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The Shadow of Christ in the Book of Lamentations
The book of Lamentations counsels us on how to respond to hardships with faith, grieve with hope, and find the renewal of grace during the trials of life. C.J. Williams explores how Christ was uniquely revealed during a historical moment of unparalleled suffering, and how Lamentations still assures us today that we have a gracious Savior who bears our sins and sorrows, giving us hope.
"Endorsement
The Shadow of Christ in the Book of Lamentations is such an instructive and edifying book. Since reading it, I’ve recommended it to my wife, fellow faculty members, and my students. Now I gladly recommend it to you. One of the many remarkable qualities of Dr. Williams’s writing is his ability to communicate the meaning of Scripture in a way that addresses both difficult textual issues and thorny practical matters. Whether you are suffering from grief or loss, wrestling with the complexity of Hebrew poetry, or struggling to believe that God’s mercies are new every morning, this book will minister to you. Dr. Williams makes a compelling case for reading Lamentations in light of the hope and comfort that can be found in Christ alone." —John Tweeddale, vice president of academics and professor of theology, Reformation Bible College
"Endorsement
The Shadow of Christ in the Book of Lamentations is such an instructive and edifying book. Since reading it, I’ve recommended it to my wife, fellow faculty members, and my students. Now I gladly recommend it to you. One of the many remarkable qualities of Dr. Williams’s writing is his ability to communicate the meaning of Scripture in a way that addresses both difficult textual issues and thorny practical matters. Whether you are suffering from grief or loss, wrestling with the complexity of Hebrew poetry, or struggling to believe that God’s mercies are new every morning, this book will minister to you. Dr. Williams makes a compelling case for reading Lamentations in light of the hope and comfort that can be found in Christ alone." —John Tweeddale, vice president of academics and professor of theology, Reformation Bible College
208 pages, Paperback
Published November 25, 2022
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About the author
C.J. Williams
32 books16 followersLibrarian Note: There are multiple authors by this name in the GR database.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 10, 2023
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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WHAT'S THE SHADOW OF CHRIST IN THE BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS ABOUT?
Based on a series of sermons, Williams walks the reader through the book of Lamentations—in a careful manner. He doesn't avoid technical points, nor does he dwell on them, moving the book in an esoteric direction. At the same time, he doesn't keep it so simple that there's not a lot to learn, to think about, or to meditate on.
As the back of the book says,
and Williams is careful to draw out each of these points more than once.
But that's not the focus of his book—and, Williams would argue, it's not the focus of Lamentations. The focus is on how Christ is displayed and revealed through this short Old Testament book. This comes through loud and clear and proves comforting and inspiring.
CHRIST-CENTERED PERSPECTIVE
Starting in the introduction and carrying on through the end, Williams makes it clear that this is going to be a Christ-centered book because the role of this book is to reveal Christ to his people. There is a speaker throughout the book, referring to himself as "I." Williams argues that this is the voice of Christ—he is the lamenting one alongside the other voices in the book.
I'm not going to try to echo his arguments—I don't have that kind of space. But when he started to enfold it, I was captivated—and as he returned to it throughout the book, I kept being captivated and wanted to spend more time examining these points.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT THE SHADOW OF CHRIST IN THE BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS?
Of all the prophetic books, Lamentations is the one that has always resonated with me the most—but I always knew I was missing something about it. Starting in Chapter 2 (where he begins his argument for the Voice of Christ in this book), so many lightbulbs turned on—I know Christ was revealed in this book (as he is everywhere), but I didn't understand how thoroughly the book did that.
I'm not for one second suggesting that this is an exhaustive treatment of the book, nor that Williams is the final answer when it comes to this idea—but it's a fantastic place to start.
The rest of the book was just as good—I walked away from every chapter with a better understanding of or refreshed appreciation for the text.
If you're looking for a trustworthy guide to this dark portion of Scripture (that is also full of light and hope), you'd do well to look to C.J. Williams.
