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King Solomon was blessed with great wisdom to judge his people. During his reign, God blessed him also with wealth, a peaceful kingdom, and all the treasures one could possess. His name was known everywhere. Even the Queen of Sheba came to see him, wanting to know if what she had heard was true. When she found it to be the case, she came to worship the one true God. But was it all the stuff that made up the true treasures of joy? Or was it God himself who is that treasure? This King Solomon knew, at least he did know at one time in his life. And although it faded for a time in his life, he returned to understanding this once again at the end of the day. 

There are times when I too feel the weight of this world. The more I have seen, the more futile it all seems. This week alone, I have felt the sorrow of two dear friends’ loss as they watched their father pass away. A patient came who could barely walk, his neck twisted to the side, braces on his legs and arms. Racked with pain, he told me how he was the caregiver for his wife who was bedridden. Another patient with probable ovarian cancer, young and filled with so many traumas of life, from losing her babies shortly after birth to suffering rape. Fears surrounding her mind and life. Some having given so much to serve their country, filled with a mixture of sorrow and faith. Some clinging tight, hoping that grace is real and wondering if God could really love them despite all they have done.

True Treasures of Joy—Where are they now?

10 The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright words of truth. Ecclesiastes 12 (NKJV)

The book of Ecclesiastes portrayed one man’s search for meaning in life. Written in the later days of King Solomon’s life, he went back to tell of his search for meaning and truth. His conclusion took him back to the beginning, long before all the temptations of life had drawn him away from the only true treasure of joy. This is what he found.

11 The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd. Ecclesiastes 12.

Two instruments used by any shepherd are the rod that goad the sheep into submission, driven away from danger and the nails driven into the fence to hedge them in. But for humanity there is only one Shepherd who can provide this as justly, righteously needed. That one Shepherd is no other than Jesus Christ, the very son of God. He will drive us who believe in Him to obedience and righteousness because he knows our truest treasure of joy is found only in a relationship with God our creator.

Prosperity Can Taint Even a King’s Heart to forsake the true treasures

King Solomon had let prosperity taint his heart for a time, but in the end, he realized how foolish this had been. He knew there were no treasures of joy to be found under the sun. Hence, he wrote Ecclesiastes as an honest depiction of the foolish of the world. He concluded his search with this.

13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:  Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.
 14 For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12. (NKJV)

Can the true treasures of joy Be Found Under the Sun?                                                                     

God blessed King Solomon with wisdom to judge his people rightly. Additionally, God orchestrated a time of peace within the kingdom and with all the surrounding nations. The nation of Israel was exalted and highly favored for their cultural, architectural, literary, and musical advancements. King Solomon, blessed with bountiful riches and wisdom, was honored by the kings and queens of his day. Having everything, one might think, King Solomon would without fail worship God perfectly. At least. We want to believe that, because we want to believe that if God would give us everything, we think we desire, then we would bow before Him always, obeying His every Command. But that is not the case with human nature. Sometimes the more we have, the more we think we deserve.

King Solomon built the temple and assembled the people, just as a preacher would. He prayed for them, acknowledging the weakness of the people, fearing they would sin against God. Deep within, perhaps he knew that he also could sin too easily. Overwhelmed by the grace of God he dedicated the temple with great humility and instruction. He wrote over 3000 proverbs to guide the people toward righteousness and over 1000 worship songs of praise to God.

Vanity of Vanities Where are the True Treasures

Yet, as the years passed, content with all he had; he slipped away from seeing God’s absolute righteousness. And when one forgets God’s absolute righteousness and His wrath against sin, the wonder of grace slips away. What is then left behind is an empty vapor or whisper of truth.

² “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher;
“Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”  Ecclesiastes 1 (NKJV)

Vanity is translated from the Hebrew word הָֽבֶל׃ hā·ḇel  meaning futile, a fleeting breath, like a vapor here and then gone. That is what all the treasures of this world are—fleeting breath. Joy for a moment, whisked away like a wind that falls into the depths of sorrows. The longer I live the more I realize how nothing here on this earth endures. King Solomon came to realize this only after he had allowed his heart to betray him. He drew away from God to worship other Gods. This after God had appeared to him twice, once in Gibeon when Solomon asked for wisdom and the second time after King Solomon had dedicated the temple to God. All this before King Solomon’s heart faded away. How did it happen? Had God not warned him?

Foolishness Can Cost One the True Treasures of Joy for a Time

²the Lord appeared to Solomon a second time, as He had appeared to him at Gibeon. ³ And the Lord said to him, “I have heard your prayer and your plea which you have offered before Me; I have consecrated this house which you have built, by putting My name there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there always. I Kings 9

This was the promise, but it was followed by this warning.

⁶if you or your sons indeed turn away from following Me, and do not keep My commandments and My statutes which I have placed before you, but you go and serve other gods and worship them, ⁷ then I will cut Israel off from the land which I have given them, and the house which I have consecrated for My name, I will expel from My sight. I Kings 9.

And we know that this is what happened. The kingdom was divided into two, torn asunder. Yet, both kingdoms waxed and waned in their worship of the Lord. Then, God sent the Babylonians to conquer Judah and destroy the temple.

Yet, amid all this, God continued to fulfill His promise to both Abraham and to King David. Each time, God showed grace upon a remnant of His people. Jesus was born from the line of David and Solomon to be the final forever, King. He also fulfilled His Promise to King David that His spirit would not leave Solomon. Hence why at the end of the day, King Solomon turned his heart back to God Alone, with great sorrow and repentance as displayed in this book.

So, What Happened?

In all his prosperity, power, wealth, and peace, King Solomon allowed his heart to become complacent. Since life was so easy and his fame so great, King Solomon became nonchalant about worshipping God. Instead, he busied himself with the things of this world. He strayed away from the very truth that had made him great, his humility and trust in God Alone. Then his journey led him into deep despair as he chased after the wind in this world. He found that there was no peace or joy to be found in the pleasures of this world apart from God’s presence in them. By breaching the command of God, he no longer felt the joy of God’s presence in his life. With God, we may enjoy all the beauties and pleasures of this world. Yet, when we seek them apart from God, they are empty and futile. Vanity of vanities, a vapor that quickly disappears leaving only sadness behind.

This is the book of Ecclesiastes. The teacher wants us to know the truths of true wisdom only comes from a proper view of God as supreme righteousness. It is seeing God through our brokenness and realizing that God Alone is Majesty and Righteousness.

It is learning as had David.

