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True Prudence: The Proverbs! The Preacher! The Song of Songs! As we ponder Heaven's order in human affairs....

inspired from notes & Scriptures from the King James or New International Version Bible

"Lord Most High be magnified"

BIBLE STUDY

07/31/2011

SONG OF THE BELOVED

"Bride": excerpts adapted from: "Solomon's Song Of Songs"

"Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest

Is my lover among the young men

I delight to sit in his shade

And his fruit is sweet to my taste

He has taken me to the banquet hall

And his banner over me is love"

Beloved our song lifts us and we listen anew

The dawn is breaking on the horizon with the morning dew

Light splatters across the universe in our vision of masterpiece

The world revolves around the sun in our present inner peace

"My lover spoke and said to me:

'Arise my darling my beautiful one come with me

My dove is in the gap of the rock

In the hiding places on the mountainside

Show me your face

Let me hear your voice

For your voice is sweet

And your face is lovely'

My lover is mine and I am his"

Elegant treasure you understand who you are

You're as bright as the light of a distant star

My prayer for you today

A fresh breeze and welcome difference comes your way

The partners in the dance are all arranged

As the leaves of seasons change

"Beloved place me like a seal over your heart

Like a seal on your arm

For love is as strong as death

Its jealousy as unyielding as the grave

It burns like blazing fire

Like a mighty flame

Many waters cannot quench love

Rivers cannot wash it away

If one were to give

All the wealth of his house for love

It would be utterly scorned"

My bride here is a spirit that is strong in you

Naked as the truth

Somewhere between the afternoon

Before midnight

Let's say we do and here forever done

A love born in our hearts now blossoming under the sun

"Listen my lover

Look here he comes

Leaping across the mountains

Bounding over the hills

My lover is like a gazelle or young stag

Look there he stands gazing"

Always on my mind

Can't take my eyes off of you

Begin the beginning

In the mood is you is

Singing a song of songs with a wink and a smile

The best to come y'all should stay awhile

In the still of the night

In the ripple of the moonlit tide

We'll rise with the light

On the current ride

"Who is this that appears like the dawn

Fair as the moon

Bright as the sun

Majestic as the stars in procession"

The Lord is kind and merciful

A reflection of love like a twinkle from love's starlit eye

A fragrance pleasant and inviting and beauty stunning

Parental and unique is a marriage vow

Unveiled heart lovers in love always and now

07/24/2011

^Beloved "I am a rose of Sharon,

a lily of the valleys."

^Lover"Like a lily among thorns,

is my darling among the maidens."

^Beloved "Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest

is my lover among the young men.

I delight to sit in his shade,

and his fruit is sweet to my taste.

He has taken me to the banquet hall,

and his banner over me is love.

Strengthen me with raisins,

refresh me with apples,

for I am faint with love.

His left arm is under my head

and his right arm embraces me.

Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you

by the gazelles and by the does of the field:

Do not arouse or awaken love

until it so desires.

--Song Of Songs 2: 1-7

The scene changes as the wedding day continues. "Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires." This is the culmination of their moment and something she repeats throughout the song, memories of events, courtship, engagement, tender appeal, that precede the wedding day, and like this weekly study, it scrolls backwards in time. This verse encourages us not to push or rush romance, for the feelings of love develop faster than the commitment needed to make love last. Their love is a true love. When they sing these vows they mean it. Patience waits for the feelings of love and commitment to grow together.

The apple is held in contrast, for the flower and fragrant sweetness of the apple overshadows the sour trees of the forest. The apple was not the fruit of temptation in the Garden of Eden. The apple was not mentioned in Genesis and did not grow in that part of the world. In the Bible, apples are considered sweet and valuable.

The Beloved and Lover are being married on this solemn occasion, and the joyful presence of all present share in this ecstatic moment. They will treasure forever the greatest kind of memory, we keep in songs. She is the flower and he is the fruit. They are esoteric, erotic and exotic. They have meanings within metaphors. She is beautiful, radiant , exquisite, special. Their love began in the vineyards and the banquet hall is filled as a house of wine, and the banner over them is love. God approves of their love. It's a Godly love, a spiritual love, a physical and real intimate love. Their love is announced and celebrated. His hands and arms embrace and caress her. On this joyful occasion, the banner is hoisted by her focusing on the wholeness of love, with our full attention upon this love relationship.

