Why did both Isaiah and Jesus not want the stubborn and unrepentant to understand? Are we repentant? Let’s look at Isaiah 6.
Is Uzziah the first of four kings during whose reign Isaiah prophesied? Was he one of the good kings of Judah?
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple. (Isa 6:1 WEB)
Are the seraphs around God’s throne a unique kind of angel? The Hebrew im-ending is the same plural as our English s-ending. What did they look like? What were they doing?
Winged creatures [Seraphim] were stationed around him. Each had six wings: with two they veiled their faces, with two their feet, and with two they flew about. They shouted to each other, saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of heavenly forces! All the earth is filled with God’s glory!” The doorframe shook at the sound of their shouting, and the house was filled with smoke. (Isa 6: 2-4 CEB)
Does a mature believer realize deeply how sinful our nature actually is?
Then I cried out, “I'm doomed! Everything I say is sinful, and so are the words of everyone around me. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord All-Powerful.” One of the flaming creatures flew over to me with a burning coal that it had taken from the altar with a pair of metal tongs. It touched my lips with the hot coal and said, “This has touched your lips. Your sins are forgiven, and you are no longer guilty.” (Isa 6:5-7 CEV)
Did God call for a volunteer to go and did Isaiah respond? Is God asking for volunteers today?
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” (Isa 6:8 ESV)
How did God respond to Isaiah volunteering? Was his message to be similar to that of Jesus, who spoke in parables to hide the meaning from unrepentant crowds?
And He replied: Go! Say to these people: Keep listening, but do not understand; keep looking, but do not perceive. Dull the minds of these people; deafen their ears and blind their eyes; otherwise they might see with their eyes and hear with their ears, understand with their minds, turn back, and be healed. (Isa 6:9-10 HCSB)
How long was Isaiah to prophecy during the reigns of four kings of Judah? Who is the holy seed?
Then I asked, “For how long, Lord?” He replied: “Until cities lie waste, without inhabitants, and houses without people; and the land becomes utterly desolate. Until the Lord removes people far away, and there are many empty places in the middle of the land. Even though a tenth of its people remain in it, it will once again be burned, like a terebinth or an oak tree, the stump of which, though the tree has been felled, still contains holy seed.” (Isa 6:11-13 ISV)
When asked why He spoke in parables to people who did not really want to repent, did Jesus echo this chapter of Isaiah?
And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. (Mat 13:14-15 KJV)
Why did both Isaiah and Jesus not want the stubborn and unrepentant to understand? Are we repentant? You decide!
Six Woes (Isaiah 5)
Does God warn Israel of six woes, consequences of their wrong ways? What can we learn from this? Let’s look at Isaiah 5.
What does this song picture and what does the vineyard symbolize?
I will sing a song about my friend's [beloved’s] vineyard that was on the side of a fertile hill. My friend dug the ground, removed the stones, and planted the best vines. He built a watchtower and dug a pit in rocky ground for pressing the grapes. He hoped they would be sweet, but bitter grapes were all it produced. (Isa 5:1-2 CEV)
Did God tend His vineyard well but still it did not produce well?
And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. What more was there to do for my vineyard, that I have not done in it? When I looked for it to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes? (Isa 5:3-4 ESV)
Does God warn what He is about to do to His vineyard? Does God finally name His vineyard?
Now I will tell you what I am about to do to My vineyard: I will remove its hedge, and it will be consumed; I will tear down its wall, and it will be trampled. I will make it a wasteland. It will not be pruned or weeded; thorns and briers will grow up. I will also give orders to the clouds that rain should not fall on it. For the vineyard of the Lord of Hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah, the plant He delighted in. He looked for justice but saw injustice, for righteousness, but heard cries of wretchedness. (Isa 5:5-7 HCSB)
Are there six woes that God warns Israel and Judah about? Is greed still driving us to make smaller and smaller house blocks and farms with no room for wildlife between fields?
“How terrible it will be [Woe #1] for you who join house to house, who add field to field, until there is no more room, and you have settled yourselves alone in the middle of the land!” The Lord of the Heavenly Armies has declared this so I could hear it: “Surely many houses will become desolate, great and beautiful houses, without occupants. For ten acres of vineyard will produce only one bath, and one omer of seed will produce only one ephah.” (Isa 5:8-10 ISV)
Do we also have a problem with alcoholism among our people?
Woe [#2] unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his hands. (Isa 5:11-12 KJV)
What will happen to the nation because of their sins? Does God eventually treat all nations alike in this regard?
Therefore My people go into exile for their lack of knowledge; And their honorable men are famished, And their multitude is parched with thirst. Therefore Sheol has enlarged its throat and opened its mouth without limit; And Jerusalem’s majesty, her multitude, her rumbling, and the exultant within her, descend into it. So the common man will be bowed down and the man of importance will be made low, The eyes of the lofty also will be made low. But Yahweh of hosts will be lofty in judgment, And the holy God will show Himself holy in righteousness. Then the lambs will graze as in their pasture, And sojourners will eat in the waste places of the wealthy. (Isa 5:13-17 LSB)
Will criminals with their deceptive scams, bribery, labeling evil good and vice versa be among the first to be punished by God?
Woe [#3] to those who drag wrongdoing with the cords of deceit, And sin as if with cart ropes; Who say, “Let Him hurry, let Him do His work quickly, so that we may see it; And let the plan of the Holy One of Israel approach And come to pass, so that we may know it!” Woe [#4] to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe [#5] to those who are wise in their own eyes And clever in their own sight! Woe [#6] to those who are heroes in drinking wine, And valiant men in mixing intoxicating drink, Who declare the wicked innocent for a bribe, And take away the rights of the ones who are in the right! (Isa 5:18-23 NASB)
After initial punishment will God relent or double down?
Therefore, as tongues of fire lick up straw and as dry grass sinks down in the flames, so their roots will decay and their flowers blow away like dust; for they have rejected the law of the Lord Almighty and spurned the word of the Holy One of Israel. Therefore the Lord’s anger burns against his people; his hand is raised and he strikes them down. The mountains shake, and the dead bodies are like refuse in the streets. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised. (Isa 5:24-25 NIV)
Did God then beckon Assyria to invade Israel? Will our modern nations escape God's punishment for our sins?
He will lift up a banner to the nations from afar, And will whistle to them from the end of the earth; Surely they shall come with speed, swiftly. No one will be weary or stumble among them, No one will slumber or sleep; Nor will the belt on their loins be loosed, Nor the strap of their sandals be broken; Whose arrows are sharp, And all their bows bent; Their horses’ hooves will seem like flint, And their wheels like a whirlwind. Their roaring will be like a lion, They will roar like young lions; Yes, they will roar And lay hold of the prey; They will carry it away safely, And no one will deliver. In that day they will roar against them Like the roaring of the sea. And if one looks to the land, Behold, darkness and sorrow; And the light is darkened by the clouds. (Isa 5:26-30 NKJV)
Rather than the bad fruit of a rebellious nation, what fruit does the Holy Spirit produce?
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (Gal 5:22-23 NLT)
Does God warn Israel of six woes, consequences of their wrong ways? What can we learn from this? You decide!
What does this song picture and what does the vineyard symbolize?
I will sing a song about my friend's [beloved’s] vineyard that was on the side of a fertile hill. My friend dug the ground, removed the stones, and planted the best vines. He built a watchtower and dug a pit in rocky ground for pressing the grapes. He hoped they would be sweet, but bitter grapes were all it produced. (Isa 5:1-2 CEV)
Did God tend His vineyard well but still it did not produce well?
And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. What more was there to do for my vineyard, that I have not done in it? When I looked for it to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes? (Isa 5:3-4 ESV)
Does God warn what He is about to do to His vineyard? Does God finally name His vineyard?
Now I will tell you what I am about to do to My vineyard: I will remove its hedge, and it will be consumed; I will tear down its wall, and it will be trampled. I will make it a wasteland. It will not be pruned or weeded; thorns and briers will grow up. I will also give orders to the clouds that rain should not fall on it. For the vineyard of the Lord of Hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah, the plant He delighted in. He looked for justice but saw injustice, for righteousness, but heard cries of wretchedness. (Isa 5:5-7 HCSB)
Are there six woes that God warns Israel and Judah about? Is greed still driving us to make smaller and smaller house blocks and farms with no room for wildlife between fields?
“How terrible it will be [Woe #1] for you who join house to house, who add field to field, until there is no more room, and you have settled yourselves alone in the middle of the land!” The Lord of the Heavenly Armies has declared this so I could hear it: “Surely many houses will become desolate, great and beautiful houses, without occupants. For ten acres of vineyard will produce only one bath, and one omer of seed will produce only one ephah.” (Isa 5:8-10 ISV)
Do we also have a problem with alcoholism among our people?
Woe [#2] unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his hands. (Isa 5:11-12 KJV)
What will happen to the nation because of their sins? Does God eventually treat all nations alike in this regard?
Therefore My people go into exile for their lack of knowledge; And their honorable men are famished, And their multitude is parched with thirst. Therefore Sheol has enlarged its throat and opened its mouth without limit; And Jerusalem’s majesty, her multitude, her rumbling, and the exultant within her, descend into it. So the common man will be bowed down and the man of importance will be made low, The eyes of the lofty also will be made low. But Yahweh of hosts will be lofty in judgment, And the holy God will show Himself holy in righteousness. Then the lambs will graze as in their pasture, And sojourners will eat in the waste places of the wealthy. (Isa 5:13-17 LSB)
Will criminals with their deceptive scams, bribery, labeling evil good and vice versa be among the first to be punished by God?
Woe [#3] to those who drag wrongdoing with the cords of deceit, And sin as if with cart ropes; Who say, “Let Him hurry, let Him do His work quickly, so that we may see it; And let the plan of the Holy One of Israel approach And come to pass, so that we may know it!” Woe [#4] to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe [#5] to those who are wise in their own eyes And clever in their own sight! Woe [#6] to those who are heroes in drinking wine, And valiant men in mixing intoxicating drink, Who declare the wicked innocent for a bribe, And take away the rights of the ones who are in the right! (Isa 5:18-23 NASB)
After initial punishment will God relent or double down?
Therefore, as tongues of fire lick up straw and as dry grass sinks down in the flames, so their roots will decay and their flowers blow away like dust; for they have rejected the law of the Lord Almighty and spurned the word of the Holy One of Israel. Therefore the Lord’s anger burns against his people; his hand is raised and he strikes them down. The mountains shake, and the dead bodies are like refuse in the streets. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised. (Isa 5:24-25 NIV)
Did God then beckon Assyria to invade Israel? Will our modern nations escape God's punishment for our sins?
He will lift up a banner to the nations from afar, And will whistle to them from the end of the earth; Surely they shall come with speed, swiftly. No one will be weary or stumble among them, No one will slumber or sleep; Nor will the belt on their loins be loosed, Nor the strap of their sandals be broken; Whose arrows are sharp, And all their bows bent; Their horses’ hooves will seem like flint, And their wheels like a whirlwind. Their roaring will be like a lion, They will roar like young lions; Yes, they will roar And lay hold of the prey; They will carry it away safely, And no one will deliver. In that day they will roar against them Like the roaring of the sea. And if one looks to the land, Behold, darkness and sorrow; And the light is darkened by the clouds. (Isa 5:26-30 NKJV)
Rather than the bad fruit of a rebellious nation, what fruit does the Holy Spirit produce?
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (Gal 5:22-23 NLT)
Does God warn Israel of six woes, consequences of their wrong ways? What can we learn from this? You decide!
Jerusalem Cleansed (Isaiah 4)
Do we believe that Jerusalem will finally be cleansed and become holy? Let’s look at Isaiah 4.
Does warfare often kill so many male soldiers that women become a majority for a time? Does this depict desperate women?
In that day seven women will take hold of one man and say, “We will eat our own food and provide our own clothes; only let us be called by your name. Take away our disgrace!” (Isa 4:1 NIV)
Is there a reference to Jesus in this prophecy? Is that just a thought of Him giving people hope in dark times or does this also apply in some way to His return? What does it mean that some are recorded among the living?
In that day the Branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious; And the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and appealing For those of Israel who have escaped. And it shall come to pass that he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy—everyone who is recorded among the living in Jerusalem. (Isa 4:2-3 NKJV)
When the Branch of the Lord reigns will He wash Jerusalem’s sins, and because they are clean, will God’s presence be there again?
The Lord will wash the filth from beautiful Zion and cleanse Jerusalem of its bloodstains with the hot breath of fiery judgment. Then the Lord will provide shade for Mount Zion and all who assemble there. He will provide a canopy of cloud during the day and smoke and flaming fire at night, covering the glorious land. It will be a shelter from daytime heat and a hiding place from storms and rain. (Isa 4:4-6 NLT)
How are we saved, by our own goodness or by a washing from heaven?
not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5 WEB)
Who is the Branch that will bring cleansing to Jerusalem, mentioned here in this prophecy?
I, Jesus, have sent my angel to bear witness to all of you about these things for the churches. I’m the root and descendant [Branch] of David, the bright morning star. (Rev 22:16 CEB)
Do we believe that Jerusalem will finally be cleansed and become holy? You decide!
Does warfare often kill so many male soldiers that women become a majority for a time? Does this depict desperate women?
In that day seven women will take hold of one man and say, “We will eat our own food and provide our own clothes; only let us be called by your name. Take away our disgrace!” (Isa 4:1 NIV)
Is there a reference to Jesus in this prophecy? Is that just a thought of Him giving people hope in dark times or does this also apply in some way to His return? What does it mean that some are recorded among the living?
In that day the Branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious; And the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and appealing For those of Israel who have escaped. And it shall come to pass that he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy—everyone who is recorded among the living in Jerusalem. (Isa 4:2-3 NKJV)
When the Branch of the Lord reigns will He wash Jerusalem’s sins, and because they are clean, will God’s presence be there again?
The Lord will wash the filth from beautiful Zion and cleanse Jerusalem of its bloodstains with the hot breath of fiery judgment. Then the Lord will provide shade for Mount Zion and all who assemble there. He will provide a canopy of cloud during the day and smoke and flaming fire at night, covering the glorious land. It will be a shelter from daytime heat and a hiding place from storms and rain. (Isa 4:4-6 NLT)
How are we saved, by our own goodness or by a washing from heaven?
not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5 WEB)
Who is the Branch that will bring cleansing to Jerusalem, mentioned here in this prophecy?
I, Jesus, have sent my angel to bear witness to all of you about these things for the churches. I’m the root and descendant [Branch] of David, the bright morning star. (Rev 22:16 CEB)
Do we believe that Jerusalem will finally be cleansed and become holy? You decide!
Jerusalem Judged (Isaiah 3)
As God judged Jerusalem, will He eventually judge the wrongs of the whole world? Let’s look at Isaiah 3.
What did the Lord say He would do to Jerusalem? Did the people rely upon many things but not God? Do our people?
The Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, will take away from Jerusalem and Judah everything they depend on: every bit of bread and every drop of water, all their heroes and soldiers, judges and prophets, fortune-tellers and elders, army officers and high officials, advisers, skilled sorcerers, and astrologers. (Isa 3:1-3 NLT)
What happens when the young and foolish dominate a culture?
I will give boys to be their princes, and children shall rule over them. The people will be oppressed, everyone by another, and everyone by his neighbor. The child will behave himself proudly against the old man, and the wicked against the honorable. (Isa 3:4-5 WEB)
Can times get so bad that mature and wise leadership is totally lacking and nobody wants the responsibility?
Someone will seize a family member, saying, “You have clothing! You be our leader! This mess will be your responsibility!” Someone else will cry out on that day, “I’m no healer! I have neither food nor clothing in my house! Don’t make me the leader of the people!” (Isa 3:6-7 CEB)
What was the cause of Jerusalem’s troubles? Did they bring it on themselves?
