Chapter Summary

Lamentation on the direful effects of calamities of Judah. Sins of the leaders acknowledged.

Discussion Questions for Lamentations, Chapter 4

1. What is the significance of the poverty described in verse 5? In what ways were the Israelites trusting in their material possessions more than on God? How have you put your faith more in money or wealth than in God's spiritual provision?
2. What was one of the main reasons that God allowed Israel's enemies to overtake them in verse 12? How much impact does negative spiritual leadership have on a society or a nation? What are some examples of religious leaders doing wicked things have you seen in your own community? How did that impact you, and how did it impact those around you?
3. What does verse 22 teach us about how God punishes sin? Why does God's holiness demand that sin be punished in the first place? What is an example of a time that God exposed your sin? Was it for your good? How did that impact your view of who God is?
4. What does it say about God that the Israelites could still "live under His protection among the nations" (HCSB)? What does this teach us about God's purpose and sovereignty in suffering? How might this verse give you hope for future difficulties, trials, or endeavors to which God has called you?
5. Why did the people refuse to give food even to starving children in verse 4? What does this physical reality say about the spiritual condition of God's people at this time? In what ways might you have neglected the needs of others in your daily life?
6. What is the significance of the destruction of the temple in verse 1? What does this say about true and pure worship of God, regardless of buildings or locations? How does this impact how you view the Church, worship of God, and worship with God's people?
7. Why does Jeremiah describe the horrific experience of cannibalism in verse 10? What does this say about the utter desperation of their circumstances? What kinds of similar situations can you find in our world today? What role can you play to alleviate human suffering in the name of Jesus?
8. How does the physical appearance of the Israelites in this chapter reveal their true spiritual condition? Why did God allow this kind of suffering for His people? What purposes have you seen for the suffering in your own life, and how did you see God use it?
9. Why is it ironic that the people saw the prophets, priests, and elders as "unclean" (HCSB) during this time? How does that differ from the role of these positions prior to the siege of Jerusalem? Do you think there is evidence of hypocrisy at the core of this situation? In what ways have you seen religious hypocrisy devastate a community?
10. Why did no one want to help the Israelites in verse 17? How does this underscore the seriousness of the situation, and the contempt with which other nations held Israel? What is a time in which you felt that you were isolated, with no one interested in helping you? How did that cause you to trust and lean into God more?

Key Words/Phrase

Devoured, v. 11.

Characters

God, Jeremiah.

Strong Verse(s)

9