#bible365

[mhsctb]

Get Smart!

Defining wisdom and foolishness according to Proverbs:

Before diving into defining wisdom and foolishness, it would perhaps be important to highlight, right from the beginning, what the entire book of Proverbs is working towards. In layman’s terms, the entire book screams, “wisdom, get it!” In more technical terms, the book begins by saying the point is to know wisdom and to increase in learning (1:1, 5). Further, it explains that the “fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (1:7), which sets the stage for our journey into how wisdom and foolishness described.

Kidner, in his commentary on the Proverbs, says that the wisdom is “God-centered, and even when it is most down-to-earth it consists in the shrewd and sound handling of one’s affairs in God’s world; in submission to his will” (Kidner, Proverbs: An Introduction and Commentary, TOTC, 14). Therefore, whatever we learn about wisdom and foolishness in Proverbs has this at its base, mainly knowing how to navigate life according to God’s design.  Kidner also sees wisdom as a thread that runs through the OT simply because “God is self-consistent” and is thus revealed in all of the “themes of history, law, prophesy and apocalyptic” (Kidner, 14) writings. Therefore, we can conclude, like the authors of our textbook, that “God is the source and giver of wisdom, and in the theological principle of the fear of the Lord rooted in Israel’s covenant relationship with Yahweh” (Hill and Walton, Survey of OT, 441).

One final note that I think it important and will greatly influence the 3 practical ways to grow in wisdom: Kidner mentions that we should not stop at the old covenant, but that “a greater than Solomon was to come, choosing to teach in the forms and rhythms of the wise and and carrying their /māšāl/ to its ultimate perfection in his parables” (Kidner, 16). In defining wisdom we must necessarily go to Christ, not only in the definition, but especially in the application. Jesus’ life, death, burial and resurrection is the ultimate portrayal of wisdom—a wisdom that seems like foolishness to men, but reveals God’s incredible plan of salvation (1 Cor 1:26-31) for His glory. Paul’s point is that wisdom means being in Christ Jesus, “who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Cor 1:30) and that the overall purpose in all of this is that our “faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Cor 2:5).

Wisdom: —hearing instruction (1:8) —listening to reproof (1:23) —understanding of God will come (2:5) —leads to understanding of righteousness, justice, integrity, knowledge, discretion, deliverance (2:6-22) —leads to favor and good success in the sight of God and man (3:4) —means not being wise in your own eyes (3:7) —wisdom is turning from evil (3:7) —accepting discipline as from the Lord (3:11) —being attentive to instruction (4:1) —in getting wisdom, not forgetting it (4:5) —avoid evil at all costs (4:15ff) —consider the wisdom God has put before you (example of the ant ch.6) —memorizing God’s Word and instruction (6:20ff) —defines wisdom as instruction that is better than silver, gold or jewels (8:10-11) —wisdom is discerning what God hates (8:13) —understanding God’s sovereign rule over our world (8:22ff) —defines wisdom as a banquet “come eat and drink” and “live and walk in the way of insight” (9:1-6) —wisdom is instructing others (9:8) —the wise study and invest in knowledge (10:14) —blameless, upright, seeking counsel, gives freely (ch.11) —loves discipline and loves knowledge (12:1) and is willing to discipline his children (13:24) —promotes humility over vanity (12:9) —wisdom is good sense that wins favor (13:15) —fear of the Lord (which leads to wisdom) is a fountain of life (14:27) —a gentle answer, a gentle tongue (15:4) —wisdom leads to rejecting bribes and being fair (15:27) —being instructed in wisdom by the fear of the Lord (15:33) —slow to anger (16:32); good sense makes one slow to anger (19:11) —loves at all times (17:17) —wisdom is knowing that God’s name is a strong tower and to run into it and be safe (18:10) —intelligence is acquiring knowledge, seeking knowledge which leads to wisdom (18:15) —wisdom will affect subsequent generations (20:7) —allowing the Lord to execute justice and waiting for His deliverance (20:22) —seeing danger and responding appropriately (22:3) —speaking rightly leads to worship! (23:16) —wisdom is knowing when to speak, when to stay silent (25:11) —wisdom leads to contentment and understanding who we truly are (chapter 30 in particular) —chapter 31 is a good description of wisdom in action

Fear of the Lord = a desire for instruction + a heart of humility + God’s design for life which results in wisdom