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The people had been warned about this day of judgement for centuries, but as God pleaded with them through the prophets, they became more stubborn in their sin. Now the day had come. If there was ever an “I told you so” moment, this was it. But the speaker does not stand aloof; he gives a voice to the sorrow and suffering of the people. He wept with them and for them with sympathy that arose from the depth of his soul. Although the people had brought this terrible day upon themselves, they were met with compassion and “a spirit of gentleness” with which we are to minister to those who are overtaken in any trespass (Gal. 6:1).
WHAT'S THE SHADOW OF CHRIST IN THE BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS ABOUT?
Based on a series of sermons, Williams walks the reader through the book of Lamentations—in a careful manner. He doesn't avoid technical points, nor does he dwell on them, moving the book in an esoteric direction. At the same time, he doesn't keep it so simple that there's not a lot to learn, to think about, or to meditate on.
As the back of the book says,
The book of Lamentations counsels us on how to:
respond to hardships with faith,
grieve with hope,
and find the renewal of grace during the trials of life.
and Williams is careful to draw out each of these points more than once.
But that's not the focus of his book—and, Williams would argue, it's not the focus of Lamentations. The focus is on how Christ is displayed and revealed through this short Old Testament book. This comes through loud and clear and proves comforting and inspiring.
CHRIST-CENTERED PERSPECTIVE
When seen in this light, a book that technically has no direct speech from God comes alive with the voice of the Son whom he would send.
Starting in the introduction and carrying on through the end, Williams makes it clear that this is going to be a Christ-centered book because the role of this book is to reveal Christ to his people. There is a speaker throughout the book, referring to himself as "I." Williams argues that this is the voice of Christ—he is the lamenting one alongside the other voices in the book.
I'm not going to try to echo his arguments—I don't have that kind of space. But when he started to enfold it, I was captivated—and as he returned to it throughout the book, I kept being captivated and wanted to spend more time examining these points.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT THE SHADOW OF CHRIST IN THE BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS?
When believers experience hardship or the chastening of God, asking this blunt question awakens us to the truth: Has God utterly rejected us? To ask the question is to answer it. You may not know how any hardship will end, but as a child of God, you know how it will not end. Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:39).
The conclusion of Lamentations shows us that there is always a path forward when we walk with faith.
Of all the prophetic books, Lamentations is the one that has always resonated with me the most—but I always knew I was missing something about it. Starting in Chapter 2 (where he begins his argument for the Voice of Christ in this book), so many lightbulbs turned on—I know Christ was revealed in this book (as he is everywhere), but I didn't understand how thoroughly the book did that.
I'm not for one second suggesting that this is an exhaustive treatment of the book, nor that Williams is the final answer when it comes to this idea—but it's a fantastic place to start.
The rest of the book was just as good—I walked away from every chapter with a better understanding of or refreshed appreciation for the text.
If you're looking for a trustworthy guide to this dark portion of Scripture (that is also full of light and hope), you'd do well to look to C.J. Williams.
July 26, 2023
This is a book about sorrow and grieving as a Christian. It was a soothing book to read because at the time I was grieving the loss of several family members and my heart was sore and weary. I remember sobbing as I read the first chapter of this book because it expressed beautifully the way I was feeling and offered comfort and hope. It’s strange to say this but several of the chapters in this book read like a thriller. I couldn’t read fast enough to find out, “who is the man?” I loved this book so much and appreciated the message. It helped me grow in my faith realizing that the Lord can handle all my emotions even the difficult ones like sorrow, grief, depression etc.
March 14, 2023
This is an excellent study of Lamentations that is both academically and pastorally informed. Even though I knew that Dr. Williams would say that Christ is the vicarious sufferer in Chapter 3, there was an almost suspenseful buildup to that climax in the book which I found moving. Also, the chapters are short and readable, so this can definitely be read devotionally or for a group study.
March 8, 2023
I love his writing style so much. His exegesis was straight to the point. He made insightful connections to the NT and appropriate warnings for modern day. The chapters were short! Excellently written.
April 12, 2025
I read this with a group of ladies at church. Very well done.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews