SONG OF SONGS
Today’s Reading: Song of Solomon 1-3
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
On this coin that was minted in Jerusalem is Yehonatan the King surrounding a lily flower. It is a Bronze prutah of the Hasmonean king Alexander Jannaeus and is dated 104-76 BC. Song of Songs, chapter 2, verse 2, likens the beloved to a “lily among thorns.”
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Song of Solomon 2:10
My beloved spoke, and said to me:
“Rise up, my love, my fair one,
And come away…”
The story is told of the conference of Jewish Rabbis who were faced with the decision as to which writings were to be included in the Bible. One Rabbi said that the Song of Songs, as it is called in the Hebrew Bible, was much too sensuous and should be excluded. Then the aged Chief Rabbi stood to his feet and said, “Brothers, all the other books we are including in the sacred Scriptures are like the Holy Place in the Temple, but the Song of Songs is the Holy of Holies. It is all about intimacy with our God.” Of course they included Song of Songs! For our readings, it is vital to understand that all expressions of affection and physical lovemaking are pure, true love, not to be taken in an erotic, lustful way.
Historically, this is the courting and marriage of a shepherdess to King Solomon, and the delights and heartaches of wedded love. Later in life, Solomon married many women. This special person may have been Solomon’s only true love. Allegorically, it pictures Israel as the object of God’s love and as His bride. Israel was unfaithful to her Husband. The Prophet Hosea lived out God’s relationship with Israel. God instructed him to marry an unfaithful woman (read Hosea 2:19-23, Hosea 3:1). Make no mistake about it! “GOD IS LOVE!” For a New Testament reading check out 1 John 4:9-19.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, just as You chose Israel as Your “Spouse,” so You have chosen all who believe in Jesus as Your “Bride.” I pray for Your grace so that I will be faithful to You, not prostituting myself by yielding to temptations to commit spiritual adultery with a world that is opposed to You, and living in a way that is so dishonouring to You. I love You, Lord Jesus, and I pray this in Your Name and for Your sake, Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I know that every time I go to make a call or click an icon on my iPhone, up will come a picture of my bride, my spouse, and me. Norma-Jean is my love. I think of her when I read the song of the Shunamite maiden and Solomon. That same picture is on the back cover of my latest book, This Far By Faith. As you can tell, I’m very fond of that picture. If you haven’t received your copy of my book yet, here’s how to get it (click here). I’ll ask Ron to put that picture here at the bottom of today’s blog.
I have not been able to read every response since I began on June 3rd, 2012, but lately I’ve been faithful to read everything readers say. You are a great encouragement to me. Keep them coming!!! If you wish to post a comment on my blog, go to www.100words.ca and click on the “Comments” bubble (which is next to the date). Then scroll to the bottom, where it says, “Leave a Reply.”
Yours, as the Scripture says, “And to communicate, forget not!” (Hebrews 13:16 KJV),
David
As we wait for The Bridegroom to appear in The clouds of Glory we long for the return of Jesus Christ of Nazareth and look up for our redemption draweth nigh perfect love csats out ALL fear for there is no fear in love God Bless David and Norma Jean and Thank You Lord for continuing to give him Your strength and health and than You for this blog of great service to bring us The Word
Merry Christmas ☆★☆☆☆☆♡♥♡♡♥■☆☆☆☆
Thank you David for this blog. I read it daily and find it interesting, informative and encouraging. I like the way you have it structured, with the photo, commentary, prayer and personal words. It definitely helps me to keep on track reading through the Bible. Thanks so much.
Thank you for these wonderful messages. Yes God is love. And reading scriptures like yours and daily reading of the bible, is our training regiment to get closer to god and love him more. So many people in our world need this message and a lot of there problems would be resolved. Thank again for todays message. God Bless you and your family.
Beautiful photograph of David and Norma-Jean. God Bless.
Great picture of you and Norma-Jean…picture of love! May God continue to bless you and your family!!
We can see the LOVE in both yours and Norma-Jeans’ eyes in this beautiful photo. No wonder it’s your favorite photo. GOD bless you both with strength and love to continue your great service to HIM.
Soon we will hear the the Bridegroom’s voice say “rise up My love, My fair one, and come away” and we will meet Jesus in mid-air in our immortal bodies to behold His beauty face to face and escape the horrors of the Antichrist and Armageddon.
Amen
Merry Christmas David and Norma Jean! This is such a lovely picture of you both. I want to thank you so much for this daily blog. I believe I must be close to the 2 years that I have been reading your blog every day. It has educated me beyond words and drawn me closer to our Lord. Bless you both in the New Year. In Christian love, Bea
I love your picture of you both God bless
I see why you like that picture.I began 100Words about mid Nov,2 yr ago.
Thanks N*.
I wrote this for you when you posted about the state of your condition.(I’ve posted it here before for encouragement but now you are out of the woods,thanks to God.)
Catch The Fire (4 David Mainse)
Though you have walked many oceans
And spread My word to many nations,
I saw in you and your devotions
A servant of joyous exhalations.
You have not asked for earthly wealth,
But just to be my most humble voice
And when adversity was kept in stealth
You still worshiped Me out of free choice.
So out of free choice I give you
More time upon the stage of learning,
Whereby My word you show to be true
And catch the fire that’s forever burning.
G W(Bill) Marshall / 01 February, 2014
I guess I should post this too since it was inspired by a line in today’s reading:
Song of Solomon 2:10
My beloved spoke, and said to me:
“Rise up, my love, my fair one,
And come away.
Nocturnally
Rise up my love and come away
And then my beloved spoke to me,
Rise up my darling onto this day
And journey where no mortal can see.
Be still my heart,it is not a dream,
For her petals have touched my lips
So that I know what it may seem
In dreams she was nigh my fingertips.
It was farewell from this stage;
A promise need not be spoken,
Our love is found on another page
Where our hearts can never be broken.
Fly high my sweet,where angels dwell,
My love is yours eternally,
And though death,our souls,it does dispel,
But in dreams we meet nocturnally.
G W(Bill) Marshall / 22 Jan, 2014
Wonderful picture! You are blessed. Missing my husband this year. Yearning for Jesus return so we can be together at His Feet.
God bless you Doreen! It is a good thing to remember the loved ones who are with the Lord! I pray the Triune God will embrace you completely during this Christmas season and the memories will be good ones! It is interesting but there will be some laughter also!
if you would like to see an amazing video, go to
http://hawthornephoto.com/walk.htm
I have so enjoyed your blog…keep them going…..one thing why not include memorizing verses so that I can hide God’s Word in my heart….Thank you for your blog
Beautiful picture of both of you. Your love is so evident in your eyes. No wonder it’s your favourite picture. God bless you & your family this Christmas.
I really enjoy your comments in the blog each morning.