Foolishness: —listening to evil plans (1:10ff) —refusing to listen; ignoring counsel (1:24-25) —leads to being cut off and rooted out (2:21-22) —rejecting discipline (3:11-12) —crooked speech, devious talk, swerving to right or left (4:24-27) —following after temptation (all of chapter 5, chapter 7 and the example of the adulteress) —sowing discord, perverted desires, slumber, lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, heart that devices wicked plans, false witness, one who sows discord (6:12-19) —pride and arrogance (8:13) —describes Folly as a loud, seductive and knows nothing who calls to fools and entices the simple (9:13ff) —sluggard, perverse mouth, slander, quick to talk, slow to speak (ch.10) —violence, cruel, evil, belittles, lacking sense, lacking discretion (ch.11) —a fool hates reproof and is stupid (12:1) —what is right in your own eyes (12:15) —despises the word and brings destruction (13:13) —the fool spares the rod and hates his son (13:24) —relying on a way that seems right to a man that leads to death (14:12) —a fool oppresses people and insults his Maker (14:31) —manifests in being hot tempered and stirring up strife (15:18) —a fool rejects wisdom and despises himself (15:32) —arrogance in heart (16:5) —plots evil, spreads strife, dishonest, violent, ignores evil (16:27ff) —listens to evil lips (17:4), seeks rebellion (17:11) —doesn’t seek to understand anything (18:2) —desire without knowledge brings a man to ruin because of his folly (19:2-3) —the fool stops listening to instruction which leads to straying from the words of knowledge or rejecting wisdom (19:27) —making rash vows! (20:25) —haughty eyes and a proud heart (21:4) —failing to see danger, but running ahead (22:3) —oppressing the poor to increase wealth (22:16) —giving oneself over to addiction (23:20, 30): examples within Proverbs are wine/strong drink, but also the adulteress and the prostitute —repeating folly is like a dog returning to vomit (26:11) : a good description of someone who continually rejects wisdom —foolishness is lack of self-control (15:28) —forsaking the law and praising the wicked (28:4)

Foolishness = rejection of instruction + arrogance + rejection of God’s design for life which results ultimately in death

3 ways to grow in wisdom based on Proverbs

1. Seek out wisdom by gaining instruction —in humility and with great purpose and intentionality —look for wise counselors in my life and ask for help —never stop learning and growing in knowledge and wisdom

2. Seek out wisdom by starting first with the fear of God —reject the temptation to define wisdom internally and by myself —work diligently to understand God’s Word so that my thinking, behavior and emotions are changed by God, not by culture or faulty sources

3. Understand wisdom by linking Proverbs to Jesus (or reading Proverbs through the lens of Jesus) —1 Cor 1:26 to 2:16 “for we have the mind of Christ” —relying on the Holy Spirit to give understanding and significance when reading through Proverbs and working to apply wisdom to myself, my family, my church and my ministry

[jesuscause]

Lord we trust You! You are our shield and our hope! #jesuscause #jesus #jesusmysavior #biblequotes #bibleverses #bibleapp #scripture #bible #bible365 #biblecommunity #godwins #jesusiscomingsoon #bibleverse #biblequote #instabible #bibledaily #dailybibleverse #bibleversedaily #jesusmatters #alllivesmatter #blackout #blackoutday #blackoutday2020 #jesuslovesyou #oldtestament #newtestament #newworldorder #repent #thebestisyettocome #heavenisforreal https://www.instagram.com/p/CF13HLolt_T/?igshid=hyxwueozdy7a

[vernavalencia]

“And may I ask, O Verna Daughter of Eve,” said Mr. Tumnus “how have you come into Narnia?” - Collage on Paper (2018) 11 x 15 in. - - Miss the series? Click the link above. - A central tenet running through my collages has been the theme of spiritual warfare. While it is true that we have an enemy who “comes to steal, kill and destroy, Jesus came so that we may have LIFE and life more abundantly” - John 10:10. There is truth in what author John Eldredge says: “...things are not quite what they seem”. - - - - - - - - - - #vernavalencia #TheArtistStepsThroughtheWardrobe #collageart #collage #collage_expo #contemporaryart #contemporary_art #bibleverse #bible365 #cslewisquotes #cslewis #cutandpaste #thelionthewitchandthewardrobe #contemporaryart #analogcollageonpaper #worksonpaper #artcollector (at New York, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx2MLoMnxT4/?igshid=1q87xbuwedgxn

[christcomingsoon-blog]

#trusting #trustgodsplan #trustonlyjesus #trustissues #relyonlyongod #solution #bibleverse #bible365 https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu1H0OlnZDu/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=horxxaizgz1h

[timhatchlive]

To My Faithful Readers:

Since 2013 I have been blogging through the Bible chapter by chapter. It has always been a work of God’s grace. For the first time ever, The Bible365 Tumblr site is now able to accept donations which would support the efforts to bring you page by page through the scriptures.

