THE MESSAGE OF LAMENTATIONS:
Bible Speaks Today
By Chris Wright
IVP. 166 pages. £9.99
ISBN 978 1 783 592 753
Over the last 40 years the Bible Speaks Today series of commentaries has been a hugely valuable resource for the church. This edition on Lamentations continues the high standards set by other volumes, with its careful attention to the text and wise application for today.
Lamentations is a book rarely studied and preached. Wright makes that point forcefully in his introduction, saying that we neglect the book at our peril. ‘By giving no attention to the book of Lamentations, we join those within the book itself who passed by Lady Zion, shaking their heads but offering no comfort to the desolate suffering city and the people’ (p.13). We’ve lost the ability, says Wright, to engage in authentic Biblical lament and so fail to appreciate not only this book, but many of the psalms. The loss is ours, as we in the West seem unable to engage with profound suffering and to understand it theologically.
Wright’s helpful and clear commentary enables the reader to find a way through what is admittedly a disturbing and difficult book to read. His introduction sets out the historical and literary background clearly. Understanding the poetic structure of the book is vital to grasping its power, and here Wright is a reliable guide.
Facing difficulties
Wright is willing to engage with some of the more troubling aspects of the book – the silence of God, the theological questions raised by the grim suffering detailed by the author – whilst giving no trite answers. Instead, Wright concludes that ‘it is not contradictory to believe, on the one hand, that God can and will ultimately bring deliverance and release and yet, on the other hand, still to cry out to him in pain, protest and baffled impatience from the midst of present suffering’ (p.164).
Pointing to Christ
For the Christian believer, the coming of Jesus shapes how we understand the book and Wright points us in that direction, showing how the whole Bible’s story gives a clearer answer to some of the questions of Lamentations.
One might long for a bit more help in preaching and teaching the book. But I was left with a desire to bring Lamentations to our church afresh – which is the best sign of a good commentary! How the church needs the message of Lamentations today.
