Bible 365: Week 28

I was super thrilled about week 28 because we got to read Song of Solomon!!  If you remember, I've mentioned more than once that Song of Solomon is my favorite book of the Bible.  It's a beautiful love letter/poem/love song.  In fact, the Bible dubs it "the song of songs" (Song of Solomon 1:1).  We also finished the book of Proverbs, read Ecclesiastes and got started on the book of Isaiah.  So, here are the seven things I learned in week 28.

1-"Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised." (Proverbs 31:30)  The 31st Proverb is about the qualities of virtuous wife.  And it just reminds of the type of qualities I should be putting into my children.  You see the 31st Proverb isn't just for women but for men as well.  It's a guide for our sons so that they will know what to look for in a wife and for our daughters so that they will know the traits that are needed to be a good wife and mother. 

I also look at it as a call to men to show respect to all women.  How can you expect to find a virtuous wife if you're out here treating all or the majority of women like objects?  And women how can you expect to attract a virtuous husband if you don't have any standards yourself?  This Proverb goes both ways for sure.

2-"What is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is lacking cannot be numbered." (Ecclesiastes 1:15)  I was watching Daddyless Daughters last night and this scripture goes along with what they were saying about how we often times get into relationships with men that are broken and not prepared to meet our needs as husbands and fathers.  So, they run away or we do things to cling to them.  We end up losing them anyway and breaking ourselves in the process.  You can't change people.  That's God's job.  If something is crooked recognize that and keep it moving.

3-"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)  I always try to remember that everything that happens in my life has a purpose.  I may not know what that purpose is at first, but at the end of day it usually reveals itself.

4-"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.  For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.  But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to him up." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10) I know a lot of live by the saying "I can do bad all by myself," but we have to keep in mind that it's smarter to keep a friend that we can do good with.  Someone who will be our shoulder to cry on, a voice of reason or helping hand when we fall.

5-"Also do not take to heart everything people say,.." (Ecclesiastes 7:21) People talked about Jesus like a dog.  He didn't let that deter him from his purpose. So, don't let your nay sayers distract you from your purpose, your dreams, your goals, your family, your marriage, etc.  At the end of day God's say is the only one that matters.

6-"A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry; but money answers everything." (Ecclesiastes 10:19)  Money makes the world go around.  Just make sure that you're using your money for good.  All money isn't good money and sometimes we're quick to spend our money in the wrong places.  We turn our head to the fact that some companies do some not-so-good practices and still give them our dollars.  It's easier to turn a blind eye than go out of your way to find another business to fill that need.

7-"Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is as strong as death, jealousy as cruel as the grave; its flames are flames of fire, a most vehement flame.  Many waters cannot quench love, not can the floods drown it.  If a man would give for love all wealth of his house, it would be utterly despised." (Song of Solomon 8:6-7)  It always baffles me when people who get divorced say they're divorcing because they fell out of love.  It makes me wonder if it was ever really love in the first place?  I'll be the first one to admit that there have been past boyfriends that I thought I loved on the degree you're suppose to love the person you want to marry.  And reflecting back on it now, I can see that I didn't love them to that degree at all.

Lust and butterflies got me caught up.  Clouded my mind.  I definitely believe that there are degrees to love.  Before we say I do we need to make sure that our love for our future spouse is stronger death.  Ask yourself if you're willing to give up your wealth for that other person?

Would have material things or could lose it all and still happy because you have your one true love?

Week 29 Readings

7/15: Isaiah 7-12

7/16: Isaiah 13-18

7/17: Isaiah 19-23

7/18: Isaiah 24-27

7/19: Isaiah 28-31

7/20: Isaiah 32-35

7/21: Isaiah 36-39