The Panorama of Earthly Ambitions

"Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes through the lens of poor choices. “Vanity” expresses the futility of seeking satisfaction from living life “under the sun” apart from God. 

The panorama of earthly ambitions, when pursued as ends in themselves, produces emptiness. 

Q: Did God originally create this world in a state of “vanity”? 

A: Absolutely not! “And God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). 

Q: So, what happened? 

A: Adam disobeyed God’s command, and in response God said, “Cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life” (Genesis 3:17). 

--The apostle Paul underscored this consequence when he wrote, “For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope” (Romans 8:20).

Believers must live life balanced between two extremes.

*First, we acknowledge that God provides the gift of life for us to enjoy. “There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labor” (Ecclesiastes 2:24). 

*On the other hand, we should firmly acknowledge life’s limitations. “For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14). 

Solomon urges us to fear God, keep His commandments, and “remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh” (Ecclesiastes 12:1)." CMI

The Most Touching Portion of Solomon's Dedicatory Prayer

"One of the most touching portions of Solomon's dedicatory prayer was his plea to God for the strangers that should come from countries afar to learn more of Him whose fame had been spread abroad among the nations. 

"They shall hear," the king pleaded, "of Thy great name, and of Thy strong hand, and of Thy stretched-out arm." 

In behalf of every one of these stranger worshipers Solomon had petitioned: "Hear Thou, . . . and do according to all that the stranger calleth to Thee for: that all people of the earth may know Thy name, to fear Thee, as do Thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house, which I have builded, is called by Thy name." Verses 42, 43.
At the close of the service, Solomon had exhorted Israel to be faithful and true to God, in order that "all the people of the earth may know," he said, "that the Lord is God, and that there is none else." Verse 60." 

E.G.W.

HEALTH NOTE - A Merry Heart

"Researchers at Johns Hopkins have found that a positive attitude is the best prevention against heart disease, according to EurekAlert. Even individuals with a family history of heart disease were only half

as likely to have a heart attack or chest pain requiring surgery if they had a good attitude. 

The power of positive thinking was strong even when traditional risk factors like cholesterol, weight and smoking were taken into account.
Sir John Herschel once said that all scientific discoveries seemed only to confirm the truths come from on high, and contained in the sacred writings. Three thousand years ago, Solomon said “A merry heart does good like a medicine” (Proverbs 17:22; see also Eccl. 5:18-20)." 

CEH

Royal Road to Knowledge

"The way to knowledge is very simple, so simple that many people despise it. It is not, however, to be despised, for, in spite of the oft-repeated statement to the contrary, there is 

A Royal Road to Knowledge, 

and that road is open to all. 

Here are the directions, laid down by the king who, to the highest degree, proved it to be the right way:—

My son, if thou wilt receive My words, 

and hide My commandments with thee; 

so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom,

 and apply thine heart to understanding; 

yea, if thou criest after knowledge,

and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 

if thou seekest her as silver, 

and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 

then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, 

and find the knowledge of God. 

For the Lord giveth wisdom; 

out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

Prov. 2:1-6.

 

It was in a dream that God appeared to Solomon, and promised to give him wisdom, but it was not by idle dreaming that the wisdom came." 

 E.J. Waggoner

Solomon's FATAL MISTAKE

"In seeking to strengthen his relations with the powerful kingdom lying to the southward of Israel, Solomon ventured upon forbidden ground.
1 Kings 3
1 Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and
took Pharaoh’s daughter, and brought her into the city of
David.

 
From a human point of view, this marriage, although contrary to the
teachings of God’s law, seemed to prove a blessing; for Solomon’s heathen wife was converted, and united with him in the worship of the true God.  

 

Furthermore, Pharaoh rendered signal service to Israel by taking Gezer, slaying...
1 Kings 9
16 ...the Canaanites that dwelt in the city, and [giving] it for a
present unto his daughter, Solomon’s wife.
Solomon rebuilt and fortified this city, and thus apparently greatly strengthened his kingdom along the Mediterranean seacoast.

 
The barrier was further broken by Solomon’s marriage with
other heathen princesses. He flattered himself that his wisdom
and the power of his example would lead his wives from idolatry to the worship of the true God, and also that the alliances thus formed would draw the nations round about into close touch with the people of God. Vain hope!
 

---How fatal was Solomon’s mistake in regarding himself strong enough to resist the influence of heathen associates!---

 
And how fatal, too, the deception that led Solomon to hope
that a disregard of God’s law on his part, would lead others to
revere and obey its sacred precepts!"

E.G.W.

Zooming in on the Tale End of Eccl.3:11

 ....also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. Eccl.3:11

 

"Two facts meet him antagonistic to one another: 

---the place that man occupies, 

---and the nature that man bears. 

