This week we are going to be finishing up Jeremiah, blazing through Lamentation and going deep into Ezekiel. So hang on we are picking up the pace. Actually it only looks like we are because Lamentations is only 5 chapters and compared to Jeremiah, Ezekiel's chapters are shorter. It doesn't say so in the book, but most biblical scholars believe that Lamentations was written by Jeremiah because of the similar vocabulary and writing style to the book of Jeremiah. In the original Hebrew the book is poetic in structure and is indeed a series of "Laments". A lament is a profound expression of grief or sadness often times expressed through poetry or music. Overall Lamentations is the author's (Jeremiah's) expression of his deep grief over the Jews failure to listen to God's warnings, and the utter disaster that occurs as a result. The book of Ezekiel is another example of God's attempts to try to get the Jews specifically in Jerusalem to turn away from their sin and idolatry by using a dynamic prophet. Ezekiel begins with prophesy to the Jews of what will happen if they don't repent and then as he becomes one of the exiles to Babylon, turns to prophecy and instruction to the people in exile. In Ezekiel chapter 1 the prophet is called by God and is shown some amazing visions. Check out how his description of the living creatures in chapter 1 verses 10-15 compares to Johns description of the creatures that he saw in Revelation 4:7. What an amazing sight! In chapter 4 Ezekiel is told some of things that he will have to do as a prophet for God, and I have to tell you I would have a hard time do any of them. He is told that he will have to lie on his left side for 390 days and on his right side for 40 days, while being tied up, and cooking his meals over cow dung!!! Then he is told to shave his head with a sharp sword!!! He was definitely sold out for God!! Later we will find that through all this he was married! She must have been a Godly and patient wife. Sadly we know from our previous reading of Isaiah and Jeremiah the Jews will not listen and destruction will follow. At the end of the week in chapter 12 we see that God tells Ezekiel to pack up his belongings because he is going into exile. Stay turned!