Today we look at Psalm 99, and its elements instruct us about the greatness of our God. The LORD “reigns,” and “He is exalted” (verses 1-2). Three times, we read that He “is holy” (verses 3, 5, and 9). Of whom else can that be said? God’s holiness is a distinguishing attribute that separates Him from everything that is not God - nothing else in the universe can properly be described as “holy.” We read that God is a “King Who is mighty, and He loves justice” (verse 4). Here, interestingly, we read that God “has established [real] equity” (verse 4) - not just some political party’s idea of equity or fairness. Today, a lot is said about equity, but this Psalm teaches us where equity begins and by Whom it is defined - by God. Biblical equity asserts that, “in Jacob, God does what is just and right” (verse 4). God gets to decide – not the politicians – what is just and right, so He sees equity quite differently than we do. Here, the Psalmist tells us that “Moses, Aaron, and Samuel called on the LORD and He answered them” (verse 6). They were good example for us – “they kept God’s statutes and decrees” (verse 7), so if we clamor for equitable justice and righteousness, we will do what they did – “call upon the name of the LORD” (verse 6). As human beings, we must all appear before a holy God, and each of us will stand equally exposed by our own sins. We all stand in the same, deepest need, and some of us will get equity (i.e., what we deserve – justice). Others will receive His forgiveness. “Though He punishes our misdeeds,” thankfully, “He is a forgiving God” (verse 8). God freely offers forgiveness to all - without regard to our station in life (cf., verse 8). His forgiveness is clearly preferable to His equity.
In keeping with our study of King Solomon in 2nd Chronicles, we look today at the Song of Songs, which was written by Solomon. This book is a work of poetry that serves the purposes of (1) honoring the God-ordained institution of marriage; (2) to show God’s great love for the faithful remnant of Israel (cf., Hosea 2:19-20); and (3) to set forth the love of Christ for His church (cf., 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:25-33; and Revelation 19:7-9). Today we look at chapters 1-4 where we see “the beloved one” (i.e., Solomon’s bride) thinking about and contemplating her first, intensive feelings for her lover – the king. She recalls her pleasant experiences with his love for her (verses 2-4). He responds by saying, “Your cheeks are beautiful … how beautiful you are, my darling” (verses 10-15). In chapter 2, the beloved one recalls how Solomon previously addressed her beauty and compared her to the joys of middle eastern creation – “I am a rose of Sharon” (verse 1), and “like an apple tree among the trees of the forest …strengthen me with raisins, refresh me with apples, for I am faint with love” (verses 3-5). He further responds – “your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely” (verse 14). Here, we see their desire for close companionship with - and love for - each other. In chapter 3, the beloved expresses her dream in which she was removed – separated – from him. This is a clear picture of Israel languishing without her Messiah (cf., Hosea 3:4) – like sheep without a shepherd (cf., Matthew 9:36; Mark 6:30-34). But then, her king comes to take her to his home (verses 7-11). This anticipates Christ’s return for His Bride, the church. In chapter 4, we see how the king praises the beauty of his beloved – “How beautiful you are, my darling!” (verse 1). In the same way, Christ will find His Bride in her beauty and glory, and He will exalt her (cf., Revelation 19:6-9).
In 1 Corinthians 12:1-26, we are introduced to the ninth major problem of the Corinthian church – the abuse of spiritual gifts. Paul points out that the Corinthians - before they became believers – were pagans. Paul makes clear that Christians, above all, must accept fully the great diversity of God’s creation in the same way that we understand how the human body is a unit that consists of many different parts. No one would consider a part of his or her body to be less important than any other part - each part of the body is necessary and serves for the benefit of the entire unit. In the same way, every believer is important in the church and to the church, which constitutes the body of Christ in the world (cf., verse 12). Christ has promised to return for His Bride - the church – and, as we have seen today, the beauty of His return is foreshadowed and anticipated between the lover and his beloved in the Song of Songs.
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