Sun, 30 April, 2006: Today’s Bible readings.

Song of Solomon 5:10-16

¹⁰ My beloved is radiant and ruddy,
distinguished among ten thousand.
¹¹ His head is the finest gold;
his locks are wavy,
black as a raven.
¹² His eyes are like doves
beside streams of water,
bathed in milk,
sitting beside a full pool.
¹³ His cheeks are like beds of spices,
mounds of sweet-smelling herbs.
His lips are lilies,
dripping liquid myrrh.
¹⁴ His arms are rods of gold,
set with jewels.
His body is polished ivory,
bedecked with sapphires.
¹⁵ His legs are alabaster columns,
set on bases of gold.
His appearance is like Lebanon,
choice as the cedars.
¹⁶ His mouth is most sweet,
and he is altogether desirable.
This is my beloved and this is my friend,
O daughters of Jerusalem.

Once a gain, I confess my trouble with understanding the spiritual meaning of this book. I took a quick look at Matthew Henry’s allegorical explanation of this chapter, and I just am not satisfied with it. The chapter begins with the man knocking on the door, and the woman initially refusing to get out of bed and open the door for him. She then changes her mind and goes and opens the door, but finds he has gone. She then goes outside looking for him and gets beaten up.

Matthew Henry tells us that this is how a person initially resists God’s grace and refuses to come to Him for salvation. But then God changes their nature, and they come to Him. But, then Matthew Henry warns us not to delay in responding to God’s call, because if we do, it could be too late. We could open to find He has gone. And, in delaying to obey God, we are likely to face His just punishment.

This can’t all be right, for if this is an illustration of God’s irresistible grace, why doesn’t the now repentant sinner find that grace when they open the door, but instead get beaten up? I don’t understand.

So instead, I’ll deal with the second half of the chapter. The woman praises her lover to those around her.

What do we learn from this?

Again, taking this as an illustration of Christ and the church, the role of the church is to praise our Master and Lord. As the woman praises her lover, we are to point out all that we love about God.

Where is Christ in this passage?

Paul has told us that marriage is a picture of the relationship between Christ and the Church, so this interpretation of Song of Songs hopefully isn’t too much of a stretch.

Sat, 29 April, 2006: Today’s Bible readings.

Psalm 40:1-3

¹ I waited patiently for the LORD;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
² He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
³ He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the LORD.

God has acted in such a great way on our behalf. He has richly provided everything we need. He has granted us life, health, and protection. More than that, He has done everything to save us from our sins, as we come to Him in faith.

As we recall all that God has done for us, what should be our reaction? What impact should this have not only on us, but on those around us? David tells us in Psalm 40.

What do we learn from this?

David waited patiently on the LORD, and saw God save him from the trouble he faced. Think of all that David went through, and how God preserved him. God saved David from wild animals and giant soldiers. He save David from enemies (both foreign and domestic). God preserved David as king even when his own son rebelled against him. Again and again, David witnessed how God drew him up from the pit of destruction.

The result? David sang praise to God. David saw how God worked in his life, and this caused David to praise God.

How about you? God has greatly worked in your life also. Does the thought of this cause you to praise Him? It should. Or are you so complaisant about what God has done (and is doing) in your life that you don’t think about it at all. Do you just expect that God will bless you, and it doesn’t even occur to you to praise Him for it. It should not be. We should praise God for His answers to our prayers.

But also note the reaction of others. When we praise God for what He has done, like we are supposed to do, those around us will see it, fear God, and put their trust in the LORD. As we praise God and give Him the glory for what He has done, it will cause other’s to come to faith, and they too will praise God for what He has done.

We should be thankful people. And our thanksgiving should redound to the glory of God, as we praise Him and those around us come to praise Him as well.

Where is Christ in this passage?

David says that God has saved him from the pit of destruction. David saw God save him from many physical dangers. But the greatest salvation David ever received from God is salvation from the guilt of sin. The pit of destruction due to sinners is hell itself.

Because of the work of Jesus Christ, God has promised to save all who come to Him in faith. The guilt of their sins has been laid upon Jesus Christ, and they receive Christ’s righteousness that they need to be right with God.