07/17/2011

^Lover"How beautiful you are, my darling!

Oh how beautiful!

Your eyes are doves."

^Beloved "How handsome you are, my lover!

Oh, how charming!

And our bed is verdant."

^Lover"The beams of our house are cedars;

our rafters are firs."

--Song Of Songs 1: 15-17

The wedding celebration continues. It's a procession, a lyrical dramatic event. The bride and groom reciprocate in song and the audience is watching the scene unfold, like a play. The Lover's first reference to her beauty is for her encouragement, and reveals what he sees as most special in this beloved maiden. In her eyes, he sees doves. As the enraptured monarch gazes into the eyes of his beloved bride, doves speak of peace, serenity, gentleness, innocence, love, affection, and spiritual perception. The dove can only see one thing at a time and this single focus they have fills their body with light. Inner revelation unfolds their vows in song, and spiritual insight and love is embraced in their hearts and poured out in words. She is so fair in his royal eyes and the king praises her. She replies, "You're handsome, you're charming, and our bed is green". They have arrived in their mutual quest. She is enjoying the intimacy of his presence. She will lie down in green pastures where he leads her, beside still waters. They will rest together while on this green earth, and their woodland surroundings are like a wedding bedroom.

07/10/2011

^Beloved"How right they are to adore you!

Dark am I, yet lovely,

O daughters of Jerusalem,

dark like the tents of Kedar,

like the tent curtains of Solomon.

Do not stare at me because I am dark,

because I am darkened by the sun.

My mother's sons were angry with me

and made me take care of the vineyards;

my own vineyard I have neglected.

Tell me, you whom I love, where you graze your flock

and where you rest your sheep at midday.

Why should I be like a veiled woman

beside the flocks of your friends?

^Friends If you do not know, most beautiful of women,

follow the tracks of the sheep

and graze your young goats

by the tents of the shepherds.

^Lover I liken you, my darling, to a mare

harnessed to one of the chariots of Pharaoh.

Your cheeks are beautiful with earrings,

your neck with strings of jewels.

We will make you earrings of gold,

studded with silver.

^Beloved While the king was at his table,

my perfume spread its fragrance.

My lover is to me a sachet of myrrh

resting between my breasts.

My lover is to me a cluster of henna blossoms

from the vineyards of En Gedi."

--Song Of Songs 1: 5-14

En gedi is an oasis hidden among the desert below a limestone cliff west of the Dead Sea. It is known for its fruitful palm trees and fragrant oils. It is surrounded by a land of desolation, hot desert, a stark contrast to this place of great beauty. The girl is complimenting Solomon how he stands out among the men. You cannot put him down. He is patient and waits, gentle and kind, searches for a sign, waiting for the light to come, knowing the course will be run, she from the other side of the sun. He rises and spreads his shoulders like wings and watches and hums like he sings, pronouncing his poetic descriptions. His attention and focus are the same. He is open and understands change. You can feel the action of this drama as they sing their parts. The base of their love is true, genuine, without fear of deceit, manipulation, or exploitation. This vineyard in the hot sun is owned by Solomon. He is visiting with his royal entourage one day and is surprised by the beautiful peasant woman tending the vines. She is embarrassed about her tanned complexion because the girls in the city had fair, delicate skin, but Solomon loves her dark complexion. She runs and hides but Solomon could not forget her. Later, he returns to the vineyard disguised as a shepherd. He wins her love. Then, he reveals his true identity and asks her to return to Jerusalem with him. Solomon and his beloved are being married in the palace as this book begins.

7/3/2011

The Song of Songs which is Solomon's.

^Beloved"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth-

for your love is more delightful than wine.

Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes;

your name is like perfume poured out.

No wonder the maidens love you!

Take me away with you-let us hurry!

let the king bring me into his chambers.

^Friends We rejoice and delight in you;

we will praise your love more than wine."

