Posts with the tag “wisdom”

Today's Reading: Song of Solomon 1:1-17Because of the sensuality present throughout the book, many have claimed that this is merely a metaphor or allegory that describes God's love for His people. However, in my opinion, the Faithlife Study Bible more accurately describes the nature and purpose of the book:"Song of Songs, or Song of Solomon, is a group of poems celebrating romantic love between a ...  Read More

Today's Reading: Ecclesiastes 12:1-14I've always maintained that the best way to understand the book of Ecclesiastes is to begin by reading the last two verses of the book: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.It is indeed vanity to ...  Read More

Today's Reading: Ecclesiastes 1:1-18From the Faithlife Study Bible:"Ecclesiastes addresses the times when life doesn’t make sense—when it seems that wisdom cannot offer any satisfactory answers. The author takes an honest, unflinching look at wealth and labor, pleasure and wisdom. The speaker finally decides that they are ultimately meaningless in themselves. But the book also concludes that reali...  Read More

Today's Reading: Proverbs 8:1-36Throughout the book of Proverbs, we see that wisdom is "personified". This is a literary device that the author uses to make wisdom a little more tangible. Although we don't see it in this chapter, "Lady Wisdom" is often contrasted with "Lady Folly" as a way to contrast the two ways of life we read about yesterday.In this chapter we see the benefits of living accord...  Read More

Today's Reading: Proverbs 2:1-22Beginning in verse 16, we are introduced to the forbidden (or strange) woman who is an adulteress (or foreign woman). While there is certainly a warning here against sexual immorality, in the book of Proverbs the adulteress is a picture of any kind of sin in which we indulge the desires of our flesh.This chapter is a lot like Psalm 1. We are told that there are two ...  Read More

Today's Reading: Proverbs 1:1-33From the Faithlife Study Bible:"Proverbs consists of many wise sayings, compiled into a book. These sayings offer practical advice for daily life and vary widely in their content—ranging from work and money to speech, integrity, and discipline. But the wisdom in Proverbs is not just about practical advice; Proverbs reminds us that true wisdom derives from the fear o...  Read More

Today's Reading: Psalm 118:1-29This is clearly another Messianic Psalm. Jesus quotes from verse 22 when He is telling the Jews that since they have rejected Him, His kingdom is going to be taken away from them and given to the Gentiles who will willingly receive it. Peter also quotes that verse in Acts 4 when speaking to the Jewish religious leaders. Peter also quotes from that verse in 1 Peter 2....  Read More

Today's Reading: Psalm 72:1-20This psalm is understood by most scholars to be a coronation hymn for the King of Judah.  It speaks of the prayers of all of the people for the king and the importance of understanding the king’s role in relationship to his God and the people. Unfortunately, from late in the reign of King Solomon forward, Israel's kings did not reign in accordance with what is asked f...  Read More

Today's Reading: Psalm 51:1-19David wrote this powerful Psalm after Nathan confronted him about his sin with Bathsheba. As king, David certainly had the ability to continue to cover up that sin. He could have gotten rid of Nathan. But here is where David demonstrates that he is a "man after God's heart".When confronted with his sin, he acknowledges his sin to God. That is what confessing our sin m...  Read More

Today's Reading: Psalm 22:1-31We don't know exactly when David wrote this Psalm. We do know that he faced danger and opposition both before and during his reign as king. David turns to God in prayer during that time and by the end of the psalm, he ends with a song of praise to God for rescuing him.This Psalm is also a Messianic Psalm that points ahead to Jesus. In fact , Jesus quotes from verse 1 ...  Read More