Song of Solomon 1-4

Forgive my lack of writing. I will include only minor verse comments here:

  • 1:9- My dad calls my mom “a mare” sometimes because her name is “Mary.” Unfortunately for him, he leaves out the “among Pharaoh’s chariots.” If he included that, she might take it as a compliment.
  • 1:14- Henna blossoms in En Gedi. Have you seen them before? Beautiful.
  • 2:2- Not a rose, but a lily. A lily among brambles. Brambles are similar to thorns.
  • 2:5- I am sick with love. What a line!
  • 2:7 & 3:5- Do not stir up or awaken love until it pleases. Ponder that for awhile.
  • 2:16- My beloved is mine and I am his. If we thought about marital relationships like this, we would be much better off in this country I believe.
  • 3:1-4- The phrase is repeated 4x in 4 separate verses “him whom my soul loves.” This gives me the impression that it’s important. And it’s a lovely phrase. A good arrangement of words.
  • 4:7- What a solid line! I’m going to pass this on to my wife today…

“You are altogether beautiful, my love;there is no flaw in you.”

Introduction to the Song of Solomon

First, I do not understand the title. For such an extravagant work of poetry, surely you could title it something other than Song of Solomon. Song of Songs isn’t much better. Unless it means that this is the best song of all songs ever written. In which case, I have a lot more to learn before reaching that conclusion.

Second, I can’t seem to make sense of this poem. Many say it is an allegory, a picture of Christ and the Church. But when I read it, all I see is concrete metaphors from one physical human being to another physical human being. Female to male, male back to female, with occasional cheers/refrains from a third party group of onlookers. I see lovers describing intimacy and passion for one another, not a spiritual allegory.

Third, because of 1 & 2, I want to learn more. Just a couple days ago, I began reading the opening chapters, and it is obvious to me how little I understand. I don’t understand many of the metaphors or comparisons the lovers are making. It’s not that I’m dense (although I will admit to it at times); the problem is that some of the allusions are to cultural artifacts. I don’t know that culture well.

Lord help me as I try to make sense of this thing.

Why Wed?

I went to a wedding today. I and my little family, live-in nanny included.

We had a grand time. ‘Twas a good ceremony, good food, good laughter. A celebration.

But whenever I’m at a wedding, and I see the bride and groom looking all young and happy and naive, I can’t help but smirk. I smirk because I was there once. I smirk because I know a wedding is a world of difference from a marriage. Because being a couple is a world of difference from being a family. This is not to say I’m bitter. It is to say I’m honest.

Somewhere, somehow, deep down, I know that weddings serve a purpose. A godly purpose. Marriages serve a purpose. And by God, even children serve a purpose. Just read Proverbs 18:22, Psalm 172-173, Revelation 19:6-10. May I not forget.

Ecclesiastes 12

The final chapter is, in my estimation, the best. Here, all the reflections, all the observations, all the musings, come to a beautiful close.

“Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all; for God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.”

Ahh…yes. He will. And as believer, it brings you great fear, but also great comfort. For our righteousness is not in us, but in Christ.

I will conclude with this: I hope I can be like the Preacher, as described in verses 9-11. May God bless the reading and study of His Word.

Ecclesiastes 10-11

It’s sad. I feel it in my bones. Already our time in Ecclesiastes is coming to a close.

Verse 1 is so true. You can do a thousand things right and well, but inevitably, someone will find the one thing bad and point it out, blow it up, and bring you down. Someone like me. I do that, primarily to myself. I give grace to others and harp on myself.

Verse 20 is so true. You have to watch what you say, for words travel fast. Words of critique and disdain seem to travel even faster than those of praise and approbation.

In chapter 11, verse 5 is of great interest to me. It is something we never consider. Sure, the sperm and egg carry the DNA to make up the bones and muscle and everything physical about the baby. But how do embryos/babies receive their spirits? Where and from whom do those come?

Verse 9 of chapter 5 makes you think about the excuses that people make for teenagers. There is no excuse before the Lord. Think about it.

Ecclesiastes 8-9

I have to tell you again, “I love this book.” It’s full of goodies.

A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed. Truth. I’ve seen it.

Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil. Truth. I’ve seen it.

However much man may toil in seeking [the work of God and the work done under the sun], he will not find it out. Truth. I’ve tried it.

Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head. I’m thinking about trying it.

Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might. Truth. I’m living it.

Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. Truth. I’ve seen it.

 The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. Truth. I hope this blog represents it.

Ecclesiastes 7

I’ve never had a problem with Ecclesiastes 7. Many people do. They would rather ignore death, pretend as if it doesn’t exist. They don’t ever think about how they are moving closer toward it with each passing day. But you simply can’t ignore it. Death is like a magnet, an engulfing hole, something you simply cannot escape. It will grab you eventually.

Personally, I think of death often. I consider that my life is likely over 1/3 expired. It’s appointed for man to live 70 years. The rest is bonus time. So thinking about this, it motivates me to action. It motivates me to invest my talents.

When Solomon tells us that the house of mourning is better than the house of feasting, I have no problem with it. I’ve never had a problem going to the house of mourning. In fact, I think there is much more to learn in the house of mourning than the alternative. See, we must remember the truth. And the truth is there is wisdom in the house of mourning.

The truth is: Wisdom preserves the life of him who has it. Wisdom gives strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.