Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule:
Song of Solomon 1-2
Saturday: Revelation 1-6
Sunday: Acts 21-22
This book of the Bible has certainly experienced its share of confusion and suspicion. However, it is clearly a book about the love of God for His bride and a wonderful illustration of love between a husband and his wife.
The Shulamite rejoices that the king has chosen her and repeats often the statement about his love being better than wine. Wine is a temporary and faulty experience, but the love of the king is true and fulfilling. However, she suddenly feels unworthy of the honor of being the object of his love and describes herself as tanned and comely. (1:5) She has been tanned by the hot eastern sun as she worked for her brothers in the vineyard. She kept their vineyards but neglected to care for herself. She speaks to the shepherd-king and offers to go care for his flocks instead of attending the banquet.
However, Solomon would have none of her confessions of unworthiness and ugliness! If a man today compared his wife to a horse pulling a chariot, he would probably be in trouble, but the lovely Shulamite knew what Solomon meant. Solomon was only saying, “You are unique, one among many, unique, very special.” (By the way, Solomon uses many other illustrations that I do not recommend husbands use to attempt to flatter your wife.) 🙂 A noble horse is indeed a beautiful creature, and Solomon was an expert on horses. Furthermore, the king’s horses wore exquisite ornaments, something his beloved didn’t need because her own beauty was sufficient. The daughters of Jerusalem offered to make her special jewelry to please the king, but Solomon wouldn’t permit it, expressing the fact that she was beautiful without it. Today, our Lord Jesus is using the word of God to beautify His bride, and as we obey Him, we are preparing ourselves for the great heavenly marriage feast.
There is nothing more beautiful than pure, selfless, and enthusiastic displays of true love. God is love and we are able to love because He first loved us!
Prayer Requests:
Personal
- Lord, please help me to love you more each day.
- Lord, please help me to display my love for you in my faithful obedience to your word.
- Lord, please help me to be an example of your love in how I love others.
Political
- Representative Donna Lasinski – District 52 – Ann Arbor
- Senator Dan Lauwers – District 25 – Brockway Twp.
- US Representative Brenda Lawrence – District 14 – Southfield