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Song of Songs 3:6 - Imperfect saint as the great example of appropriate expression of human sexuality - Day 118

As we start the Song of Solomon or Song of Songs, we see another facet of wisdom literature.  Some want to make it entirely allegorical to the love of Christ for the Church.  As Paul says, marriage is a picture of Christ and the Church.  But you can't read this and have any doubts about "one man, one woman, one flesh for life" as God's plan for marriage.

Blessings,

Jeff

The mystery of Solomon's absolute devotion to the Shulammite ("the perfect" or "the peaceful") in Song and his polygamy with foreign wives.  Intro to Song says "God established marriage, including the physical union of a husband and wife (Gen. 2:18-25), and Israelite wisdom literature treasures this aspect of marriage as the appropriate expression of human sexuality (Prov. 5:15-20)."  How can a polygamous king be held up as the great example of appropriate expression of human sexuality?

But of course this is the "warts and all" presentation of the heroes of the faith.  They all had significant character flaws and yet they are in Hebrews 11 Faith Hall of Fame.  Points us to the reality that the creature can never be the "author and perfecter of our faith".  Only Jesus, the God-man can do that.  Which, by the way, annihilates the Roman Catholic concept of human saints have an abundance of good works that can be applied to those in purgatory.  Every "saint" canonized by Rome is a vile sinner apart from righteousness of Christ.  Of course, we Protestants have our own "super heroes" who turn out to have feet of clay.  

Instruction - What God expects - Look only to Jesus and not to mere humans for any spiritual blessing and truth.  Which includes looking to myself.  Always be dependent on the Son by the power of the Spirit to walk in a manner worthy of the LORD.

Thanksgiving - the perfect plan of salvation that excludes all purely human efforts.  The plan that is completely fulfilled only by the work of the incarnate Son of God.

Confession - not being offended when I and others make Jesus bow before other gods (the example from Jonathan's sermon about Jesus bowing down to Mohammed).  I make popular, image driven culture superior to text driven, expositional culture.  I am really doing the same thing the Muslim was doing.  

Petition - Addiction to entertainment/amusement that is mindless and draws me away for the living God.  The superficial world of social media where desires of the eyes draws me to accept what is seen and not what is said.

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