³ When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon, and the stars, which You have ordained,
⁴ What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?
⁵ For You have made him a little lower than the angels,
And You have crowned him with glory and honor. Psalm 8 (NKJV)

How could it be that God would love someone like me?

⁶ You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet,
⁷ All sheep and oxen—
Even the beasts of the field,
⁸ The birds of the air,
And the fish of the sea
That pass through the paths of the seas.  Psalm 8

And, yet how often we fail in this very thing. Do we honor Him in all He has given us? Each day we choose today whether our hearts remain true to Him or do we chase after the things of this world. Do we love God with all our heart and soul? Are we willing to lay it all aside for the good of the kingdom and trust Him no matter what this world may bring?

⁹ O Lord, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth! Psalm 8 (NKJV)

True Treasures of Joy that Overcome the Sorrows of Life

In contrast we have Jeremiah whom God called to prophesy to the people of God. God told him no one would listen. And even his family turned their backs on him for the message God gave him.

²⁷ “Therefore, you shall speak all these words to them, but they will not obey you. You shall also call to them, but they will not answer you.  Jeremiah 7: (NKJV)

Furthermore, Jeremiah was forbidden to marry or to have children. He was jailed, and beaten, living in dire poverty. His was a message of judgement. God’s wrath would be poured out upon the nation because they had forsaken the command of God to seek after other idols. Yet, despite his seeing only despair around him, Jeremiah preached God’s word to the people. And then what were his words?

I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of His wrath.
² He has led me and made me walk
In darkness and not in light.
³ Surely, He has turned His hand against me
Time and time again throughout the day.

¹⁹ Remember my affliction and roaming,
The wormwood and the gall.
²⁰ My soul still remembers
And sinks within me. Lamentations 3 (NKJV)

He felt the weight of sorrow and even more because no one listened to his pleas. He knew what would happen and felt all he did failed. How have you ever felt that way? I have. The task seems too great and my strength too little.

But that is when Jeremiah remembered the real Treasures of Joy

²¹ This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope.

²² Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
²³ They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
²⁴ “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!” Lamentations 3 (NKJV)

I too deserve nothing of His blessing, but He is faithful in pouring forth grace and mercy toward me.

²⁵ The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,
To the soul who seeks Him.
²⁶ It is good that one should hope and wait quietly
For the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3 (NKJV)

So, what should we do?

³⁹ Why should a living man complain,
A man for the punishment of his sins? Lamentations 3

Do I not deserve the chastisement of the Lord? Yet, He so mercifully has saved me. Therefore, let me never forget daily to seek Him and place Him upon the throne of my heart.

⁴⁰ Let us search out and examine our ways,
And turn back to the Lord;
⁴¹ Let us lift our hearts and hands
To God in heaven. Lamentations 3 (NKJV)

And so it was that Jeremiah saw God’s goodness amid all the sorrows that surrounded him. He understood that God’s grace far exceeded what anyone deserves. Why should a living man every complain, knowing what our sin truly deserves is God’s wrath? When we keep a right view of God’s righteousness, then we keep a truer view of grace.

In A World of Futility, Let Us Seek to Follow the Command of God

¹³ The conclusion, when everything has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. ¹⁴ For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12: (NKJV)

Concluding Thoughts

We sometimes think that we know what would make us happy but do we.  Many want to preach a gospel that has no brokenness, a feel-good prosperity gospel that does not really address our sin. We whitewash it all with God’s mercy and grace. Oh, yes were it not for His mercy and grace, I would have no hope. It is that if I forget His goodness despite my sin. I wish I could forget the brokenness of my life, forget the sins of my past. But to do so would cause me not to see the magnificence of His grace that has carried me thus far.

So, this is what Solomon meant by these words: “¹¹ The words of the wise are like goads, and masters of these collections are like driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd.” 

One Shepherd who truly bore the nails of wrath from God that I deserved. The words remind me of my own failures, but also of His magnificent grace toward me. His mercies are new every morning. And one day, He will return to set every justice right and I shall ride beside Him on that day, not because of my own righteousness, but his. That is what Solomon had learned in the end of His days. God’s spirit never departed from Him, even during the dark days in which his own life led him to utter despair.

Jesus is Coming Again to Righteously Judge–Never Forget

¹¹ Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. ¹² His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. ¹³ He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.

He is our true treasure of Joy I will ride behind Him clothed in the clean white linen of His Righteousness.

¹⁴ And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. ¹⁵ Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. ¹⁶ And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS.

Are you ready for His Return?

Let Me Remain

How often Lord, my heart doth moan

I long to see You on Your Throne

This life so burdened with despair

I faint beneath the weight of care

And so, I come to you once more

To ask You guide this ship to shore

Though tossing raging winds surround

Your arms of love make joy abound

Within this heart so broken Lord

I trust Your hand to guide me toward

The way you wish my heart to go

And lay aside each evil foe

That draws my mind away from You

Oh, let me not vain thoughts pursue

I pray dear Lord, you guide my heart

That from your will I dare not part

Though hard the race I cannot lose

For you are all my heart doth choose

And you will bring me safely home

Because of Grace I cannot roam

Oh, pull me tight against your chest

Within your arms I find my rest

Let me remain faithful and true

Until that day I am with You

Give me Your strength that I might stand

A beacon of Your Love so Grand

That all of whom I chance to meet

Will come to bow before your feet

No greater gift have I to give

Than for you Lord, my life to live

In such a way I die to me

That You might shine, this is my plea

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

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Why Is a Healthy Heart Core to Finding Hope, Peace, and Joy? 

How To Know Hope and Joy in Life Through Seeking Wisdom 

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2024

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)

The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.

New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

New English Translation (NET)NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

Amplified Bible (AMP)Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Picture licensed from Goodsalt.com

Throughout scripture, the heart is spoken of.  Physically, it is the heart that maintains life to all the cells of the body through the transportation of blood to every cell.  Not only does it transport oxygen, it also removes the byproducts of carbon dioxide. Furthermore it cleanses the cells, destroys the invading cells, destroys cancerous cells before they can spread and maintains the life of the body.   Any breakdown of the blood and heart affects every cell in the body.  When plaque blocks the circulation to a cell, that cell dies.  A healthy heart is very important to our physical well being Since the function of the heart is critical to physical life, it is no wonder God speaks also of the spiritual heart as critical to spiritual life.   

We come to I Kings 8 with this in mind.  In the life of Solomon, we see the transformation of a life from one of hope, peace, and joy to one of sorrow and despair. How did this happen?  It was gradual, but that is the way with heart disease.  It is gradual but can be deadly. 

