This Is the Old Testament is part of a twelve-week thematic overview of the entire Bible. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book or two of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture. This week, we’ll continue looking at the genres of Major and Minor Prophets.
What Is Jeremiah? This book Chronicles God’s prophecies to Judah. The prophet Jeremiah prophecies concerning both Judah’s future captivity captivity in Babylon and the promise of a new covenant.
What Is Lamentations? The book of Lamentations records Jeremiah’s expressions of grief, or laments, over the destruction of Jerusalem and Judah’s captivity in Babylon. It also includes an extended expression of hope in God’s faithful love.
How Jeremiah & Lamentations Fit Into the Story:
The new covenant passage in Jeremiah 31:31–34 is the longest Old Testament text quoted in the New Testament (Hb 8:8–12). This passage links God’s ancient promises to Eve (Gn 3:15), Abraham (Gn 12:1–3), and David (2Sm 7:16–19) with New Testament assurances that God in Christ grants believers new hearts, salvation, and fellowship with Him.
Lamentations invites us to meet God in the midst of our suffering and teaches us the language of prayer. Instead of offering a set of techniques, easy answers, or inspiring slogans for facing pain and grief, the book gives voice to our pain through lament, reorients our focus to the faithfulness of God, and affirms that He is able to sustain us.
Reflection Questions:
1. How do the promises of the new covenant in Jeremiah make space for lament in your relationship with God?
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.
This reading showed that we can go to God in all areas of our lives. It was good to remember that with Jesus indwelling us we will not perish and live forever. It brought back Romans 6:23 to me.
For question 2, what stuck out to me was Romans 11:32 and seeing that God knows that we’ll be disobedient at times and yet He still provides us mercy! What a wonderful verse!
I’m also glad that His mercies are new every morning (Lament 3:23). I have this verse on a sticky note in my room to remind me every day, because even when I know that I’ve repented and that my sin is forgiven, sometimes little things remind me of it. So just being filled with the blessing that every day is a new day, the old is gone, your sin is forgiven, etc is just so amazing.
Praying for you, Karrie. Thank you for sharing with us and letting us pray for you.
Wow SarahJoy I learn so much from you! That is such a good prayer at the end! You are so wise sister!!
I love that we can bring any and every emotion we are feeling to God. No emotion is too much for him to handle.
Loved the highlighted verse from Lamentations. God’s love is with us all the time.
Have a great day and week sisters.
Jacqui and Melanie, praying for you both! Kerry, praying for you and your children.
Jeremiah 31:33 – Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. What a blessing to be able to start over every morning. I pray that I’m mindful in this. That I do not abuse this opportunity to make new each day. To try my best with each day that I’m given.