This creature with eternity in his heart,.......A crowd of things, each well enough, but each having a time-and though they be beautiful in their time, yet fading.

 

....also he hath set the world in their heart.

The Hebrew for “world” (primarily, “the hidden”) is that which, in its adverbial or adjectival use, constantly appears in the English Version as “for ever,” “perpetual,” “everlasting,” “always,” “eternal,” and the like. 

No other meaning but that of a duration, the end or beginning of which is hidden from us, and which therefore is infinite, or, at least, indefinite, is ever connected with it in the Hebrew of the Old Testament, and this is its uniform sense in this book.

 

We must however translate, as the nearest equivalent, He hath set eternity (or, the everlasting) in their heart. 

---The thought expressed is not that of the hope of an immortality, but rather the sense of the Infinite which precedes it, and out of which at last it grows. 

Man has the sense of an order perfect in its beauty. 

He has also the sense of a purpose working through the ages from everlasting to everlasting, but “beginning” and “end” are alike hidden from him and he fails to grasp it. 

 

In modern language he sees not “the beginning and the end,” the whence and the whither, of his own being, or of that of the Cosmos."

He Is Altogether Lovely

Yea, He is altogether lovely.

Song of Solomon 5:16

 

 "Do not His words cause your hearts to burn within you as He talks

with you by the way? 

 

Ye worshipers of Immanuel, look up to His head of much fine gold, and tell me, are not His thoughts precious unto you? 

---Is not your adoration sweetened with affection as ye humbly bow before that countenance which is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars? 

 

Our love is not as a seal set upon His heart of love alone; it is fastened upon His arm of power also; nor is there a single part of Him upon which it does not fix itself. .... The best even of His favored saints have had blots upon their garments and wrinkles upon their brows; He is nothing but loveliness. 

All earthly suns have their spots: the fair world itself hath its wilderness; ...but Christ Jesus is gold without alloy-light without darkness—glory without cloud—"Yea, He is altogether lovely."

Charles Spurgeon

--The Verse that "Keeps it Real"--

The wise man's eyes are in his head, 

but the fool walks in darkness. 

 ---And yet I know that one fate befalls them both.--- 

Ecclesiastes 2:14 ASV

 

"The same sickness, the same sword, devours wise men and fools.

Am I rich? So is many a Nabal that fares as sumptuously as I do." 

MatthewHenry

Song of Solomon Chapter 4 Simplified SERIES Page

 Song of Solomon Chapter 4 Simplified SERIES Page

 Behold, thou art fair, my love;

Song of Solomon 4:1

 

4:1

https://master1844-dc.blogspot.com/2021/07/song-of-solomon-41-simplified.html

4:2 

https://master1844-dc.blogspot.com/2021/07/song-of-solomon-42-simplified.html

4:3

https://master1844-dc.blogspot.com/2021/07/song-of-solomon-43-simplified.html

4:4 

http://master1844-dc.blogspot.com/2021/07/song-of-solomon-44-simplified.html

4:5

http://master1844-dc.blogspot.com/2021/07/song-of-solomon-45-simplified.html

4:6 

http://master1844-dc.blogspot.com/2021/07/song-of-solomon-46-simplified.html

4:7

http://master1844-dc.blogspot.com/2021/07/song-of-solomon-47-simplified.html

4:8

http://master1844-dc.blogspot.com/2021/07/song-of-solomon-48-simplified.html

4:9

http://master1844-dc.blogspot.com/2021/07/song-of-solomon-49-simplified.html

4:10

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4:11

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4:12

http://master1844-dc.blogspot.com/2021/07/song-of-solomon-412-simplified.html

4:13,14 

https://master1844-dc.blogspot.com/2021/07/song-of-solomon-41314-simplified.html

4:15

https://master1844-dc.blogspot.com/2021/07/song-of-solomon-415-simplified.html

4:16

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Song of Solomon 4:16 Simplified

Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits. "The church here, you see, desires to feel two opposite winds. Though it should be the rough north wind of affliction that blows upon her, if it will but make her spices flow, she will be glad, but if it be the soft south wind of blessed and hallowed fellowship with her Lord, she is equally pleased, for what she longs after is that her Lord may take delight in her."

Song of Solomon 4:16/Charles Spurgeon

Song of Solomon 4:15 Simplified

A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, "O my soul, be you not only shut up for Christ, but be you, when the time comes, opened to do good to all the world" and streams from Lebanon. "Oh, that I might be like a well of living waters in my speech at all times."

