamentations is the grief of a writer who is seeing the devastation (Lamentations 1:1).

Lamentations 1:1 KJV 1900

1 How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people! How is she become as a widow! she that was great among the nations, And princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary!

This opening verse reveals the kind of language you can expect. It will be poetic language in an acrostic form. Chapters 1,2,4,5 will have 22 verses. The opening and closing chapters are expressions of deep sorrow for the state of Jerusalem and the exiles. Chapter 3 will have 22x3=66 verses. It is the heart of the book that helps us to rightly define what is lament.

Application:

(1) Don’t confuse lamentations with our modern definition of grief. (burdened, heavy, under great distress…etc).

(2) Don’t confuse lamentations as something everyone can do. Lament is the language of the people of God - the elect exiles.

(3) Don’t water down the present help of lamentation by immediately going to I Thessalonians 4:13 or when things are difficult praise him anyhow...

1 Thessalonians 4:13 KJV 1900

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

Lamentations 3:21-24 helps us to give a distinct definition to lamentation. It is not just the expression of grief, and it is not just about looking to the future — though both of these are parts.

Lamentations 3:21–24 KJV 1900

21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 22 It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 24 The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

Lament is the language of the elect of God. Lament is because of faith that is already existing.

My definition:

Lament is an expression of deep sorrow that exposes confidence in God’s steadfast love and in hope in God’s sure justice.

Recap: Seeing the exile of Judah from the God’s presence in the Temple-Garden of Jerusalem. [Temple destroyed] This is the real history of this book of Lamentations.

Part III: The Climax of Lamentations

The Elect Son is Called out of Egypt

There is a place in history where lamentation reached its peak of perfection. Adam and Eve were exiled from the presence of God due to their sin. The Temple-Garden where God/man dwelt in harmony was destroyed - Lamentations of God’s people begins. The nation of Israel suffered the exile from the land — the Temple is destroyed. Lamentation continues as God’s chosen people endure suffering historically.

The Elect Son is the Temple of God Who Laments

Then, there is the climax of lamentation. God gives another Temple. This time the Temple would be the Perfect Son of God - where Jesus would become the Person through whom God and man could meet. Jesus came as the Perfect Son. He came to make a people for His name. This calling would come at a high price. Listen to the words of Jesus. John 2:19

John 2:19 KJV 1900

19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

This claim by Jesus was used at his trial by some of his accusers. For the Jewish people who had endured such exile already, the thought of the destruction of their new Temple was horrific; but Jesus was speaking of the Temple of his own body. Jesus himself would suffer exile, being banished from the presence of God on the Cross. Jesus cries Psalm 22:1

Psalm 22:1 KJV 1900

1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?

Psalm 22:1 is a song of lament. It is here where, not the Eden Garden-Temple nor the Jerusalem Temple are destroyed, but is the Body of Jesus Christ that is destroyed, but it is rebuilt again when it is raised three days later. If lamentation is an expression of deep sorrow that exposes confidence in God’s steadfast love and hope in God’s sure justice - the cry from the Cross is the Climax of all lamentation.

Recap: Seeing the exile of Jesus from God’s presence in himself. [Temple destroyed and rebuilt]

Part IV: The Purpose of Lamentations

The Elect Exiles are the Temple of God

Now the Resurrected Jesus is calling men and women to trust in God because of Him. Those who believe on Jesus are called elect exiles. These elect exiles are the Temple of God in the midst of a world that is groaning. (I Corinthians 3:16)

1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV 1900

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

The Elect Exiles are Those who Lament

Meaning that God’s people presently are people of lamentation as elect exiles. The purpose of lamentation is that it is a means whereby God refines the faith of his elect exiles.

Recap: Jesus building a new habitation of God by calling people out of exile to Himself — making them elect exiles.

Application:

Embrace lamentation as a means God has given you to express sorrow and dependence upon Him.

Do not make seeking relaxation and comfort the ultimate pursuit of your life.

Part V: The End of Lamentations

Lamentation is also evidence of hope in the justice of God. One day all lamentation will end (Revelation 21:1-5). There will be a new heavens and a new earth, and the dwelling of God will be with His people perfectly. The exile that began in the Temple-Garden will give way to a consummate, complete presence of God. But the path from Eden to Eternity is through Lamentation. In one sense, you could say that Lamentation is the story in between the Creation and the New Creation.

Recap: The exile from God’s consummate presence ended is the new heavens and new earth [presence of God is with man fully]

Concluding Applications:

Where are you in this story?

Between Part IV & V:

Already/Not Yet: Living as elect exiles with confidence in his hesed and hope in his justice.

The history of you is here.

What is lament and where is this in God’s sovereign plan?

Lament is the cycle in this life whereby God uses suffering to shape the hearts of his elect exiles to continue to trust in his goodness and hope for his justice.

Specific applications to hearers, individually and corporately.

Lamentations are for God’s people. Will you receive Jesus Christ right now?

Lamentations are expressions of faith. Are you stopping at the grief?

Lamentations are expressions of sorrow. Are you putting on so people don’t really see the grief?

Lamentations are confessions of sin. Are you proactively grieving sin?

Lamentations are expressions of faith in God’s word. Do you really believe God’s mercy?

Lamentations are both individual and corporate. Do you seclude yourself?

Lamentations are deep expressions of hope in God’s sure mercy and justice. Are you vengeful?

Closing Illustration: Daniel 9:1-19