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SING an acrostically ordered
poetic mechanism, Jeremiah wrote this careful lamentation concerning his
sadness, and also addressing the hope that we have in God. The Hebrew alphabet
has 22 letters in it. In this chapter we find that Jeremiah wrote 3 thoughts in
order for each letter of his alphabet, each thought beginning with the
appropriate letter. The reason that this is significant is because it reveals
to us that this chapter would have taken much time to construct. Poetry like this doesn't flow from the pen as
easily as prose or spontaneous prayer. It might be easier and more beautiful to
the reader, but the writer has to labor longer to birth the script. We know, of
course, that this is inspired by the Spirit of God, but God can most certainly
guide men through the medium of poetic diligence just as easily as He can
mechanically control a prophet who is in a trance.
So, let's get to the heart of the
matter here. Jeremiah had observed the coming of God's wrath. He had warned
many of the impending danger. He had watched the fire fall. He had sat as the
smoldering coals cooled and the smoke of God's wrath had dissipated and had
gone from sight. He had, in essence, watched the birth, the development, the
maturity and the passing of his own prophecies. Many of Jeremiah's words were
written for or about his city, but this chapter appears to be personal.
Jeremiah had to wrestle with the ramifications of what he knew. His was a
bitter plight. In his own words, he felt like God have given him gravel to eat
(Lamentations 3:16). The prophet was in despair.
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