Unit Review

Lesson Summary

This week is a review week. We have looked at the kings of Israel and Judah—the good, the bad, and the ugly. We saw how God sent prophet after prophet to call the people to repent of their idolatry and sin, but they would not.

So, God brought Assyria in 722 BC to take the northern kingdom of Israel captive, and then about 120 years later, he brought Babylon to send the southern kingdom of Judah into exile.

The prophet Jeremiah lived from about 630 to 570 BC. He experienced the desperation during the 18-month siege and the cruelty of the Babylonians as they sacked Jerusalem, killed many, and took captives away.

Jeremiah’s laments for Jerusalem and God’s people are recorded in the book of Lamentations. In this powerful book, Jeremiah provides details of the bitter suffering and heartbreak that he and others felt over Jerusalem’s devastation. He speaks of both the depths of Judah’s

sin and the severe judgment of God. But even in the midst of his tears, Jeremiah is reminded of God’s mercy and faithfulness.

Read and Discuss

Read the following passages and discuss the questions together.

Lamentations 2:1–12

1.     Whom did Jeremiah blame for Jerusalem’s destruction?

2.     What things does Jeremiah list in this passage as having received the Lord’s judgment?

3.     What words do you find in this passage for God’s anger?

4.     Do you often think of God getting angry or exhibiting wrath? Why or why not?

Lamentations 2:13–22

5.     What was the reaction of passers-by and Judah’s enemies?

6.     What had the Lord promised to his people if they forsook his covenant (v. 17)? See Deuteronomy 28:36–63.