No doubt you have read in my earlier posts that the whole of the Prophets follows the wisdom pattern of 3+1+3+1 where the +1 books are the punch (Kings and the Twelve). The same pattern is true for the eight lamentations, commonly called the confessions, of Jeremiah in the prophetic book of Jeremiah.
The first four confessions are followed by a divine response and the second four confessions are followed by divine silence. Thus the second 3+1 is more dire than the first 3+1. Additionally, you are to understand the +1 lament as a punch.
11:18-23 – “Warning” and Divine Response
12:1-6 – “Why” and Divine Response
15:10-14 – “Woe” and Divine Response
15:15-21 – “Who are you?!” and Divine Response
17:14-18 – “Save me!” and Divine Silence
18:18-23 – “Scorch them!” and Divine Silence
20:7-13 – A burning fire and Divine Silence
20:14-18 – “Why was I ever born?” and Divine Silence.
(From class notes from Mike Kelly, WTS)
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