If this blog has been a blessing to you, consider clicking HERE or the “Donate” link above to add your financial support. Any amount is appreciated as significant (good) things are happening in my life.

Remembering the words of the Apostle Paul:

1 Corinthians 9:11 (ESV) If we have sown SPIRITUAL things among you, is it too much if we reap MATERIAL things from you?

I am blessed to continue this ministry and would be grateful for a donation of any amount.

Keep reading and growing in Christ as we continue on!

Yours in Christ,

Tim

[gracia-suficiente]

One thing I ask of The Lord; this I seek: To dwell in the Lord's house all the days of my life, to gaze on The Lord's beauty, to visit His temple.

Psalm 27:4

[talithacumi]

Romans 1-2

Romans 1 Servant, Apostle. Set Apart for the Good news. Let's do some defining. A SERVANT  is often referred to as a slave, but in this case, it is not a negative action, but rather, it is an honor for Paul to be join the likes of Moses, Joshua, and David. These men were also servants and messengers of the Lord, like the Prophets, and for Paul to be called one is an honor. When you love something very very much, don't you almost slave over it? You want to wash dishes for your spouses to show them that you love them. Often times, words are empty and not enough, and following through with a demonstration is putting to action what you talk about. An APOSTLE is someone with equal authority to the original 12 disciples called by Christ; had seen the risen Lord, had authority to speak and write words of God and contributed to the establishing of the Church. Paul was qualified because he encountered Christ on the road to Damascus. Being SET APART for the Gospel meant that when you truly become a Christian, your life starts to transform into something else entirely not your own. This is practical when you think about how you start to change behavior when your group of friends change or even your maturity. Things you couldn't imagine giving up suddenly become things you never think about. Being "set apart" means that you love for Jesus- you TRULY live for Jesus. Verse 3 tackles the claim that Jesus was a descendent of David, and we saw yesterday in Matthew, that the genealogy proves He was. Jesus brings us Grace and Peace, and all is asked is for some obedience. Obedience helps bring about the setting apartness that the Gospel of God brings us. Grace is the  unmerited favor of God's love for us- loving us despite the fact we don't deserve it- and Peace is often thought of as the absence of conflict, but in the Bible, it is a modern twist on the old testament concept of shalom. Shalom is when everything is a person's life is in harmony and all is well. Jesus brings us love we don't deserve and a peace that makes everything well! How amazing is that! I think it beats Karma anyway! Paul has a heart to go to Rome, and writes this letter to encourage the Church that is being established there. It is cool to point out that Paul is THANKFUL for those in Rome because their faith is being proclaimed throughout the WHOLE world! Rome was the center of the Roman Empire, and thus, the possibility for the Gospel to be spread was possible do to the amount of territory they conquered. Paul also keeps them in PRAYER constantly. Comprehension check; Paul is THANKFUL and PRAYS for others all the time. We see that he desires to STRENGTHEN other believers by holding nothing back and encourages them in their faith. Encouragement is essential to cultivating a foundation in the Lord. Community helps sustain you when you feel alone- to pray for one another to speak wisdom and encouragement to one another. It only takes Jesus to save you, but it helps to have a community to cultivate and help you grow in your faith. Paul lays out the claim that he is not ashamed of the Gospel because it holds salvation for our sins to anyone who believes! Jesus, was born to fulfill the reconciliation that was lost when Adam and Eve partook of the fruit in the Garden. Jesus dying and then rising to life three days later is our greatest treasure. He is our righteousness and the righteous shall live by faith. Have faith, dear reader! Paul warns of men worshipping the creature rather then the Creator. This is how the path of sin and man's inability to love God emerges. MAN rejects God. It is never God. I challenge you to read verses 28-32 and search your heart against what is written. Do you harbor malice and deceit? Do you gossip and slander? Check yo self! Romans 2 We all practice the very same things, so to judge another is to judge yourself. Grace is the love that we don't deserve and we need to think about our own hearts and lives before we go out accusing others. The only one fit to Judge is the the PERFECT one. God. God is the ultimate judge, so be weary when you judge others- He judges your motives and your heart too. God does judge. He doesn't hide that fact. But, there are ways to win His favor. Simply put? Love Him with your WHOLE heart. A heart that has grace and PEACE within it. One that has be transformed by the Gospel. A life like that, pleases God. However, don't be discouraged if it takes a longer period of time to obtain then others. Life is meant to give us the time for change, and often, change takes time. Others might experience change overnight! Still, others may take years to change habits and behaviors. Don't be discouraged, just keep the faith.