--Song Of Songs 1: 1-4

This story song begins with the wedding day and reflects on Solomon's first meeting with this maiden, their courtship and engagement, memories and dreams, vivid descriptions of the bride's beauty, her tender appeal, and closes with the power of love. This is a song of the heart. Even when they sleep, their heart is awake. The story, that unfolds as a poem, and lyric as a song, is told in the words of the girl called Beloved, and her Lover, Solomon, and their Friends, here the daughters of Jerusalem but also including her brothers and those close to Solomon in his palace. Solomon wrote more than a thousand songs and this is his best, recorded in this book, the seventh rose of seven roses, a series of seven poems, and called Song of Songs. His father David is the world's first great songwriter and musician. Solomon followed in his talents in a prolific way.

The Lover and Beloved use the poetic language of affection as a dialogue. The opening sets forth the theme of true love and its highest ideals. This vivid description of a love relationship begins with a picture of love that makes them rejoice and teaches us what God created we should not misuse or call common. We can enjoy love as the gift it is, a delight for all our senses. The Beloved waits for the arrival of her Lover, and surrounded by a chorus of Friends, pours out her rapture and longing as her admiring companions respond. The royal Lover shall appear and the joy of their mutual delight expressed and poured out in the song of the episodes of their love. Sometimes much is read into this book but it is a simple and radiantly beautiful story of love, unashamed, without guilt, natural and noble, that reaches with the spirit to capture the representation of love in human nature.

6/27/2011

Listen! My lover!

Look! Here he comes,

leaping across the mountains,

bounding over the hills.

My lover is like a roe or a young hart.

Look! There he stands behind our wall,

gazing through the windows,

peering through the lattice.

My lover spoke and said to me,

"Arise, my darling,

my beautiful one, and come with me.

See! The winter is past;

the rains are over and gone.

Flowers appear on the earth;

the season of singing has come,

the cooing of doves

is heard in our land.

The fig tree forms its early fruit;

the blossoming vines spread their fragrance,

Arise, come, my darling;

my beautiful one, come with me."

Her lover reminisces:

"My dove in the clefts of the rock,

in the hiding places on the mountainside,

show me your face,

let me hear your voice;

for your voice is sweet,

and your face is lovely."

--Song Of Songs 2: 8-14

This is the bride's narrative. She describes her first encounter and memories of a courtship. The call to the fair one, the treasure of the true, the voice, place and time, be kind, right tone, rise up, listen, be home. It's high time to wake from sleep when the call is heard. Oh! Look! Where are you now my fair-eyed one? Where have you gone o prodigal son? The call is sweet and gracious love. The soul comes to answer the Lord's call, sacred and joyful, the heart sings, making a new melody, "that gentle voice we hear, soft as the breath of even, that checks each fault, that calms each fear, and speaks of heaven." The voice of the dove dwells in the heart. The trees are no longer barren. The birds sing their song in the sky. The flowers of beauty and sweet fragrance appear on the earth. He walks with delight, sunshine in his song, oh what a lovely morning it is; Divine wisdom finds its pen, and moves us, for her ways are the ways of pleasantness, and bids her to cast away her fear, on this path of peace, in the light of truth, in the moment we recognize, how lovely, spoken to us through nature, the soul seen through her dove eyes, illuminates the spirit wise. The bridegroom yearns to hear the voice and rejoice to see his beloved. He has climbed the steep rock by the ladder path, and in seclusion calls the bride his dove and searches for this maiden with a sweetness in his song that grows like love.

6/19/2011

"Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction;

pay attention and gain understanding.

I give you sound learning,

so do not forsake my teaching.

When I was a boy in my father's house,

still tender, and an only child of my mother,

he taught me and said,

'Lay hold of my words with all your heart;

keep my commands and you will live.

Get wisdom, get understanding;

do not forget my words or swerve from them.

Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;

love her, and she will watch over you.

Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.

Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Esteem her, and she will exalt you;

embrace her, and she will honor you.

She will set a garland of grace on your head

and present you with a crown of splendor.'

Listen my son, accept what I say,

and the years of your life will be many.

I guide you in the way of wisdom

and lead you along straight paths.

When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;

when you run, you will not stumble.

The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,

shining ever brighter till the full light of day."