Jerusalem and Judah, you rebelled against your glorious Lord—your words and your actions, made you stumble and fall. The look on your faces shows that you are sinful as Sodom, and you don't try to hide it. You are in for trouble, and you have brought it all on yourselves. (Isa 3:8-9 CEV)
Can the wrong kind of leaders come to power? What about our national leadership?
Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds. Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, for what his hands have dealt out shall be done to him. My people—infants are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, your guides mislead you and they have swallowed up the course of your paths. (Isa 3:10-12 ESV)
Could God charge our world with similar wrongs, plundering the poor and crushing people?
The Lord rises to argue the case and stands to judge the people. The Lord brings this charge against the elders and leaders of His people: “You have devastated the vineyard. The plunder from the poor is in your houses. Why do you crush My people and grind the faces of the poor?” This is the declaration of the Lord God of Hosts. (Isa 3:13-15 HCSB)
Are some of our women vain and self-centered? What did God say about the women of Zion?
The Lord says, “The women of Zion are haughty, walking along with outstretched necks, flirting with their eyes, strutting along with swaying hips, with ornaments jingling on their ankles. Therefore the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the women of Zion; the Lord will make their scalps bald.” (Isa 3:16-17 NIV)
What would God say about arrogant and self-indulgent women?
In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon, The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers, The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings, The rings, and nose jewels, The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins, The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails. (Isa 3:18-23 KJV)
Is God’s way of teaching people to love their neighbor, sometimes for them to experience the suffering they ignored in others?
Now it will be that instead of sweet perfume there will be the smell of rot; Instead of a belt, a rope; Instead of well-set hair, a plucked-out scalp; Instead of fine clothes, a donning of sackcloth; And branding instead of beauty. Your men will fall by the sword And your mighty ones in battle. And her gates will lament and mourn, And deserted she will sit on the ground. (Isa 3:24-26 LSB)
Will a similar thing happen to this world’s Babylonian system, built on the excesses of capitalist greed, obnoxious wealth for some and deplorable slavery for others?
And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her, because no one buys their cargo any more—cargo of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet; every kind of citron wood, every article of ivory, and every article made from very valuable wood, bronze, iron, and marble; cinnamon, spice, incense, perfume, frankincense, wine, olive oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle, sheep, and cargo of horses, carriages, slaves, and human lives. (Rev 18:11-13 NASB)
As God judged Jerusalem, will He eventually judge the wrongs of the whole world? You decide!
What did the Lord say He would do to Jerusalem? Did the people rely upon many things but not God? Do our people?
The Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, will take away from Jerusalem and Judah everything they depend on: every bit of bread and every drop of water, all their heroes and soldiers, judges and prophets, fortune-tellers and elders, army officers and high officials, advisers, skilled sorcerers, and astrologers. (Isa 3:1-3 NLT)
What happens when the young and foolish dominate a culture?
I will give boys to be their princes, and children shall rule over them. The people will be oppressed, everyone by another, and everyone by his neighbor. The child will behave himself proudly against the old man, and the wicked against the honorable. (Isa 3:4-5 WEB)
Can times get so bad that mature and wise leadership is totally lacking and nobody wants the responsibility?
Someone will seize a family member, saying, “You have clothing! You be our leader! This mess will be your responsibility!” Someone else will cry out on that day, “I’m no healer! I have neither food nor clothing in my house! Don’t make me the leader of the people!” (Isa 3:6-7 CEB)
What was the cause of Jerusalem’s troubles? Did they bring it on themselves?
Jerusalem and Judah, you rebelled against your glorious Lord—your words and your actions, made you stumble and fall. The look on your faces shows that you are sinful as Sodom, and you don't try to hide it. You are in for trouble, and you have brought it all on yourselves. (Isa 3:8-9 CEV)
Can the wrong kind of leaders come to power? What about our national leadership?
Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds. Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, for what his hands have dealt out shall be done to him. My people—infants are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, your guides mislead you and they have swallowed up the course of your paths. (Isa 3:10-12 ESV)
Could God charge our world with similar wrongs, plundering the poor and crushing people?
The Lord rises to argue the case and stands to judge the people. The Lord brings this charge against the elders and leaders of His people: “You have devastated the vineyard. The plunder from the poor is in your houses. Why do you crush My people and grind the faces of the poor?” This is the declaration of the Lord God of Hosts. (Isa 3:13-15 HCSB)
Are some of our women vain and self-centered? What did God say about the women of Zion?
The Lord says, “The women of Zion are haughty, walking along with outstretched necks, flirting with their eyes, strutting along with swaying hips, with ornaments jingling on their ankles. Therefore the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the women of Zion; the Lord will make their scalps bald.” (Isa 3:16-17 NIV)
What would God say about arrogant and self-indulgent women?
In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon, The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers, The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings, The rings, and nose jewels, The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins, The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails. (Isa 3:18-23 KJV)
Is God’s way of teaching people to love their neighbor, sometimes for them to experience the suffering they ignored in others?
Now it will be that instead of sweet perfume there will be the smell of rot; Instead of a belt, a rope; Instead of well-set hair, a plucked-out scalp; Instead of fine clothes, a donning of sackcloth; And branding instead of beauty. Your men will fall by the sword And your mighty ones in battle. And her gates will lament and mourn, And deserted she will sit on the ground. (Isa 3:24-26 LSB)
Will a similar thing happen to this world’s Babylonian system, built on the excesses of capitalist greed, obnoxious wealth for some and deplorable slavery for others?
And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her, because no one buys their cargo any more—cargo of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet; every kind of citron wood, every article of ivory, and every article made from very valuable wood, bronze, iron, and marble; cinnamon, spice, incense, perfume, frankincense, wine, olive oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle, sheep, and cargo of horses, carriages, slaves, and human lives. (Rev 18:11-13 NASB)
As God judged Jerusalem, will He eventually judge the wrongs of the whole world? You decide!
Day of the Lord (Isaiah 2)
Will we endure as the end of the age and the Lord’s return draw near? Let’s look at Isaiah 2.
How will world peace come, from human leadership or from the Lord? Why will mount Zion be exalted above every other mountain?
The vision that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s house will be established at the top of the mountains and will be raised above the hills. All nations will stream to it, and many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us about His ways so that we may walk in His paths.” For instruction will go out of Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will settle disputes among the nations and provide arbitration for many peoples. They will turn their swords into plows and their spears into pruning knives. Nations will not take up the sword against other nations, and they will never again train for war. (Isa 2:1-4 HCSB)
Why did God reject Israel? Will God tolerate eastern religious practices and idolatry?
You house of Jacob! Come! Let’s live in the Lord’s light. For you have rejected your people, the house of Jacob, because they are filled with practices learned from the East and they are fortune-tellers like the Philistines. They cut deals with foreigners. Their land is filled with silver and gold, and there is no end to their treasures; their land is filled with horses, and there is no end to their chariots. Their land is filled with idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their own fingers have made. So mankind is humbled, each human being is brought low, and you won’t forgive. (Isa 2:5-9 ISV)
Who will be exalted on the day of the Lord, and who will be humbled?
Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty. The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. (Isa 2:10-11 KJV)
Will the day of the Lord also be a day of reckoning? For whom and what symbols of human arrogance?
For Yahweh of hosts will have a day of reckoning Against everyone who is proud and high And against everyone who is lifted up, That he may be made low. And it will be against all the cedars of Lebanon that are high and lifted up, Against all the oaks of Bashan, Against all the high mountains, Against all the hills that are lifted up, Against every lofty tower, Against every fortified wall, Against all the ships of Tarshish And against all the desirable craft. (Isa 2:12-16 LSB)
Is there a lot of arrogance in the world and even various religious traditions? Who alone will be exalted on that day?
And the pride of humanity will be humbled And the arrogance of people will be brought low; And the Lord alone will be exalted on that day, And the idols will completely vanish. People will go into caves of the rocks And into holes in the ground Away from the terror of the Lord And the splendor of His majesty, When He arises to terrify the earth. On that day people will throw away to the moles and the bats Their idols of silver and their idols of gold, Which they made for themselves to worship, In order to go into the clefts of the rocks and the crannies of the cliffs Before the terror of the Lord and the splendor of His majesty, When He arises to terrify the earth. Take no account of man, whose breath of life is in his nostrils; For why should he be esteemed? (Isa 2:17-22 NASB)
Does the New Testament also address the day of the Lord? Who will help us endure until the very end?
He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Cor 1:8-9 NIV)
Will we endure as the end of the age and the Lord’s return draw near? You decide!
How will world peace come, from human leadership or from the Lord? Why will mount Zion be exalted above every other mountain?
The vision that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s house will be established at the top of the mountains and will be raised above the hills. All nations will stream to it, and many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us about His ways so that we may walk in His paths.” For instruction will go out of Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will settle disputes among the nations and provide arbitration for many peoples. They will turn their swords into plows and their spears into pruning knives. Nations will not take up the sword against other nations, and they will never again train for war. (Isa 2:1-4 HCSB)
Why did God reject Israel? Will God tolerate eastern religious practices and idolatry?
You house of Jacob! Come! Let’s live in the Lord’s light. For you have rejected your people, the house of Jacob, because they are filled with practices learned from the East and they are fortune-tellers like the Philistines. They cut deals with foreigners. Their land is filled with silver and gold, and there is no end to their treasures; their land is filled with horses, and there is no end to their chariots. Their land is filled with idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their own fingers have made. So mankind is humbled, each human being is brought low, and you won’t forgive. (Isa 2:5-9 ISV)
Who will be exalted on the day of the Lord, and who will be humbled?
Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty. The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. (Isa 2:10-11 KJV)
Will the day of the Lord also be a day of reckoning? For whom and what symbols of human arrogance?
For Yahweh of hosts will have a day of reckoning Against everyone who is proud and high And against everyone who is lifted up, That he may be made low. And it will be against all the cedars of Lebanon that are high and lifted up, Against all the oaks of Bashan, Against all the high mountains, Against all the hills that are lifted up, Against every lofty tower, Against every fortified wall, Against all the ships of Tarshish And against all the desirable craft. (Isa 2:12-16 LSB)
Is there a lot of arrogance in the world and even various religious traditions? Who alone will be exalted on that day?
And the pride of humanity will be humbled And the arrogance of people will be brought low; And the Lord alone will be exalted on that day, And the idols will completely vanish. People will go into caves of the rocks And into holes in the ground Away from the terror of the Lord And the splendor of His majesty, When He arises to terrify the earth. On that day people will throw away to the moles and the bats Their idols of silver and their idols of gold, Which they made for themselves to worship, In order to go into the clefts of the rocks and the crannies of the cliffs Before the terror of the Lord and the splendor of His majesty, When He arises to terrify the earth. Take no account of man, whose breath of life is in his nostrils; For why should he be esteemed? (Isa 2:17-22 NASB)
Does the New Testament also address the day of the Lord? Who will help us endure until the very end?
He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Cor 1:8-9 NIV)
Will we endure as the end of the age and the Lord’s return draw near? You decide!
Apostasy (Isaiah 1)
How does God view a society that relies on religious rituals, but abandons love of God and neighbor? Let’s look at Isaiah 1.
After about 700 years in the land, 400 years under judges and 120 years under three kings, as the northern Tribes were being taken captive by Assyria, Isaiah prophesied. Was this vision during the reign of three good kings of Judah and one evil king, Ahaz?
The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. (Isa 1:1 KJV)
After Solomon, was Israel divided in two, Israel in the north and Judah in the south, partly because they became apostates, forsaking God?
Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; For Yahweh speaks, “Sons I have reared and raised up, But they have transgressed against Me. An ox knows its owner, And a donkey its master’s manger, But Israel does not know; My people do not perceive.” Alas, sinful nation, People heavy with iniquity, Seed of evildoers, Sons who act corruptly! They have forsaken Yahweh; They have spurned the Holy One of Israel; They have become estranged from Him. (Isa 1:2-4 LSB)
Is God sorry for the self-affliction that sin has caused to Judah?
Where will you be stricken again, As you continue in your rebellion? The entire head is sick And the entire heart is faint. From the sole of the foot even to the head There is nothing healthy in it, Only bruises, slashes, and raw wounds; Not pressed out nor bandaged, Nor softened with oil. (Isa 1:5-6 NASB)
Is sin a cause of national destruction? Does this apply to other nations as well?
Your country is desolate, your cities burned with fire; your fields are being stripped by foreigners right before you, laid waste as when overthrown by strangers. Daughter Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a hut in a cucumber field, like a city under siege. Unless the Lord Almighty had left us some survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah. (Isa 1:7-9 NIV)
Why was Israel in such trouble even while keeping feasts that God had commanded? What were their hands full of?
Hear the word of the Lord, You rulers of Sodom; Give ear to the law of our God, You people of Gomorrah: “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?” Says the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, Or of lambs or goats.
“When you come to appear before Me, Who has required this from your hand, To trample My courts? Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies—I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. (Isa 1:10-15 NKJV)
What other attributes are more important to God than keeping feast days and rituals?
Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. (Isa 1:16-17 NLT)
How could their sins become white as snow? Was repentance involved? Is Jesus the ultimate answer to our sins?
“Come now, and let’s reason together,” says Yahweh: “Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured with the sword; for Yahweh’s mouth has spoken it.” (Isa 1:18-20 WEB)
Has Jerusalem become unfaithful, like a harlot? What specific sins does God list?
This faithful town has become a prostitute! She was full of justice; righteousness lived in her—but now murderers. Your silver has become impure; your beer is diluted with water. Your princes are rebels, companions of thieves. Everyone loves a bribe and pursues gifts. They don’t defend the orphan, and the widow’s cause never reaches them. Therefore, says the Lord God of heavenly forces, the mighty one of Israel: Doom! I will vent my anger against my foes; I will take it out on my enemies, and I will turn my hand against you. I will refine your impurities as with lye, and remove all your cinders. Then I will restore your judges as in earlier times, and your counselors as at the beginning. After this you will be called Righteous City, Faithful Town. (Isa 1:21-26 CEB)
How important are justice and doing right to God? How vile is idolatry to God?
Jerusalem, you will be saved by showing justice; Zion's people who turn to me will be saved by doing right. But those rebellious sinners who turn against me, the Lord, will all disappear.
You will be made ashamed of those groves of trees where you worshiped idols. You will be like a grove of trees dying in a drought. Your strongest leaders will be like dry wood set on fire by their idols. No one will be able to help, as they all go up in flames. (Isa 1:27-31 CEV)
What will Jesus say to those who did not act in love for their neighbor?
Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Mat 25:44-46 ESV)
How does God view a society that relies on religious rituals, but abandons love of God and neighbor? You decide!
After about 700 years in the land, 400 years under judges and 120 years under three kings, as the northern Tribes were being taken captive by Assyria, Isaiah prophesied. Was this vision during the reign of three good kings of Judah and one evil king, Ahaz?
The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. (Isa 1:1 KJV)
After Solomon, was Israel divided in two, Israel in the north and Judah in the south, partly because they became apostates, forsaking God?
Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; For Yahweh speaks, “Sons I have reared and raised up, But they have transgressed against Me. An ox knows its owner, And a donkey its master’s manger, But Israel does not know; My people do not perceive.” Alas, sinful nation, People heavy with iniquity, Seed of evildoers, Sons who act corruptly! They have forsaken Yahweh; They have spurned the Holy One of Israel; They have become estranged from Him. (Isa 1:2-4 LSB)
Is God sorry for the self-affliction that sin has caused to Judah?
Where will you be stricken again, As you continue in your rebellion? The entire head is sick And the entire heart is faint. From the sole of the foot even to the head There is nothing healthy in it, Only bruises, slashes, and raw wounds; Not pressed out nor bandaged, Nor softened with oil. (Isa 1:5-6 NASB)
Is sin a cause of national destruction? Does this apply to other nations as well?
