The Teach the Text Commentary Series gives pastors the best of biblical scholarship and presents the information needed to move seamlessly from the meaning of the text to its effective communication. By providing focused commentary, this volume allows pastors to quickly grasp the most important information. Each unit of the commentary includes the big idea and key themes of the passage, and sections dedicated to understanding, teaching, and illustrating the text. Jeremiah and Lamentations showcase a dark time in Judah's history, before and during the exile to Babylon. Here is insightful commentary to help the modern reader and teacher understand and apply these important but often neglected portions of Scripture. Jeremiah brings God's indictment against the people for repeated and egregious covenant violations. This is accompanied by a call to repentance that, if left unheeded, will lead to God's judgment. The people don't repent, and God does punish them, yet Jeremiah includes a message of hope for future restoration through a new covenant that will also bless the nations. Lamentations serves as a sequel to Jeremiah, in the aftermath of Jerusalem's fall and the exile. The author laments over the destroyed city and, more importantly, over the sin that brought its downfall. It is a study in anguish, yet it too contains glimpses of hope in a restoring God.