Sunday, July 28, 2019

Jesus in the Old Testament, Lamentations

Jesus in the Book of Lamentations


Jesus said this,
You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life, and it is they that bear witness about me,"
Following the book of Jeremiah is Lamentations. Lamentations is a Poetic Work by the ''Weeping Prophet,'' AKA Jeremiah. It is another of those of which is full of Instruction yet, is seldom Read or Preached on. The first two Chapters have 22 verses each and are an Acrostic; that is to say, starting with Aleph, the first word of each verse begins with the subsequent letter of the Hebrew Alphabet. The Third Chapter of Lamentations has 66 verses, and each three Verse Segment begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew Alphabet. The Fourth Chapter is arranged like the first two. Chapter 5 also has 22 verses but is not in Acrostic Arrangement. The structure of Lamentations is so amazing that some Critics have said that Jeremiah could not have been the Author. They claim that they feel he didn't have the ability it took to write it. Perhaps they are right? Perhaps he didn't have the ability, but they ignore Divine Inspiration. Remember,
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness," {2 Timothy 3:16}
Lamentations is an unveiling of the great loving heart of God for His people. He chastens them, yet He loves them. God's sorrow and love are demonstrated through the Heart Expressions of Jeremiah.

As we did in Jeremiah, we can clearly see Jesus in the Suffering of Jeremiah. We can see all Mankind, AKA the World, in rebellion and without God. Lamentations 1
"How lonely sits the city that was full of people! How like a widow has she become, she who was Great among the nations! She who was a princess among the provinces has become a slave."
John 8:34
"Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin."
No matter what the World tells you. They will tell you to forget Religion. Forget having Faith in a God that they do not believe in. Do whatever makes you feel good. Do whatever you want. You are free to do anything. 2 Peter 2:19
"While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. "
Jerusalem forsook God and His ways and became a Slave to Sin and was heading to Death and Destruction. Remember as we pointed out last time. Even Jesus Himself cried out for Jerusalem.
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!" {Matthew 23:37}
In Chapter 2 we see the Lord's fierce anger destroying His Creation and showing no mercy. This is why Jesus had to come. He had to come to be destroyed for us. As our Substitute.
"All who pass along the way clap their hands at you; they hiss and wag their heads at the daughter of Jerusalem: “Is this the city that was called the perfection of beauty, the joy of all the earth?” {Lamentations 2:15}
Jesus came as our Substitute. He even told us what was going to happen. He said this. John 2:19 
"Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."
They did that. They tore down the Temple, Jesus. They thought they completely destroyed it. Look who the people acted. Matthew 27:39-43
"And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God."
In Chapter Three, we read this.
"He has made my flesh and my skin waste away; he has broken my bones; he has besieged and enveloped me with bitterness and tribulation; he has made me dwell in darkness like the dead of long ago." {Lamentations 3:4-6}
Think about Jesus and the Beatings and the Torture He endured. Think of how he was made to "dwell in darkness like the dead of long ago." Right before He Raised from the Dead itself.

Because of this we know, that no matter what is going on in our lives. He is ALWAYS Faithful and Just. His Love will never leave us.
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”" {Lamentations 3:22-24}
We see that even though Jesus came to pay the Price. The World continues to Sin uncontrollably and there will come a time when the Lord Himself will return to destroy.
"The Lord himself has scattered them; he will regard them no more; no honor was shown to the priests, no favor to the elders." {Lamentations 4:16}
Jesus is Coming back and He is no respecter of Persons. If you chose not to accept Him and His Sacrifice, you will not be gathered with Him but will be gathered as the Tares or Weeds of the Earth to be Burned.
The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the Sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear." {Matthew 13:36–43}
Lamentations wrap up with a call of Restoration.
"Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may be restored! Renew our days as of old unless you have utterly rejected us, and you remain exceedingly angry with us." {Lamentations 5:21-22}
We know that Jesus came to Restore and to even Increase our Relationship with our Father God. We cannot do it ourselves. God has sent Messengers. We ignore them, abuse them, and even kill them. He gave us His Word. The Holy Scriptures. We reject them. He gave us examples to see what happens when we do not follow Him. We ignore them and say it cannot happen to us.

God was left with no other option. Jesus HAD to come and Pay the Price for us all. It is only through Him and His Blood that we can be Restored. We can be reunited with God. We can be Saved. However, it is ONLY by Jesus. There is no other way. Simple, yet some find it complicated. All-inclusive. Yet some find it exclusive. The ultimate act of love. Yet some find it offensive.

The Truth is the Truth. Accept Jesus and Live. Reject Jesus and Die. There is no other option. Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a Sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus and His Sacrifice for me. I believe that He raised from the Dead. I repent my Sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.{2 Corinthians 13}


Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus is Lord!

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