Healthy Heart—The Blood that Cleanses  

Solomon built God’s temple as commissioned with such attention to every detail.  He sought out the greatest craftsmen to build this magnificent structure.  Yet, as beautiful as it was Solomon knew that it was nothing without God’s presence.  So, then with great care the ark of the covenant was brought in. 

All the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark. ⁴And they brought up the ark of the Lord, the tent of meeting, and all the holy utensils which were in the tent; the priests and the Levites brought them up. ⁵And King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who were gathered together to him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered.  I Kings 8 (NASB)  

This was all being done in the 7^th month during the feast.  Some believe this was the feast of booths which is the final feast referring to the kingdom.  However, it also speaks of the people remaining for at least 14 days which means this may have begun with the feast of trumpets.  The priests did begin with the trumpets blowing, include the feast of atonement and progressed on through the feast of tabernacles representing freedom.   That would make sense as the sacrifices were presented along the passageway (every few feet) all the way to the temple where the ark was placed.      

Healthy Heart- Right Priorities 

When caring from one’s physical heart, there are priorities that must be followed. Those include proper diet, rest, and exercise.   In the case of the ark that represented God’s presence, this was also true.  The ark had to be carried in the manner God commanded.  The priests had to be ceremonially cleansed.   

 ⁶Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place, into the inner sanctuary of the house, to the Most Holy Place, under the wings of the cherubim. ⁷For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim made a covering over the ark and it’s carrying poles from above.  I kings 8 

The grand beauty of the temple meant nothing without God’s presence.  All the new furniture, gold, and architecture was meaningless without the solid foundation of God’s word to His people.   Without God there was no life in the tabernacle.

¹¹And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place: (for all the priests that were present were sanctified, and did not then wait by course:  2 Chronicles 5 KJV 

After the atonement came the worship and joyous praise to God for His mercy and grace. 

¹²Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:) 2 Chronicles 5 KJV 

A Healthy Heart is One that Overflows with Joy, Hope and Peace 

Gratitude for all that God has done should cause one to overflow with praise, rejoicing for He is Worthy of all honor and praise.  

That is when the tabernacle was suddenly filled with the presence of God. 

¹³It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord;  ¹⁴So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God. 2 Chronicles 5 KJV 

Healthy Heart—in the Presence of God 

When the clouds are so thick you cannot see to move, know this that God is present in that darkness. 

the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord. 

¹² Then Solomon said, 

“The Lord has said that He would dwell in the thick darkness. 
¹³ I have truly built You a lofty house, 
A place for Your dwelling forever.”  I Kings 8 

PRAYER OF PRAISE 

Then Solomon prayed the longest prayer in the Bible.  He began standing with his arms raised toward heaven and ended on his knees with arms still raised.  All the people were present to watch him pray. 

He began his prayer, praising God for doing all that He had promised.  Were it not for the grace of God, none of this could have been.  He was king only because of God’s grace at at this point in his life, King Solomon knew this.   

²⁷ “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You, how much less this house which I have built!  

Much like his father’s prayer, “who is man that you are mindful of him” in Psalm 8. But then he begins his plea for the people and himself.  He prays for God’s presence and His forgiveness when they fail.  If the people were exiled due to their rebellion, King Solomon prayed that God would forgive them when they cried out in repentance.   

²⁸ Nevertheless, turn Your attention to the prayer of Your servant and to his plea, Lord, my God, to listen to the cry and to the prayer which Your servant prays before You today, ²⁹ so that Your eyes may be open toward this house night and day, toward the place of which You have said, ‘My name shall be there,’ to listen to the prayer which Your servant will pray toward this place. ³⁰ And listen to the plea of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place; hear in heaven Your dwelling place; hear and forgive!  I Kings 8 (NASB) 

A Healthy Heart—Humbly Loving God Above All Else 

After he finished praying, King Solomon rose from his knees and addressed the people 

⁵⁶ “Blessed be the Lord, who has given rest to His people Israel in accordance with everything that He promised; not one word has failed of all His good promise, which He promised through Moses His servant. I Kings 8 (NASB) 

Remember His Promises, first and foremost.  He always and forever keeps His promises to His People.  Then comes his petition.  

⁵⁷ May the Lord our God be with us, as He was with our fathers; may He not leave us nor forsake us, ⁵⁸ so that He may guide our hearts toward Himself, to walk in all His ways and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His ordinances, which He commanded our fathers. I Kings 8 (NASB) 

If God does not Guide our Hearts, we have no hope 

⁵⁹ And may these words of mine, with which I have implored the  favor of the Lord, be near to the Lord our God day and night, so that He will maintain the cause of His servant and the cause of His people Israel, as each day requires, ⁶⁰ so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no one else. ⁶¹ Your hearts therefore shall be wholly devoted to the Lord our God, to walk in His statutes and to keep His commandments, as at this day.”  I Kings 8 (NASB) 

A Healthy Heart that sees God’s Glory—Hope, Peace, and Joy 

1When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the [Shekinah] glory and brilliance of the Lord filled the house. 2The priests could not enter the house of the Lord because the glory and brilliance of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house. 3When all the people of Israel saw how the fire came down and saw the glory and brilliance of the Lord upon the house, they bowed down on the stone pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and praised the Lord, saying, “For He is good, for His mercy and lovingkindness endure forever.”  2 Chronicles 11 (AMP) 

Take Care that You Do Not Fail to Hold Fast to a Healthy Heart 

What began so well, went through a dark period in which Solomon failed to love God with all his heart, his mind and his strength. 

Now King Solomon loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, ² from the nations of which the Lord had said to the sons of Israel, “You shall not associate with them, nor shall they associate with you; they will certainly turn your heart away ^[c]to follow their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love. I Kings 11 NASB 

Were it trials that turned him away, or an abundance of comforts?  I daresay the later.  Pride, power, and possession can turn the heart so quickly.  It is the richest of foods that clog the arteries to our physical heart.  Over indulgence in appetites can destroy our spiritual heart as well.  

³ He had seven hundred wives, who were princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned his heart away. ⁴ For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away to follow other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of his father David had been.  

Beware of What You Let Into Your Heart

And once you close your eyes to tolerate a lie; how, quickly one can indulge in the same.  King Solomon first married women from areas God had forbidden. Then he allowed them to worship and teach his children to worship other gods. Finally, he too went to worship with them. What began as tolerance turned to King Solomon’s failure to worship God with all his heart.

⁵ For Solomon became a follower of Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and of Milcom the abhorrent idol of the Ammonites. ⁶ So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not follow the Lord fully, as his father David had done.  

