Proverbs are sayings about life's many sides, and how one should live life in a good way: Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. (2:3-4)
It is mostly written by King Solomon, who was a
very wise man, and his wisdom and wealth were known throughout the world. But
not all proverbs are written by Solomon. Agur and Lemuel are others who are
named as authors of proverbs in the book.
Many topics are touched in Proverbs: Work ethic, family life, child rearing and how to treat other people. The advices given are still today very topical – for example:
A wise youth harvest in the summer, but one who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace. (10:5)
Proverbs are often divided as follows:
- Wisdom way (Chapter 1-9)
- Main Collection of Proverbs (Chapter 10-24 )
- More proverbs of Solomon, Agur and Lemuel
(Chapter 25-31- Wisdom way (Chapter 1-9)
- Main Collection of Proverbs (Chapter 10-24 )
A summary of Song of Songs:
Song of Songs is about passionate love and we hear about a man (the bridegroom)
and a woman (bride) talking to each other or describe each other. The bride
longs revealed by her groom, and speak good of him. The groom also praises the
woman in his life with long, rich depictions of how beautiful she is.
In between the bride and groom's loving
portrayal of one another, the crowd (daughters of Jerusalem and the brothers of
the bride) come with small input and response to the two lovers.
The book has a colorful language - for example describes the groom his bride like like:
You are beautiful, my darling, beautiful beyond words. Your eyes are like doves behind your veil. Your hair falls in waves, like a flock of goats winding down the slopes of Gilead. Your teeth are as white as sheep, recently shorn and freshly washed. Your smile is flawless, each tooth matched with its twin. Your lips are like scarlet ribbon; your mouth is inviting. Your cheeks are like rosy pomegranates behind your veil. Your neck is as beautiful as the tower of David, jeweled with the shields of a thousand heroes. Your breasts are like two fawns, twin fawns of a gazelle grazing among the lilies. (4:1-5)
I think the content of this book can be understood in several ways:
- It can be a portrayal of love within marriage - as God's intention, where men and women describe their love for each other with beautiful words and actions.
- It can also be read as an instruction manual for love before marriage. Song of Solomon emphasizes the beauty of pure love. It warns against going too far in following the temptations and desires too early: Promise me, O women of Jerusalem,
by the gazelles and wild deer, not to awaken love until the time is right. (2:7)
- It can also be seen as a picture of
Jesus as the bridegroom and the church as the bride (wife of the Lamb -
Revelation 21:9).
Song of Solomon is most likely written by King Solomon , and therefore dating
to his reign between 970-930 BC
A summary of Ecclesiastes:
In this book the
author tries to find an answer to: What is the meaning of life?
He has many good
suggestions - such as having lots of money, live in material wealth, or devote
their lives to a particular project. But still he doesn’t get a satisfying answer
to his basic question.
He writes constantly about the life "under the sun", meaning that he asks himself what is the point of all the toil and bustle of this life he lives on earth.
Sometimes people say, “Here is something new!” But actually it is old; nothing is ever truly new. We don’t remember what happened in the past, and in future generations, no one will remember what we are doing now (1:10-11).
He writes constantly about the life "under the sun", meaning that he asks himself what is the point of all the toil and bustle of this life he lives on earth.
Sometimes people say, “Here is something new!” But actually it is old; nothing is ever truly new. We don’t remember what happened in the past, and in future generations, no one will remember what we are doing now (1:10-11).
He can’t find the
answer to what the meaning of life by what people in general suggest. The
assessment of what gives meaning to life, finally ends up with that he gets an
answer to why he lives and what he should do with his life:
To begin to build
your life on who God is, gives meaning to everything else that we meet through
life.
Finally, his conclusion is: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad (12:13-14).
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