[aheartinpursuit-blog]

"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are— no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves.." -Matthew 5:5

[mhsctb]

Devotional -- Psalm 34

“I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”  (Psalm 34:1)

Just three words.  

*At all times*  

It doesn’t seem like such a big deal until the “all times” include the parts of life that are less pleasant.  It’s fairly easy to bless the Lord and sing his praise when times are easy, comfort abounds and life is sailing on smooth waters.  But, the rubber meets the road, so to speak, when comfort and security are gone or periods of suffering begins.  The “all the time” begins to test our faith as circumstances and challenges assault our normality.

Yet we are called to bless the LORD at all times: —in good times and in bad times —in health and in sickness —in peace and in conflict —in certain times and in times of doubt —in times of strength and times of weakness —when all is clear  and understandable and when all is hazy and unknowable —in comfort and in suffering —in freedom or restriction/imprisonment

When we look at the rest of the Psalm there are incredible truths to draw out.  Just the way my mind works, I’ve divided them between what the LORD does and what we do.  Here’s the first list of what the LORD does, according to Scripture and this Psalm:

—He delivers us from fear —He hears our cry —He saves us from trouble —His angels camp around us and deliver us —He provides for those who seek Him —He is against those who do evil —He hears the righteous —He delivers the righteous from all their trouble —He is near the brokenhearted —He saves the crushed in spirit —He redeems His servant

Wow.  What an incredible list when it’s written out like that.  And it makes sense, right, that the only way that we can bless the LORD at ALL times and praise Him continually is because He saves us, provides for us, delivers us and redeems us!  I absolutely love, love, love the first one; He delivers us from fear.  We struggle with that one, don’t we?  We struggle with fear of man, fear of circumstances or events and fear of the future.  We let it cripple us and take away our joy.  But in Psalm 34, David teaches us to bless and praise the LORD at all times, not based on us or our circumstances, but solely on the LORD who delivers us from fear!  

I’ve also put together a second list for us.  In the Psalm, David describes his role in all of this.  Or, his role in blessing and praising the LORD at all times.  I found it encouraging and helpful to me in these current times of uncertainty that we are facing.  My desire is to be this kind of a believer at all times in my life; in good times and challenging times:

—I will bless the LORD —I will praise His name —I will boast in the LORD —I will exalt His name —I will seek the LORD —I will taste and see that the LORD is good! —I will fear the LORD —I will keep my tongue from evil and my lips from speaking deceit —I will turn from evil and do good

I think these two lists are pretty incredible in our current circumstances.  Christian, remember this: God has saved you in Christ Jesus to be His forever.  He desires your worship at all times.  This isn’t possible in and of ourselves, but solely based on the work of Christ on the cross.  In whatever circumstance or challenge you find yourself today, be reminded that the LORD hears, delivers, and redeems!  He is near the brokenhearted and He saves the crushed in spirit.  He casts away fear!  So what is our response?  Let us bless and praise the LORD.  Let us exalt His name.  Let us taste and see that the LORD is good…all the time…and in every circumstance.

