The Shadow of Christ
Where is the Lord in the book of Lamentations? In The Shadow of Christ, C. J. Williams gives us a guide to grieving with faith. Originally preached as sermons, this book serves as both a commentary and devotional read. It is clear and compelling, insightful and inspiring.
What I appreciated most about this book was the Christ-centered perspective: “the prophetic prefiguring of Christ as the suffering Savior and vicarious representative of his people.” I learned that Christ himself often speaks in the Old Testament as the anticipated representative of his people. “A book that technically has no direct speech from God comes alive with the voice of the Son whom he would send.”
Hope in Trials
The overall message is that God’s people can find hope in the midst of any trial because they have a gracious Savior who bears their sins and sorrows. We can grieve with faith and return to the Lord with hope after experiencing his chastisement.
Main themes are confession, petition, and hope. Our relationship with God is strained by sin, but it is strengthened with love, loyalty, and obedience to him. Godly sorrow leads to repentance, and repentance leads to salvation. Christ is highlighted as our great intercessor, who allows us to come in humble faith as adopted children to God our Father.
New Mercies
Lamentations climaxes at Chapter 3, and Williams does an amazing job at revealing “The Man” to be Jesus himself. God’s mercies are new every morning, and hope is fulfilled. “The Bible’s imagery of grace in the morning and renewed mercy at the dawn of a new day comes to its crescendo with the resurrection of Christ.” I was moved to worship.
The book aims to not skip over technical points of real significance, while highlighting the clearest points of application for everyone in the Christian life. Williams makes full use of cross-references and knowledge of the original language. There is a section in Lamentations 2:19, where the motif of downward movement in the chapter is contrasted with the words “arise” and “lift up your hands.” Williams helps the poetic language of Lamentations come to life.
Behold the Lamb of Lamentations
Williams’ calling as a pastor colors his writings. He makes frequent analogies and parallels to parenting. Furthermore, during the course and immediate aftermath of writing the book, Williams says he has lost both of his parents. He experienced his own season of lament, and he writes as someone who has suffered. We are reminded that God does not afflict from his heart. Our God is merciful and caring, warm and wise, and we can still find comfort in our affliction.
This book will help you see Jesus is the Lamb of Lamentations. I have greater confidence to trust him in trials. I am strengthened to remember that our sufferings do not last forever. I can grieve with greater faith, and hope with greater certainty.
I received a media copy of The Shadow of Christ and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.