David had not been perfect in his walk, but never did he turn to idolotrous worship.  

⁷ Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh, the abhorrent idol of Moab, on the mountain that is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abhorrent idol of the sons of Ammon. ⁸ He also did the same for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods. 

We Too Must Be Careful to Protect a Healthy Heart 

¹³For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, ¹⁴how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?  Hebrews 9 (NASB)  

It is God who can cleanse our conscience.  But to do so we must allow the blood to flow freely through our arteries.  So how do we do that? 

First, we recognize His promises 

¹⁵For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the violations that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. Hebrews 9 (NASB)   

Remember this 

Therefore, there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus. ² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 

Therefore, to keep a healthy heart, let us feast on His word, exercise our faith by living out our faith, trusting God in our darkest hours with steadfast faith and let us worship Him in joyous praise.  Laughter does help to heal the heart.  Let our laughter ring forth from the overflowing gratitude we have in our hearts for Jesus Christ.   

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

PREVIOUS

How To Know Hope and Joy in Life Through Seeking Wisdom 

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2024

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)

The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.

New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

New English Translation (NET)NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

Amplified Bible (AMP)Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Picture licensed from Goodsalt.com

Our study this week takes us to the book of Proverbs.  Sometimes it is referred to as the book of wisdom.  The dictionary defines wisdom as “the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment; the quality of being wise.”¹  The Bible tells us that true wisdom comes from God.  We are urged to seek wisdom.  Yet, as we saw above, it is not found easily on earth.

Oh, there are some who are truly knowledgeable or skilled in various crafts.  But even then, if they or we do not recognize that even this is a gift of God’s grace, we fall short of true wisdom.  Today it is my prayer that we delve into these scriptures from Proverbs exegetically and hermeneutically. (Delving deep into truth-not opinion and allowing scripture to interpret scripture.)  Our Hope and Joy rests in The Word of God which is Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 

For that reason, my greatest desire is that you see Jesus Christ in every part of the Bible. For the entire book is about him. It is His Story and Redemptive Plan for all to see. He is the perfection of every attribute of God, including wisdom.  

Jesus is the Wisdom of God To Every Believer 

Has God not made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹ For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. ²² For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; ²³ but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles: foolishness, ²⁴ but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ For the foolishness of God is wiser than mankind, and the weakness of God is stronger than mankind. I Corinthians 1 (NASB) 

Speaking of the Laodiceans, Paul wrote 

² My goal is that their hearts, having been knit together in love, may be encouraged, and that they may have all the riches that assurance brings in their understanding of the knowledge of the mystery of God, namely, Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2 (NET) 

Wisdom An Attribute of God Wanting to be Heard 

Proverbs 7 speaks of the harlot calling forth to draw men to sin. Chapter 6 names pride, laziness, and bad friends drawing one away from true wisdom.  Meanwhile God tells us that wisdom is calling to us to turn to He who possesses the ultimate, perfect wisdom- Jesus.   

Does not wisdom cry out, 
And understanding lift up her voice? 
² She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, 
Beside the way, where the paths meet. 
³ She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city, 
At the entrance of the doors: 
⁴ “To you, O men, I call, 
And my voice is to the sons of men. 
⁵ O you simple ones, understand prudence, 
And you fool, be of an understanding heart. 

All the world wants to make “wise decisions”.  Even the most pagan of mothers desire their children learn to make wise decisions in their career choices and in their finances.  But the truth is:  

There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.  Proverbs 14:12 (NKJV). 

Hearken to Wisdom  

 
⁶ Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, 
And from the opening of my lips will come right things; 
⁷ For my mouth will speak truth; 
Wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 
⁸ All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; 
Nothing crooked or perverse is in them. 
⁹ They are all plain to him who understands, 
And right to those who find knowledge. 
¹⁰ Receive my instruction, and not silver, 
And knowledge rather than choice gold; 
¹¹ For wisdom is better than rubies, 
And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her. Proverbs 8 (NKJV) 

Wisdom as Representative of Christ 

As we move into the next section, I feel it necessary for a little explanation as so many have misrepresented or misused these verses.  They represent the attributes of Jesus Christ.  Since He always existed and was a part of creation, these verses refer to the fact that wisdom as an attribute of God always existed.  Some however in describing this try to say it is proof that Jesus and God are female since wisdom is called she.

But the truth is both Greek and Hebrew are gendered languages as are the Latin languages.  Example in Spanish we have El Sol and La Luna—El being masculine and La feminine.  That does not make the Sun male nor the moon female—it is the structure of the language.  The same is true for the Greek word for wisdom and the Hebraic word for wisdom.  Furthermore, here wisdom is an attribute of Jesus Christ.  He is the perfect wisdom of God.  God’s wisdom existed for all the same years as God has.  In other words, always and forever.   

¹² “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, 
And find out knowledge and discretion. 
¹³ The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; 
Pride and arrogance and the evil way 
And the perverse mouth I hate. 
¹⁴ Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; 
I am understanding, I have strength. 
¹⁵ By me kings reign, 
And rulers decree justice. 
¹⁶ By me princes rule, and nobles, 
All the judges of the earth.  Proverbs 8 (NKJV) 

No judges, prince, president, nor king rules unless God in His wisdom has ordained so and will bring about His purpose.  He will accomplish all that He has planned, even when we do not understand nor see how.   

Grace Shown by God in Granting Wisdom 

 
¹⁷ I love those who love me, 
And those who seek me diligently will find me. 
¹⁸ Riches and honor are with me, 
Enduring riches, and righteousness. 
¹⁹ My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, 
And my revenue than choice silver. 
²⁰ I traverse the way of righteousness, 
In the midst of the paths of justice, 
²¹ That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, 
That I may fill their treasuries.  Proverbs 8 (NKJV) 

This is a wealth far beyond what the richest person on earth can offer.  It is a wealth of life, hope, joy, and love.  Our hope is not in the vain things of this world.  Our hope and joy lie in knowing Jesus Christ and the anticipation of spending eternity in His presence.  There is no love, no joy to compare with that.  My hope relies on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.  His blood to cleanse me so that I might wear His cloak of righteousness and be filled with His Wisdom forever.  What a wise and wondrous God He is.   

Wisdom inherent to Jesus Christ 

²² “The Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way, 
Before His works of old. 
²³ I have been established from everlasting, 
From the beginning, before there was ever an earth. 
²⁴ When there were no depths I was brought forth, 
When there were no fountains abounding with water. 
²⁵ Before the mountains were settled, 
Before the hills, I was brought forth; 
²⁶ While as yet He had not made the earth or the fields, 
Or the primal dust of the world.  Proverbs 8 

Everything done.  All of creation was an outpouring of the wisdom of God.  He never did anything out of foolishness or just because.  