[jesuscause]

Thank you Lord! We adore You! #jesuscause #scriptureoftheday #bibleverse #bible #godsword #godswordistruth #bibleapp #bibleart #godspromise #scripturesoftheday #saved #jesus #word #wordfortheday #scripture #bible #bible365 #biblecommunity #instabible #bibledaily #dailybibleverse #bibleversedaily #jesusmatters #alllivesmatter #jesuslovesyou #blackout #godsgrace #godblessyou #godislove #theendisnear #receivejesus https://www.instagram.com/p/CFvUzBplFxG/?igshid=153e0s0pgh03j

[vernavalencia]

“And may I ask, O Verna Daughter of Eve,” said Mr. Tumnus “how have you come into Narnia?” - Collage on Paper (2018) 11 x 15 in. - - Miss the series? Click the link above. - A central tenet running through my collages has been the theme of spiritual warfare. While it is true that we have an enemy who “comes to steal, kill and destroy, Jesus came so that we may have LIFE and life more abundantly” - John 10:10. There is truth in what author John Eldredge says: “...things are not quite what they seem”. - - - - - - - - - - #vernavalencia #TheArtistStepsThroughtheWardrobe #collageart #collage #collage_expo #contemporaryart #contemporary_art #bibleverse #bible365 #cslewisquotes #cslewis #cutandpaste #thelionthewitchandthewardrobe #contemporaryart #analogcollageonpaper #worksonpaper #artcollector (at New York, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx2MLoMnxT4/?igshid=15fk7yicv66nm

[christcomingsoon-blog]

Ten virgins Bible drama #biblejournaling #bibledramas #christmascelebration #christmas #crucifyyourweakness #breadandwater #biblestudygroup #biblequotes #bible365 https://www.instagram.com/p/BsFnliGnkFO/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ambrjblc93c1

[mhsctb]

Acts 18

Looking at Historical Events through a Spiritual Lens

What I find fascinating about Acts 18 is an often overlooked detail.  In verse 2, we find out that Paul connects with a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently from Italy with his wife Priscilla.  Now, all of this isn’t overly interesting.  It’s just simply recording who these people were and how they connected with Paul.  But to me, the golden phrase is this: “…because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome.”

So, who are the players?

Claudius: Roman Emperor from 41 to 54 who during his time seeks to establish a more Roman focus on religion (thus expelling the Jews)

Aquila and Priscilla: as we found out, he is from Pontus, which is modern day Turkey and apparently had spent some time in Italy before moving to Corinth; obviously the move was precipitated by the edict from Claudius, but perhaps going to Corinth had something to do with their profession as tent makers

I don’t really need to mention Paul, because, well, he’s Paul.  It would be good to mention that Paul, in chapter 18, leaves Athens and finds himself in Corinth, once again persuading the Jews and Greeks.  Interestingly, later in the chapter he takes A and P with him when he sets sail for Syria.  

Ok, so what’s the big deal.  Well, it’s this fascinating fact that A and P end up in Corinth, where they meet Paul and then go with him and then later they are used mightily by God to explain the “way of God” more accurately to a bold witness named Apollos.  Think of these chess pieces on the table being moved around in a way that none of us could even dream up.  And what we’re getting at here is looking at these dots being connected in a sovereign way by God who is having all of this happen.  And ironically, part of the puzzle that God uses is an evil Roman Emperor named Claudius who expels the Jews from Rome.  What appears to be a tragic and sad move ends up being a massive boost for the gospel work in Corinth and in Ephesus!  

My main point is this.  I know it’s easy to get worked up when something bad happens.  Like Jews getting kicked out of Rome.  Or war in Syria.  Fires in Sacramento.  Floods in Africa.  Evil dictators.  Horrible decisions.  I’m not saying that any of these things are good in and of themselves.  But what I’m saying is that God uses these things and orchestrates them for the advancement fo the gospel.  Why do I know this?  Because here in Acts 18 we have a great example of how God sovereignly brings A and P out of Rome where they help Paul in Corinth and then at the end of the chapter are helping Apollos.  If you have time, check out a map and draw a line from Pontus (where A is from) to Rome, Italy (where they were living) and then to Corinth, Greece (where they met Paul) and then over to Ephesus (where they end up with Paul at the end of the chapter).  It gives you a pretty amazing perspective about how God sovereignly moves people around to accomplish His purposes.  

Application?  Well, I think for one I want to be less bothered when the decisions of others affects my life and look instead to the spiritual reality of what God is doing.  Cue Pastor Tiago’s sermon from Matthew 24, which was a great explanation of this from Jesus’ example of the fig tree.  It’s on our YouTube account, Igreja da Lapa.  Of course it’s in Portuguese so, here’s hoping you understand.  