Your country is desolate, your cities burned with fire; your fields are being stripped by foreigners right before you, laid waste as when overthrown by strangers. Daughter Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a hut in a cucumber field, like a city under siege. Unless the Lord Almighty had left us some survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah. (Isa 1:7-9 NIV)
Why was Israel in such trouble even while keeping feasts that God had commanded? What were their hands full of?
Hear the word of the Lord, You rulers of Sodom; Give ear to the law of our God, You people of Gomorrah: “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?” Says the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, Or of lambs or goats.
“When you come to appear before Me, Who has required this from your hand, To trample My courts? Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies—I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. (Isa 1:10-15 NKJV)
What other attributes are more important to God than keeping feast days and rituals?
Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. (Isa 1:16-17 NLT)
How could their sins become white as snow? Was repentance involved? Is Jesus the ultimate answer to our sins?
“Come now, and let’s reason together,” says Yahweh: “Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured with the sword; for Yahweh’s mouth has spoken it.” (Isa 1:18-20 WEB)
Has Jerusalem become unfaithful, like a harlot? What specific sins does God list?
This faithful town has become a prostitute! She was full of justice; righteousness lived in her—but now murderers. Your silver has become impure; your beer is diluted with water. Your princes are rebels, companions of thieves. Everyone loves a bribe and pursues gifts. They don’t defend the orphan, and the widow’s cause never reaches them. Therefore, says the Lord God of heavenly forces, the mighty one of Israel: Doom! I will vent my anger against my foes; I will take it out on my enemies, and I will turn my hand against you. I will refine your impurities as with lye, and remove all your cinders. Then I will restore your judges as in earlier times, and your counselors as at the beginning. After this you will be called Righteous City, Faithful Town. (Isa 1:21-26 CEB)
How important are justice and doing right to God? How vile is idolatry to God?
Jerusalem, you will be saved by showing justice; Zion's people who turn to me will be saved by doing right. But those rebellious sinners who turn against me, the Lord, will all disappear.
You will be made ashamed of those groves of trees where you worshiped idols. You will be like a grove of trees dying in a drought. Your strongest leaders will be like dry wood set on fire by their idols. No one will be able to help, as they all go up in flames. (Isa 1:27-31 CEV)
What will Jesus say to those who did not act in love for their neighbor?
Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Mat 25:44-46 ESV)
How does God view a society that relies on religious rituals, but abandons love of God and neighbor? You decide!
The Groom Arrives (Song of Songs 8)
Does the bride long for her groom to come? Do we long for Christ to come? Let’s look at Song of Songs 8.
Does the bride wish her groom was a brother, so she could kiss him publicly without shame? Does she dream of his hand under her head in intimate embrace?
If only I could treat you like my brother, one who nursed at my mother’s breasts, I would find you in public and kiss you, and no one would scorn me. I would lead you, I would take you, to the house of my mother who taught me. I would give you spiced wine to drink from my pomegranate juice. His left hand is under my head, and his right arm embraces me. Young women of Jerusalem, I charge you: do not stir up or awaken love until the appropriate time. (Song 8:1-4 HCSB)
How intense is the love of the bride for her groom? How intense is the love of the Church for Christ?
Who is this coming up from the desert, leaning on her beloved? Under the apple tree I awakened you. There your mother had gone into labor with you; there she went into labor and gave birth to you. Set me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, passion as intense as Sheol. The flames of love are flames of fire, a blaze that comes from the Lord. Mighty bodies of water cannot extinguish love, rivers cannot put it out. If a man were to give all the wealth of his house for love, he would surely be viewed with contempt. (Song 8:5-7 ISV)
Do the bride’s brothers reminisce about her childhood with gratitude for what she has become? If she was a wall of purity would they honor her highly? Did they guard the door to promiscuity and protect her virginity? Who is protecting our spiritual purity?
We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts: what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for? If she be a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver: and if she be a door, we will inclose her with boards of cedar. (Song 8:8-9 KJV)
Does the bride openly declare her purity, like a wall that cannot be breached, as she rejects Solomon’s vineyard and wealth?
I was a wall, and my breasts were like towers; Then I became in his eyes as one who finds peace. Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon; He gave the vineyard to caretakers. Each one was to bring one thousand shekels of silver for its fruit. My very own vineyard is before me; The thousand shekels are for you, Solomon, And two hundred are for those who take care of its fruit. (Song 8:10-12 LSB)
What do the bride and groom say to each other in conclusion? Do we also wait for Christ hoping He will come soon?
“You who sit in the gardens: My companions are listening for your voice—Let me hear it!” “Hurry, my beloved, And be like a gazelle or a young stag On the mountains of balsam trees!” (Song 8:13-14 NASB)
Though we may fall asleep waiting for the bridegroom to come, have we prepared by putting oil in our lamps?
The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ (Mat 25:4-6 NIV)
Does the bride long for her groom to come? Do we long for Christ to come? You decide!
Does the bride wish her groom was a brother, so she could kiss him publicly without shame? Does she dream of his hand under her head in intimate embrace?
If only I could treat you like my brother, one who nursed at my mother’s breasts, I would find you in public and kiss you, and no one would scorn me. I would lead you, I would take you, to the house of my mother who taught me. I would give you spiced wine to drink from my pomegranate juice. His left hand is under my head, and his right arm embraces me. Young women of Jerusalem, I charge you: do not stir up or awaken love until the appropriate time. (Song 8:1-4 HCSB)
How intense is the love of the bride for her groom? How intense is the love of the Church for Christ?
Who is this coming up from the desert, leaning on her beloved? Under the apple tree I awakened you. There your mother had gone into labor with you; there she went into labor and gave birth to you. Set me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, passion as intense as Sheol. The flames of love are flames of fire, a blaze that comes from the Lord. Mighty bodies of water cannot extinguish love, rivers cannot put it out. If a man were to give all the wealth of his house for love, he would surely be viewed with contempt. (Song 8:5-7 ISV)
Do the bride’s brothers reminisce about her childhood with gratitude for what she has become? If she was a wall of purity would they honor her highly? Did they guard the door to promiscuity and protect her virginity? Who is protecting our spiritual purity?
We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts: what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for? If she be a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver: and if she be a door, we will inclose her with boards of cedar. (Song 8:8-9 KJV)
Does the bride openly declare her purity, like a wall that cannot be breached, as she rejects Solomon’s vineyard and wealth?
I was a wall, and my breasts were like towers; Then I became in his eyes as one who finds peace. Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon; He gave the vineyard to caretakers. Each one was to bring one thousand shekels of silver for its fruit. My very own vineyard is before me; The thousand shekels are for you, Solomon, And two hundred are for those who take care of its fruit. (Song 8:10-12 LSB)
What do the bride and groom say to each other in conclusion? Do we also wait for Christ hoping He will come soon?
“You who sit in the gardens: My companions are listening for your voice—Let me hear it!” “Hurry, my beloved, And be like a gazelle or a young stag On the mountains of balsam trees!” (Song 8:13-14 NASB)
Though we may fall asleep waiting for the bridegroom to come, have we prepared by putting oil in our lamps?
The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ (Mat 25:4-6 NIV)
Does the bride long for her groom to come? Do we long for Christ to come? You decide!
Intimacy (Song of Songs 7)
Can we see past the sins of this world to the purity of intimacy in a faithful marriage and how it pictures Christ’s love for the Church? Let’s look at Song of Songs 7.
As we examine this unashamedly intimate passage of a man’s love for his bride, can we see the intimate love of Christ for His Church?
How graceful are your sandaled feet, willing woman! The smooth curves of your thighs—like fine jewelry, the work of an artist’s hands! Your navel, cupped like the full moon—may it never lack spiced wine! Your belly is a mound of winnowed wheat edged with lilies. Your two breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle doe; your neck, like a tower of ivory; your eyes, pools in Heshbon, by the gate of that lordly city. Your profile is like the tower of Lebanon, looking out toward Damascus. Your head crowns you like Mount Carmel, and your hair, braided in royal purple—a king is bound by the tresses! You are so beautiful, so lovely—my love, delightful one! Your stately form resembles a date palm, and your breasts are like clustered fruit. I say, “I will climb the palm tree; I will hold its fruit!” May your breasts be now like grape clusters, and the scent of your breath like apples! Your palate is like excellent wine flowing smoothly for my love, gliding through the lips and teeth. (Song 7:1-9 CEB)
As we examine the bride’s perspective in this unashamedly intimate passage, can we appreciate the Church’s love for Christ?
My darling, I am yours, and you desire me. Let's stroll through the fields and sleep in the villages. At dawn let's slip out and see if grapevines and fruit trees are covered with blossoms. When we are there, I will give you my love. Perfume from the magic flower fills the air, my darling. Right at our doorstep I have stored up for you all kinds of tasty fruits. (Song 7:10-13 CEV)
How important is physical intimacy in a godly marriage?
The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. (1 Cor 7:3-5 ESV)
Can we see past the sins of this world to the purity of intimacy in a faithful marriage and how it pictures Christ’s love for the Church? You decide!
As we examine this unashamedly intimate passage of a man’s love for his bride, can we see the intimate love of Christ for His Church?
How graceful are your sandaled feet, willing woman! The smooth curves of your thighs—like fine jewelry, the work of an artist’s hands! Your navel, cupped like the full moon—may it never lack spiced wine! Your belly is a mound of winnowed wheat edged with lilies. Your two breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle doe; your neck, like a tower of ivory; your eyes, pools in Heshbon, by the gate of that lordly city. Your profile is like the tower of Lebanon, looking out toward Damascus. Your head crowns you like Mount Carmel, and your hair, braided in royal purple—a king is bound by the tresses! You are so beautiful, so lovely—my love, delightful one! Your stately form resembles a date palm, and your breasts are like clustered fruit. I say, “I will climb the palm tree; I will hold its fruit!” May your breasts be now like grape clusters, and the scent of your breath like apples! Your palate is like excellent wine flowing smoothly for my love, gliding through the lips and teeth. (Song 7:1-9 CEB)
As we examine the bride’s perspective in this unashamedly intimate passage, can we appreciate the Church’s love for Christ?
My darling, I am yours, and you desire me. Let's stroll through the fields and sleep in the villages. At dawn let's slip out and see if grapevines and fruit trees are covered with blossoms. When we are there, I will give you my love. Perfume from the magic flower fills the air, my darling. Right at our doorstep I have stored up for you all kinds of tasty fruits. (Song 7:10-13 CEV)
How important is physical intimacy in a godly marriage?
The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. (1 Cor 7:3-5 ESV)
Can we see past the sins of this world to the purity of intimacy in a faithful marriage and how it pictures Christ’s love for the Church? You decide!
In the Garden (Song of Songs 6)
Are our marriages on earth meant to be a jubilant foreshadow of the marriage of the Lamb, a joyful celebration? Let’s look at Song of Songs 6.
Acting as narrators, what do the young women of Jerusalem ask the Bride?
Where did your beloved go, most beautiful of women? Where did your beloved turn, so we may look for him with you? (Song 6:1 ISV)
How does the Bride answer the question from the narrators, the women of Jerusalem? Does the Church ask where Jesus has gone?
My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies. I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine: he feedeth among the lilies. (Song 6:2-3 KJV)
What did the groom say to his beautiful bride? Did God love Israel? Does Jesus love His Church?
You are as beautiful as Tirzah, my darling, As lovely as Jerusalem, As majestic as an army with banners. Turn your eyes away from me, For they have overwhelmed me; Your hair is like a flock of goats That have leapt down from Gilead. Your teeth are like a flock of ewes Which have come up from their washing, All of which bear twins, And not one among them has lost her young. Your temples are like a slice of a pomegranate Behind your veil. (Song 6:4-7 LSB)
When a man is truly in love, how does he look upon his bride? How did God look upon Israel? How does Jesus look upon the Church?
There are sixty queens and eighty concubines, And young women without number; But my dove, my perfect one, is unique: She is her mother’s only daughter; She is the pure child of the one who gave birth to her. (Song 6:8-9a NASB)
How did the young friends of the bride describe her?
The young women saw her and called her blessed; the queens and concubines praised her. Who is this that appears like the dawn, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, majestic as the stars in procession? (Song 6:9b-10 NIV)
When love came into his heart, did an ordinary stroll through the garden seem like a royal pageant? Is it like a return to Eden, as Jesus marries His Church?
I went down to the garden of nuts To see the verdure of the valley, To see whether the vine had budded And the pomegranates had bloomed. Before I was even aware, My soul had made me As the chariots of my noble people. (Song 6:11-12 NKJV)
Do the young women want to gaze on the Bride? Did the Groom ask why they look while the Bride dances between two lines?
Return, return to us, O maid of Shulam. Come back, come back, that we may see you again. Why do you stare at this young woman of Shulam, as she moves so gracefully between two lines of dancers? (Song 6:13 NLT)
Is the Church to be married to Christ, as a pure virgin, without sin?
For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you in marriage to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ. (2 Cor 11:2 WEB)
Are our marriages on earth meant to be a jubilant foreshadow of the marriage of the Lamb, a joyful celebration? You decide!
Acting as narrators, what do the young women of Jerusalem ask the Bride?
Where did your beloved go, most beautiful of women? Where did your beloved turn, so we may look for him with you? (Song 6:1 ISV)
How does the Bride answer the question from the narrators, the women of Jerusalem? Does the Church ask where Jesus has gone?
My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies. I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine: he feedeth among the lilies. (Song 6:2-3 KJV)
What did the groom say to his beautiful bride? Did God love Israel? Does Jesus love His Church?
You are as beautiful as Tirzah, my darling, As lovely as Jerusalem, As majestic as an army with banners. Turn your eyes away from me, For they have overwhelmed me; Your hair is like a flock of goats That have leapt down from Gilead. Your teeth are like a flock of ewes Which have come up from their washing, All of which bear twins, And not one among them has lost her young. Your temples are like a slice of a pomegranate Behind your veil. (Song 6:4-7 LSB)
When a man is truly in love, how does he look upon his bride? How did God look upon Israel? How does Jesus look upon the Church?
There are sixty queens and eighty concubines, And young women without number; But my dove, my perfect one, is unique: She is her mother’s only daughter; She is the pure child of the one who gave birth to her. (Song 6:8-9a NASB)
How did the young friends of the bride describe her?
The young women saw her and called her blessed; the queens and concubines praised her. Who is this that appears like the dawn, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, majestic as the stars in procession? (Song 6:9b-10 NIV)
When love came into his heart, did an ordinary stroll through the garden seem like a royal pageant? Is it like a return to Eden, as Jesus marries His Church?
I went down to the garden of nuts To see the verdure of the valley, To see whether the vine had budded And the pomegranates had bloomed. Before I was even aware, My soul had made me As the chariots of my noble people. (Song 6:11-12 NKJV)
Do the young women want to gaze on the Bride? Did the Groom ask why they look while the Bride dances between two lines?
Return, return to us, O maid of Shulam. Come back, come back, that we may see you again. Why do you stare at this young woman of Shulam, as she moves so gracefully between two lines of dancers? (Song 6:13 NLT)
Is the Church to be married to Christ, as a pure virgin, without sin?
For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you in marriage to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ. (2 Cor 11:2 WEB)
Are our marriages on earth meant to be a jubilant foreshadow of the marriage of the Lamb, a joyful celebration? You decide!
A Knock at the Door (Song of Songs 5)
When Jesus knocks on our door do we hesitate? Let’s look at Song of Songs 5.
What did the Bridegroom and the young women of Jerusalem say to the Bride?
I have entered my garden, my treasure, my bride! I gather myrrh with my spices and eat honeycomb with my honey. I drink wine with my milk. Oh, lover and beloved, eat and drink! Yes, drink deeply of your love! (Song 5:1 NLT)
Why did the Bride delay answering the door? What happened when she searched for him? Do we hesitate when Jesus knocks? Are we beaten up by this world?