--Proverbs 4: 1-12; 18

Wisdom lights a path with a bright shining growing light, offering freedom and liberty, carefully guarding from misadventure, practical, holding securely to the truth of God. The writer addresses his audience as children here, remembering himself as a son, in the company and counsel of his father, and his band and psalms of songs. Wisdom is supreme, and what we hand down to the next generation, as family, has a strong governing power in our lives. What we learned when we were young is preserved in our memory for recollection or reflection. Wisdom brings us to training and insight. Solomon seeks wisdom because he learned from his Dad this is the greatest treasure he could have, because his Dad believed "wisdom is the principal thing" his son should find. We, as parents need to walk wisely, and talk with affectionate manners, with the fullness of the Spirit flowing in the way we express ourselves, in tender tones, attentive energy, and pressing on with reason and conscience, opening the ears and hearts of our children. Solomon's father David yearns and strives and advocates for his son, persisting with patient zeal to inspire his son, to seek sacred truth and heavenly wisdom he holds so dear to his heart. When his son finds it, he treasures her light, from its first gleam to its brightening of the day.

6/12/2011

"Blessed is the man who finds wisdom,

the man who gains understanding,

for she is more profitable than silver

and yields a better return than gold.

She is more precious than rubies;

nothing you desire can compare with her.

Long life is in her right hand;

in her left hand are riches and honor.

Her ways are pleasant ways,

and all her paths are peace.

She is the tree of life to those who embrace her;

those who lay hold of her will be blessed.

By wisdom the Lord laid the earth's foundations,

by understanding he set the heavens in place;

by his knowledge the deeps were divided,

and the clouds let drop the dew.

My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment,

do not let them out of your sight;

they will be life for you,

an ornament to grace your neck.

Then you will go on your way in safety,

and your foot will not stumble."

--Proverbs 3: 13-23

Wisdom and understanding are important qualities to have even as we turn to folly again and again. The Lord will come to save all his sheep, the black sheep and the white sheep, any colored sheep. In our troubled world, living wisely brings blessing but not always obvious. The proverbs give way to the parable. Wisdom is valuable because it connects us with the spirit of God and ministers to our earthly welfare. Her qualities are unique, elevating, satisfying, tireless, safe and secure, enduring, showing us the ways of peace, like a tree of life, lengthening our days. It is the best investment no money can buy. It brings us to the spiritual root in the mind of God. The wisdom of God is reflected in nature. We are in tune with the cosmos, its beauty and symmetry, the changes and variety, in harmony with all of ancient thought. It is fatherly kindness Solomon offers here. Many mistakes we may make in life, but humbling ourselves, we overcome by making a true estimate of our character. Happy is the man who finds wisdom and gets understanding!

5/29/2011

"Keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour."

--Jesus

Further Benefits of Wisdom

"My son, do not forget my teaching,

but keep my commands in your heart,

for they will prolong your life many years

and bring you prosperity.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;

bind them around your neck,

write them on the tablet of your heart.

Then you will win favor and a good name

in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will direct your paths.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

fear the Lord and shun evil.

This will bring health to your body

and nourishment to your bones."

--Proverbs 3:1-8

Love and faithfulness are important qualities to have and involve actions and attitude. We put our trust in God first, turn away from evil, listen and learn, and do what is right.

In Matthew 24 and 25, Jesus uses parables to tell us of end times. Many times he's mentioned no one knows the day or hour, and there have been false prophets of gloom and doom trying to deceive the faithful throughout the centuries. A thief in the night does not advertise beforehand the day and hour he intends to show up. Clearly not many people have read the Bible as a book but are familiar with many of its stories. I started reading the Bible in church when I was a kid every Sunday through every boring sermon and I was far more fascinated with the word of God than the Rev.'s interpretation. Jesus talks about the judgment seat where he will separate the "sheep and goats", and to those with a right attitude in their hearts, who love their neighbor as they love themselves by taking responsible action, the King of the Future will say to them, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in, I need clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." Then the righteous will answer "Lord when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?" The King replies, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." When I was in Bible college we had field work assignments, and one day I went to Haight Street in San Francisco, and I had a bag of hamburgers and started to hand them out as I walked down the street sharing a word about God. On the corner of Ashbury, a man was sitting, and he pulled out a little Bible, with the Book of John and the Psalms, and started sharing God's word with me.

