Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

I’m Jemima L Yeggs, a.k.a. Stinker.  Pink Lady Apple Yeggs, my landlady and my auntie, wants to read about how younger people, especially couples respond to what the Bible says.  And she wants to know how God is at work at Lily the Pink.

B.B. and I were in our “green room.”  Arabella lurked on the swooning couch.

B.B. asked, “Stinker, the lesson today has me excited.  I spent twenty years of my life chasing meaningless things.  Now in just a few years, I met Jesus and Joseph.  We have a baby boy.  My entire life has meaning.  I owe a lot of it to you, Stinker.”

I laughed, “B.B., God wanted you in His kingdom.  If I were not around, He would have found a different way.  But we all should be shining the light of Christ wherever we go.  We never know when someone is truly seeking God and watching us.  But why these books of the Bible in particular?”

B.B. groaned, “Stinker.  Solomon laments that everything outside of God is meaningless.  It’s basically the entire book.  But then Song of Songs, or Song of Solomon if you prefer, is an almost graphic love story between Jesus and the church.  There is no reason at all to avoid expressing deep love for God.  Some people say we get too familiar with God in doing that, not respectful, but I don’t think we get close enough to God.”

The familiar voice from the swooning couch, pretending to read the latest copy of Voice of the Martyrs magazine, said, “Wow!  I have not heard B.B. say that much in one breath in a long time, other than her weather reports.”

B.B. groaned, “Please, Fireball, I just enjoy these two books of the Bible”

Arabella asked, “I agree about Ecclesiastes.  But I like it the most in that it says there is a time for everything, and since I like to laugh and have fun, I know there is time for that.  I wouldn’t like being in a world that had no time for laughter.  But when Mom heard that we were reading Song of Solomon, she gathered the six of us together and chaperoned.”

I snickered, “Six?  You mean she had you, Emmett, and Sarah.  And then she invited Michael, Sophia, and Clay, just to keep you from getting frisky?”

Arabella said, “Do not laugh, Aunt Jemima.  Sarah and Clay are just goofy, but Michael and I are getting serious about our relationship.”

B.B. and I gave each other a look of astonishment.

Arabella opened the door, and we went to the den.

Rev. Joseph led us in prayer and the entire band and choir were ready.  They sang Turn! Turn! Turn!

I said, “Emmett, that was wonderful.  And Mags, I did not expect a cello for that song.  But Darrell, I thought you were a strummer!  That was beautiful.”

Darrell laughed, “Emmett’s been teaching me, and since we knew we’d get to Ecclesiastes sooner or later, this was the tune that I practiced.”

Samuel asked, “Where are we searching for Jesus today, Aunt Jemima?”

I smiled, “We are looking into the books of Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs, or Song of Solomon, if you prefer.  Arabella, do you need Mr. Dictionary?”

Arabella nodded, “Just a little.  I’m so confused on both names that I don’t know enough to ask.”

Easy, with eyes closed, said, “Belle, Ecclesiastes is the Greek word for ‘the Teacher.’  But the root word is the same for preacher or the one who gathers.  So, you get the idea of a preacher who teaches the gathered crowd, or could we just say a congregation.  So, based on how you dissect the word, its roots and the meanings of each root, it could mean teacher, preacher, or anyone who is imparting wisdom.  The NIV translates the word as Ecclesiastes as Teacher.  The Teacher is mentioned seven times in the book. ‘The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem:’ (Ecclesiastes 1:1).  So, this could be any son of David, or grandson, great-grandson, whatever.  But most think it was written by Solomon.  Are we good on Ecclesiastes?”

Arabella said, “Yes, Mr. Dictionary, but what about Song of Songs or is it Song of Solomon?”

Easy smiled, still with his eyes closed, “Belle, the book starts with this… ‘Solomon’s Song of Songs.’ (Song of Songs 1:1).  Now, with that, is there anything wrong with calling it either of those names?  As for your mother wanting to be a chaperone while you read the text, Sally is concerned with how you interpret the text.  There is legend that in some circles there was a restriction of ‘under 30’ could not read the text, but in the Jewish communities that applied that restriction, it was only in the Talmud interpretations of the text, not the text itself.  In fact, the text is read each year in a gathering of people of all ages.  The Jews understand it to be allegorical instead of literal.  So, now, Aunt Jemima wants to give a synopsis of Ecclesiastes.”

I smiled, “Thank you, Sweetie.  There are only two things in Ecclesiastes that hint at Jesus.  So, I thought I’d give a little idea about the book itself.  There are a variety of themes.  It starts with vanity or vanities, or in the NIV, ‘Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”’ (Ecclesiastes 1:2).  The concept of us making our way through this life and leaving our mark or impact is kind of silly.  In the overall look of things and the billions of people who have ever walked on this earth, making a lasting mark is meaningless for the vast majority.  And while speaking of our life, The Teacher speaks of ‘life under the sun.’  ‘Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed— and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors— and they have no comforter.’ (Ecclesiastes 4:1). In those days, most people did their work in the hot sun.  Toil under the sun was meaningless in the overall picture of things.  But for life to be sustained, the farmers need to grow crops to sustain life, but if life is meaningless, then growing food to sustain life is meaningless.  When you die, someone else will run the farm.  So, whether you argue with the word meaningless or not. There is no lasting meaning for each of us.”

I continued, “With me so far?  Emmett’s song, which was recorded by the Byrds, gives another thing, Time.  ‘There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, …’ (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2).  Ecclesiastes as a whole is a philosophical masterpiece which argues that life under the sun is meaningless without God.  Only through God can we find meaning.  Now, let’s see Jesus in Ecclesiastes.”

