Exile from Babylon

Lamentations 3:1-36

Elect Exiles recap: Chosen by God but oppressed by the world. Beloved yet broken in our sin.

Reading & Discussion

READ Lamentations 3:1-36

What are some examples of God’s judgement Jeremiah has witnessed?

Corporeal judgement vs. spiritual judgement. Which would you rather have?

Lamentations 3:4 vs. 3:8 — Corporeal effects from God’s judgement. When our spirit becomes apathetic, spiritual dangers lose their sting. Even if your soul becomes numb to convictions, you know what definitely isn’t numb? Your body. GOD is clearly AGAINST Israel. Exile is an outward expression of our inner separation from the Lord.

3:14 — Social judgement vs. spiritual judgement.

3:21-22

Why would remembering God’s steadfast love evoke hope in Jeremiah? The unlovable can have hope that someone can love them. Enduring love. God’s love endures. It suffers setbacks. Our willful rebellion warrants God’s just wrath to purge all disarray to His very good creation. A low view of sin results in a cheap view of grace. Obedience becomes diluted and non-urgent.

3:25-27

Why is waiting praised by God? It’s an expression of love. Whom I am waiting for is more valuable than my preferred timeline.

3:32-33

What is the source of compassion and how does that differ with the source of compassion in humans? Human source is proportionate to our empathy and the magnitude of the tragedy. Humans can have passive pity.

God does not have passive pity. He doesn’t feel sorry for us from afar. God’s compassion is sourced in His abundant steadfast love. The magnitude of the tragedy is irrelevant to the fierceness of God’s compassion. Nothing made God have pity on us. He chose to do so.

While compassion is sourced in God’s love, afflicting is not from his heart. God does not delight in afflicting/disciplining His people.

On Steadfast Love

God’s love endures forever. It is steadfast. And one of the closest ways humans have for fully living out steadfast love is through parenthood. New parents experientially learn steadfast love when their first child is born. However, even though we are all someone’s child, we did not experience steadfast love from our parents. With even becoming parents, humans are still fickle.

The greatest test given by John is how you love people. Not how charismatic and social you are. Charisma and personality define how YOU love. But how you make people feel defines how you love PEOPLE.

We are elect exiles. We are the rebellious Israelites that deserve all these judgements—corporeal ailments, spiritual separation, social ostracization, etc. Yet, God chooses us to be the ambassador of his steadfast love.

Discussion Questions

• When was there a time when you experienced compassion from the Lord?
• How can you grow in having compassion for others by knowing God’s character?
• What are common challenges you face in loving people?
• What is something you are enduring in this season?