My Life Application Bible gives this background to the Song of Solomon....
Solomon frequently visited the various parts of his kingdom. One day, as he was visiting some royal vineyards in the north, his royal entourage came by surprise upon a beautiful peasant woman tending the vines. Embarrassed, she ran from them. But Solomon could not forget her. Later, disguised as a shepherd, he returned to the vineyards and won her love. Then, he revealed his true identity and asked her to return to Jerusalem with him. Solomon and his beloved are being married in the palace as this book begins.
In society today sex is portrayed explicitly and pretty much everything goes.
The Bible tells a different story. Sex is important, but it is always mentioned within the context of a loving relationship between husband and wife. Sex is an intimate and beautiful expression of love, but it is for the marriage bed and the marriage bed only. Song of Songs speaks of this relationship in sensual terms, but with sacredness and purity. We should speak of it in the same way.
Our passage begins with the wedding day, and then turn to reflections and memories of their courtship and engagement. In each passage we see the beauty and joy of love and sex. They are God's gifts to us, to be used only as He intended, within the confines of marriage.
In John we see Jesus reconciling Peter to Him after his previous denials of Christ. Peter loved Jesus, and proved it by his willingness to serve Him, and to commit his life to Him. Sin does damage our relationship with Christ, but when we truly repent our relationship can be restored.
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Song of Solomon 4-5; Ephesians 1
3 comments:
If I was in Jesus place I would probably have been bitter towards Peter, who turned his back on Jesus 3 times when Jesus needed him. Jesus forgave Peter and then used him in a great roll to spread the gospel and help grow the early church. This shows to me that I shouldn't give up on anyone, Jesus doesn't.
We see a great example of forgiveness that Jesus shows towards Peter. We are all sinners and are no better or worse than Peter. I am thankful for the grace that God extends to everyone.
I can't imagine Peter's joy for seeing Jesus again and his sorrow for realizing that Jesus not only knew Peter would betray him but that now he would ask Peter three times as well. I'm thankful for forgiveness.
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