[mhsctb]

Reflecting on Ecclesiastes

This year our men’s group at Igreja da Lapa studied the book of Ecclesiastes. It was an incredible couple of months as we worked through each chapter of this often neglected book in the Old Testament.

Ecclesiastes has a way of quickly putting you in your place and maybe that’s a big reason why we don’t hear many sermons on it.  Within the first chapter the author emphatically tells you that you are more insignificant that you have ever realized and my conviction is that this central idea could be, properly embraced, one of the greatest blessings of our meaningless lives!

Insignificance. It stings doesn’t it? Just saying the word conjures up a rebellion in our hearts. I’m not insignificant! I’m a somebody! Yet, here’s the deal. We live in a world obsessed with greatness and significance, not derived from God and His Word, but deeply rooted in our perverted sense of self-worth and self-importance. Sadly, what is produced is not greatness, but utter brokenness, more than we can handle. After all, we are already broken and what happens is akin to the awful analogy of shooting a dead horse; we heap brokenness upon brokenness, day after day after day.

Depressed yet? Good! That’s where the book of Ecclesiastes takes you! Meaningless, meaningless, a mere chasing after the wind…..All is HEVEL!

However, there is this undercurrent that flows through Ecclesiastes in the midst of the author constantly reminding you how insignificant and meaningless you truly are. The undercurrent is extremely hopeful, in fact, so much so that your heart begins to pound, wondering if there truly is something more than the brokenness we experience.

The blessing of insignificance, or understanding and embracing our insignificance in life, brings to me affirm the following points from Ecclesiastes:

1. It keeps God being God and you being you: one of our greatest problems as humans is our insane desire to usurp the Creator of the Universe and attempt to sit on his throne. We constantly desire power and recognition and one of the great things about affirming our insignificance is that we recognize that God is God and we are not! We have God-given limitations to who we are and what we can do and quite frankly, this is for our good!  The point here is to kindly say, “you’re not God so stop acting like it.”

2. It puts into perspective our place in time and space: when we realize how vast time and space is, we realize our insignificance. That can be a huge blessing and advantage because we don’t overstate our importance or try to compensate for our fears. We just know that we are a blip in time and space and what we accomplish is not actually that big in the perspective of time. We don’t need to be afraid of small contributions because even the largest accomplishment is minute in the grand scheme of things. And you know what that leads towards? Trusting God completely. Trusting that whatever God has us do on this earth is worth our time and effort.

3. It makes what Christ accomplished on the cross truly great and truly hopeful: If we understand how insignificant we truly are, it makes God’s love for us in Christ more significant that we can think or imagine. Ecclesiastes is right in putting us in our place, which highlights the incredible love and grace that God pours out to us — we are undeserving and insignificant, but what Christ does, by giving us abundant and everlasting life, is beyond description. The significance, therefore, is with Christ, that now works in and through us! This helps us continue to give God glory. In other words, as believers we want to continue to make much of God while downplaying our part as humans. And that’s the “blessed insignificant” part at work; when it’s less about us and more about God we are free to truly worship as we should.

4. It orientes us and anchors us to God’s purpose for life, for our good and for His Glory: If we recognize our own insignificance in life, it frees us up to receive instruction from God. Why is that? Because we quickly move ourselves out of the way for God’s purposes and plans. So often I trip myself up……with myself. In that sense, I am my own worse enemy. I constantly fight God’s good purposes, not because I disagree with God, but because I constantly think I’m more significant and important than I am. When in humility I can get out of my own way, I can allow God’s Word to anchor my life to Jesus (by the power of the Holy Spirit) and walk in step with God’s plan for my life.

Our insignificance doesn’t take away from our value as sons and daughters of God, but actually amplifies it in Christ Jesus — we are actually valued as opposed to a world that heaps on pseudo-significance and hollow praise while it eats you up and spits you out. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather be insignificant (by the world’s standards), but valued by God than to be deemed significant by the world and captured by a false construct that repeats that damned cycle of brokenness over and over again. It’s all, as Ecclesiastes says,  a chasing after the wind! And yet, the final plea in Ecclesiastes reinforces the points I just made. Life is an unhappy and meaningless affair when lived apart from God and His purposes. So embrace your insignificance, fear God and obey His commandments!

[mhsctb]

The Sweet Song of Solomon

The central message of the Song of Solomon is human love on full display, according to God’s design for His people. This includes love that is divinely limited, designed to be enjoyed and points us to a greater reality than what we see in our culture or experience.