I haven't done everything yet that is on this list God has given to guide and help us. It will not be by our profession of religion, nor beliefs, but rather our conduct, our actions one to another, that He will judge us. In Bible college we went through the whole Bible but I haven't finished reading it yet. I'm still reading Proverbs.

Clearly in these time of signs we must keep watch on what we say and do.

4/3/2011

"My son, if you accept my words

and store up my commands within you,

turning your heart to understanding,

and if you call out for insight

and cry aloud for understanding,

and if you look for it as for silver

and search for it as for hidden treasure,

then you will understand the fear of the Lord

and find the knowledge of God.

For the Lord gives wisdom,

and from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.

He holds victory in store for the upright,

he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,

for he guards the course of the just

and protects the way of his faithful ones.

Then you will understand what is right and just

and fair - every good path.

For wisdom will enter your heart,

and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

Discretion will protect you,

and understanding will guard you.

Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men.

--Proverbs 2:1-12

Always seek the truth, realizing it’s not about perfection, wisdom comes with an energetic search and you recognize it when it enters your heart.

Solomon was a wise leader who knew what to do, yet he didn’t always put his own wisdom into action. Nobody has all the answers all the time. His dad, David, had many setbacks but didn’t let his failures keep him from the source of wisdom, his reverence, vocal, noisy, praise for God.

Abigail was married to the man known as The Fool and she put up with him. She was wise in her household, sensible, capable, smart, able to see the big picture beyond herself. Her swift action and persuasive negotiation kept David from taking vengeance against The Fool. God dealt him and when David heard he was dead he sent word to Abigail asking for her to become his wife.

They are like Bezazel, a wise artist, skilled with using his hands, knowledge in all kinds of crafts who designed and supervised the construction of the tabernacle and its utensils in the desert. He is full of the Spirit of God, an inspiration to others. You don't have to be famous like Moses to use your abilities as tools of wisdom.

The Lord set up the Sabbath as a day holy and honorable. Six days of work and a day of rest that sometimes comes on a Monday. The commandment says “Remember the Lord’s Day” and there are many expressions of this and everyone’s relationship with God is personal. Its dual purpose to rest (take a break, change of routine, get out of the hustle bustle to keep a heavenly view and truly be refreshed) and to remember what God has done.

3/27/2011

"Wisdom calls aloud in the street,

she raises her voice in the public squares;

at the head of noisy streets she cries out,

in the gateways of the city she makes her speech."

--Proverbs 1:20-21

Pressing on in the midst of challenges, we continue to move forward, upward and onward, pressing through, wit all we gather, ready, teachable, open, trying a little harder, progressing farther along, humming a song, pressing further.

Wise men do not vent their anger but keep themselves under control. Patience brings great understanding. Wise people are of noble character, cautious with reason, with the ability to respond to correction, profit from it, help others with good advice, discerning the truth, and not be gullible or arrogant, but pursuing peace, without stirring up bitter and troubling ways.

Wise men are the free thinkers of today. Their cry is public, and conscience clear, calm and commanding as practical philosophers, with different talents and callings, drawing from a fountain from the well of life, rich in spirit.

Wisdom imparts strength, and is refreshing, encouraging, and draws from the Spirit of inspiration and lessons from nature. She reaches into the crowds where people congregate, and can turn a contentious spirit into a diffused situation, all with good manners and a kind approach.

The voice of wisdom is audible to all who will listen. She speaks in the open and is friend to the simple and the meek, of fools and sinners. Her voice is heard above the mingling crowds, regardless of the weather's clouds, confident, loud, kind, simple and sweet, delivering the message, from thunder to tweet, her tone is promising, truthful and calm. Wisdom spares not to tell us exactly what we need to know and hear, and is expressed with a loving energy.

Wise men are slow to anger, and help others deal with, and redirect, their angry moments. Wisdom can open the mouth of the dumb and make the tongues of babes eloquent. For within wisdom is a spirit of understanding, subtle, mobile, lucid and unpolluted. We have a voice, and wise is the way we choose to use it:

"A wise man's heart guides his mouth,

and his lips promote instruction.

Pleasant words are a honeycomb

Sweet to the soul and health to the bones."

--Proverbs 16:23-24

Solomon helps us keep eternal values in view; recognizes contradictions in the world, and uses them to show how we can honestly look at life's problems and keep our faith.

continuing...