This chapter has a few themes, one of which is reconciliation, another is faithfulness in relationship. “My beloved has gone down to his garden to the beds of spices, to graze in the gardens and to gather lilies. I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine; he grazes among the lilies.” (v2-3) In the…
Author: Conqueror in Training
Song of Solomon 5
In this chapter the bride is hesitant to open the door for her groom and when she finally does, she finds that she missed him. “A sound! My beloved is knocking. I had put off my garment; how could I put it on? I had bathed my feet; how could I soil them? My beloved…
Song of Solomon 4
In this chapter the groom admires his bride’s beauty. It sounds like beauty is in the eye of the beholder – or is it? “…my love, behold, you are beautiful! Your eyes are doves behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats leaping down the slopes of Gilead. Your teeth are like…
Song of Solomon 3
This chapter describes the bride’s desire for her betrothed, and the groom’s elaborate approach to the wedding. “On my bed by night I sought him whom my soul loves; I sought him, but found him not. I will rise now and go about the city, in the streets and in the squares; I will seek…
Song of Solomon 2
In this chapter the betrothed bride pictures themselves through the eyes of their beloved, and imagines the words they speak. “My beloved speaks and says to me: ‘Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away, for behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. O my dove, in the clefts of…
Song of Solomon 1
On the surface this poetic book (also called “Song of Songs”) depicts an interaction between a man and woman in process of marrying. Reading this book at that surface level misses a much deeper meaning. The book primarily depicts a love story between Christ and His bride the church (us), and Christ’s relationship with individual…
A Prayer for Creation Care
Today I offer a prayer for creation care. With mounting concerns over our global climate and conditions, it is becoming very clear that Christ followers need to be playing active roles is slowing this world’s degradation. I believe it’s our God-given responsibility to be good stewards of everything in our care, partnering with Jesus who…
Esther 10
This brief chapter (three verses) informs us the king has a far reach with great power, and Mordecai advanced to being his second in command (replacing Haman), like Joseph was second to the Pharaoh in Egypt. “…Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Ahasuerus, and he was great among the Jews and popular…
Esther 9
This chapter describes the Jews defeating those who sought to destroy them, and the creation of the Feast of Purim, to celebrate God’s deliverance. “And Mordecai… sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus… obliging them to keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar and also the…
Esther 8
In this chapter Esther and Mordecai devise a plan to save the Jews from Haman’s genocide edict. “Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, ‘Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and they have hanged him on the gallows, because he intended to lay hands on the Jews….