The Covenant of Grace: A Thread Through Scripture
The Old Testament is woven together by the covenant of grace, established between God and sinners in a fallen world. This covenant finds its roots in the early chapters of Genesis, with key milestones marked by God’s interactions with Noah, Abraham, and the nation of Israel.
A Promise of Redemption
In Genesis 12:1-3, God makes a pivotal promise to Abraham, setting the stage for the rest of scripture. This promise is echoed and expanded upon throughout the Old Testament, with the covenant’s redemptive nature on full display in Israel’s exodus from Egypt. The administration of the covenant at Sinai adds instruction for the redeemed nation’s life with God, emphasizing the importance of faithful obedience.
A Kingdom Established
The possession of the Promised Land is crowned with the establishment of the kingship of David, through whom God extends a covenant promise of an eternal throne. The building of a permanent temple in Jerusalem signifies God’s abiding presence among his people, solidifying the city’s reputation as sacred and inviolable.
A Decline into Apostasy
However, the history recorded from 1 Kings 11 to 2 Kings 25 tells a tale of relentless decline into apostasy and covenant unfaithfulness. The awful judgment of God is ultimately poured out through the destruction of the nation, the city, the temple, and the kingship. In 586 BC, every outward symbol of God’s presence with Judah lies in ruins.
Lamentations: A Cry of Sorrow
Out of the smoking ruins comes the book of Lamentations, a collection of five poems that form a specific response to this devastating event. Lamentations is a confronting book, revealing the radical sinfulness of sin and its awful consequences. Yet, it also points beyond itself to the mercy of the God of the new covenant in Christ, who fulfills God’s covenant promises despite everything.
A Restoration to Come
Not until the advent of Jesus Christ do we find the full resolution of the questions posed by Lamentations. The divine remedy required the last Adam, the true Israel, to suffer vicariously on the cross and in the grave. This sacrifice demonstrates the faithfulness and righteousness of God toward those made in his image.
Christ’s Cry from the Cross
Ultimately, Lamentations must be seen as Christ’s cry from the cross, as he suffers for the sin the book mourns. The Gospel Transformation Study Bible notes, “Lamentations shows that God is a fierce enemy to those who trample on his word and despise his grace. But he is also rich in mercy and unfailingly faithful to his covenant promises.”
A Thread Through Scripture
The covenant of grace is a thread that weaves its way through scripture, from Genesis to Revelation. It is a reminder that God is a God of redemption, always working to restore his people to himself. As we read through the Old Testament, we are pointed forward to the ultimate fulfillment of God’s covenant promises in Jesus Christ.
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