I was asleep, but my heart was awake. It is the voice of my beloved who knocks: “Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled; for my head is filled with dew, and my hair with the dampness of the night.” I have taken off my robe. Indeed, must I put it on? I have washed my feet. Indeed, must I soil them? My beloved thrust his hand in through the latch opening. My heart pounded for him. I rose up to open for my beloved. My hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with liquid myrrh, on the handles of the lock. I opened to my beloved; but my beloved left, and had gone away. My heart went out when he spoke. I looked for him, but I didn’t find him. I called him, but he didn’t answer. The watchmen who go about the city found me. They beat me. They bruised me. The keepers of the walls took my cloak away from me. (Song 5:2-7 WEB)
What conversation does the Bride have with the daughters of Jerusalem?
I place you under oath, daughters of Jerusalem: If you find my love, what should you tell him? That I’m weak with love! How is your lover different from any other lover, you who are the most beautiful of women? How is your lover different from any other lover, that you make us swear a solemn pledge? (Song 5:8-9 CEB)
How does the Bride describe the uniqueness of her Groom? Is Jesus unique because of His resurrection?
He is handsome and healthy, the most outstanding among ten thousand. His head is purest gold; his hair is wavy, black as a raven. His eyes are a pair of doves bathing in a stream flowing with milk. His face is a garden of sweet-smelling spices; his lips are lilies dripping with perfume. (Song 5:10-13 CEV)
How else is the Bridegroom unique? How else is Jesus unique? Is He both 100% divine and 100% human? Is He God’s unique Son?
His arms are rods of gold, set with jewels. His body is polished ivory, bedecked with sapphires. His legs are alabaster columns, set on bases of gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, choice as the cedars. His mouth is most sweet, and he is altogether desirable. This is my beloved and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem. (Song 5:14-16 ESV)
What did Jesus tell the church in Laodicea? What does that say about our choices, our free will?
See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. To the one who conquers I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. (Rev 3:20-21 HCSB)
When Jesus knocks on our door do we hesitate? You decide!
What did the Bridegroom and the young women of Jerusalem say to the Bride?
I have entered my garden, my treasure, my bride! I gather myrrh with my spices and eat honeycomb with my honey. I drink wine with my milk. Oh, lover and beloved, eat and drink! Yes, drink deeply of your love! (Song 5:1 NLT)
Why did the Bride delay answering the door? What happened when she searched for him? Do we hesitate when Jesus knocks? Are we beaten up by this world?
I was asleep, but my heart was awake. It is the voice of my beloved who knocks: “Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled; for my head is filled with dew, and my hair with the dampness of the night.” I have taken off my robe. Indeed, must I put it on? I have washed my feet. Indeed, must I soil them? My beloved thrust his hand in through the latch opening. My heart pounded for him. I rose up to open for my beloved. My hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with liquid myrrh, on the handles of the lock. I opened to my beloved; but my beloved left, and had gone away. My heart went out when he spoke. I looked for him, but I didn’t find him. I called him, but he didn’t answer. The watchmen who go about the city found me. They beat me. They bruised me. The keepers of the walls took my cloak away from me. (Song 5:2-7 WEB)
What conversation does the Bride have with the daughters of Jerusalem?
I place you under oath, daughters of Jerusalem: If you find my love, what should you tell him? That I’m weak with love! How is your lover different from any other lover, you who are the most beautiful of women? How is your lover different from any other lover, that you make us swear a solemn pledge? (Song 5:8-9 CEB)
How does the Bride describe the uniqueness of her Groom? Is Jesus unique because of His resurrection?
He is handsome and healthy, the most outstanding among ten thousand. His head is purest gold; his hair is wavy, black as a raven. His eyes are a pair of doves bathing in a stream flowing with milk. His face is a garden of sweet-smelling spices; his lips are lilies dripping with perfume. (Song 5:10-13 CEV)
How else is the Bridegroom unique? How else is Jesus unique? Is He both 100% divine and 100% human? Is He God’s unique Son?
His arms are rods of gold, set with jewels. His body is polished ivory, bedecked with sapphires. His legs are alabaster columns, set on bases of gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, choice as the cedars. His mouth is most sweet, and he is altogether desirable. This is my beloved and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem. (Song 5:14-16 ESV)
What did Jesus tell the church in Laodicea? What does that say about our choices, our free will?
See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. To the one who conquers I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. (Rev 3:20-21 HCSB)
When Jesus knocks on our door do we hesitate? You decide!
A Groom's Love (Song of Songs 4)
Can the loving faithfulness of a monogamous groom for his one bride help us understand the love of Christ for the Church? Let’s look at Song of Songs 4.
Is this Solomon reevaluating his selfish, polygamous life and contemplating a life of faithfulness to one woman, or is this the shepherd bridegroom of his Shulamite bride speaking? Opinions are divided, so what is important to learn here about faithfulness in marriage and Christ’s love for His Church?
Behold, you are beautiful, my darling, Behold, you are beautiful! Your eyes are like doves behind your veil; Your hair is like a flock of goats That have leapt down from Mount Gilead. Your teeth are like a flock of newly shorn ewes Which have come up from their washing, All of which bear twins, And not one among them has lost her young. Your lips are like a scarlet thread, And your mouth is lovely. Your temples are like a slice of a pomegranate Behind your veil. Your neck is like the tower of David, Built with rows of stones On which are hung one thousand shields, All the small shields of the mighty men. Your two breasts are like two fawns, Twins of a gazelle Which feed among the lilies. Until the day breathes And the shadows flee, I will go my way to the mountain of myrrh And to the hill of frankincense. (Song 4:1-6 LSB)
How is this ideal bridegroom more like a faithful husband and like Christ’s love for the Church than the fickle, regretful polygamy of Solomon?
You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish on you. Come with me from Lebanon, my bride, You shall come with me from Lebanon. You shall come down from the summit of Amana, From the summit of Senir and Hermon, From the dens of lions, From the mountains of leopards. You have enchanted my heart, my sister, my bride; You have enchanted my heart with a single glance of your eyes, With a single strand of your necklace. How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much sweeter is your love than wine, And the fragrance of your oils Than that of all kinds of balsam oils! Your lips drip honey, my bride; Honey and milk are under your tongue, And the fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon. A locked garden is my sister, my bride, A locked spring, a sealed fountain. Your branches are an orchard of pomegranates With delicious fruits, henna with nard plants, Nard and saffron, spice reed and cinnamon, With all the trees of frankincense, Myrrh, and aloes, along with all the finest balsam oils. You are a garden spring, A well of fresh water, And flowing streams from Lebanon. (Song 4:7-15 NASB)
How does the bride answer her lover, her husband? Do we invite Christ into our churches with such love?
Awake, north wind, and come, south wind! Blow on my garden, that its fragrance may spread everywhere. Let my beloved come into his garden and taste its choice fruits. (Song 4:16 NIV)
How did Jesus set the example for every man, of a loving husband to His Bride, the Church?
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. (Eph 5:25-28 NKJV)
Can the loving faithfulness of a monogamous groom for his one bride help us understand the love of Christ for the Church? You decide!
Is this Solomon reevaluating his selfish, polygamous life and contemplating a life of faithfulness to one woman, or is this the shepherd bridegroom of his Shulamite bride speaking? Opinions are divided, so what is important to learn here about faithfulness in marriage and Christ’s love for His Church?
Behold, you are beautiful, my darling, Behold, you are beautiful! Your eyes are like doves behind your veil; Your hair is like a flock of goats That have leapt down from Mount Gilead. Your teeth are like a flock of newly shorn ewes Which have come up from their washing, All of which bear twins, And not one among them has lost her young. Your lips are like a scarlet thread, And your mouth is lovely. Your temples are like a slice of a pomegranate Behind your veil. Your neck is like the tower of David, Built with rows of stones On which are hung one thousand shields, All the small shields of the mighty men. Your two breasts are like two fawns, Twins of a gazelle Which feed among the lilies. Until the day breathes And the shadows flee, I will go my way to the mountain of myrrh And to the hill of frankincense. (Song 4:1-6 LSB)
How is this ideal bridegroom more like a faithful husband and like Christ’s love for the Church than the fickle, regretful polygamy of Solomon?
You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish on you. Come with me from Lebanon, my bride, You shall come with me from Lebanon. You shall come down from the summit of Amana, From the summit of Senir and Hermon, From the dens of lions, From the mountains of leopards. You have enchanted my heart, my sister, my bride; You have enchanted my heart with a single glance of your eyes, With a single strand of your necklace. How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much sweeter is your love than wine, And the fragrance of your oils Than that of all kinds of balsam oils! Your lips drip honey, my bride; Honey and milk are under your tongue, And the fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon. A locked garden is my sister, my bride, A locked spring, a sealed fountain. Your branches are an orchard of pomegranates With delicious fruits, henna with nard plants, Nard and saffron, spice reed and cinnamon, With all the trees of frankincense, Myrrh, and aloes, along with all the finest balsam oils. You are a garden spring, A well of fresh water, And flowing streams from Lebanon. (Song 4:7-15 NASB)
How does the bride answer her lover, her husband? Do we invite Christ into our churches with such love?
Awake, north wind, and come, south wind! Blow on my garden, that its fragrance may spread everywhere. Let my beloved come into his garden and taste its choice fruits. (Song 4:16 NIV)
How did Jesus set the example for every man, of a loving husband to His Bride, the Church?
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. (Eph 5:25-28 NKJV)
Can the loving faithfulness of a monogamous groom for his one bride help us understand the love of Christ for the Church? You decide!
A Bride's Dream (Song of Songs 3)
Do we dream faithfully of our one spouse on earth? Does monogamous marital loyalty mirror our devotion to Christ? Let’s look at Song of Songs 3.
Did the Bride dream of looking for her Bridegroom? Do we dream of meeting Christ face to face some day?
Upon my bed, night after night, I looked for the one whom I love with all my heart. I looked for him but couldn’t find him. “I will rise now and go all around the city, through the streets and the squares. I will look for the one whom I love with all my heart.” I looked for him but couldn’t find him. (Song 3:1-2 CEB)
Did she finally find him after asking the night security guards? Is Jesus the cornerstone of our faith?
I even asked the guards patrolling the town, “Have you seen the one I love so much?” Right after that, I found him. I held him and would not let go until I had taken him to the home of my mother. (Song 3:3-4 CEV)
Does the Bride warn other women not to allow love to awaken in their hearts too early, but to wait for that one right person?
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases. (Song 3:5 ESV)
Did that warning include Solomon, carried on a royal sedan chair, guarded by 60 warriors, an extremely wise but equally selfish man, not satisfied with one faithful wife?
What is this coming up from the wilderness like columns of smoke, scented with myrrh and frankincense from every fragrant powder of the merchant? It is Solomon’s royal litter surrounded by 60 warriors from the mighty of Israel. All of them are skilled with swords and trained in warfare. Each has his sword at his side to guard against the terror of the night. (Song 3:6-8 HCSB)
Would a thousand fancy wedding days to Solomon distract our Bride from her one true love? Would the impressive riches of this world distract us from the love of Christ?
King Solomon made the sedan chair for himself from the trees of Lebanon. He made its posts of silver, its back of gold. Its seat was purple, and its interior was lovingly inlaid by the young women of Jerusalem. Come out, young women of Zion, and see King Solomon with the crown with which his mother crowned him on his wedding day—his day of great delight. (Song 3:9-11 ISV)
Will we allow temptation to make us unfaithful to just one earthly spouse? Does God’s creation reveal a glory greater than any short-lived grandeur tempting us away from our loyalty to Christ?
Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (Luke 12:27 KJV)
Do we dream faithfully of our one spouse on earth? Does monogamous marital loyalty mirror our devotion to Christ? You decide!
Did the Bride dream of looking for her Bridegroom? Do we dream of meeting Christ face to face some day?
Upon my bed, night after night, I looked for the one whom I love with all my heart. I looked for him but couldn’t find him. “I will rise now and go all around the city, through the streets and the squares. I will look for the one whom I love with all my heart.” I looked for him but couldn’t find him. (Song 3:1-2 CEB)
Did she finally find him after asking the night security guards? Is Jesus the cornerstone of our faith?
I even asked the guards patrolling the town, “Have you seen the one I love so much?” Right after that, I found him. I held him and would not let go until I had taken him to the home of my mother. (Song 3:3-4 CEV)
Does the Bride warn other women not to allow love to awaken in their hearts too early, but to wait for that one right person?
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases. (Song 3:5 ESV)
Did that warning include Solomon, carried on a royal sedan chair, guarded by 60 warriors, an extremely wise but equally selfish man, not satisfied with one faithful wife?
What is this coming up from the wilderness like columns of smoke, scented with myrrh and frankincense from every fragrant powder of the merchant? It is Solomon’s royal litter surrounded by 60 warriors from the mighty of Israel. All of them are skilled with swords and trained in warfare. Each has his sword at his side to guard against the terror of the night. (Song 3:6-8 HCSB)
Would a thousand fancy wedding days to Solomon distract our Bride from her one true love? Would the impressive riches of this world distract us from the love of Christ?
King Solomon made the sedan chair for himself from the trees of Lebanon. He made its posts of silver, its back of gold. Its seat was purple, and its interior was lovingly inlaid by the young women of Jerusalem. Come out, young women of Zion, and see King Solomon with the crown with which his mother crowned him on his wedding day—his day of great delight. (Song 3:9-11 ISV)
Will we allow temptation to make us unfaithful to just one earthly spouse? Does God’s creation reveal a glory greater than any short-lived grandeur tempting us away from our loyalty to Christ?
Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (Luke 12:27 KJV)
Do we dream faithfully of our one spouse on earth? Does monogamous marital loyalty mirror our devotion to Christ? You decide!
A Bride's Praise (Song of Songs 2)
How much do we love our spouse? How much do we love Jesus? Let’s look at Song of Songs 2.
How does the Bride describe the love of her husband for her?
I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. (Song 2:1 KJV)
How does the husband respond to His Bride’s description of His love for her?
Like a lily among the thorns, So is my darling among the daughters. (Song 2:2 LSB)
How does the Bride describe her love for her lover, her husband? Is our marriage like this?
Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest, So is my beloved among the young men. In his shade I took great delight and sat down, And his fruit was sweet to my taste. He has brought me to his banquet hall, And his banner over me is love. Refresh me with raisin cakes, Sustain me with apples, Because I am lovesick. His left hand is under my head, And his right hand embraces me. (Song 2:3-6 NASB)
How considerate are we in our marriage? Is the Bride quiet while her young husband sleeps, not wanting to disturb Him?
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 2:7 NIV)
How does the Bride picture her husband coming to her?
Ah, I hear my lover coming! He is leaping over the mountains, bounding over the hills. My lover is like a swift gazelle or a young stag. Look, there he is behind the wall, looking through the window, peering into the room. (Song 2:8-9 NLT)
What did her beloved Husband suggest to His dear wife?
My beloved spoke, and said to me, “Rise up, my love, my beautiful one, and come away. For behold, the winter is past. The rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth. The time of the singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree ripens her green figs. The vines are in blossom. They give out their fragrance. Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away.” (Song 2:10-13 WEB)
Does the Bride request of her Husband to see Him, to have Him perform a small task?
My dove—in the rock crevices, hidden in the cliff face—let me catch sight of you; let me hear your voice! The sound of your voice is sweet, and the sight of you is lovely.” Catch foxes for us—those little foxes that spoil vineyards, now that our vineyards are in bloom! (Song 2:14-15 CEB)
Does the young Bride desire to watch like seeing a deer as her Husband returns to her?
My lover is mine, and I am his. He browses among the lilies. Before the dawn breezes blow and the night shadows flee, return to me, my love, like a gazelle or a young stag on the rugged mountains. (Song 2:16-17 NLT)
How much ought we, as members of the Church that Jesus will marry, love Jesus?
If you love your father or mother or even your sons and daughters more than me, you are not fit to be my disciples. (Mat 10:37)
How much do we love our spouse? How much do we love Jesus? You decide!