Furthermore 

 
²⁷ When He prepared the heavens, I was there, 
When He drew a circle on the face of the deep, 
²⁸ When He established the clouds above, 
When He strengthened the fountains of the deep, 
²⁹ When He assigned to the sea its limit, 
So that the waters would not transgress His command, 
When He marked out the foundations of the earth, Proverbs 8 (NKJV) 

Some believe this next verse refers to the absolute delight of Jesus with the Father in the Creation within their attribute of wisdom.  Imagine the celebration with music and dances of joy. Delighting in you and me, knowing we would be His bride one day.  

 
³⁰ Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman; 
And I was daily His delight, 
Rejoicing always before Him, 
³¹ Rejoicing in His inhabited world, 
And my delight was with the sons of men.  Proverbs 8 (NKJV) 

And So, take Heed to listen to Wisdoms Message 

³² “Now therefore, listen to me, my children, 
For blessed are those who keep my ways. 
³³ Hear instruction and be wise, 
And do not disdain it. 
³⁴ Blessed is the man who listens to me, 
Watching daily at my gates, 
Waiting at the posts of my doors. 
³⁵ For whoever finds me finds life, 
And obtains favor from the Lord; 
³⁶ But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; 
All those who hate me love death.”  Proverbs 8 (NKJV) 

Look How Wonderfully the Bible Confirms the Bible 

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. ¹⁶ For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. ¹⁷ And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  

Colossians 1(ESV) 

How to We Learn Hope and Joy by Seeking Wisdom 

Let us turn to another Proverb to help with this. 

The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, his utterance. This man declared to Ithiel—to Ithiel and Ucal: 

² Surely I am more stupid than any man, 

And do not have the understanding of a man. 
³ I neither learned wisdom 
Nor have knowledge of the Holy One. Proverbs 30 (NKJV) 

A teacher of doctrine declares that with the Torah, the Chronicles, and the book of Judges, he still did not really know God.  He knew of God but did not know God.  Why did he feel so apart from God?  He gives us a clue in the next verse.  

⁴ Who has ascended into heaven, or descended? 
Who has gathered the wind in His fists? 
Who has bound the waters in a garment? 
Who has established all the ends of the earth? 
What is His name, and what is His Son’s name, 
If you know? 

What a beautiful prophecy amid this wisdom literature.  To know God intimately you must know His Son’s name.  This is what was missing in the Old Testament.  Oh, yes they knew God, but they did not yet know the name of Jesus. All the prophets spoke of His coming and how that would transform the covenant but they did not yet know Him, 

Another Example is in Judges 13-Oh the exceeding wisdom of God 

Again the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord delivered them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years. 

² Now there was a certain man from Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren and had no children. ³ And the Angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Indeed now, you are barren and have borne no children, but you shall conceive and bear a son.   Judges 13 (NKJV) 

Amazing, but who is the Angel of the Lord? 

⁶ So the woman came and told her husband, saying, “A Man of God came to me, and His countenance^[was like the countenance of the Angel of God, very awesome; but I did not ask Him where He was from, and He did not tell me His name. ⁷ And He said to me, ‘Behold, you shall conceive and bear a son.  

⁸ Then Manoah prayed to the Lord, and said, “O my Lord, please let the Man of God whom You sent come to us again and teach us what we shall do for the child who will be born.”  Judges 13 (NKJV) 

But it did not end there 

⁹ And God listened to the voice of Manoah, and the Angel of God came to the woman again as she was sitting in the field; but Manoah her husband was not with her. ¹⁰ Then the woman ran in haste and told her husband, and said to him, “Look, the Man who came to me the other day has just now appeared to me!” 

¹¹ So Manoah arose and followed his wife. When he came to the Man, he said to Him, “Are You the Man who spoke to this woman?” 

And He said, “I am.” 

So, The Angel of the Lord repeated all the instructions to Manoah who offered Him food and asked He stay.  

¹⁶ And the Angel of the Lord said to Manoah, “Though you detain Me, I will not eat your food. But if you offer a burnt offering, you must offer it to the Lord.” (For Manoah did not know He was the Angel of the Lord.) 

¹⁷ Then Manoah said to the Angel of the Lord, “What is Your name, that when Your words come to pass we may honor You?” 

¹⁸ And the Angel of the Lord said to him, “Why do you ask My name, seeing it is wonderful?” 

Wow!  Almost the same question, what is the name of God’s Son, for surely this was the preincarnate Jesus.  His name is wonderful counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6).   

Furthermore:  God promised There will be a new covenant 

³⁴ No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”  Jeremiah 31:34 

Agur realized there was no teaching that help us know God better unless we know the name of His Son.  Only with an intimate relationship with Jesus can we truly know wisdom and know God.   

Then Agur proclaimed: 

⁵ Every word of God is pure; 
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. 
⁶ Do not add to His words, 
Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar. 

⁷ Two things I request of You 
(Deprive me not before I die): 
⁸ Remove falsehood and lies far from me; 
Give me neither poverty nor riches— 
Feed me with the food allotted to me; 
⁹ Lest I be full and deny You, 
And say, “Who is the Lord?” 
Or lest I be poor and steal, 
And profane the name of my God.  Proverbs 30 (NKJV) 

Yet, for us the mystery has been unveiled.   

“ it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: ⁶ that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, ⁷ of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.   Ephesians 3 (NKJV) 

And What Wondrous Mystery Revealed in the Name of Jesus 

⁸ To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, ⁹ and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; ¹⁰ to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, ¹¹ according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, ¹² in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. ¹³ Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. 

In the Name of Jesus, the Veil is Torn 

Beyond that, He has promised to transform my heart so I may be transformed to His image. 

¹⁵ But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. ¹⁶ Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. ¹⁷ Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. ¹⁸ But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.  2 Corinthians 3 (NKJV) 

Hallelujah!  The law could never transform my heart: but the name of Jesus can and will.  He is the wisdom that I seek.  What about you? 

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

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If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

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My Beloved Comes Over the Mountain His Banner Over Me is Love 

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2024

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)

The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.

New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

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English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

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The song of Solomon or also known as the Song of Songs tells the story of King Solomon and the Shulamite Woman whom he loved. It is a love song describing all the aspects of perfect love between a man and woman. Furthermore, it describes the details of romantic love between a husband and wife as it was ordained by God from the beginning. There are many different interpretations of this book; however, I choose to believe it is a real story with a typology to Christ as well. Whenever I close my eyes and listen very closely, I feel the excitement of the thought of my beloved coming over the mountain. My heart overflowing with this thought-His Banner Over Me is Love. 