Ruthie (Ecclesiastes 12:11) “The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one shepherd.”

Ruthie said,”Oo, Oo! Aunt Jemima, this sounds like a torture device, but then, Trevor and I looked it up.  The Woman’s Bible says that the wisdom of God is like goads and nails that prod you on to learn more.  That’s what a goad is.  It’s a stick or club or something that is used to poke the animal so the animal goes in the right direction.  And I guess that’s what wisdom is, poking ourselves in the right direction by reading what God has to say.”

I smiled, “Very Good, Ruthie.  But I would add one thing.  This class is looking at Jesus in each book of the Bible.  In the New Testament, who calls Himself the Good Shepherd?”

Ruthie said, “Oo!  Oo!  Jesus is the Good Shepherd!”

Trevor (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14) “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”

Trevor said, “I am thinking that Jesus has something to do with the fact that God judges all our deeds good and bad.”

I smiled, “Thank you, Trevor.  I am glad you mentioned both good and bad deeds.  My source did not call this a quote, but it parallels this text. ‘Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.’ (Revelation 20:11-15).  But there is a second judgment.  Many call this the bema seat, using the Greek word.  Jesus will sit at the bema seat.  ‘For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.’ (2 Corinthians 5:10).  So, if our name is in the book of life, we avoid the Great White Throne judgement.  Our sins are washed away, so we get in the line for those entering Heaven.  And that line goes by Jesus.  He sees the good and bad things that we did and He awards us a crown for being a good servant.  So, to answer your supposition, Trevor.  Jesus is involved in both of these judgments.”

I smiled, “Now, let’s look at Song of Songs.”

Dr. James Kildare (Song of Songs 1:7-8) “Tell me, you whom I love, where you graze your flock and where you rest your sheep at midday. Why should I be like a veiled woman beside the flocks of your friends? If you do not know, most beautiful of women, follow the tracks of the sheep and graze your young goats by the tents of the shepherds.”

Dr. James said, “Considering the typical interpretation of Jesus as the king in this allegorical love story and the church as His queen, it is the church that is asking where Jesus grazes His flocks.  Then starting with “If you do not know,” that is the friends of the bride who guide the bride to the tracks that the flock has made.  Follow that path, and you will find the sheep enclosure.  You will find safety.  You will find the shepherd Himself.  This talks about Jesus as the good shepherd in that interpretation.  So, it parallels Ruthie’s verse from Ecclesiastes.”

Mags (Song of Songs 2:16-17) “My beloved is mine and I am his; he browses among the lilies. Until the day breaks and the shadows flee, turn, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or like a young stag on the rugged hills.”

Mags said, “Of course, you would give me one of the racy ones.  Some interpret this as hills of separation, since there is a period of time when they are trying to find one another, but others interpret the hills as being the bride’s breasts.  It speaks of a gazelle being the groom, who is Jesus, would be the gazelle in both parts of this chapter.  The bride, meaning the church, is inviting Jesus to delight in their worship of Him.”

I said, “I like that interpretation.  Thanks, Mags.”

Matthew (Song of Songs 3:1-5) “All night long on my bed I looked for the one my heart loves; I looked for him but did not find him. I will get up now and go about the city, through its streets and squares; I will search for the one my heart loves. So I looked for him but did not find him. The watchmen found me as they made their rounds in the city. “Have you seen the one my heart loves?” Scarcely had I passed them when I found the one my heart loves. I held him and would not let him go till I had brought him to my mother’s house, to the room of the one who conceived me. Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.”

Matthew said, “I am not saying all of this is my idea.  We worked as a group.  But this talks about how the bride finds the groom after asking the watchmen.  Then the bride warns the daughters of Jerusalem.  Some think this parallels what Jesus said in Luke 23 as He was going to Golgotha.  ‘Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children.’ (Luke 23:28).  Jesus ends up saying that barren women will be blessed.  I’m thinking in the End Times.  But the bride of Jesus will find her lover.”

I said, “Wow!  I didn’t give you that verse, but that ties into Jesus nicely.”

Mercy (Song of Songs 4:15) “You are a garden fountain, a well of flowing water streaming down from Lebanon.”

Mercy said, “This sounds like what Jesus said.  ‘Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”’ (John 7:38).”

I replied, “Is the Kildare/Dykstra contingent trying to make me look bad?  These are excellent references to Jesus.  I have to admit that I laid these verses out there to see the connection, but you looked up the connection.”

Mike Kildare (Song of Songs 5:16) “His mouth is sweetness itself; he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, this is my friend, daughters of Jerusalem.”

Mike said, “In one of the commentaries that we used, we read that the phrase ‘Altogether lovely’ is a description of the Messiah.  So, this ties directly to Jesus being the groom in this love story.”

I said, “Again, that is a great addition, just what I was looking for.”

Maddie Dykstra (Song of Songs 8:6-7) “Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned.”

Maddie said, “This is the vow of permanence.  The seal is a sign of permanence.  We will in the End be united with Christ Jesus and we will be His forever.”

Grannie Fannie (2 John 1:3) “ Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.”

Lauren ran up to Grannie Fannie and hugged her.  “Are you ready to drive us?”

Brooke picked up Stormie and strapped her into the carrier.

Stormie laughed and said, “Book.”

Credits

Here is Turn! Turn! Turn!  This is sung by The Byrds.

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.