We should praise and thank God every day for what He has done for us in Jesus Christ. And we should tell others, so they too can come to saving faith and praise Him as well.

Fri, 28 April, 2006: Today’s Bible readings.

Numbers 5:5-10

⁵ And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ⁶ “Speak to the people of Israel, When a man or woman commits any of the sins that people commit by breaking faith with the LORD, and that person realizes his guilt, ⁷ he shall confess his sin that he has committed. And he shall make full restitution for his wrong, adding a fifth to it and giving it to him to whom he did the wrong. ⁸ But if the man has no next of kin to whom restitution may be made for the wrong, the restitution for wrong shall go to the LORD for the priest, in addition to the ram of atonement with which atonement is made for him. ⁹ And every contribution, all the holy donations of the people of Israel, which they bring to the priest, shall be his. ¹⁰ Each one shall keep his holy donations: whatever anyone gives to the priest shall be his.”

How are we made right with God? As we’ve gone through the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible), we’ve seen the importance of confession, restitution, and sacrifice for the expiation of sin. This passage today deals with the first two of these.

What do we learn from this?

When you realize your sin, you must confess it. You must acknowledge that what you have done is an offense against God. It is important that you agree with God about your conduct. Sin is an abomination to God. He hates it, and until we recognize this and agree with God about it, we are still living in our sin. In our passage today, God commands that we confess our sins when we realize our guilt before God.

Restitution is also important. If I have harmed someone, I need to make it right. If I have wrongly taken something from them, or improperly profited at their expense, I must restore what is rightfully theirs. This shows our true repentance. What good does it do to confess my sin while continuing to enjoy the fruit of my sin? If I really am sorry for what I have done, I must, to the best of my ability, undo the sin I have committed.

Where is Christ in this passage?

Do we, by confessing our sin and making restitution, pay for our sin? Do we make everything right with God? In other words, do we earn forgiveness by doing this?

No. We can never earn forgiveness for our sins. Sin must be punished, and no amount of confession and restitution can change that fact. This is where the sacrifice comes in. There must be a substitute that bears the guilt of the sin and takes the punishment due because of the sin. Jesus Christ is our sacrifice. He is the one who bears the sins of His people, earning the salvation we could never earn for ourselves. The sins that we have committed can be forgiven only because their guilt has been taken away by the work of Jesus Christ.

Thu, 27 April, 2006: Today’s Bible readings.

Hebrews 2:5-9

⁵ Now it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. ⁶ It has been testified somewhere,

“What is man, that you are mindful of him,
or the son of man, that you care for him?
⁷ You made him for a little while lower than the angels;
you have crowned him with glory and honor,
⁸ putting everything in subjection under his feet.”

Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. ⁹ But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

The book of Hebrews is all about revealing the glory and authority of Jesus Christ. Working from the Old Testament scriptures, we see again and again how they are fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

What do we learn from this?

What an amazing and all encompassing statement. Everything is in subjection to Jesus Christ. There is nothing that is outside His control. Without any exception, Jesus Christ is King and Lord of all.

Where is Christ in this passage?

We don’t see everything in subjection to Jesus Christ right now. We don’t see everyone express their explicit submission. In fact, we see most people are in open rebellion against Jesus Christ. Does this mean that He isn’t king? Not at all. In His grace, He has chosen to allow those in rebellion to Him to continue. Were it not for His sustaining these rebels, they, and their rebellion, would end immediately.

And we have this glorious hope. As this passage tells us: Jesus Christ will continue reigning, progressively bringing more and more of His rebellious creation into submission, until everything is in subjection under His feet. We have not reached the end of His work in the world, and we can anticipate that He will, through the fruitful preaching of the gospel, bring the rebels to submission.

Wed, 26 April, 2006: Today’s Bible readings.

Song of Solomon 1:1

The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s.

I will not hide the fact that this is book is difficult to understand in spiritual terms. It is a book lauding the sexual love between husband and wife. Most of the sermons I have heard on from this book allegories it to teach the relationship between Christ and the church. In most cases it seems like they are stretching the point to spiritualize the text. I’m not really satisfied that I understand the true meaning of this text. Nevertheless, it is scripture, and therefore we can use it to learn of Christ.