How does the Bride describe the love of her husband for her?
I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. (Song 2:1 KJV)
How does the husband respond to His Bride’s description of His love for her?
Like a lily among the thorns, So is my darling among the daughters. (Song 2:2 LSB)
How does the Bride describe her love for her lover, her husband? Is our marriage like this?
Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest, So is my beloved among the young men. In his shade I took great delight and sat down, And his fruit was sweet to my taste. He has brought me to his banquet hall, And his banner over me is love. Refresh me with raisin cakes, Sustain me with apples, Because I am lovesick. His left hand is under my head, And his right hand embraces me. (Song 2:3-6 NASB)
How considerate are we in our marriage? Is the Bride quiet while her young husband sleeps, not wanting to disturb Him?
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 2:7 NIV)
How does the Bride picture her husband coming to her?
Ah, I hear my lover coming! He is leaping over the mountains, bounding over the hills. My lover is like a swift gazelle or a young stag. Look, there he is behind the wall, looking through the window, peering into the room. (Song 2:8-9 NLT)
What did her beloved Husband suggest to His dear wife?
My beloved spoke, and said to me, “Rise up, my love, my beautiful one, and come away. For behold, the winter is past. The rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth. The time of the singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree ripens her green figs. The vines are in blossom. They give out their fragrance. Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away.” (Song 2:10-13 WEB)
Does the Bride request of her Husband to see Him, to have Him perform a small task?
My dove—in the rock crevices, hidden in the cliff face—let me catch sight of you; let me hear your voice! The sound of your voice is sweet, and the sight of you is lovely.” Catch foxes for us—those little foxes that spoil vineyards, now that our vineyards are in bloom! (Song 2:14-15 CEB)
Does the young Bride desire to watch like seeing a deer as her Husband returns to her?
My lover is mine, and I am his. He browses among the lilies. Before the dawn breezes blow and the night shadows flee, return to me, my love, like a gazelle or a young stag on the rugged mountains. (Song 2:16-17 NLT)
How much ought we, as members of the Church that Jesus will marry, love Jesus?
If you love your father or mother or even your sons and daughters more than me, you are not fit to be my disciples. (Mat 10:37)
How much do we love our spouse? How much do we love Jesus? You decide!
A Bride's Love (Song 1)
Is the greatest song ever written, one that pictures the marriage of the Lamb to His Bride the Church? Let’s begin in Song of Songs 1.
Does this most excellent of songs picture Jesus and His love for us, His Bride?
The song of songs, which is Solomon’s. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—For your love is better than wine. Because of the fragrance of your good ointments, Your name is ointment poured forth; Therefore the virgins love you. Draw me away! We will run after you. The king has brought me into his chambers. We will be glad and rejoice in you. We will remember your love more than wine. (Song 1:1-4 NKJV)
Though the Church is darkened by persecution and the abuse of forced labor, is she still beautiful to Her Savior?
I am dark but beautiful, O women of Jerusalem—dark as the tents of Kedar, dark as the curtains of Solomon’s tents. Don’t stare at me because I am dark—the sun has darkened my skin. My brothers were angry with me; they forced me to care for their vineyards, so I couldn’t care for myself—my own vineyard. (Song 1:5-6 NLT)
Does the Church seek the companionship of Jesus during the heat of the day?
Tell me, you whom my soul loves, where you graze your flock, where you rest them at noon; for why should I be as one who is veiled beside the flocks of your companions? (Song 1:7 WEB)
Does Jesus welcome the companionship of His Bride and tell the Church how to find Him?
If you don’t know your way, most beautiful of women, then follow the tracks of the herds and graze your little goats by the tents of the shepherds. I picture you, my dearest, as a mare among Pharaoh’s chariots! Lovely are your cheeks, adorned with ear hoops; your neck, with beads. Let’s make hoops of gold beaded with silver for you! (Song 1:8-11 CEB)
Do we see the companionship of Jesus in our daily lives as perfume on our chest?
My king, while you were on your couch, my aroma was a magic charm. My darling, you are perfume between my breasts; you are flower blossoms from the gardens of En-Gedi. (Song 1:12-14 CEV)
Do we see through the eyes of Jesus as He looks upon His Bride, the Church, as beautiful?
Behold, you are beautiful, my love; behold, you are beautiful; your eyes are doves. (Song 1:15 ESV)
Do we enjoy meeting with Jesus even in the humblest of Church buildings, the house of the Lord, as a beautiful place?
How handsome you are, my love. How delightful! Our bed is lush with foliage; the beams of our house are cedars, and our rafters are cypresses. (Song 1:16-17 HCSB)
Do we understand the love that Jesus has for His Church, or do we insult Him by constantly criticizing her?
Let us rejoice, be glad, and give him glory, because the marriage of the lamb has come and his bride has made herself ready. (Rev 19:7 ISV)
Is the greatest song ever written one that pictures the marriage of the Lamb to His Bride the Church? You decide!
Does this most excellent of songs picture Jesus and His love for us, His Bride?
The song of songs, which is Solomon’s. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—For your love is better than wine. Because of the fragrance of your good ointments, Your name is ointment poured forth; Therefore the virgins love you. Draw me away! We will run after you. The king has brought me into his chambers. We will be glad and rejoice in you. We will remember your love more than wine. (Song 1:1-4 NKJV)
Though the Church is darkened by persecution and the abuse of forced labor, is she still beautiful to Her Savior?
I am dark but beautiful, O women of Jerusalem—dark as the tents of Kedar, dark as the curtains of Solomon’s tents. Don’t stare at me because I am dark—the sun has darkened my skin. My brothers were angry with me; they forced me to care for their vineyards, so I couldn’t care for myself—my own vineyard. (Song 1:5-6 NLT)
Does the Church seek the companionship of Jesus during the heat of the day?
Tell me, you whom my soul loves, where you graze your flock, where you rest them at noon; for why should I be as one who is veiled beside the flocks of your companions? (Song 1:7 WEB)
Does Jesus welcome the companionship of His Bride and tell the Church how to find Him?
If you don’t know your way, most beautiful of women, then follow the tracks of the herds and graze your little goats by the tents of the shepherds. I picture you, my dearest, as a mare among Pharaoh’s chariots! Lovely are your cheeks, adorned with ear hoops; your neck, with beads. Let’s make hoops of gold beaded with silver for you! (Song 1:8-11 CEB)
Do we see the companionship of Jesus in our daily lives as perfume on our chest?
My king, while you were on your couch, my aroma was a magic charm. My darling, you are perfume between my breasts; you are flower blossoms from the gardens of En-Gedi. (Song 1:12-14 CEV)
Do we see through the eyes of Jesus as He looks upon His Bride, the Church, as beautiful?
Behold, you are beautiful, my love; behold, you are beautiful; your eyes are doves. (Song 1:15 ESV)
Do we enjoy meeting with Jesus even in the humblest of Church buildings, the house of the Lord, as a beautiful place?
How handsome you are, my love. How delightful! Our bed is lush with foliage; the beams of our house are cedars, and our rafters are cypresses. (Song 1:16-17 HCSB)
Do we understand the love that Jesus has for His Church, or do we insult Him by constantly criticizing her?
Let us rejoice, be glad, and give him glory, because the marriage of the lamb has come and his bride has made herself ready. (Rev 19:7 ISV)
Is the greatest song ever written one that pictures the marriage of the Lamb to His Bride the Church? You decide!
Our Duty (Ecclesiastes 12)
Who should we remember all the days of our lives as our whole duty? Let’s look at Ecclesiastes 12.
Should we remember God before our eyes grow dim, before the silver cord possibly holding body and soul together or perhaps our spinal cord is broken, and our bodies return to dust?
Remember your creator in your prime, before the days of trouble arrive, and those years, about which you’ll say, “I take no pleasure in these”—before the sun and the light grow dark, the moon and the stars too, before the clouds return after the rain; on the day when the housekeepers tremble and the strong men stoop; when the women who grind stop working because they’re so few, and those who look through the windows grow dim; when the doors to the street are shut, when the sound of the mill fades, the sound of the bird rises, and all the singers come down low; when people are afraid of things above and of terrors along the way; when the almond tree blanches, the locust droops, and the caper-berry comes to nothing; when the human goes to the eternal abode, with mourners all around in the street; before the silver cord snaps and the gold bowl shatters; the jar is broken at the spring and the wheel is crushed at the pit; before dust returns to the earth as it was before and the life-breath returns to God who gave it. (Ecc 12:1-7 CEB)
What are words of wisdom like and how important are they compared to any other teachings?
I was a wise teacher with much understanding, and I collected a number of proverbs that I had carefully studied. Then I tried to explain these things in the best and most accurate way. Words of wisdom are like the stick a farmer uses to make animals move. These sayings come from a shepherd, and they are like nails that fasten things together. My child, I warn you to stay away from any teachings except these. There is no end to books, and too much study will wear you out. (Ecc 12:9-12 CEV)
What is the whole duty of mankind? Who will judge everyone?
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. (Ecc 12:13-14 ESV)
In one sense has judgement already begun and who is facing that judgment?
For the time has come for judgment to begin with God’s household, and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17 HCSB)
Who should we remember all the days of our lives as our whole duty? You decide!
Should we remember God before our eyes grow dim, before the silver cord possibly holding body and soul together or perhaps our spinal cord is broken, and our bodies return to dust?
Remember your creator in your prime, before the days of trouble arrive, and those years, about which you’ll say, “I take no pleasure in these”—before the sun and the light grow dark, the moon and the stars too, before the clouds return after the rain; on the day when the housekeepers tremble and the strong men stoop; when the women who grind stop working because they’re so few, and those who look through the windows grow dim; when the doors to the street are shut, when the sound of the mill fades, the sound of the bird rises, and all the singers come down low; when people are afraid of things above and of terrors along the way; when the almond tree blanches, the locust droops, and the caper-berry comes to nothing; when the human goes to the eternal abode, with mourners all around in the street; before the silver cord snaps and the gold bowl shatters; the jar is broken at the spring and the wheel is crushed at the pit; before dust returns to the earth as it was before and the life-breath returns to God who gave it. (Ecc 12:1-7 CEB)
What are words of wisdom like and how important are they compared to any other teachings?
I was a wise teacher with much understanding, and I collected a number of proverbs that I had carefully studied. Then I tried to explain these things in the best and most accurate way. Words of wisdom are like the stick a farmer uses to make animals move. These sayings come from a shepherd, and they are like nails that fasten things together. My child, I warn you to stay away from any teachings except these. There is no end to books, and too much study will wear you out. (Ecc 12:9-12 CEV)
What is the whole duty of mankind? Who will judge everyone?
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. (Ecc 12:13-14 ESV)
In one sense has judgement already begun and who is facing that judgment?
For the time has come for judgment to begin with God’s household, and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17 HCSB)
Who should we remember all the days of our lives as our whole duty? You decide!
Consequences (Ecclesiastes 11)
Are there consequences for life’s decisions? Let’s look at Ecclesiastes 11.
How important is generosity and does God reward generosity in mysterious ways?
Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days. Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth. If the clouds are full, they pour out rain on the earth; and whether a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, wherever the tree falls, there it lies. One who watches the wind will not sow and one who looks at the clouds will not harvest. Just as you do not know the path of the wind, and how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes everything. (Ecc 11:1-5 NASB)
Should we be diligent and diversify our efforts or just gamble on only one effort?
Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well. (Ecc 11:6 NIV)
Should we learn from both our good and our bad days?
Truly the light is sweet, And it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun; But if a man lives many years And rejoices in them all, Yet let him remember the days of darkness, For they will be many. All that is coming is vanity. (Ecc 11:7-8 NKJV)
Should we just enjoy our youth without preparing diligently for the rest of our lives?
Young people, it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do. So refuse to worry, and keep your body healthy. But remember that youth, with a whole life before you, is meaningless. (Ecc 11:9-10 NLT)
Who can we rely upon as an unchanging power in our lives?
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow let’s go into this city and spend a year there, trade, and make a profit.” Yet you don’t know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. For you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will both live, and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15 WEB)
Are there consequences for life’s decisions? You decide!
How important is generosity and does God reward generosity in mysterious ways?
Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days. Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth. If the clouds are full, they pour out rain on the earth; and whether a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, wherever the tree falls, there it lies. One who watches the wind will not sow and one who looks at the clouds will not harvest. Just as you do not know the path of the wind, and how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes everything. (Ecc 11:1-5 NASB)
Should we be diligent and diversify our efforts or just gamble on only one effort?
Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well. (Ecc 11:6 NIV)
Should we learn from both our good and our bad days?
Truly the light is sweet, And it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun; But if a man lives many years And rejoices in them all, Yet let him remember the days of darkness, For they will be many. All that is coming is vanity. (Ecc 11:7-8 NKJV)
Should we just enjoy our youth without preparing diligently for the rest of our lives?
Young people, it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do. So refuse to worry, and keep your body healthy. But remember that youth, with a whole life before you, is meaningless. (Ecc 11:9-10 NLT)
Who can we rely upon as an unchanging power in our lives?
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow let’s go into this city and spend a year there, trade, and make a profit.” Yet you don’t know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. For you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will both live, and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15 WEB)
Are there consequences for life’s decisions? You decide!
Folly (Ecclesiastes 10)
In a messed up world, how much folly is there in human life? Let’s look at Ecclesiastes 10.
What does a little foolishness do to a life normally filled with wise choices?
A few dead flies in perfume make all of it stink, and a little foolishness outweighs a lot of wisdom. Sensible thoughts lead you to do right; foolish thoughts lead you to do wrong. Fools show their stupidity by the way they live; it's easy to see they have no sense. Don't give up your job when your boss gets angry. If you stay calm, you'll be forgiven. (Ecc 10:1-4 CEV)
Have those in charge of our world often put the foolish in charge and demoted the wise?
Here’s another tragedy that I’ve observed on earth, a kind of error that comes from an overseer: Foolishness is given great honor, while the [talented] prosperous sit in lowly places. And I have observed servants riding on horses, while princes walk on the ground like servants. (Ecc 10:5-7 ISV)
Does the one who does evil actually set a trap for himself?
He who digs a pit will fall into it, and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall. He who quarries stones is hurt by them, and he who splits logs is endangered by them. If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed. If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage to the charmer. (Ecc 10:8-11 ESV)
What is the difference between how a fool talks and a wise person?
The words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him. The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly, but the end of his speaking is evil madness. Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what will happen, and who can tell anyone what will happen after him? The struggles of fools weary them, for they don’t know how to go to the city. (Ecc 10:12-15 HCSB)
How much do lazy leadership, bribery, and gossip impact a country?
Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning! Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through. A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things. Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter. (Ecc 10:16-20 KJV)
What if we lack wisdom, who do we ask, and with what attitude should we ask?
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith, doubting nothing, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. (James 1:5-6 LSB)
In a messed up world, how much folly is there in human life? You decide!
What does a little foolishness do to a life normally filled with wise choices?
A few dead flies in perfume make all of it stink, and a little foolishness outweighs a lot of wisdom. Sensible thoughts lead you to do right; foolish thoughts lead you to do wrong. Fools show their stupidity by the way they live; it's easy to see they have no sense. Don't give up your job when your boss gets angry. If you stay calm, you'll be forgiven. (Ecc 10:1-4 CEV)
Have those in charge of our world often put the foolish in charge and demoted the wise?
Here’s another tragedy that I’ve observed on earth, a kind of error that comes from an overseer: Foolishness is given great honor, while the [talented] prosperous sit in lowly places. And I have observed servants riding on horses, while princes walk on the ground like servants. (Ecc 10:5-7 ISV)
Does the one who does evil actually set a trap for himself?
He who digs a pit will fall into it, and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall. He who quarries stones is hurt by them, and he who splits logs is endangered by them. If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed. If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage to the charmer. (Ecc 10:8-11 ESV)
What is the difference between how a fool talks and a wise person?
