First Comes Love - Day 17
Day 17 - Tuesday, April 30
Read Song of Solomon 2-3
Highlight
Since this is a book of poetry, the author is not held to a linear plot line. However, there are several interesting themes that weave their way throughout the work. Clearly the intense desire of these lovers and the joy they find in their passion for one another is a primary theme. However, you may also notice that there is quite a bit of garden imagery used throughout the book as well. Some scholars believe it’s possible that the author is using this imagery to connect us to the Garden of Eden - where the Eros love between man and woman was first created and called good by God and where Adam and Eve were ‘naked and felt no shame’ (Gen. 2:24-25). Here we are painted a beautiful picture of unrestrained love in its purest form, untainted by selfishness and sin.
The Bible Project explores this connection in their article, Song of Songs: Solomon’s Team of Highly Skilled Writers:
“This book of Israelite love poetry lets us peer back into Eden, and we find there an ideal that very few people ever truly experience. For those who do experience it in their own marriages, it’s often fleeting, just as love is for the man and woman in these poems. In this way, the poems both affirm human love, but also show how it is itself only a pointer to something more grand and more sublime. The book never mentions God’s love, but all the links back to the garden of Eden make the point by themselves.”
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read Song of Solomon 2-3
Highlight
Since this is a book of poetry, the author is not held to a linear plot line. However, there are several interesting themes that weave their way throughout the work. Clearly the intense desire of these lovers and the joy they find in their passion for one another is a primary theme. However, you may also notice that there is quite a bit of garden imagery used throughout the book as well. Some scholars believe it’s possible that the author is using this imagery to connect us to the Garden of Eden - where the Eros love between man and woman was first created and called good by God and where Adam and Eve were ‘naked and felt no shame’ (Gen. 2:24-25). Here we are painted a beautiful picture of unrestrained love in its purest form, untainted by selfishness and sin.
The Bible Project explores this connection in their article, Song of Songs: Solomon’s Team of Highly Skilled Writers:
“This book of Israelite love poetry lets us peer back into Eden, and we find there an ideal that very few people ever truly experience. For those who do experience it in their own marriages, it’s often fleeting, just as love is for the man and woman in these poems. In this way, the poems both affirm human love, but also show how it is itself only a pointer to something more grand and more sublime. The book never mentions God’s love, but all the links back to the garden of Eden make the point by themselves.”
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
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