What do we learn from this?

This is written by Solomon or possibly for Solomon. He is the son of David, and the king of the still united Israel. He is the promised son who sits on the throne in David’s place, and as such, is the predecessor of Jesus Christ. Solomon is the wisest man, based upon his request for God to grant him the wisdom he needed to rule the people. He is also greatly talented, writing numerous proverbs and songs. It certainly is in character for him to also write the great work of literature.

Where is Christ in this passage?

Solomon is a great man who had many great faults. But he is also a picture of Christ for us, as David’s son, reigning over his people. In this book, it is believable for him to represent Christ and his wife to represent the church. Hopefully as we go through this book, we will be able to better understand Christ and his church.

Tue, 25 April, 2006: Today’s Bible readings.

Psalm 36:5-9

¹ Transgression speaks to the wicked
deep in his heart;
there is no fear of God
before his eyes.
² For he flatters himself in his own eyes
that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
³ The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit;
he has ceased to act wisely and do good.
⁴ He plots trouble while on his bed;
he sets himself in a way that is not good;
he does not reject evil.

⁵ Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.
⁶ Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
your judgments are like the great deep;
man and beast you save, O LORD.

⁷ How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
⁸ They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
⁹ For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light do we see light.

What a contrast between verses 1-4 and 5-9. The psalm begins recounting the depths of the depravity of man, and then abruptly turns to the heights of God’s love.

What do we learn from this?

The psalmist is correctly recounting the heart of the unregenerate, and what he writes sounds much like Paul in Romans 1. Outside of God’s salvation, we really are that bad.

But in contrast, God’s love is vastly beyond our comprehension, extending to the heavens and the clouds. We can not grasp it any more than we can grasp the mountains or the deeps of the ocean. Quite simply, it is beyond us.

God’s merciful love is precious, and we can take refuge in Him. When we come to Him in faith, He blesses us from His abundance. He grants us life for, as the psalmist tell us, He has the fountain of life. We can then see because He is the source of light.

What a great and merciful God, that because of His vast and abounding love, He can save people as bad as we are.

Where is Christ in this passage?

As we are in rebellion against God, we are like the wicked described in the beginning of this psalm. But as we come to God in faith, trusting in what Jesus Christ has done for us, we are greeted by the love of God described in the next section of the psalm. It is because of the work of Jesus Christ that we are accepted by God, and find God’s mercy to be beyond our comprehension.

Mon, 24 April, 2006: Today’s Bible readings.

Numbers 1:47-54

⁴⁷ But the Levites were not listed along with them by their ancestral tribe. ⁴⁸ For the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ⁴⁹ “Only the tribe of Levi you shall not list, and you shall not take a census of them among the people of Israel.⁵⁰ But appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the testimony, and over all its furnishings, and over all that belongs to it. They are to carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings, and they shall take care of it and shall camp around the tabernacle. ⁵¹ When the tabernacle is to set out, the Levites shall take it down, and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up. And if any outsider comes near, he shall be put to death. ⁵² The people of Israel shall pitch their tents by their companies, each man in his own camp and each man by his own standard. ⁵³ But the Levites shall camp around the tabernacle of the testimony, so that there may be no wrath on the congregation of the people of Israel. And the Levites shall keep guard over the tabernacle of the testimony.” ⁵⁴ Thus did the people of Israel; they did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses.

The book of Numbers begins, not surprisingly, with a census (numbering — hence the name of the book) of the Israelites. (This census is significant, because these are the people who will later refuse to enter the land of Canaan, and will be doomed to wander in the wilderness forty years. At the conclusion of that time, there is another census, and only Joshua and Caleb remain from this first census.)

The Levites are exempted from this census of the fighting men. They are given a different role: they are in charge of the care of the tabernacle.

What do we learn from this?

The people of Israel were given a great privilege. God condescended to dwell among them. He displayed His presence in a special way in the tabernacle over the ark of the covenant. It is quite an amazing thing for an all holy God to dwell among a sinful people, and God does not do this unconditionally.

The sinful people do not have unrestricted access to God. There must be a buffer between the people and God’s presence. There must be a mediator on their behalf. For the protection of the people, there must be ones appointed who guard God’s presence and keep out that which is offensive to Him.

