Lamentations 2: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Lamentations 2 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

The Lord covers the daughter of Zion with a cloud in anger, casting down Israel's beauty (vv. 1-2). He swallows up Jacob's dwellings and destroys her strongholds.

Key verse

“Yahweh has done that which he planned. He has fulfilled his word that he commanded in the days of old. He has thrown down, and has not pitied. He has caused the enemy to rejoice over you. He has exalted the horn of your adversaries.”
Lamentations 2:17 (WEB)

Outline

Lamentations 2:1–5 God's Anger Against Zion
Lamentations 2:6–9 Destruction of Worship and Leadership
Lamentations 2:10–14 The Lament of Jerusalem's Elders
Lamentations 2:15–17 Mockery from Enemies
Lamentations 2:18–22 A Call to Mourning and Intercession

Discussion questions

In v5, what does the author mean when stating 'The Lord has become as an enemy'?
What does the phrase 'the daughter of Zion' in v1 signify about the city of Jerusalem?
The imagery of 'tears run down like a river' in v18: what does this suggest about the intensity of grief?
In v14, why are the prophets described as seeing 'false and foolish visions'?
When has a time of loss made you feel abandoned, like in v20 where the author questions God's actions?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Lamentations 2: Lamentations 1, Lamentations 3, Psalm 62.

Before next time: read Lamentations 3.