Song of Solomon 4:15/Charles Spurgeon

Song of Solomon 4:13,14 Simplified

Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits;

camphire, with spikenard, Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices: "Oh, that this were fully true of us—that all our thoughts, and words, and actions, which are like the fruits of the garden, were as full of spices of heavenly fragrance as Jesus here declares that He thinks
them to be!"

Song of Solomon 4:13,14/Charles Spurgeon

Song of Solomon 4:12 Simplified

A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a
fountain sealed. "Jesus, shut the gates, and shut out the world, and
every wandering, wayward, sinful thought, then shut Yourself in my heart, and walk You in it as in a garden that is walled around, into which no intruders dare enter!"

Song of Solomon 4:12/Charles Spurgeon

Song of Solomon 4:11 Simplified

Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk
are under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon.  "Oh, that my heart were like that at this moment!"

 Song of Solomon 4:11/Charles Spurgeon

Song of Solomon 4:10 Simplified

How fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse! "Hear you that, O spouse of
Christ? Your love is often very cold, and very feeble, and even at the bestit is not what you would have it to be, nor what it ought to be, yet Jesus values it highly" how much better is thy love than wine! and the smell of thine ointments than all spices! "You know that He has the smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia upon His garments when He comes out of the ivory palaces, yet He considers that His people’s graces are sweeter than all the spices that ever grew."

Song of Solomon 4:10/Charles Spurgeon

Song of Solomon 4:9 Simplified

 Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse; thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes, with one chain of thy neck. "The eyeof love,and the neck of faith with its chain, hold captive the heart of Christ."

Song of Solomon 4:9/Charles Spurgeon

Song of Solomon 4:8 Simplified

Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon:
"My heart, leave you the world, leave its sweet places, though Lebanon be full of fragrance, leave it." look from the top of Amana, "Leave the world’s high places, though the top of Amana may seem to reach to heaven, leave even that to have communion with your Lord." from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions' dens, from the mountains of the leopards. "The best spots in the world are for you, O spouse of Christ, but lions’ dens and mountains of leopards.You are always in danger while you consort with worldlings, you are always in peril while you are entangled with the world, so get away from Lebanon, from Amana, from Shenir and Hermon, leave everything for your Lord."

Song of Solomon 4:8/Charles Spurgeon

Song of Solomon 4:7 Simplified

 Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee. "Though in yourself
you are defiled, yet in the eyeof Jesus, looked upon as covered with His righteousness. He has so cleansed you in His precious blood. "

Song of Solomon 4:7/Charles Spurgeon

Song of Solomon 4:6 Simplified

Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense. "Jesus has gone from earth, but where is He? He has gone to intercede for us before the throne of His Father above,He has gone to where there are mountains of myrrh. Think, beloved, of the sweet perfume that ever arises from His one great sacrifice for sins, well may He compare it to a mountain of myrrh and to a hill of frankincense."

Song of Solomon 4:6/Charles Spurgeon

The Book of the Song of Solomon

 The song of songs, which is Solomon's.

Song of Solomon 1:1

"This is poetry.

All scripture, we are sure, is given by inspiration of God, and is

profitable for the support and advancement of the interests of his kingdom among men, and it is never the less so for there being found in it some things dark and hard to be understood, which those that are unlearned and unstable wrest to their own destruction. 

---The best key to this book is the 45th Psalm, which we find applied to Christ in the New Testament, and therefore this ought to be so too.  

 

Title: Several titles have been suggested for the book, all taken from the first verse: “The Song of Songs”, “the Song of Solomon”, or “Canticles”. 

--The first title is a Hebrew way of expressing the superlative: “The Most Excellent Song”; 

--the second denotes authorship; 

--and the third means “Songs”, being taken from the Latin translation.

 

Authorship: The first verse of the book may be taken to mean the song written by Solomon or the song about Solomon. 

However, the Old Testament states that Solomon composed 1,005 songs (1 Kings 4:32), so one might expect him to be the author. Also, internal evidence points to Solomonic authorship: the geographical locations mentioned in the book imply a unified monarchy, and some details fit well with Solomon’s reign (compare the reference to the horses in Pharaoh’s chariots at 1:9 with 1 Kings 10:28-29). 

 

--Christian commentators, in their interpretation of the Song, viewing the bridegroom as Jesus Christ and the bride as His church. 

This has been the dominant Christian view for most of church history.

Exactly when this view was first embraced by Christians is not known. 

All one can say is that evidence of it exists as early as Hippolytus (ca. A.D. 200), though only fragments of his commentary have survived. Interpretations of the details of the Song have been quite varied.

The one who is brought into the king's chambers is said to be those whom Christ had wedded and brought into His church."

 BooksOfTheBible