Tuesdays Are for the Old Testament
6/18/24
Lessing, R. Reed, & Steinmann, Andrew E. (2014). "Chapter Twenty-Four: Lamentations." In Prepare the Way of the Lord: An Introduction to the Old Testament. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House. (407-416).
Lamentations is an example of prayers of lament and complaint. Although they can list many points of lament in the Scriptures, Lessing and Steinmann view Lamentations as the "stellar" example (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 407). The time period of Lamentations was certainly one of intense suffering.
Though Lamentations has no ascription to an author, it traditionally is viewed as the work of Jeremiah (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 408). Lessing and Steinmann mention modern scholarship which rejects Jeremiah as a possible author. However, they find no statements in the book which would render it impossible for Jeremiah to have been the author. They provide a number of thematic and linguistic elements which Jeremiah and Lamentations hold in common (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 408-409).
If Lamentations was written by Jeremiah or another witness of the fall of Jerusalem, the date would be after August of 587 BC (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 410). Lessing and Steinmann consider the composition to be not long after the fall of Jerusalem.
From a literary standpoint, Lessing and Steinmann observe an acrostic structure. "Lam 1, 2, and 4 are poems of twenty-two verses, one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. chapters 1 and 2 have three lines for each stanza, with the first line beginning with a successive letter of the alphabet . . . Chapter 4 follows this same pattern except that each stanza contains only two lines. Chapter 3, like the first two chapters, contains three-line stanzas. However, in this case, all three lines of each stanza begin with the same letter, once again following the order of the alphabet" (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 410). Chapter 5, with two lines per stanza, is not acrostic, perhaps symbolic of the ruined state of Jerusalem (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 411). The chapters are apparently separate but related poems.
Lessing and Steinmann note that much scholarship recognizes a poetic meter in Lamentations (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 411). They consider it to be a poetic device but question whether Hebrew poetry can be considered to have a poetic meter at all.
While some scholars consider Lamentations to be influenced by Sumerian and Babylonian laments, there is some question whether there is actual literary influence (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 412). Lessing and Steinmann consider that there is likely cultural and situational connection, but that a literary link is not likely (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 413).
Lessing and Steinmann find three prominent theological themes in Lamentations. While they don't describe the themes in detail, they enumerate first God's righteous wrath, second God's vengeance, and third a call for repentance (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 413). These three themes together provide an image of both sin and grace throughout Lamentations. God's work is right, even when he chastises his people (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 414). When God uses enemies of his people as an instrument of judgment, those enemies are still responsible for their actions. All people need to come to God as repentant sinners.
While Christ and his work are not specifically present in Lamentations, Lessing and Steinamnn see God's mercy presaging Jesus (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 414). He is the one who rescues God's people from their exile and restores the nation.
6/18/24
Lessing, R. Reed, & Steinmann, Andrew E. (2014). "Chapter Twenty-Four: Lamentations." In Prepare the Way of the Lord: An Introduction to the Old Testament. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House. (407-416).
Lamentations is an example of prayers of lament and complaint. Although they can list many points of lament in the Scriptures, Lessing and Steinmann view Lamentations as the "stellar" example (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 407). The time period of Lamentations was certainly one of intense suffering.
Though Lamentations has no ascription to an author, it traditionally is viewed as the work of Jeremiah (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 408). Lessing and Steinmann mention modern scholarship which rejects Jeremiah as a possible author. However, they find no statements in the book which would render it impossible for Jeremiah to have been the author. They provide a number of thematic and linguistic elements which Jeremiah and Lamentations hold in common (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 408-409).
If Lamentations was written by Jeremiah or another witness of the fall of Jerusalem, the date would be after August of 587 BC (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 410). Lessing and Steinmann consider the composition to be not long after the fall of Jerusalem.
From a literary standpoint, Lessing and Steinmann observe an acrostic structure. "Lam 1, 2, and 4 are poems of twenty-two verses, one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. chapters 1 and 2 have three lines for each stanza, with the first line beginning with a successive letter of the alphabet . . . Chapter 4 follows this same pattern except that each stanza contains only two lines. Chapter 3, like the first two chapters, contains three-line stanzas. However, in this case, all three lines of each stanza begin with the same letter, once again following the order of the alphabet" (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 410). Chapter 5, with two lines per stanza, is not acrostic, perhaps symbolic of the ruined state of Jerusalem (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 411). The chapters are apparently separate but related poems.
Lessing and Steinmann note that much scholarship recognizes a poetic meter in Lamentations (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 411). They consider it to be a poetic device but question whether Hebrew poetry can be considered to have a poetic meter at all.
While some scholars consider Lamentations to be influenced by Sumerian and Babylonian laments, there is some question whether there is actual literary influence (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 412). Lessing and Steinmann consider that there is likely cultural and situational connection, but that a literary link is not likely (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 413).
Lessing and Steinmann find three prominent theological themes in Lamentations. While they don't describe the themes in detail, they enumerate first God's righteous wrath, second God's vengeance, and third a call for repentance (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 413). These three themes together provide an image of both sin and grace throughout Lamentations. God's work is right, even when he chastises his people (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 414). When God uses enemies of his people as an instrument of judgment, those enemies are still responsible for their actions. All people need to come to God as repentant sinners.
While Christ and his work are not specifically present in Lamentations, Lessing and Steinamnn see God's mercy presaging Jesus (Lessing & Steinmann 2014, p. 414). He is the one who rescues God's people from their exile and restores the nation.
RSS Feed