God’s grace blessed me with loving someone here on earth with that magnificent overwhelming love. Ours was not what most would call an ideal marriage; yet, despite each trial, God blessed my heart with an unconditional love for this man. It was as if I could see Pete through the eyes of Jesus Christ, deep within his heart, knowing who he would be one day because of Christ. For that reason, whenever we were apart I would long for his return. As I saw him approaching from a distance my heart would fill with “butterflies.” It would beat a little faster, and I could hardly contain my love and joy.  

What a picture of how I now await my true bridegroom who has gone away to prepare a place for me and will return. So, I pray God guide this study, so we first look at it as the facts and then a typology of Christ. 

Waiting for My Beloved with Great Excitement 

The excitement of love is like nothing else. There is a release of hormones causing one to feel gleefulness, excitement, power, as though all is well in the world. Sometimes it is so overwhelming it is hard to sleep . Appetite is gone. Drunken with love. That seems the picture here as the story opens. Obviously, they have met. It is that first flirtatious glance. He the shepherd whom she saw. And he saw her either while she tended her family’s vineyard or caring for their flock. It would appear she is the true Cinderella story as her half-brothers made her do all the chores.  

¹This is Solomon’s Song of Songs. 

The Bride 

²Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! 

For your love is more delightful than wine. 

³The fragrance of your perfume is pleasing; 

your name is like perfume poured out. 

⁴No wonder the maidens adore you. 

Take me away with you—let us hurry! 

May the king bring me to his chambers.  

(Berean Study Bible)

Remembering My Beloved

Seeing him, she believes herself unworthy. Much like when we truly see Jesus. Part of the magic of the truest love is always wondering how fortunate I am. How did he ever choose me? or vice versa. Those flames of true love remain high throughout a marriage if we have this. Each time we see the other we are amazed in wonder. How is it possible they could love me?  

The Bride 

⁶It is only right that they adore you. 

 am dark, yet lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, 

like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon. 

Do not stare because I am dark, 

for the sun has gazed upon me. 

My mother’s sons were angry with me; 

they made me a keeper of the vineyards, 

but my own vineyard I have neglected. 

At first, she sees him and wants to know more about him.  

⁷Tell me, O one I love, 

where do you pasture your sheep? 

Where do you rest them at midday? 

Why should I be like a veiled woman 

beside the flocks of your companions? 

Of course, the friends want to help her find him.  

The Friends 

⁸If you do not know, O fairest of women, 

follow the tracks of the flock, 

and graze your young goats 

near the tents of the shepherds. 

The Bridegroom 

⁹I compare you, my darling, 

to a mare among Pharaoh’s chariots. 

¹⁰Your cheeks are beautiful with ornaments, 

your neck with strings of jewels. 

We would have been like, “he called me a horse?” Truth is King Solomon loved horses and had stables of the most beautiful horses. Besides Pharaoh’s chariots were all led by Stallions. Can you imagine the attention a mare would get there with all the horses desiring her? But at any rate, the friends hearing this about her beloved want to help her out by making her jewelry to adorn her beauty.  

The Friends 

¹¹We will make you ornaments of gold, 

studded with beads of silver. 

Then she jumps back into declare her love. As is typical of the love struck, one jumps back and forth within the tales of the story. She suddenly remembers what will be further detailed in chapter two when her beloved takes her to present her at court in a banquet hall.  

The Bride Remembering the Banquet

¹² While the king was at his table, 

my perfume spread its fragrance. 

¹³ My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh 

resting between my breasts. 

¹⁴ My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms 

in the vineyards of En-gedi. 

She wears a sachet of myrrh (his perfume) about her neck which remains warmed by her own body heat. This way she could breathe in his aroma even when he was gone. Ruth Graham in an interview once said that when Billy Graham was gone on long preaching tours, she would sleep with one of his suits wrapped close just to be reminded of his scent. That way she felt his presence and the loneliness would abate itself.  

Recalling My Beloved in the Gardens

The Bridegroom 

¹⁵ How beautiful you are, my darling! 

Oh, how very beautiful! 

Your eyes are like doves. 

The Bride 

¹⁶ How handsome you are my beloved! 

Oh, how delightful! 

The soft grass is our bed. 

The Bridegroom 

¹⁷ The beams of our house are cedars; 

our rafters are fragrant firs. 

Thus, we are taken back and forth through beautiful descriptions of their courtship. I particularly love it when he takes her to the banqueting hall unashamedly presenting her as his love. Whatever doubts she had about his sincerity seemed squelched there.  

My Beloved Has Gone Far Away

The Bride 

³Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest 

is my beloved among the young men. 

I delight to sit in his shade, 

and his fruit is sweet to my taste. 

⁴He has brought me to the house of wine,b 

and his banner over me is love. 

5Sustain me with raisins; 

refresh me with apples, 

for I am faint with love. 

⁶His left hand is under my head, 

and his right arm embraces me. 

⁷ O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you 

by the gazelles and does of the field: 

Do not arouse or awaken love 

until the time is right. 

I can imagine just lying with his hand beneath her head and another gently holding her with her head in his lap. Yet, the warning is there until it is time, be careful not to go too far or awaken passions too strongly before it is properly awakened in marriage.  

My Beloved Returns for Me–O See Him There Over the Mountain

⁸Listen! My beloved approaches. 

Look! Here he comes, 

leaping across the mountains, 

bounding over the hills. 

⁹My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. 

Look, he stands behind our wall, 

gazing through the windows, 

peering through the lattice. 

¹⁰My beloved calls to me, 

“Arise, my darling. 

Come away with me, my beautiful one. 

¹¹For now the winter is past; 

the rain is over and gone. 

¹²The flowers have appeared in the countryside; 

the season of singingc has come, 

and the cooing of turtledoves 

is heard in our land. 

¹³ The fig tree ripens its figs; 

the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. 

Arise, come away, my darling; 

come away with me, my beautiful one.” 

The Bridegroom 

¹⁴ O my dove in the clefts of the rock, 

in the crevices of the cliff, 

let me see your face, 

let me hear your voice; 

for your voice is sweet, 

and your countenance is lovely. 

The Friends 

¹⁵ Catch for us the foxes— 

the little foxes that ruin the vineyards— 

for our vineyards are in bloom. 

