Jul 19 2013

Song of Solomon 3 – The Bride’s Dream

The third chapter finds the bride in her bed at night with what we must suppose is a dream, filled with erotic thoughts and desires, and anxious inquisitiveness concerning the whereabouts of her beloved. The theory of a separate shepherd boy being the object of her true desires is clearly shown to be wrong, as her beloved has sent watchmen for her in this dream – and she herself has inquired of them as to his whereabouts. What would such watchmen have to do with a shepherd boy? The girl mentions Solomon by name no less that three times here, and what purpose would God have for using the Scripture to celebrate any adulterous desires on her part anyway?

Dream of Solomon (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

She refers to Solomon as the one “whom my soul loves,” and finding him in that dream, she holds him close, bringing him into her mother’s house. But again in verse 5, she wishes not to “stir up or awaken love until it pleases.” Then, in a very public display of pomp, circumstance, and romantic affection, Solomon has her escorted by sixty of the kingdom’s mighty men onward to their nuptials. It is here that we are reminded of his words about enjoying “life with the wife whom you love” (Ecclesiastes 9:9)

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy

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some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please note: I did not design the reading plan that I am following in my blog. All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility. When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Reading schedules, as well as a link to the site where you can get the reading plan that I’m currently following for yourself can be found on the “Bible Reading Schedules” page of my website at http://graceofourlord.com.

Jan 7 2013

Proverbs 5 – Warning Against Adultery

After the opening verses, again admonishing the reader to both hear and to understand, the chapter immediately begins its warning against sexual promiscuity. Most people rightly see the particular application to young people. But the message to parents is somewhat more subtle if one does not focus on it. Take verse 23 in particular: “He dies for lack of discipline.” Nothing should be more sobering to parents than this warning about how much is at stake.

Bible-time weddings were festive occasions, sometimes lasting a week or more, with great celebration and joy.

Our young people today more than ever grow up in a world that is rich in media that glorifies sexual immorality, with role models and adults in positions of authority that do little to contradict (and most often, reinforce) this outlook. It is the job of the parent to educate the souls of the little ones entrusted to them concerning the intention God has for right use of the sexual relationship – between a husband and wife. Verses 15-20 (“Drink water from your own cistern…” and “…let them be for yourself alone…””) remind of Jesus in Matthew 19:4-5, quoting Genesis 2:24: “the two shall become one flesh.”

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy

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some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Feb 7 2012

Genesis 30 – Jacob’s Children

Genesis 30 continues what some call the “great baby race” that started in chapter 29 between Jacob’s wives, Leah and Rachel. So the first thing that sticks out like a sore thumb in this chapter is that Jacob not only has two wives, but he also has two other women (the two sister’s servants) bearing his children. But God’s plan is for one man to be married to one woman (Gen 2:24 and Mt 19:3-9 are just two of the passages we can look to for this). So how do we reconcile that with this and other Old Testament passages? Jacob is intimate with four women here, two of whom are not even his wives. Abraham is intimate with Hagar while he is married to Sarah. Later, even David has multiple wives and concubines.

Customs and traditions were indeed different in Old Testament times, and there are things that God’s word does not tell us. But as Paul tells us in Romans 15:4, “whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction.” What is best for us, and what pleases and displeases the Lord has never changed. That fact is clear in this chapter, and in each other case. Having relations, and even other children, with more than one woman brought unhappiness to Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar. And it brings unhappiness here to Jacob, Leah, and Rachel.

Jacob loves Rachel, but cannot always be with her. She is unhappy because he is with Leah. Leah knows who Jacob really loves (and more to the point, that it isn’t her), but keeps hoping that bearing him more children will bring him to love her (once again, note the meanings of the names). Jacob is having sexual relations with four women, and cannot make any of them happy! God has given us ample instruction in the Old Testament and the New Testament that the sexual relationship for us is best between one man and one woman in marriage. Will we ever learn?

So Jacob has 11 sons now, laying more foundation for God’s plan. Each of those sons will play a part. Joseph’s part will begin soon, and will be important indeed. For now, Jacob is making plans to leave, but must deal with more of Laban’s deception (verses 28-36). But God is taking care of him as he makes preparations.

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

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Please note: I did not design the reading plan that I am following in my blog. All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility. When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Reading schedules, as well as a link to the site where you can get the reading plan that I’m currently following for yourself can be found on the “Schedules” page of my website at http://graceofourlord.com. For questions and help, please see the “FAQ” and “Summaries” pages there.
/Robert

Jan 4 2012

Genesis 3 – The Fall

Genesis 3 is one of the most important chapters of the Bible for three very good reasons. The first and second are that this is where sin enters the world, but hope is given to us with the first prediction of the coming of the Messiah (Jesus) in verse 15. Everything was good. There was no death until this happened. Sin and death enter the world because they did not trust in what God had told them. The third lesson is the clearest example that males today can have of what is expected of them as a leader, and how grave the consequences can be for not living up to that.

Notice that verse 6 says that Eve ate some of the fruit and then “gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.” Adam was right there, had been given CLEAR instructions of what was forbidden; AND he was given the responsibility to instruct, protect and lead his mate. Yet he was right there when it all happened, and he gave us the most dreadful example of leadership in history.

Then, to make matters worse (if they could get worse), when God confronts him, Adam blames Eve, then God himself for his sin! (verse 12 “..the woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me of the fruit, and I ate.”) Adam should have spoken up when the temptation arose, and said that God had told them what was wrong because it was best for them – not because God was trying to hold them back, as the serpent was saying. Adam’s failure to lead is one of the most important and most over-looked lessons for men in God’s word.

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

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Please note: I did not design the reading plan that I am following in my blog. All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility. When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Reading schedules, as well as a link to the site where you can get the reading plan that I’m currently following for yourself can be found on the “Schedules” page of my website at http://graceofourlord.com. For questions and help, please see the “FAQ” and “Summaries” pages there.
/Robert