Welcome to a year in the Bible with daily grace. The Bible tells one big story of

redemption and we want to spend five minutes every day journeying through the Bible from start to finish, and exploring how all of it

points to Jesus. Hey everybody welcome back to a year in the Bible with daily grace. My name is

Jenny and today we are concluding the Book of Lamentations. In case you missed yesterday's podcast, I will give you a really brief overview of

Lamentations.

Lamentations is a book of poetry that was likely written by Jeremiah. It was written after the fall of Jerusalem

documents the sorrow that Judah is experiencing in the destruction and exile.

Now that you're caught up, let's get into today's reading. Chapter 4 details the completeness of Judas destruction.

The author also uses painful imagery to illustrate how far Judah had fallen.

He explains that they used to be worth their weight in pure gold and were now regarded as

clay jars and were the work of a potter's hands. Then he goes on to explain in vivid detail how they had become cruel, refusing to feed their babies and even cooking their own children to eat. He laments that their punishment is worse than

Sodoms, as detailed in Genesis, because Sodom was destroyed instantly where their punishment lasted for years.

However, just as it feels like Judah cannot stand any more of God's wrath, relief is offered. In the very last verse of chapter 4, the author tells

Judah that your punishment is complete. He will not lengthen your exile.

Chapter 5 is a prayer of restoration.

However, one interesting thing is that most of the prayer still reads like a lament.

Jeremiah explains that they are tired but receive no rest.

He asks God why he had forgotten them.

Overall, the prayer is extremely honest.

At the end of the chapter, Jeremiah explains

Judah's desperation to return to the Lord, as he writes,

Lord, bring us back to yourself, so we may return.

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