For the nation of Israel, coming out of Egypt, the descendants of Levi served this purpose. They were dedicated to God for the purpose of serving Him and the people. They served as the mediators between God and the people, protecting the people from God’s wrath. So, once again we see that people can’t approach God on their own terms, but rather must be careful to come to God as He commands. The Levites served this purpose as they enforced God’s standards for approaching God.

Where is Christ in this passage?

Even today, we can not approach God unmediated. We must have a High Priest who will act on our behalf, representing us before the Father. Jesus Christ is our mediator. He has paid the price for our sins, and who gives us His righteousness. He is the one who presents us to the Father, faultless because of His work that has been applied to us.

Sun, 23 April, 2006: Today’s Bible readings.

Titus 2:1

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.

Paul has been warning Titus against false teachers. He ends chapter 1 by telling them Titus that They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

But Titus, by contrast, is to teach what accords with sound doctrine.

What do we learn from this?

What is the difference between false and true teachers? The difference is both doctrine and action. The false teachers spread their bad doctrine for the purpose of dishonest gain. They use their position to further their evil desires.

So as we consider whether a particular teacher is one to whom we should listen, we need to consider carefully both what they say and what they do. If what they teach doesn’t match up with scripture, we must reject them as a false teacher. But if what they teach seems to be in accord with scripture, yet their actions are consistently contrary to scripture, we also must reject them as a false teacher.

Where is Christ in this passage?

Sound doctrine is extremely important. Sound doctrine teaches the truth about Jesus Christ and what He has done for us. Sound doctrine shows us Jesus Christ in the scriptures.

Sat, 22 April, 2006: Today’s Bible readings.

Ecclesiastes 9:13-16

¹³ I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me. ¹⁴ There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it. ¹⁵ But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man. ¹⁶ But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man’s wisdom is despised and his words are not heard.

Solomon tells us that under the sun, apart from God, wisdom is despised.

What do we learn from this?

Wisdom is powerful. Solomon tells us of an example where the wisdom of an obscure, poor man was more powerful than a king with an army. In other words, wisdom, rightly applied, can defeat a vastly superior force.

Yet the people don’t realize the value of wisdom, and they despised the poor man.

Why isn’t true wisdom appreciated by the world? If true wisdom knows what is best for all parties concerned, people reject it because they are only interested in what is best for themselves. If true wisdom doesn’t accumulate power to itself and abuse privilege, then people reject it because they want power over others.

If true wisdom is to fear God, then people will reject it because they reject God.

Where is Christ in this passage?

Jesus Christ is the perfect example of true wisdom that is rejected by the world. He came into the world, calling people to repentance and faith, offering salvation to those who would admit their sin and weakness and cry out for help. Yet the world rejected His wisdom, to the extent that they crucified Him, ironically bringing about the very salvation they rejected. For it is in His death that He paid the penalty for the sins of all those who come to Him in faith.

Fri, 21 April, 2006: Today’s Bible readings.

Psalm 32:1-2

¹ Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
² Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

If only I had money, I could be happy. If only I could have a loving relationship, I could be content. If only I could find a job I enjoy, I could be satisfied. If only I could have… you fill in the blank.

We are people who aren’t content. We always want something more. Just give me that one more thing and then I’ll be happy. But once we get it, we find that it too leaves us wanting more.

But David teaches us something valuable here in this Psalm.

What do we learn from this?

There is one thing that all Christians have that is a great blessing. They are forgiven of their sin. This should be a cause of great contentment. It should make us happy to know that the LORD doesn’t count our iniquity against us. Our sins are covered.

If this is true, you don’t have to lay awake at night fearing the future. You know God’s forgiveness, and therefore you are free to enjoy all that God has done for you. We no longer live under God’s wrath and His curse, but instead have been forgiven and accepted as His children. Thus we are now free to love and serve Him as a result of what He has done.

Blessed are you if your transgressions are forgiven.

Where is Christ in this passage?

Our transgressions are forgiven and our sins are covered because of the work of Jesus Christ on our behalf. He has taken the punishment that was due to us, and paid for it. Thus God counts no iniquity against us, because it has all been placed upon our substitute.