It is good for a manThe phrase "it is good" suggests a moral or beneficial quality, indicating that what follows is advantageous for personal growth and spiritual development. In the context of Lamentations, which is a book of mourning over the destruction of Jerusalem, this statement offers a glimmer of hope and instruction amidst suffering. The idea of something being "good" is echoed in other scriptures, such as
Romans 8:28, where all things work together for good for those who love God.
to bear the yoke
The "yoke" is a metaphor for discipline, responsibility, or suffering. In ancient agrarian societies, a yoke was a wooden beam used between a pair of oxen to enable them to pull together on a load. Spiritually, it symbolizes submission and learning under God's guidance. Jesus uses similar imagery inMatthew 11:29-30, where He invites believers to take His yoke upon them, promising rest for their souls. The yoke here implies a formative process, shaping character and faith.
while he is still young
Youth is a time of learning and growth, and bearing the yoke during this period can lead to maturity and wisdom. The Bible often emphasizes the importance of seeking God early in life, as seen inEcclesiastes 12:1, which advises remembering the Creator in the days of youth. This phrase underscores the value of early discipline and the long-term benefits of enduring trials and responsibilities when one is young, preparing individuals for future challenges and service in God's kingdom.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JeremiahTraditionally attributed as the author of Lamentations, Jeremiah is known as the "weeping prophet." He lamented the destruction of Jerusalem and the suffering of his people.
2.
JerusalemThe city that faced destruction by the Babylonians, which is the backdrop for the book of Lamentations. The lament reflects on the city's fall and the resulting hardships.
3.
Babylonian ExileThe period when the Israelites were taken captive by Babylon. This event is central to the context of Lamentations, as it represents a time of great suffering and reflection for the Jewish people.
Teaching Points
The Value of Early DisciplineBearing the yoke in youth teaches resilience and builds character. Early discipline sets a foundation for a life of faithfulness and obedience to God.
Spiritual Growth Through TrialsTrials and burdens, when faced with faith, can lead to spiritual maturity. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and deeper reliance on God.
The Yoke of ChristUnlike the burdens of the world, Christ's yoke is light and brings rest. Seek to align your life with His teachings and find peace in His guidance.
Preparation for Future ChallengesLearning to bear burdens in youth prepares one for future challenges. Develop a strong spiritual foundation to withstand life's storms.
The Role of Community and MentorshipEngage with a community of believers and seek mentorship. Sharing burdens and learning from others can provide support and wisdom.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Lamentations 3:27?
2.How can "bearing the yoke in youth" shape our spiritual maturity today?
3.What does Lamentations 3:27 teach about enduring hardships with faith?
4.How does this verse connect with Jesus' teachings on taking up the cross?
5.In what ways can young believers apply Lamentations 3:27 in daily life?
6.Why is it beneficial to learn discipline and patience early in life?
7.What does Lamentations 3:27 mean by "bearing the yoke in his youth"?
8.How does Lamentations 3:27 relate to the theme of suffering in the Bible?
9.Why is youth emphasized in Lamentations 3:27?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Lamentations 3?
11.Is Adam considered God in Mormon theology?
12.Ezekiel 2:8-10: How do we reconcile the command to physically eat a scroll with scientific plausibility and the lack of mention of any lasting effects?
13.Why would God forbid Ezekiel from mourning his wife's death (Ezekiel 24:15-18), and how does this command reconcile with the Bible's portrayal of divine compassion?
14.When should one get married?What Does Lamentations 3:27 Mean
It is good“It is good…” (Lamentations 3:27) sets a positive tone right in the middle of Jeremiah’s sorrowful poem. Even in suffering, God’s purposes are beneficial (Romans 8:28;Psalm 119:71). The “good” here is moral and spiritual:
• God’s discipline refines character just asHebrews 12:10-11 affirms: “He disciplines us for our good… afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”
• Hard seasons draw us closer to the Lord (Psalm 34:18) and deepen reliance on His faithfulness celebrated earlier in the chapter (Lamentations 3:22-23).
for a manThe phrase is universal—every believer, male or female, young or old. Scripture consistently shows that no one is exempt from God’s forming work (Job 5:17;1 Peter 1:6-7). Personal application matters: each individual must embrace God’s shaping process rather than avoid it.
• “Man” underscores personal responsibility (Galatians 6:5).
• The verse invites self-examination likePsalm 139:23-24, ensuring the heart stays teachable.
to bear the yokeA “yoke” pictures submission and weight. In the Bible it can be oppressive (Exodus 6:6) or redemptive, depending on who places it. Here it is God’s training yoke:
• It teaches humility—Micah 6:8 calls us “to walk humbly with your God.”
• It builds endurance—James 1:2-4 speaks of trials producing perseverance.
• Jesus models the gentle yoke that ultimately liberates (Matthew 11:29-30).
Practical ways believers bear this yoke:
– Accept correction without resentment (Proverbs 3:11-12).
– Serve willingly in unnoticed roles, trusting God’s timing (Luke 16:10).
– Persist in spiritual disciplines even when feelings lag (1 Corinthians 9:27).
while he is still youngYouth is a prime season for shaping convictions before habits harden (Ecclesiastes 12:1). Early training builds a lifelong foundation:
•Proverbs 22:6 encourages starting “a child on the right path.”
• Timothy’s ministry illustrates the fruit of youthful devotion (1 Timothy 4:12;2 Timothy 3:15).
• Early surrender prevents future regret, echoingPsalm 25:7: “Remember not the sins of my youth.”
Parents, mentors, and churches can help by:
– Modeling joy in obedience.
– Inviting youth into meaningful service.
– Sharing testimonies of God’s faithfulness through hardship.
summaryLamentations 3:27 teaches that accepting God’s disciplined “yoke” early in life is genuinely good. It shapes character, fosters dependence on God, and establishes patterns of humble obedience that bear fruit for decades. Embrace the yoke now, trusting the Lord who turns even burdens into blessings.
(27)
Bear the yoke in his youth.--The words have been pressed
"with a strange literalism" in favour of the view that the Lamentations were written in the youth of Jeremiah and on the death of Josiah. It may fairly be contended, on the other hand, that the tone of the maxim is that of one who looks back from the experience of age on the passionate complaints of his earlier years (
Jeremiah 15:10;
Jeremiah 20:7-18).
Verse 27. -
In his youth. The thought of this verse reminds us of
Psalm 119:71. Youth is mentioned as the time when it is easier to adapt one's self to circumstances, and when discipline is most readily accepted. The words do not prove that the writer is young, any more than vers. 9 and 100 of
Psalm 119. prove that the psalmist was an aged man (against this view, see vers. 84-87). There is no occasion, therefore, for the textual alteration (for as such I cannot help regarding it), "from his youth," found in some Hebrew manuscripts in Theodotion, in the Aldine edition of the Septuagint, and in the Vulgate. The reading was probably dictated by the unconscious endeavour to prop up the theory of Jeremiah's authorship. The scribes and translators remembered, inopportunely, that the trials of Jeremiah began in early manhood.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
It is goodט֣וֹב(ṭō·wḇ)Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2896:Pleasant, agreeable, goodfor a manלַגֶּ֔בֶר(lag·ge·ḇer)Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1397:A valiant man, warrior, a person simplyto bearיִשָּׂ֥א(yiś·śā)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5375:To lift, carry, takethe yokeעֹ֖ל(‘ōl)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5923:A yokewhile he is still young.בִּנְעוּרָֽיו׃(bin·‘ū·rāw)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5271:Youth, the state, the persons
Links
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OT Prophets: Lamentations 3:27 It is good for a man that (Lam. La Lm)