The words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him. The beginning of the words of his mouth is folly, but the end of his speaking is evil madness. Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what will happen, and who can tell anyone what will happen after him? The struggles of fools weary them, for they don’t know how to go to the city. (Ecc 10:12-15 HCSB)
How much do lazy leadership, bribery, and gossip impact a country?
Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning! Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through. A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things. Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter. (Ecc 10:16-20 KJV)
What if we lack wisdom, who do we ask, and with what attitude should we ask?
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith, doubting nothing, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. (James 1:5-6 LSB)
In a messed up world, how much folly is there in human life? You decide!
Death (Ecclesiastes 9)
What is the one thing that both those trying to live a good life and those bent on evil will experience? Let’s look at Ecclesiastes 9.
In a world of uncertainty, does the same thing await us all?
For I have taken all this to my heart, even to examine it all, that righteous people, wise people, and their deeds are in the hand of God. People do not know whether it will be love or hatred; anything awaits them. It is the same for all. There is one fate for the righteous and for the wicked; for the good, for the clean and the unclean; for the person who offers a sacrifice and for the one who does not sacrifice. As the good person is, so is the sinner; the one who swears an oath is just as the one who is afraid to swear an oath. (Ecc 9:1-2 NASB)
What destiny overtakes us all? What hope is there of the dead?
This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all. The hearts of people, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live, and afterward they join the dead. Anyone who is among the living has hope—even a live dog is better off than a dead lion! For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even their name is forgotten. Their love, their hate and their jealousy have long since vanished; never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun. (Ecc 9:3-6 NIV)
What are some important but seemingly small things we should do in life?
Go, eat your bread with joy, And drink your wine with a merry heart; For God has already accepted your works. Let your garments always be white, And let your head lack no oil. Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that is your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going. (Ecc 9:7-10 NKJV)
Should we account for the unpredictability of time and chance in life?
I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time. People can never predict when hard times might come. Like fish in a net or birds in a trap, people are caught by sudden tragedy. (Ecc 9:11-12 NLT)
Though a poor man is often ignored, can his wisdom defeat a superior enemy?
I have also seen wisdom under the sun in this way, and it seemed great to me. There was a little city, and few men within it; and a great king came against it, besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it. Now a poor wise man was found in it, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. Then I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” Nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the cry of him who rules among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroys much good. (Ecc 9:13-18 WEB)
Is there hope for the dead in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ?
Since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead came through one too. In the same way that everyone dies in Adam, so also everyone will be given life in Christ. (1 Cor 15:21-22 CEB)
What is the one thing that both those trying to live a good life and those bent on evil will experience? You decide!
In a world of uncertainty, does the same thing await us all?
For I have taken all this to my heart, even to examine it all, that righteous people, wise people, and their deeds are in the hand of God. People do not know whether it will be love or hatred; anything awaits them. It is the same for all. There is one fate for the righteous and for the wicked; for the good, for the clean and the unclean; for the person who offers a sacrifice and for the one who does not sacrifice. As the good person is, so is the sinner; the one who swears an oath is just as the one who is afraid to swear an oath. (Ecc 9:1-2 NASB)
What destiny overtakes us all? What hope is there of the dead?
This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all. The hearts of people, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live, and afterward they join the dead. Anyone who is among the living has hope—even a live dog is better off than a dead lion! For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even their name is forgotten. Their love, their hate and their jealousy have long since vanished; never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun. (Ecc 9:3-6 NIV)
What are some important but seemingly small things we should do in life?
Go, eat your bread with joy, And drink your wine with a merry heart; For God has already accepted your works. Let your garments always be white, And let your head lack no oil. Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that is your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going. (Ecc 9:7-10 NKJV)
Should we account for the unpredictability of time and chance in life?
I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time. People can never predict when hard times might come. Like fish in a net or birds in a trap, people are caught by sudden tragedy. (Ecc 9:11-12 NLT)
Though a poor man is often ignored, can his wisdom defeat a superior enemy?
I have also seen wisdom under the sun in this way, and it seemed great to me. There was a little city, and few men within it; and a great king came against it, besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it. Now a poor wise man was found in it, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. Then I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” Nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the cry of him who rules among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroys much good. (Ecc 9:13-18 WEB)
Is there hope for the dead in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ?
Since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead came through one too. In the same way that everyone dies in Adam, so also everyone will be given life in Christ. (1 Cor 15:21-22 CEB)
What is the one thing that both those trying to live a good life and those bent on evil will experience? You decide!
Governments (Ecclesiastes 8)
Do we obey earthly authorities? Let’s look at Ecclesiastes 8.
Does wisdom brighten up the faces of those who possess it and those who listen?
Who is wise? And who knows the meaning of anything? A person’s wisdom brightens the expression; it changes the hardness of someone’s face. (Ecc 8:1 CEB)
Though human governments are often abusive and unjust, is it wise to obey them?
If you promised God that you would be loyal to the king, I advise you to keep that promise. Don't quickly oppose the king or argue when he has already made up his mind. The king's word is law. No one can ask him, “Why are you doing this?” If you obey the king, you will stay out of trouble. So be wise and learn what to do and when to do it. (Ecc 8:2-5 CEV)
In a troubled world, where those in charge have power to hurt us, how much do we need wisdom?
For there is a time and a way for everything, although man's trouble lies heavy on him. For he does not know what is to be, for who can tell him how it will be? No man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death. There is no discharge from war, nor will wickedness deliver those who are given to it. All this I observed while applying my heart to all that is done under the sun, when man had power over man to his hurt. (Ecc 8:6-9 ESV)
Who is the ultimate judge of those who prefer evil and those who are trying to live honest and upright lives?
In such circumstances, I saw the wicked buried. They came and went from the holy place, and they were praised in the city where they did so. This too is futile. Because the sentence against a criminal act is not carried out quickly, the heart of people is filled with the desire to commit crime. Although a sinner commits crime a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I also know that it will go well with God-fearing people, for they are reverent before Him. However, it will not go well with the wicked, and they will not lengthen their days like a shadow, for they are not reverent before God. (Ecc 8:10-13 HCSB)
Under unjust governments where the wicked often prosper and the righteous suffer, what are the things in life that we can enjoy?
Here is a pointless thing that happens on earth: A righteous man receives what happens to the wicked, and a wicked man receives what happens to the righteous. I concluded that this, too, is pointless. So then I recommended enjoyment of life, because it is better on earth for a man to eat, drink, and be happy, since this will stay with him throughout his struggle all the days of his life, which God grants him on earth. (Ecc 8:14-15 ISV)
Can all the wisdom of this world help us understand the mysteries and power of God?
When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:) Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea farther; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it. (Ecc 8:16-17 KJV)
Within the limits of Christ’s commands, are we to be submissive to government laws?
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist have been appointed by God. (Rom 13:1 LSB)
Do we obey earthly authorities? You decide!
Does wisdom brighten up the faces of those who possess it and those who listen?
Who is wise? And who knows the meaning of anything? A person’s wisdom brightens the expression; it changes the hardness of someone’s face. (Ecc 8:1 CEB)
Though human governments are often abusive and unjust, is it wise to obey them?
If you promised God that you would be loyal to the king, I advise you to keep that promise. Don't quickly oppose the king or argue when he has already made up his mind. The king's word is law. No one can ask him, “Why are you doing this?” If you obey the king, you will stay out of trouble. So be wise and learn what to do and when to do it. (Ecc 8:2-5 CEV)
In a troubled world, where those in charge have power to hurt us, how much do we need wisdom?
For there is a time and a way for everything, although man's trouble lies heavy on him. For he does not know what is to be, for who can tell him how it will be? No man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death. There is no discharge from war, nor will wickedness deliver those who are given to it. All this I observed while applying my heart to all that is done under the sun, when man had power over man to his hurt. (Ecc 8:6-9 ESV)
Who is the ultimate judge of those who prefer evil and those who are trying to live honest and upright lives?
In such circumstances, I saw the wicked buried. They came and went from the holy place, and they were praised in the city where they did so. This too is futile. Because the sentence against a criminal act is not carried out quickly, the heart of people is filled with the desire to commit crime. Although a sinner commits crime a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I also know that it will go well with God-fearing people, for they are reverent before Him. However, it will not go well with the wicked, and they will not lengthen their days like a shadow, for they are not reverent before God. (Ecc 8:10-13 HCSB)
Under unjust governments where the wicked often prosper and the righteous suffer, what are the things in life that we can enjoy?
Here is a pointless thing that happens on earth: A righteous man receives what happens to the wicked, and a wicked man receives what happens to the righteous. I concluded that this, too, is pointless. So then I recommended enjoyment of life, because it is better on earth for a man to eat, drink, and be happy, since this will stay with him throughout his struggle all the days of his life, which God grants him on earth. (Ecc 8:14-15 ISV)
Can all the wisdom of this world help us understand the mysteries and power of God?
When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:) Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea farther; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it. (Ecc 8:16-17 KJV)
Within the limits of Christ’s commands, are we to be submissive to government laws?
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist have been appointed by God. (Rom 13:1 LSB)
Do we obey earthly authorities? You decide!
Virtue (Ecclesiastes 7)
Can we find anyone who is truly virtuous? Let’s look at Ecclesiastes 7.
Why is it better to go to a funeral than a feast? Why is it better to choose sorrow over laughter?
A good reputation at the time of death is better than loving care at the time of birth. It's better to go to a funeral than to attend a feast; funerals remind us that we all must die. Choose sorrow over laughter because a sad face may hide a happy heart. A sensible person mourns, but fools always laugh. (Ecc 7:1-4 CEV)
Why is rebuke from a wise person better than listening to a fool’s song? What does that say about pop songs?
It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools. For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fools; this also is vanity. Surely oppression drives the wise into madness, and a bribe corrupts the heart. (Ecc 7:5-7 ESV)
Why is it foolish to ask why the days of old were better than today?
The end of a matter is better than its beginning; a patient spirit is better than a proud spirit. Don’t let your spirit rush to be angry, for anger abides in the heart of fools. Don’t say, “Why were the former days better than these?” since it is not wise of you to ask this. (Ecc 7:8-10 HCSB)
Are money and possessions just tools to be used for good?
Wise use of possessions is good; it brings benefit to the living. Indeed, wisdom gives protection, just like money does, but it’s better to know that wisdom gives life, to those who have mastered it. (Ecc 7:11-12 ISV)
Is it the work of God to make things straight or crooked, so that man should find nothing predictable after him but to trust in God?
Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked? In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him. (Ecc 7:13-14 KJV)
Is life unpredictable, but is trust in God our surest hope?
I have seen everything during my days of vanity; there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his evildoing. Do not be excessively righteous, and do not be overly wise. Why should you make yourself desolate? Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be a simpleminded fool. Why should you die before your time? It is good that you seize one thing and also not let go of the other; for the one who fears God comes forth with both of them. (Ecc 7:15-18 LSB)
Does wisdom make us strong? Can any of us claim we have never sinned? Should we be offended when we hear someone complain about us?
Wisdom strengthens a wise person more than ten rulers who are in a city. Indeed, there is not a righteous person on earth who always does good and does not ever sin. Also, do not take seriously all the words which are spoken, so that you do not hear your servant cursing you, for you know that even you have cursed others many times as well. (Ecc 7:19-22 NASB)
Is wisdom important? Is sin stupid? Is folly madness?
All this I tested by wisdom and I said, “I am determined to be wise”—but this was beyond me. Whatever exists is far off and most profound—who can discover it? So I turned my mind to understand, to investigate and to search out wisdom and the scheme of things and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the madness of folly. (Ecc 7:23-25 NIV)
What kind of woman should a man stay far away from?
And I find more bitter than death The woman whose heart is snares and nets, Whose hands are fetters. He who pleases God shall escape from her, But the sinner shall be trapped by her. (Ecc 7:26 NKJV)
What is the teacher’s conclusion? Did he find many virtuous people? Were any of his thousand wives and concubines as good as one faithful wife?
“This is my conclusion,” says the Teacher. “I discovered this after looking at the matter from every possible angle. Though I have searched repeatedly, I have not found what I was looking for. Only one out of a thousand men is virtuous, but not one woman! But I did find this: God created people to be virtuous, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path.” (Ecc 7:27-29 NLT)
Did Jesus also say that few are finding the way to life?
Enter in by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter in by it. How narrow is the gate and the way is restricted that leads to life! There are few who find it. (Mat 7:13-14 WEB)
Can we find anyone who is truly virtuous? You decide!
Why is it better to go to a funeral than a feast? Why is it better to choose sorrow over laughter?
A good reputation at the time of death is better than loving care at the time of birth. It's better to go to a funeral than to attend a feast; funerals remind us that we all must die. Choose sorrow over laughter because a sad face may hide a happy heart. A sensible person mourns, but fools always laugh. (Ecc 7:1-4 CEV)
Why is rebuke from a wise person better than listening to a fool’s song? What does that say about pop songs?
It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools. For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fools; this also is vanity. Surely oppression drives the wise into madness, and a bribe corrupts the heart. (Ecc 7:5-7 ESV)
Why is it foolish to ask why the days of old were better than today?
The end of a matter is better than its beginning; a patient spirit is better than a proud spirit. Don’t let your spirit rush to be angry, for anger abides in the heart of fools. Don’t say, “Why were the former days better than these?” since it is not wise of you to ask this. (Ecc 7:8-10 HCSB)
Are money and possessions just tools to be used for good?
Wise use of possessions is good; it brings benefit to the living. Indeed, wisdom gives protection, just like money does, but it’s better to know that wisdom gives life, to those who have mastered it. (Ecc 7:11-12 ISV)
Is it the work of God to make things straight or crooked, so that man should find nothing predictable after him but to trust in God?
Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked? In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him. (Ecc 7:13-14 KJV)
Is life unpredictable, but is trust in God our surest hope?
I have seen everything during my days of vanity; there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his evildoing. Do not be excessively righteous, and do not be overly wise. Why should you make yourself desolate? Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be a simpleminded fool. Why should you die before your time? It is good that you seize one thing and also not let go of the other; for the one who fears God comes forth with both of them. (Ecc 7:15-18 LSB)
Does wisdom make us strong? Can any of us claim we have never sinned? Should we be offended when we hear someone complain about us?
Wisdom strengthens a wise person more than ten rulers who are in a city. Indeed, there is not a righteous person on earth who always does good and does not ever sin. Also, do not take seriously all the words which are spoken, so that you do not hear your servant cursing you, for you know that even you have cursed others many times as well. (Ecc 7:19-22 NASB)
Is wisdom important? Is sin stupid? Is folly madness?
All this I tested by wisdom and I said, “I am determined to be wise”—but this was beyond me. Whatever exists is far off and most profound—who can discover it? So I turned my mind to understand, to investigate and to search out wisdom and the scheme of things and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the madness of folly. (Ecc 7:23-25 NIV)
What kind of woman should a man stay far away from?
And I find more bitter than death The woman whose heart is snares and nets, Whose hands are fetters. He who pleases God shall escape from her, But the sinner shall be trapped by her. (Ecc 7:26 NKJV)
What is the teacher’s conclusion? Did he find many virtuous people? Were any of his thousand wives and concubines as good as one faithful wife?
“This is my conclusion,” says the Teacher. “I discovered this after looking at the matter from every possible angle. Though I have searched repeatedly, I have not found what I was looking for. Only one out of a thousand men is virtuous, but not one woman! But I did find this: God created people to be virtuous, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path.” (Ecc 7:27-29 NLT)
Did Jesus also say that few are finding the way to life?
Enter in by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter in by it. How narrow is the gate and the way is restricted that leads to life! There are few who find it. (Mat 7:13-14 WEB)
Can we find anyone who is truly virtuous? You decide!
Meaningless (Ecclesiastes 6)
Are some things that we think are important in life actually meaningless? Let’s look at Ecclesiastes 6.
Do we enjoy our wealth that we have accumulated forever, or do strangers enjoy it by foreign invasion, taxation, theft or death?
