READING FOR JULY 4, 2025: SONG OF SONGS 2, 1 THESSALONIANS 1, PSALM 65:1-8 SONG OF SONGS 2
The woman refers to herself as a Rose of Sharon and Lily of the Valley. This may mean that she comes from the Plain of Sharon which is on the western coast of Israel. Her self-characterization as a Lily of the Valley could mean she compares herself to an ordinary wildflower from a valley, not from a cultivated garden. Her beloved is quick to respond that all others are like thorns compared to her, a beautiful flower. This line of conversation continues. She sees him as a fruitful and distinctive apple tree compared to a forest of common trees, who repre- sent other men. She finds his presence protective, restful, and delightful.
She welcomes his leading her out in public, boldly announcing his love for her. She is so in love with him that she feels physically sick. (Anyone vaguely remember this feeling in high school or college?) But she longs to be supported by him. Then she counsels her watching friends not to “arouse or awaken love until it so desires.” This mysterious advice could mean not to seek to fall in love until there is truly a worthy person, such as her beloved, ready to receive that love.
Suddenly she spots her beloved in the distance. His gait, his stance, his gaze sends her into a frenzy. Amazingly he speaks words of love and bids her to come with him. It seems all nature intensifies its beauty, sounds, and fragrance as it accompanies this scene. Then it is the man who speaks words that seem difficult to understand: “Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes
that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom.” This could mean capturing anything that could ruin their relationship that seems so perfect at the moment. In fact, it is a wise couple who works through potential problem areas, maybe with premarital counseling, before entering into a lifetime commitment while in a midst of youthful passion.
It is possible that reading this makes some of us sad because of the loss of a spouse through death or divorce or never having experienced romance at all. There is no evidence that the Apostle Paul ever experienced this kind of human relationship. Yet he placed his often chal- lenging earthly life in an eternal context: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed” (Rom. 8:18-19). This is a healthy mindset for all of us.
1 THESSALONIANS 1 Paul addresses this letter as also coming from Silvanus (also known as his missionary partner Silas) and Timothy (a younger associate of Paul who gave leadership in Ephesus). Paul is never shy about wielding his apostolic authority, but he is also a practitioner
READING GUIDE FOR JULY 4, 2025 CONTINUED: 1 THESSALONIANS 1, PSALMS 65:1-8 of collaborative leadership. Once again in his opening, we see Paul telling a church that he is praying for them. Could we be more intentional about telling others we are praying for them? Paul says he makes mention of them. Perhaps this means he doesn’t pray for hours for each church or person, but at least mentions them. This might make us feel better about at least listing or saying the names of those for whom we are praying. Here again we see the principle of cause and effect or the virtuous cycle that reappears often in Paul’s writings: faith leads to work, love leads to labor, and hope leads to perseverance. True godly virtue is never static or isolated but leads to other virtues.
Paul commented that his time in Thessalonica of sharing the Gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit (not his words only) produced Christians worthy of being models for other churches. This shows that Paul is able to view events from a long-range heavenly perspective rather than a short-term human one. Paul was only in Thessalonica for three weeks before the following happened: “The Jews, becoming jealous and taking along some wicked men from the marketplace, formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; and they attacked the house of Jason and were seeking to bring them out to the people... The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea” (Acts 17:5-10).
PSALM 65:1-8 Normally, the New American Standard Bible is used for these study guides. For this chapter, the New International Version was chosen due to its greater understandability for the writer. The opening statement is so welcoming to God in that His people are eagerly awaiting to praise Him upon His arrival. What a concept for us to consider as we await the start of Sunday worship services each week; imagine the kind of energetic anticipation this would engender. The next phrase promises that His people will fulfill their vows to Him. We might think we don’t make vows to God, but consider some of the hymns we sing in church: “I Surrender All,” “Take My Life and Let it Be,” “I Love to Tell the Story," and “Where He Leads Me I Will Follow.” It might be good to check what we are committing to do before we sing some of these hymns.
The next verses praise God’s attributes as they interact with us, His people. He forgives us, blesses us, brings us near, and fills us. Verse five is especially poignant. The creator and sustainer of the universe answers our comparatively puny requests in awesome ways—most significantly in being our Savior! Could we stop for 10 seconds to reflect on this? He is our God, our personal God, but He is the God and the only hope for all the earth. All creation, including the seas and the mountains in every time zone, is awed by this God of David and of Yorktown Methodist Church. This is the God who beckons us to sing songs of joy.LET’S SING.
