Lamentations 4

Read Jeremiah 19

They thought their temple and palaces were indestructable and their princes and priests had a bright future...but they were wrong

1-11

THEME #1
Their beauty was destroyed (1-2, 7-8)
After effects of a burned city

THEME #2
They were worse of than animals (3-5, 10)
To the observing eye, they were acting like animals (Job 39:14-15)

THEME #3
They would have been better off dead (6, 9)
Q--Why did they have a stronger punishment?
A--They had been given prophets/miracles (Matthew 11:23-24)
Q--Why was this judgment so complete
A--Because it was from God giving 'full vent' and consuming their 'foundation'

12-20

Jerusalem had a strong reputation
* The world thought more of Jerusalem's God than the Jews did!

Q--Why did this judgment occur?
A--
Bad Prophets (13)
Bad Priest (14-16, note the irony)
Bad King (20)
Bad People (Jeremiah 5:31)

***The prophet/priest/king system was meant to work as a system of checks and balances, but at this point in history, all 3 branches were corrupt.
***Jeremiah offers no solution, but at least he exposes the real problems
***The solution is found in Jesus Christ. For He is the Great Prophet, the Great High Priest, and the King of Kings.

17-22

Even after the invasion, they still sought safety in all the wrong places
1. Egypt (Jeremiah 37:5-8)
2. King Zedekiah (2 Chronicles 36:11-19)

There is a small glimmer of hope in 21-22
1. They still have a future with God
2. Their enemies will not survive (Obadiah)