Do not let anything destroy your love such as jealousy, pride, greed or in the case of Christ, do not let lies and fears enter in to destroy your love for Him. Sometimes it is even neglect that destroys love like wily foxes.  

Hold Fast to the Truth 

The Bride 

¹⁶ My beloved is mine and I am his; 

He pastures his flock among the lilies. 

¹⁷ Before the day breaks and shadows flee, 

turn, my beloved, 

and be like a gazelle 

or a young stag on the mountains of Bether. 

Her beloved must go away.  

He has gone to prepare all for her. He is gone a long time it would seem. She dreams of him with great longing for his return. She even ponders wandering in the streets but remembers suddenly. “Do not arouse or awaken love until the time is right.” She must wait patiently for her beloved to return. That makes up the first half of chapter 3.  

The second half of chapter 3 is The King’s Return with His Chariot  

Song of Solomon Chapter 3 (Berean Bible)a 

⁶Who is this coming up from the wilderness 

like a column of smoke, 

scented with myrrh and frankincense 

from all the spices of the merchant? 

⁷Behold, it is Solomon’s carriage, escorted by sixty of the mightiest men of Israel. 

⁸ All are skilled with the sword, 

experienced in warfare. 

Each has his sword at his side 

prepared for the terror of the night. 

The remainder of the Song of Solomon describes the wedding, the wedding night, and love as it matures into a settled steady love. Marriages do that ranging from romantic love to the steady intermittently through good marriages. All of that you can further review. While we step on to look at two more aspects.  

Why include the Song of Solomon in the Bible? 

Some would ask, why would God have included this in the Bible? Just remember from the beginning, God had designed love and sexuality. In His perfect world, these were a part and blessed by God. Sin has placed its stain on this perfection. But in this God is once more declaring the truth that He has blessed the sanctity of marriage.  

⁴ Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. Hebrews 13:4 

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:5, Mark 10:7, Ephesians 5:31 (KJV) 

Then why Solomon? He had 700 wives and 300 concubines. What example can he be of true love? Probably, the Shulamite was his first and only true love. That is why he would later write in Proverbs.

Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Proverbs 5:18  

⁹ Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun. Ecclesiastes 9:8-10 (KJV) 

Sin lead to great sorrow.

In Ecclesiastes Solomon speaks much of all his indulgences and how all that lead to is sorrows. He determined in the end that all that really mattered was God.  

¹³ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. ¹⁴ For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Ecclesiastes 12 (KJV) 

I believe Solomon looked back, saw the disasters created by not following God’s Plan, God’s way. He remembered the beauty of true love and the sorrowful unfulfilling vanity of sharing his body with so many other women.

Who is our Beloved? If not Christ, then who? 

Yes, I loved Pete with all my heart. Through that relationship, I learned some of what love is. But who is my true Beloved, the one I long for above all else.  That is Christ. He is the one to whom I can say, I am His and He is mine.    

I do believe that this book in the Bible ( as is true of all scripture) both is true historically with instructional teaching from God, including a typology pointing us to Jesus Christ. Just as Hosea’s life presented the relationship of God with Israel, his bride. So does Solomon represent the picture of Christ with his bride the church. I can hardly wait for that day when the trumpet sounds, and I go to be with Him. There I will be clothed in white linen as He prepares for us the final preparations that we may return with Him at the end of the tribulation to the wedding feast of the Lamb. Our shepherd King, Prince of Peace who rides before us. Oh, how I watch for His chariot to come over the mountains.  

¹⁰ I will rejoice in the Lord, 
My soul will be joyful in my God; 
For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, 
He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, 
As a groom puts on a turban, 
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 
¹¹ For as the earth produces its sprouts, 
And as a garden causes the things sown in it to spring up, 
So the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise 
To spring up before all the nations. Isaiah 61 (NASB) 

So, the final question is. Is He Your Beloved?  

⁶ And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.⁷ Let us be glad and rejoice and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.⁸ And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.⁹ And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. Revelation 19 (KJV) 

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

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Do You Know Messiah, Most High Priest, and King Forever Jesus?

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2024

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)

The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.

New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

New English Translation (NET)NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

Amplified Bible (AMP)Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

PICTURE Licensed from Goodsalt.com

How can it be that the Messiah would be known as Son of David.  Is this not also a key question to our faith? Jesus here quotes Psalm 110. In this Psalm, David was given such privilege in this revelation of prophecy pointing to the Messianic Kingdom, yet to come. Indeed Psalm 110 is the most quoted scripture from the Old Testament found in the New Testament.  This Psalm foretells Eternal Priesthood of Jesus as well as the Kingship of Jesus.  As we go through this Psalm, I hope you come to Know Messiah, Most High Priest, King Forever Jesus.  Also, it is my prayer you see the magnificent beauty of Jesus Christ, his Sovereignty, His Justice, and His Sacrificial position as redeemer for us.  

The Lord said to my Lord, 
“Sit at My right hand, 
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” 
² The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. 
Rule in the midst of Your enemies! 

³ Your people shall be volunteers 
In the day of Your power; 
In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, 
You have the dew of Your youth. 
⁴ The Lord has sworn 
And will not relent, 
“You are a priest forever 
According to the order of Melchizedek.” 

⁵ The Lord is at Your right hand; 
He shall execute kings in the day of His wrath. 
⁶ He shall judge among the nations, 
He shall fill the places with dead bodies, 
He shall execute the heads of many countries. 
⁷ He shall drink of the brook by the wayside; 
Therefore He shall lift up the head. 

Psalm 110 (NKJV) 

Now let us break these verses down one by one and look to our Lord, who deserves our praise above all. 

Messiah My Lord 

David begins with these words. 

 The Lord said to my Lord. Psalm 110:1 

Some say the original Hebrew reads “Adonai (Yahweh) said to l-adonai (my Master). Yet even this confirms that David saw the Messiah as much higher than himself.  This is a glimpse by David into this conversation between God the Father and the God the Son.  In other words, this is Yahweh the Father speaking directly with His Son.  What an important conversation for us to hear as well!  It refers to the Deity of Jesus as Messiah, Most High Priest, and Forever King of the Universe.   The creator of the Universe has also won the victory with every right to claim the deed of the earth forever as King.  So, what does the Father say to the son?  

“Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” Psalm 110:1 

Jesus is the Ascended Lord seated on the right hand of the Father awaiting the day He returns for His bride and then once the wedding feast is prepared to then return to establish His throne on earth for the millennial reign of Christ.  That is when He returns in Judgement at the end of the tribulation. 

Jesus as Lord, the Forever King and Messiah 

As Peter preached on the day of Pentecost, he referenced Psalm 110.  

