Lamentations is not one of the more popular books in the biblical canon. In fact, its five densely populated poems are some of the hardest reading in scripture, not in terms of understanding, but in the state of despair and grief we hear poured out. Ther is a brief shining moment at the centre of the book, a ray of hope in what seems to be an otherwise desolate wasteland of broken dreams and shattered hopes. Yet, it is still considered scripture, and still holds in it some encouragement, some nourishment, and some challenge to those willing to brave its icy shores. Join the Bible Streams team as they examine the ebook of Lamentations.

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There is a small collection of books that sit nestled toward the back of the Hebrew Bible. In the Ketuvim, the Writings, wedged between the three large poetic books of Psalms, Proverbs and Job, and the post-exilic writings (Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah and Chronicles), are the Five Megillot - the Five Scrolls. Small but rich and complex in their subject matter, these five books found their significance both in the biblical narrative but also in the liturgical calendar of Israel. 

Resources/Links mentioned in this episode, or as references or helpful for Bible Streams:

• Book: Dean Wenthe. 2009. Jeremiah, Lamentations. Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture. IVP Academic.
• Book: J. Andrew Dearman. 2002. Jeremiah, Lamentations. NIV Application Commentary. Zondervan.
• Book: Robert Parry & Heath Thomas. 2011. Great is Thy Faithfulness? Reading Lamentations as Sacred Scripture. Wipf & Stock.
• Book: Wilma Bailey & Christina Bucher. 2015. Lamentations and Song of Songs. Herald Press.
• Book: R. K. Harrison. 2009. Jeremiah & Lamentations: An Introduction and Commentary. Tyndale OT Commentaries. Intervarsity Press.

Big thanks to Tim Whittle for editing and extra production on this podcast. 

Get more info at Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'.

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