25/04/2021
*NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL*
_April 25, 2021_
*A PLEA FOR RESTORATION*
*Devotional Reading:* _Lamentations 3:22-23_
*Background Lesson Scripture:* Lamentations 5
*GOLDEN TEXT*
_Restore us to yourself, O LORD, that we may return; renew our days as of old._ *- Lamentations 5:2*
*Objectives:* _By the end of the lesson, class members should be able to:_
• Identify possible reasons the people of Jerusalem suffered and lamented greatly;
• Discuss the devastating consequences of sin;
• Renew their commitment to pray to God for restoration.
*INTRODUCTION*
The society we live in is characterised by different challenges, which sometimes result in suffering and punishment. While some are caused by individuals, others may be collaborative. Someone once said, "There are often tragedies, personal and collective, so devastating and inexplicable that human reasoning cannot easily comprehend." He concluded that in such instance, the only immediate response is regret, lamentation or both. This was the case of the people of Judah. To them, the fall of Jerusalem meant more than the loss of their beautiful and indisputable capital city because the city was God's own city. When the city was burned and the temple destroyed, some of them were taken captive to Babylon. Certainly, they knew that God had delivered them into the hands of their enemy. While they were in exile, Jeremiah sat down and lamented, expressed grief, not necessarily because of the humiliation and suffering of the people but that God had rejected His covenant people as a result of their sins.
The people believed that Jerusalem cannot be conquered and that their king was invincible (Lamentations 4:12, 20). Little did they know that God had decided to punish them and nothing could stop Him. The passage vividly depicts defeat, loss of freedom, land, respect, cruelty, forced labour and starvation, r**e and murder because of the sinful attitude of the people. However, Jeremiah prayed to God for restoration on behalf of his people. The focus of today's lesson is a reminder that God is merciful and willing to restore His people when we seek Him through prayer.
*THE LESSON EXPLAINED*
*A. Cry for Mercy Lamentations 5:1-16*
When the people of Israel were taken captive and Jerusalem was destroyed, Jeremiah sat down and composed this song of lamentation and a prayer to God for mercy on behalf of Jerusalem (v. 1). From verses 2 to 16, he described their disgraceful and regretful condition saying:
• The land that God gave to them and their houses have been given to strangers.
• They had become orphans and their mothers, widows.
• They are made to pay for the water they drink and the wood they use for fuel.
• Everything is taxed by the Chaldeans.
• They are weary as a result of servitude and totally worn out for lack of rest.
• They have become beggars from Egypt to Assyria.
• They are ruled by slaves and there is no one to free them.
• Their women are daily ravished in Zion and their virgins in the towns of Judah. Even so elders were no longer respected.
• Music from the young was no more heard; their joy disappeared and turned to mourning
• Above all, the crown that symbolises their glory and honour embodied in the city of Jerusalem completely eluded them. For this reason he said, "Woe to us, for we have sinned!" (v. 16b)
The people sold themselves cheaply. In lamentation, they expressed their awful condition, believing that God will deliver them. It should be noted that the people knew that their suffering was not necessarily because of their own sins, which they acknowledged in verse 7, but the sins of their forefathers (Jeremiah 31:29-30). They recognised and admitted that the tragedy that befell them as a nation is the fault of their ancestors against their initial claim that God is ultimately responsible for their predicament. Apart from the general suffering, individual groups also suffered; the women and ladies were utterly r**ed and brutalised. The elders were grossly dishonoured and the city gate became empty of wise elders. Believers should know that there are always devastating consequences for sins, just like the experience of the people of Israel who suffered severely. However, we should also remember that God is merciful. Based on this attribute, Jeremiah began the narration of their suffering by praying and asking God to save them from their disgrace (v. 1).
*DISCUSSION TIME*
1. Discuss the causes or Israel's suffering and compare it with our suffering today as a nation or as individuals.
2. Discuss the similarities and the differences between the days of Jeremiah and ours.
*B. Israel's Prayer for Restoration - Lamentations 5:17-22*
Jeremiah had already associated the cause of their predicament with the sins of their ancestors (v.7). As a result, he confesses saying:
• Their hearts are sick and fainted.
• Their eyes dimmed as a result of the painful tears.
• Mount Zion is wrecked and ruined and has become the dungeon of wild animals.
Jeremiah, however, concluded the chapter by focusing on God's eternal and unchanging nature. He said in verse 19, "You, O Lord, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation." In other words, even though the admired temple is destroyed (v.18), he had confidence in the fact that God is sovereign and He rules over the universe forever. Nevertheless, his question in verse 20 seemed to him as if God had forgotten them for a long time and wondered if He will ever remember them again. He, therefore, prayed earnestly to God to bring them back to Himself and restore their ancient glory (v. 21). He believed that God's anger is temporary and so He will not forget His children forever. One of the attributes of God is compassion. Whenever we sin and demonstrate genuine repentance coupled with faith and obedience, there will be restoration.
*DISCUSSION TIME*
1. Identify some biblical characters that genuinely repented of their sins and received forgiveness.
2. What are the necessary steps we need to take before restoration can take place?
*Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity*
• Divide the class into two groups. Let group A list the different areas the people of Israel suffered, according to the passage and group B should list the lessons they have learned from it. They are to put together their resolution and read it aloud.
*TAKE HOME*
• God does not forget His children forever.
• God is compassionate.
• If we turn to God in repentance, He will accept us.
• We should trust God more, even in difficult situations.
• There are consequences for disobedience.
• Believers should have faith in God and hope for better days ahead.