One important lesson in interpreting and teaching the Song of Solomon is to reject the tendency to look at this allegorically.  Mainly, that most people look for symbolic representation or metaphor within the Song to explain a hidden meaning. Therefore, allegory has imbedded within itself the  temptation to go beyond the intent of the author and in worse cases, draw applications to life that cannot be sustained or should never be recommended.

A second lesson in interpreting and teaching the Song is that we need to understand that the Song helps us understand God’s design for human relationship, including intimate relationship within a marriage, and thus points us exclusively to what Jesus accomplished on the cross. We have a unique opportunity to interpret and teach the Song in such a way that people understand what it means to live in truly human ways within marriage and reject an anti-gospel message that sows seeds of doubt, guilt or shame. It is interesting to me to think through the two places where we can go wrong with this; mainly in culture (what culture at large says about love or marriage) and within our own evangelical tradition. It is so important, when teaching the Song, to reject the lawlessness of culture and the celebration of promiscuity AND to reject the shame based and guilt driven “Christian” approach which treats the body with contempt.

A greater understanding of the Song of Solomon in life and ministry leads us to embrace the following points:

—helping to see that the physical is important and leads us to value what the Song talks about; sexual ethics, boundaries within relationships, purpose and fellowship within marriage —helps us to understand that God highly values how we treat one another, especially within the marriage relationship —helps us to reject false narratives in culture and in our own evangelical sub-culture —leads us to a better understanding of intimacy, according to God’s Word —points us towards the purpose of marriage and what Ephesians 5 explains: to reject sexual immorality (5:3) and embrace a biblical understanding of love and sacrifice within marriage that ultimately points to Christ and the church (5:25-33) —helps us to put words to our feelings, but in a healthy expression based on God’s Word (and in that, reject unhealthy ways to talk about our feelings, especially when it comes to marriage or sexual union) —linking what we know with what we do — it’s not just about knowing information about our relationship with God and others and the Song helps us to see how knowing God results in right relationship —the idea that there is protection in marriage and a relationship that honors God; creating a safety and security where intimacy can be enjoyed in the context of honoring each other and God

[mhsctb]

Lamentations and Suffering

The theology of Lamentations affects my understanding of suffering by necessarily putting it into a category where God’s character is what drives the conversation, not my thoughts, experiences or emotions.

Chapters 1-2  provide example after example of the wickedness of the people and God’s righteous judgment being poured out through the destruction of Jerusalem and although chapter 3 continues along the same lines, we find in verses 19-29 the hope of salvation based on God’s character.  In this context, we aren’t looking at righteous suffering, but rather suffering based on sin and rebellion. So we must embrace the idea that suffering does exist as a result of sin and that God’s judgement is just and necessary. And at the same time, we recognize that God, because he is merciful and steadfast in love, offers hope and salvation to His people!

I am reminded of Ephesians 2:1-10 where Paul emphatically says that we were “dead in our trespasses and sins” but that God “made us alive together with Christ”. Why? It certainly isn’t because we deserved it or earned it , but because God is rich in mercy and love. I love how this is essentially what is happening even in Lamentations! That despite the depth of rebellion and the scarlet stain of sin, God is present and ready to save.

Picking up from a lecture given by one of my OT professors, Dr. Ferguson, I love the illustration about a good Father who loves his children, even in the midst of discipline. And that a child who is rightly disciplined still instinctively runs into the safety of the Father’s arms! The author of Hebrews, in chapter 12 picks up on this theme and says that disciple is actually for our good, so “that we may share his holiness.” Further, he explains, it yields “the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

In that sense, the theology of Lamentations teaches us to cast ourselves on the mercy of God, not only when experiencing suffering through discipline, but also in order to experience the restoration that He alone provides to us through Jesus. This reminds us that our place here is temporary and God is preparing us for something greater. I must return to Hebrews because the author continues this thundering confession of our purpose, that we are “receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken” as we have come to Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem and to “the city of the living God.” And therein is our response, according to Hebrews 12:28-29, to “offer God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”

Lamentations ends with a vivid description of the desolation of Mount Zion with jackals prowling through its streets, but because of Jesus, the author of Hebrews can confidently describe that God has indeed restored His people, who by faith have trusted in His name!