²⁹ Brothers, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. ³⁰ So because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne, Acts 2 (NASB) 

Peter wants them to understand the depth of what the Holy Spirit revealed to David concerning Jesus Christ.  So, he goes on… 

³¹ he (David) looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay.  

David could not have meant himself in this verse.  Because David did die, and his flesh was buried and decay did occur. Instead of speaking of himself, David was foretelling of the resurrection of Jesus.  

³² It is this Jesus whom God raised up, fact to which we are all witnesses. ³³ Therefore, since He has been exalted at the right hand of God and has received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, He has poured out this which you both see and hear.  

Peter was saying, “You all were witnesses to his empty tomb.  Many saw Jesus in His resurrected body. And you are witnesses to the fulfillment of Jesus promise of the Holy Spirit.  

Peter Continues

³⁴ For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says: 

‘The Lord said to my Lord, 
“Sit at My right hand, 
³⁵ Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’ 

³⁶ Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified. Acts 2 (NASB) 

Paul helps to explain the Order until Our Forever King Jesus  

²⁰ But now Christ is risen from the dead and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. ²² For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. ²³ But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.  I Corinthians 15 (NKJV) 

This refers to the rapture: 

²⁴ Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. ²⁵ For He must reign till He (the Father) has put all enemies under His feet.  ²⁶ The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. (I Corinthians 15 NKJV) 

This is at the end of the Millenium  

¹⁴ Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. ¹⁵ And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. when the final judgement occurs.  (Revelation 20 NKJV). 

And then, the Son gives it all back to the Father.  

²⁸ Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all. I Corinthians 15 (NKJV) 

That Is When the New Heaven and Earth Appear 

³ And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.  Revelation 21 KJV 

What a wondrous day!  Did David see this Also? Maybe 

⁴ And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21 KJV 

The final enemy is destroyed forever by the Forever King Jesus 

⁵ And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. ⁶ And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning, and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.  Revelation 21 KJV 

Psalm 110 Further Displays the Messiah, Most High Priest, and Forever King 

² The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. 
Rule thou in the midst of Your enemies! Psalm 110 (KJV) 

This is in reference to the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ, as spoken of in Isaiah and Revelation. 

² And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord‘s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. ³ And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.  Isaiah 2 KJV 

During His Reign on this Earth There are Some not Saved 

We know this because the word tells us that at the end, Satan is loosed to gather his final group of followers.  This after being chained for 1000 years.  Yet, many are saved, now, during the tribulation, and even then. 

³ Your people shall be volunteers 
In the day of Your power; 
In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, 
You have the dew of Your youth. Psalm 110 (NKJV) 

We choose to follow Him.  Choose to be His servants out of devotion and love to He who saved us.   As Paul proclaimed. 

do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.  Galatians 1:10 (NKJV) 

The Reign of The Forever King Jesus as Most High Priest is certain 

  ⁴ The Lord has sworn 
And will not relent, Psalm 110 NKJV 
“You are a priest forever 
According to the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 7:17 

What more promise do we need?  God has said He will accomplish all that He has planned.  

⁹ Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, ¹⁰ Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure Isaiah 46 KJV 

Furthermore, 

²⁴ The Lord of armies has sworn, saying, “Certainly, just as I have intended, so it has happened, and just as I have planned, so it will stand, Isaiah 14 NASB 

God the Father also chose Christ to be the Most High Priest after the order of Melchizedek.  Jesus was not in the lineage of Aaron, not a Levite.  Yet was chosen the line of Melchizedek who was King of Salem in the days of Abraham.  He was both Priest and King, as Melchizedek King of Salem was most High priest of God also.

⁵ So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.⁶ As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.  Hebrews 5.  

But what specifically made Jesus worthy to be the ultimate Priest for us? 

⁷ Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; ⁸ Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; Hebrews 5 KJV 

Never was Jesus not obedient.  So, what does it mean, He learned obedience?  Well, I think it is like this.  I never thought not to be obedient to my father.  It was what I did. Jesus was one mind with His Father; yet, in His humanity He chose to obey. Had he not faced the real possibility of temptation, He could not have been the perfect sacrifice for you and me. His perfection was that He was tempted; yet did not sin. He did ask that God remove the cup if possible; but submitted to drinking the full cup of wrath.  Only He understood how painful that was going to be.  Never ever separated from the Father and Holy Spirit until that movement on Calvary.  You nor I can fully comprehend that pain He underwent there.   

⁹ And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;¹⁰ Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. Hebrews 5 KJV 

For that reason, We can trust the Forever King Jesus as High Priest 

¹⁵ For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.   Hebrews 4 KJV 

Messiah, Most High Priest, Mighty Warrior, Forever King, Just and Righteous 

Beyond all that, Jesus is the Just and Righteous Mighty Warrior.  Genuine Love does not look past all evil.  It is evil that destroys all chance of love and joy in the Lord.  Therefore, the most unloving thing God could ever do is declare all righteous.  Why would Christ have died and suffered for our sins if that were the case?  Therefore, there is also a judgement coming.  A Just and righteous judgement, well deserved by the inhabitants of this earth.

Yet, how marvelous it is that God in His Great and Mighty Grace chose some to bestow His mercy upon. Those whom He chose, He called and sanctified to Himself. Declaring them righteous who were not because they believed in the precious blood of Christ to cleanse them of their sin. His judgement tarries only because of the gracious hand of God waiting for one more to come to Him.   

⁵ The Lord is at Your right hand; 
He shall execute kings in the day of His wrath. 
⁶ He shall judge among the nations, 
He shall fill the places with dead bodies, 
He shall execute the heads of many countries. 
⁷ He shall drink of the brook by the wayside; 
Therefore He shall lift up the head. 

This is yet to come.  We know that Jesus will return.   There will be the seven years of tribulation against the earth, to finish the task, the cleansing of His people in Israel.  Many will be saved during that time period.  Although there will be evil and unjust kings reigning on earth.  Then,  

¹¹ Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. ¹² His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. ¹³ He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. ¹⁴ And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.  

That army clothed in fine linen, white and clean—that is us.  We are the army. And we will be behind Him.  We will not have to lift a sword, for He will go before us.   

¹⁵ Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. ¹⁶ And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: 

KING OF KINGS AND 
LORD OF LORDS.  

Revelation 19 NKJV 

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

PREVIOUS

Flee Absolutely Every Temptation in The Power of Jesus! How? 

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2024

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)

The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.

New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

New English Translation (NET)NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

Amplified Bible (AMP)Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

PICTURE Licensed from Goodsalt.com