THE LORD SPOKE (September 17)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Song of Solomon 1-5

It’s not about Jesus. The opening phrase and everything in it tells us that this book is about Solomon. Either he wrote it or it was written to/for/about him. The Hebrew preposition in the first verse can be taken as “belonging to” in the sense that he wrote it or that it was written by someone else and dedicated to him. Either is a legitimate understanding of the syntax. King Solomon is actually named seven times in the book (1:1,5; 3:7,9,11; 8:11,12) and several other references to “the king” may be found but none say specifically that he wrote the book.

But, in any case, it’s not about Christ and the Church. Maybe, maybe a stretch could be made and an application to God’s love for Israel could be found, as in the book of Hosea. But definitely not Christ and the Church.

The book best fits into the category of ancient “wisdom literature”. It is, pure and simple, a love song about a young maiden’s attachment to her out-doorsy shepherd lover. She rejects Solomon’s enticements to bring her into his royal harem. The most probable allegorical application is to an amorous relationship with wisdom, much like the descriptions found in Proverbs 5,6,7 and Job 28. The sensuous imagery in these lyrics of love depict the anguish and ecstasy of wisdom. Such literature is commonly found in ancient Egypt, Babylon, and other Semitic sources.

Both love and wisdom, two of God’s great gifts to mankind, draw man with the subtlety and mystery of a woman’s allurements. (Notice that it is primarily a woman’s voice speaking throughout the book.) Both relationships are intended to be:

• spontaneous - “do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires (2:7)
• exclusive - “my lover is mine and I am his” (2:16a)
• explored - “browsing among the lilies” (2:16b)
• pursued - “I will search for the one I love” (3:2)
• enjoyed - as a garden of delights (4:12-16)
• experimented - “taste its choice fruits” (4:16b)

Such should be our delight both in physical love and in the pursuit of God’s wisdom. Both are gifts from Him, intended for our pleasure. Both have restrictions and limitations. Neither is perfect this side of heaven. But both can be experienced with reverent joy that fulfills a part of God’s purpose for us.


Psalm 1-2

Note: The Scripture readings are part of a yearly calendar designed to get you through the entire Bible in one year. Until yesterday, there was a passage from the Old Testament and another from the New Testament. With the completion of the book of Revelation, the second reading is now a repeat of Psalms and Proverbs for the remainder of the year. A copy may be obtained by request.

“Walk...stand...sit.” It’s a progression all too familiar to us, isn’t it? What we read in Psalm 1:1 is what we experience when we dabble with sin.

We begin by casual meandering. Without any specific intention, we walk without clear direction and begin to pick up “the counsel of the wicked”. Imperceptibly at first, we imbibe some of that way of thinking. The world’s solutions don’t sound too bad and we begin to think that way ourselves.

Before we realize it, we’ve adopted a new position. We’ve come to where we stand smack in the middle of “the way of sinners”. Little or nothing identifies us as anything different from the world. It’s just a short step to sit down and unwittingly we’re right there in “the seat of the mockers”. We’re just one of the boys at the office. We’re just as catty as the other girls during the coffee break. Nothing distinguishes us as belonging to Christ. The other kids at school think (because that’s what we told them) that we just go to church because Mom and Dad make us.

How different is this man of Psalm 1. He’s separated from the world because he’s saturated by the Word. His delight is in the Scriptures and it’s there that he finds his sustenance. It’s what keeps him going. It’s the only thing that keeps him going. It’s a stream of refreshing water to him. It’s the fruit that nourishes him and keeps him from withering.

When he compares his life to what the world has to offer, it’s a no-brainer. That life is like just so much fluff. One puff will blow it off. When it comes to examination time, it won’t even give you one foot to stand on. It will leave you alone and out in the cold. What little satisfaction it can offer is entirely in this lifetime and is fleeting. Even if you can manage to grab some of it, it will slip through your fingers and smash to smithereens. In the end, it offers only death.

In stark contrast, “the way of the righteous” has the eye and the blessing of the Lord. He is fully aware of those who walk therein and is looking to bless them. Remember? “Blessed is the man....”

O Master, let me walk with Thee,
In lowly paths of service free;
Tell me thy secret; help me bear
The strain of toil, the fret of care.

Help me the slow of heart to move
By some clear, winning word of love;
Teach me the wayward feet to stay,
And guide them in the homeward way.

Teach me thy patience; still with Thee
In closer, dearer company,
In work that keeps faith sweet and strong,
In trust that triumphs over wrong,

In hope that sends a shining ray
Far down the future's broadening way,
In peace that only Thou canst give,
With thee, O Master, let me live.