Jeremiah was set aside to be the prophet to the nations. Set apart to be a voice that was not afraid to stand up for sharing the message of the Lord to those aiming headlong for judgement. There are responsibilities for those who belong to God. However God still loves his people even when they have sinned against him. We are reassured that hope can be found even in times of suffering.

Lamentations tells Jerusalem's story of suffering, starvation and despair, till finally the walls are breached, the survivors deported, the goods looted and the city torched.

Michael Wilcock, is a respected author and Bible teacher. He has spent many years in pastoral ministry including his most recent charge, St Nicholas, Durham. He was formerly Director of Pastoral Studies at Trinity College, Bristol .