I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on mankind: God gives some people wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their hearts desire, but God does not grant them the ability to enjoy them, and strangers enjoy them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil. (Ecc 6:1-2 NIV)
Does living a thousand years guarantee happiness, or does life come in vanity and depart in darkness?
If a man begets a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with goodness, or indeed he has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better than he— for it comes in vanity and departs in darkness, and its name is covered with darkness. Though it has not seen the sun or known anything, this has more rest than that man, even if he lives a thousand years twice—but has not seen goodness. Do not all go to one place? (Ecc 6:3-6 NKJV)
Is covetousness chasing wind, whether we are rich or poor?
All people spend their lives scratching for food, but they never seem to have enough. So are wise people really better off than fools? Do poor people gain anything by being wise and knowing how to act in front of others? Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless—like chasing the wind. (Ecc 6:7-9 NLT)
Are there many words that people use to puff themselves up? Does it really profit anyone? Does it change what happens after we die?
Whatever has been, its name was given long ago; and it is known what man is; neither can he contend with him who is mightier than he. For there are many words that create vanity. What does that profit man? For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spends like a shadow? For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun? (Ecc 6:10-12 WEB)
What would Jesus say about those who puff themselves up or think that worldly status is important?
Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is meaningless. My Father, who you say is your God, is the one who glorifies me. (John 8:54 CEB)
Are some things that we think are important in life actually meaningless? You decide!
Do we enjoy our wealth that we have accumulated forever, or do strangers enjoy it by foreign invasion, taxation, theft or death?
I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on mankind: God gives some people wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their hearts desire, but God does not grant them the ability to enjoy them, and strangers enjoy them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil. (Ecc 6:1-2 NIV)
Does living a thousand years guarantee happiness, or does life come in vanity and depart in darkness?
If a man begets a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with goodness, or indeed he has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better than he— for it comes in vanity and departs in darkness, and its name is covered with darkness. Though it has not seen the sun or known anything, this has more rest than that man, even if he lives a thousand years twice—but has not seen goodness. Do not all go to one place? (Ecc 6:3-6 NKJV)
Is covetousness chasing wind, whether we are rich or poor?
All people spend their lives scratching for food, but they never seem to have enough. So are wise people really better off than fools? Do poor people gain anything by being wise and knowing how to act in front of others? Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless—like chasing the wind. (Ecc 6:7-9 NLT)
Are there many words that people use to puff themselves up? Does it really profit anyone? Does it change what happens after we die?
Whatever has been, its name was given long ago; and it is known what man is; neither can he contend with him who is mightier than he. For there are many words that create vanity. What does that profit man? For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spends like a shadow? For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun? (Ecc 6:10-12 WEB)
What would Jesus say about those who puff themselves up or think that worldly status is important?
Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is meaningless. My Father, who you say is your God, is the one who glorifies me. (John 8:54 CEB)
Are some things that we think are important in life actually meaningless? You decide!
Materialism (Ecclesiastes 5)
How should we avoid the deceptions of the world around us? Let’s look at Ecclesiastes 5.
Should we talk too much or think first when we go into the house of the Lord?
Be careful what you do when you enter the house of God. Fools go there to offer sacrifices, because all they do is sin. But it's best just to listen when you go to worship. Don't talk before you think or make promises to God without thinking them through. God is in heaven, and you are on earth, so don't talk too much. If you keep thinking about something, you will dream about it. If you talk too much, you will say the wrong thing. (Ecc 5:1-3 CEV)
When we pray to God should we do what we promised Him?
When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear. (Ecc 5:4-7 ESV)
Should we be shocked that oppression of the poor and the miscarriage of justice still exist in our world?
If you see oppression of the poor and perversion of justice and righteousness in the province, don’t be astonished at the situation, because one official protects another official, and higher officials protect them. The profit from the land is taken by all; the king is served by the field. (Ecc 5:8-9 HCSB)
Do money and possessions satisfy or do people always want more, more, more?
Whoever loves money will never have enough money. Whoever loves luxury will not be content with abundance. This also is pointless. When possessions increase, so does the number of consumers; therefore what good are they to their owners, except to look at them? Sweet is the sleep of a working man, whether he eats a little or a lot, but the excess wealth of the rich will not allow him to rest. (Ecc 5:10-12 ISV)
Is the selfish accumulation and hoarding of wealth an evil that only hurts those involved?
There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand. As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand. And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind? All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness. (Ecc 5:13-17 KJV)
In a world with so much evil is there anything that is good and beautiful?
Here is what I have seen to be good, which is beautiful: to eat, to drink, and to see good in all one’s labor in which he labors under the sun during the few days of his life which God has given him; for this is his portion. Furthermore, as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to take up his portion and be glad in his labor; this is the gift of God. For he will not remember much the days of his life because God allows him to occupy himself with the gladness of his heart. (Ecc 5:18-20 LSB)
In a world with so much evil what can we do to maintain a positive mental attitude?
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Phil 4:8 NASB)
How should we avoid the deceptions of the world around us? You decide!
Should we talk too much or think first when we go into the house of the Lord?
Be careful what you do when you enter the house of God. Fools go there to offer sacrifices, because all they do is sin. But it's best just to listen when you go to worship. Don't talk before you think or make promises to God without thinking them through. God is in heaven, and you are on earth, so don't talk too much. If you keep thinking about something, you will dream about it. If you talk too much, you will say the wrong thing. (Ecc 5:1-3 CEV)
When we pray to God should we do what we promised Him?
When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear. (Ecc 5:4-7 ESV)
Should we be shocked that oppression of the poor and the miscarriage of justice still exist in our world?
If you see oppression of the poor and perversion of justice and righteousness in the province, don’t be astonished at the situation, because one official protects another official, and higher officials protect them. The profit from the land is taken by all; the king is served by the field. (Ecc 5:8-9 HCSB)
Do money and possessions satisfy or do people always want more, more, more?
Whoever loves money will never have enough money. Whoever loves luxury will not be content with abundance. This also is pointless. When possessions increase, so does the number of consumers; therefore what good are they to their owners, except to look at them? Sweet is the sleep of a working man, whether he eats a little or a lot, but the excess wealth of the rich will not allow him to rest. (Ecc 5:10-12 ISV)
Is the selfish accumulation and hoarding of wealth an evil that only hurts those involved?
There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand. As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand. And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind? All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness. (Ecc 5:13-17 KJV)
In a world with so much evil is there anything that is good and beautiful?
Here is what I have seen to be good, which is beautiful: to eat, to drink, and to see good in all one’s labor in which he labors under the sun during the few days of his life which God has given him; for this is his portion. Furthermore, as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to take up his portion and be glad in his labor; this is the gift of God. For he will not remember much the days of his life because God allows him to occupy himself with the gladness of his heart. (Ecc 5:18-20 LSB)
In a world with so much evil what can we do to maintain a positive mental attitude?
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Phil 4:8 NASB)
How should we avoid the deceptions of the world around us? You decide!
Selfishness (Ecclesiastes 4)
What human trait is characteristic of all forms of human government? Let’s look at Ecclesiastes 4.
Is selfish oppression everywhere, even in so-called free countries?
Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed—and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors—and they have no comforter. And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive. But better than both is the one who has never been born, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun. (Ecc 4:1-3 NIV)
What is better than working hard just to be envied by others?
Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind. The fool folds his hands And consumes his own flesh. Better a handful with quietness Than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind. (Ecc 4:4-6 NKJV)
What is better than accumulating great wealth only to be all alone?
I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun. This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing. Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. (Ecc 4:7-12 NLT)
What is better than having great political power, especially for anyone who is wise in his own eyes?
Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn’t know how to receive admonition any more. For out of prison he came out to be king; yes, even in his kingdom he was born poor. I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him. There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was—yet those who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind. (Ecc 4:13-16 WEB)
What will become of the governments of this world when Jesus returns?
Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and his Christ, and he will rule forever and always.” (Rev 11:15 CEB)
What human trait is characteristic of all forms of human government? You decide!
Is selfish oppression everywhere, even in so-called free countries?
Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed—and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors—and they have no comforter. And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive. But better than both is the one who has never been born, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun. (Ecc 4:1-3 NIV)
What is better than working hard just to be envied by others?
Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind. The fool folds his hands And consumes his own flesh. Better a handful with quietness Than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind. (Ecc 4:4-6 NKJV)
What is better than accumulating great wealth only to be all alone?
I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun. This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing. Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. (Ecc 4:7-12 NLT)
What is better than having great political power, especially for anyone who is wise in his own eyes?
Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn’t know how to receive admonition any more. For out of prison he came out to be king; yes, even in his kingdom he was born poor. I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him. There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was—yet those who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind. (Ecc 4:13-16 WEB)
What will become of the governments of this world when Jesus returns?
Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and his Christ, and he will rule forever and always.” (Rev 11:15 CEB)
What human trait is characteristic of all forms of human government? You decide!
A Right Time (Ecclesiastes 3)
Whether good or bad things happen, do we trust God to ultimately bless those who love Him? Let’s look at Ecclesiastes 3.
Do we wait patiently until the right time, season or occasion for things?
There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven: a time to give birth and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot; a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build; a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance; a time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace and a time to avoid embracing; a time to search and a time to count as lost; a time to keep and a time to throw away; a time to tear and a time to sew; a time to be silent and a time to speak; a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace. (Ecc 3:1-8 HCSB)
Does a worker gain worthwhile pleasure from his work when he does good? How does that relate to our eternity?
What benefit does the worker gain from what he undertakes? I have observed the burdens placed by God on human beings in order to perfect them. He made everything appropriate in its time. He also placed eternity within them—yet, no person can fully comprehend what God is doing from beginning to end. I have concluded that the only worthwhile thing for them is to take pleasure in doing good in life; moreover, every person should eat, drink, and enjoy the benefits of everything that he undertakes, since it is a gift from God. I have concluded that everything that God undertakes will last for eternity—nothing can be added to it nor taken away from it—and that God acts this way so that people will fear him. That which was, now is; and that which will be, already is; and God examines what has already taken place. (Ecc 3:9-15 ISV)
Is wickedness too often found where we hope to find justice and righteousness? Will God eventually judge things?
And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. (Ecc 3:16-17 KJV)
Is God testing us all right now? Will we all die, and what happens after that, is it in God’s hands?
I said in my heart concerning the sons of men, “God is testing them in order for them to see that they are but beasts.” For the fate of the sons of men and the fate of beasts is the same fate for each of them. As one dies so dies the other, and they all have the same breath. So there is no advantage for man over beast, for all is vanity. All go to the same place. All came from the dust, and all return to the dust. Who knows that the breath of man ascends upward and the breath of the beast descends downward to the earth? I have seen that nothing is better than that man should be glad in his works, for that is his portion. For who will bring him to see what will occur after him? (Ecc 3:18-22 LSB)
No matter what happens in this life, do we trust that God has loving control over our eternity?
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Rom 8:28 NASB)
Whether good or bad things happen, do we trust God to ultimately bless those who love Him? You decide!
Do we wait patiently until the right time, season or occasion for things?
There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven: a time to give birth and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot; a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build; a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance; a time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace and a time to avoid embracing; a time to search and a time to count as lost; a time to keep and a time to throw away; a time to tear and a time to sew; a time to be silent and a time to speak; a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace. (Ecc 3:1-8 HCSB)
Does a worker gain worthwhile pleasure from his work when he does good? How does that relate to our eternity?
What benefit does the worker gain from what he undertakes? I have observed the burdens placed by God on human beings in order to perfect them. He made everything appropriate in its time. He also placed eternity within them—yet, no person can fully comprehend what God is doing from beginning to end. I have concluded that the only worthwhile thing for them is to take pleasure in doing good in life; moreover, every person should eat, drink, and enjoy the benefits of everything that he undertakes, since it is a gift from God. I have concluded that everything that God undertakes will last for eternity—nothing can be added to it nor taken away from it—and that God acts this way so that people will fear him. That which was, now is; and that which will be, already is; and God examines what has already taken place. (Ecc 3:9-15 ISV)
Is wickedness too often found where we hope to find justice and righteousness? Will God eventually judge things?
And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. (Ecc 3:16-17 KJV)
Is God testing us all right now? Will we all die, and what happens after that, is it in God’s hands?
I said in my heart concerning the sons of men, “God is testing them in order for them to see that they are but beasts.” For the fate of the sons of men and the fate of beasts is the same fate for each of them. As one dies so dies the other, and they all have the same breath. So there is no advantage for man over beast, for all is vanity. All go to the same place. All came from the dust, and all return to the dust. Who knows that the breath of man ascends upward and the breath of the beast descends downward to the earth? I have seen that nothing is better than that man should be glad in his works, for that is his portion. For who will bring him to see what will occur after him? (Ecc 3:18-22 LSB)
No matter what happens in this life, do we trust that God has loving control over our eternity?
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Rom 8:28 NASB)
Whether good or bad things happen, do we trust God to ultimately bless those who love Him? You decide!
Chasing Wind (Ecclesiastes 2)
Is much of life just chasing after wind? Let’s look at Ecclesiastes 2.
Do temporary pleasures make for a fulfilling life or are they just empty pastimes?
I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with gladness, so that you shall see good things.” And behold, it too was vanity. I said of laughter, “It is madness,” and of gladness, “What does it do?” I explored with my heart how to stimulate my body with wine—while my heart was guiding me wisely—and how to seize simpleminded folly, until I could see where is this good for the sons of men in what they do under heaven the few days of their lives. (Ecc 2:1-3 LSB)
Do bigger projects, employees, wealth and sexual pursuits make for a fulfilling life or do they too just leave us empty?
I enlarged my works: I built houses for myself, I planted vineyards for myself; I made gardens and parks for myself, and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees; I made ponds of water for myself from which to irrigate a forest of growing trees. I bought male and female slaves, and I had slaves born at home. I also possessed flocks and herds larger than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. I also amassed for myself silver and gold, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I provided for myself male and female singers, and the pleasures of the sons of mankind: many concubines. (Ecc 2:4-8 NASB)
Would becoming the richest man in the nation and chasing our heart’s desires just end up as meaningless too?
I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me. I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. (Ecc 2:9-11 NIV)
How are both the fool who lives in darkness and the wise person who lives in the light similar?
Then I turned myself to consider wisdom and madness and folly; For what can the man do who succeeds the king?—Only what he has already done. Then I saw that wisdom excels folly As light excels darkness. The wise man’s eyes are in his head, But the fool walks in darkness. Yet I myself perceived That the same event happens to them all. (Ecc 2:12-14 NKJV)
What will happen to both the foolish and the wise? Will both be forgotten in time?
Both will die. So I said to myself, “Since I will end up the same as the fool, what’s the value of all my wisdom? This is all so meaningless!” For the wise and the foolish both die. The wise will not be remembered any longer than the fool. In the days to come, both will be forgotten. (Ecc 2:15-16 NLT)
Why did Solomon hate this life and its temporary nature?
So I hated life, because the work that is worked under the sun was grievous to me; for all is vanity and a chasing after wind. I hated all my labor in which I labored under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who comes after me. Who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have rule over all of my labor in which I have labored, and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity. (Ecc 2:17-19 WEB)
What does hard work accomplish other than leaving it all to heirs who didn’t work for it?
I then gave myself up to despair, as I thought about all my laborious hard work under the sun, because sometimes those who have worked hard with wisdom, knowledge, and skill must leave the results of their hard work as a possession to those who haven’t worked hard for it. This too is pointless—it’s a terrible wrong. I mean, What do people get for all their hard work and struggles under the sun? All their days are pain, and their work is aggravation; even at night, their hearts don’t find rest. This too is pointless. (Ecc 2:20-23 CEB)
What are some of the best things we can actually enjoy in this short life?
The best thing we can do is to enjoy eating, drinking, and working. I believe these are God's gifts to us, and no one enjoys eating and living more than I do. If we please God, he will make us wise, understanding, and happy. But if we sin, God will make us struggle for a living, then he will give all we own to someone who pleases him. This makes no more sense than chasing the wind. (Ecc 2:24-26 CEV)
Do we chase after the wind, or follow someone who actually controls the wind and offers eternal life?
And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:41 ESV)
Is much of life just chasing after wind? You decide!
Do temporary pleasures make for a fulfilling life or are they just empty pastimes?
I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with gladness, so that you shall see good things.” And behold, it too was vanity. I said of laughter, “It is madness,” and of gladness, “What does it do?” I explored with my heart how to stimulate my body with wine—while my heart was guiding me wisely—and how to seize simpleminded folly, until I could see where is this good for the sons of men in what they do under heaven the few days of their lives. (Ecc 2:1-3 LSB)
Do bigger projects, employees, wealth and sexual pursuits make for a fulfilling life or do they too just leave us empty?
I enlarged my works: I built houses for myself, I planted vineyards for myself; I made gardens and parks for myself, and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees; I made ponds of water for myself from which to irrigate a forest of growing trees. I bought male and female slaves, and I had slaves born at home. I also possessed flocks and herds larger than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. I also amassed for myself silver and gold, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I provided for myself male and female singers, and the pleasures of the sons of mankind: many concubines. (Ecc 2:4-8 NASB)
Would becoming the richest man in the nation and chasing our heart’s desires just end up as meaningless too?
I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me. I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. (Ecc 2:9-11 NIV)
How are both the fool who lives in darkness and the wise person who lives in the light similar?
Then I turned myself to consider wisdom and madness and folly; For what can the man do who succeeds the king?—Only what he has already done. Then I saw that wisdom excels folly As light excels darkness. The wise man’s eyes are in his head, But the fool walks in darkness. Yet I myself perceived That the same event happens to them all. (Ecc 2:12-14 NKJV)
What will happen to both the foolish and the wise? Will both be forgotten in time?
Both will die. So I said to myself, “Since I will end up the same as the fool, what’s the value of all my wisdom? This is all so meaningless!” For the wise and the foolish both die. The wise will not be remembered any longer than the fool. In the days to come, both will be forgotten. (Ecc 2:15-16 NLT)
Why did Solomon hate this life and its temporary nature?
So I hated life, because the work that is worked under the sun was grievous to me; for all is vanity and a chasing after wind. I hated all my labor in which I labored under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who comes after me. Who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have rule over all of my labor in which I have labored, and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity. (Ecc 2:17-19 WEB)
What does hard work accomplish other than leaving it all to heirs who didn’t work for it?
I then gave myself up to despair, as I thought about all my laborious hard work under the sun, because sometimes those who have worked hard with wisdom, knowledge, and skill must leave the results of their hard work as a possession to those who haven’t worked hard for it. This too is pointless—it’s a terrible wrong. I mean, What do people get for all their hard work and struggles under the sun? All their days are pain, and their work is aggravation; even at night, their hearts don’t find rest. This too is pointless. (Ecc 2:20-23 CEB)
What are some of the best things we can actually enjoy in this short life?
The best thing we can do is to enjoy eating, drinking, and working. I believe these are God's gifts to us, and no one enjoys eating and living more than I do. If we please God, he will make us wise, understanding, and happy. But if we sin, God will make us struggle for a living, then he will give all we own to someone who pleases him. This makes no more sense than chasing the wind. (Ecc 2:24-26 CEV)
Do we chase after the wind, or follow someone who actually controls the wind and offers eternal life?
And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:41 ESV)
Is much of life just chasing after wind? You decide!
Vanity (Ecclesiastes 1)
How do we become wise without becoming vain and arrogant about it? Let’s begin in Ecclesiastes 1.
Do we ever ask whether our lives have been pointless, filled with meaningless pursuits?
The words of the Teacher of the Assembly, David’s son, king in Jerusalem: Perfectly pointless, says the Teacher, perfectly pointless. Everything is pointless. What do people gain from all the hard work that they work so hard at under the sun? A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains as it always has. (Ecc 1:1-4 CEB)
Does the cycle of daily life continue completely without our input?
The sun comes up, the sun goes down; it hurries right back to where it started from. The wind blows south, the wind blows north; round and round it blows over and over again. All rivers empty into the sea, but it never spills over; one by one the rivers return to their source. (Ecc 1:5-7 CEV)
Do merchants rely upon our incessant covetousness instead of contentment? Has society remained basically the same in that regard since ancient times?
All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this is new”? It has been already in the ages before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after. (Ecc 1:8-11 ESV)
Did the teacher summarize all human efforts as basically futile, pursuit of the wind?
I, the Teacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. I applied my mind to seek and explore through wisdom all that is done under heaven. God has given people this miserable task to keep them occupied. I have seen all the things that are done under the sun and have found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind. What is crooked cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted. (Ecc 1:12-15 HCSB)
Is pride a danger in having wisdom? What are two byproducts of wisdom and knowledge that we would rather not have?
I told myself, “I have become greater and wiser than anyone who ruled before me in Jerusalem—yes, I have acquired a great deal of wisdom and knowledge.” So I dedicated myself to learn about wisdom and knowledge, and about insanity and foolishness. And I discovered that this is also like chasing after the wind. For with much wisdom there is much sorrow; the more someone adds to knowledge, the more someone adds to grief. (Ecc 1:16-18 ISV)
Is there a temptation in wisdom to become conceited or arrogant in our own opinions?
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. (Rom 11:25 KJV)
How do we become wise without becoming vain and arrogant about it? You decide!
Do we ever ask whether our lives have been pointless, filled with meaningless pursuits?
The words of the Teacher of the Assembly, David’s son, king in Jerusalem: Perfectly pointless, says the Teacher, perfectly pointless. Everything is pointless. What do people gain from all the hard work that they work so hard at under the sun? A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains as it always has. (Ecc 1:1-4 CEB)
Does the cycle of daily life continue completely without our input?
The sun comes up, the sun goes down; it hurries right back to where it started from. The wind blows south, the wind blows north; round and round it blows over and over again. All rivers empty into the sea, but it never spills over; one by one the rivers return to their source. (Ecc 1:5-7 CEV)
Do merchants rely upon our incessant covetousness instead of contentment? Has society remained basically the same in that regard since ancient times?
All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this is new”? It has been already in the ages before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after. (Ecc 1:8-11 ESV)
Did the teacher summarize all human efforts as basically futile, pursuit of the wind?
I, the Teacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. I applied my mind to seek and explore through wisdom all that is done under heaven. God has given people this miserable task to keep them occupied. I have seen all the things that are done under the sun and have found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind. What is crooked cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted. (Ecc 1:12-15 HCSB)
Is pride a danger in having wisdom? What are two byproducts of wisdom and knowledge that we would rather not have?
I told myself, “I have become greater and wiser than anyone who ruled before me in Jerusalem—yes, I have acquired a great deal of wisdom and knowledge.” So I dedicated myself to learn about wisdom and knowledge, and about insanity and foolishness. And I discovered that this is also like chasing after the wind. For with much wisdom there is much sorrow; the more someone adds to knowledge, the more someone adds to grief. (Ecc 1:16-18 ISV)
Is there a temptation in wisdom to become conceited or arrogant in our own opinions?
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. (Rom 11:25 KJV)
How do we become wise without becoming vain and arrogant about it? You decide!
Lemuel's Mother (Pr 31)
What lessons can we learn from two women, the wisdom of Lemuel’s mother and her description of a virtuous wife? Let’s look at Proverbs 31.
Was Lemuel’s mother a very wise woman?
The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him: (Pr 31:1 ESV)
Had Lemuel’s mother seen how Solomon’s sex addiction and multiple wives had destroyed him? Is there a difference between having one faithful wife, as God gave Adam, and a man who chases hundreds of women?
What should I say, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows? Don’t spend your energy on women or your efforts on those who destroy kings. (Pr 31:2-3 HCSB)
Is it good for a king to avoid alcohol? Should he be available at all times for decisions requiring a clear head? What about communion wine for a Christian king? Is there a balance?
It is not for kings, Lemuel—Not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to desire liquor. Otherwise, they may drink and forget what has been ordained, perverting justice for all the oppressed. (Pr 31:4-5 ISV)
Who is perfectly free to have a strong drink or glass of wine?
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. (Pr 31:6-7 KJV)
Should we fight for the handicapped, and desire justice for the suffering and the poor?
Open your mouth for the mute, For the justice of all those passing away. Open your mouth, judge righteously, And render justice to the afflicted and needy. (Pr 31:8-9 LSB)
Designed as an acrostic of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet, what kind of high standards did Lemuel’s mother advise him to look for in a wife? Would she be worthy, capable, intelligent, noble, the perfect wife?
An excellent wife, who can find her? For her worth is far above jewels. (Pr 31:10 NASB)
How valuable is it to have a wife that a man can completely trust that she will not overspend but wisely handle family finances?
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. (Pr 31:11 NIV)
How important is it to have a wife who builds her husband up rather than constantly tear him down with criticism?
She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. (Pr 31:12 NKJV)
Does the virtuous wife love to work with her hands in homemaking skills?
She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. (Pr 31:13 NLT)
Does the good wife develop necessary skills for buying things from far away?
She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar. (Pr 31:14 WEB)
Does the virtuous wife get up early to cook for the family and even for hired help?
She gets up while it is still night, providing food for her household, even some for her female servants. (Pr 31:15 CEB)
Is this a woman under a domineering husband or free to evaluate a land purchase and grow a fruit crop?
She knows how to buy land and how to plant a vineyard, (Pr 31:16 CEV)
Is she a lazy woman too delicate for physical work or energetic and strong?
She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. (Pr 31:17 ESV)
Does the capable wife earn an income through her business efforts? Does she also work late?
She sees that her profits are good, and her lamp never goes out at night. (Pr 31:18 HCSB)
Is this intelligent and noble wife also capable in the basics of garment making?
She works with her own hands on her clothes— her hands work the sewing spindle. (Pr 31:19 ISV)
Is this perfect wife also someone who cares for the poor and needy?
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. (Pr 31:20 KJV)
Is the virtuous woman prepared for winter with appropriate clothing for her household?
She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet. (Pr 31:21 LSB)
Is she also dressed appropriately, including occasional expensive clothing?
She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. (Pr 31:22 NASB)
Because of the support given by such a virtuous woman, is her husband able to take a leading role in community affairs?
Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. (Pr 31:23 NIV)
Is this amazing woman also competent to create her own clothing line and sell it?
She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants. (Pr 31:24 NKJV)
With the support given by a loving husband, is this woman free to become strong and prepared for what may come?
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. (Pr 31:25 NLT)
Is this amazing woman valued for her wisdom and kindness?
She opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue. (Pr 31:26 WEB)
Is this excellent wife diligent in her family and business responsibilities?
She is vigilant over the activities of her household; she doesn’t eat the food of laziness. (Pr 31:27 CEB)
Is this virtuous woman praised by both her children and her husband?
Her children praise her, and with great pride her husband says, “There are many good women, but you are the best!” (Pr 31:28-29 CEV)
Of all her qualities, which is the most important that any woman should have?
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. (Pr 31:30 ESV)
Will the excellent wife find praise in her labor that reaches even community leaders?
Give her the reward of her labor, and let her works praise her at the city gates. (Pr 31:31 HCSB)
Is there a spiritual lesson here as well, in picturing the Church as the Bride of Christ?
Let us rejoice, be glad, and give him glory, because the marriage of the lamb has come and his bride has made herself ready. (Rev 19:7 ISV)
What lessons can we learn from two women, the wisdom of Lemuel’s mother and her description of a virtuous wife? You decide!
Was Lemuel’s mother a very wise woman?
The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him: (Pr 31:1 ESV)
Had Lemuel’s mother seen how Solomon’s sex addiction and multiple wives had destroyed him? Is there a difference between having one faithful wife, as God gave Adam, and a man who chases hundreds of women?
What should I say, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows? Don’t spend your energy on women or your efforts on those who destroy kings. (Pr 31:2-3 HCSB)
Is it good for a king to avoid alcohol? Should he be available at all times for decisions requiring a clear head? What about communion wine for a Christian king? Is there a balance?
It is not for kings, Lemuel—Not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to desire liquor. Otherwise, they may drink and forget what has been ordained, perverting justice for all the oppressed. (Pr 31:4-5 ISV)
Who is perfectly free to have a strong drink or glass of wine?
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. (Pr 31:6-7 KJV)
Should we fight for the handicapped, and desire justice for the suffering and the poor?
Open your mouth for the mute, For the justice of all those passing away. Open your mouth, judge righteously, And render justice to the afflicted and needy. (Pr 31:8-9 LSB)
Designed as an acrostic of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet, what kind of high standards did Lemuel’s mother advise him to look for in a wife? Would she be worthy, capable, intelligent, noble, the perfect wife?
An excellent wife, who can find her? For her worth is far above jewels. (Pr 31:10 NASB)
How valuable is it to have a wife that a man can completely trust that she will not overspend but wisely handle family finances?
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. (Pr 31:11 NIV)
How important is it to have a wife who builds her husband up rather than constantly tear him down with criticism?
She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. (Pr 31:12 NKJV)
Does the virtuous wife love to work with her hands in homemaking skills?
She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. (Pr 31:13 NLT)
Does the good wife develop necessary skills for buying things from far away?
She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar. (Pr 31:14 WEB)
Does the virtuous wife get up early to cook for the family and even for hired help?
She gets up while it is still night, providing food for her household, even some for her female servants. (Pr 31:15 CEB)
Is this a woman under a domineering husband or free to evaluate a land purchase and grow a fruit crop?
She knows how to buy land and how to plant a vineyard, (Pr 31:16 CEV)
Is she a lazy woman too delicate for physical work or energetic and strong?
She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. (Pr 31:17 ESV)
Does the capable wife earn an income through her business efforts? Does she also work late?
She sees that her profits are good, and her lamp never goes out at night. (Pr 31:18 HCSB)
Is this intelligent and noble wife also capable in the basics of garment making?
She works with her own hands on her clothes— her hands work the sewing spindle. (Pr 31:19 ISV)
Is this perfect wife also someone who cares for the poor and needy?
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. (Pr 31:20 KJV)
Is the virtuous woman prepared for winter with appropriate clothing for her household?
She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet. (Pr 31:21 LSB)
Is she also dressed appropriately, including occasional expensive clothing?
She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. (Pr 31:22 NASB)
Because of the support given by such a virtuous woman, is her husband able to take a leading role in community affairs?
Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. (Pr 31:23 NIV)
Is this amazing woman also competent to create her own clothing line and sell it?
She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants. (Pr 31:24 NKJV)
With the support given by a loving husband, is this woman free to become strong and prepared for what may come?
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. (Pr 31:25 NLT)
Is this amazing woman valued for her wisdom and kindness?
She opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue. (Pr 31:26 WEB)
Is this excellent wife diligent in her family and business responsibilities?
She is vigilant over the activities of her household; she doesn’t eat the food of laziness. (Pr 31:27 CEB)
Is this virtuous woman praised by both her children and her husband?
Her children praise her, and with great pride her husband says, “There are many good women, but you are the best!” (Pr 31:28-29 CEV)
Of all her qualities, which is the most important that any woman should have?
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. (Pr 31:30 ESV)
Will the excellent wife find praise in her labor that reaches even community leaders?
Give her the reward of her labor, and let her works praise her at the city gates. (Pr 31:31 HCSB)
Is there a spiritual lesson here as well, in picturing the Church as the Bride of Christ?
Let us rejoice, be glad, and give him glory, because the marriage of the lamb has come and his bride has made herself ready. (Rev 19:7 ISV)
What lessons can we learn from two women, the wisdom of Lemuel’s mother and her description of a virtuous wife? You decide!
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