Thoughts on the readings for May 4th (Deuteronomy 21, Song of Solomon 1, Acts 13)

Deuteronomy 21 covers several items that may be considered to be of minor significance. The first is the resolving of unsolved murders by an acknowledgment that unresolved evil has been committed and that the elders of the nearest village show their innocence and abhorrence of the crime and their repugnance for it. This is followed by an acknowledgment to the Lord God Almighty that He might absolve His people from guilt and in so doing accept their declaration that they might walk in the ways of their Sovereign. Verses 10-14 outline the conditions for marrying female captives who had been taken as the spoils of war. The proposed foreign bride was to divest herself of natural and artificial beauty for one month. The would be husband had then to consider whether he still wanted to proceed with the marriage. Verses 15-17 tell of the responsibilities of an Israelite who sought for another wife. The LORD required that the rights of former wives and their heirs be upheld. Verses 18-21 speak of the stoning of a rebellious son. This action sounds extreme, but it was not for dealing with a naughty boy. It was for the Godless incorrigible rebel. The purpose of this was to strongly denounce and defend the upholding of the ways of God within the nation of Israel. Verse 22 seems a curious sundry law. Yet in the wisdom of the Almighty this requirement would bring to an end the demands of the Law on the children of our Father. The only sinless, completely righteous man was cursed by his crucifixion by the law which he kept in its entirety every day of his life - see Galatians 3 verses23-14; and 4verses 4-6. And so a law which cursed a righteous man could be annulled as it was no longer fit for the purpose for which it had originally been written. We are now under grace and not law - see John 1verses 14-18. We come to consider the Song of Songs, which is Solomon's. The book has been called "The romance for eternity". Solomon tells of his love for his bride and in so doing typifies the love of the Lord Jesus Christ for his bride, us his ecclesia. The book also declares the undying love of the bride for her Lord. There are additional comments given by the virgin companions of the bride. As its title reveals it was to be sung in parts by the parties mentioned in the previous sentences. Verse 1 gives the book's title. Verses 2-4 describe the love and desires of the bride for her husband. The second half of verse 4 is the response of the bride's companions to the declaration of intense love. In verses 5-7 the bride speaks of her background and humbly declares that she considers herself unworthy of the love that she has been shown. Verses 8-10 the bridegroom tells of his being captivated by the magnificent beauty of his bride. In verse 11 the bride's companions declare that they will add to the bride's adornments. Verses 12-14 the bride expresses how moved she becomes in the presence of her deeply loved Lord. In verse 15 we have the moving response of the groom to the to his wonderful spouse. The chapter concludes with the bride's description of the visual and aromatic delights of the place she will share with her beloved. Acts 13 speaks of Saul's name being changed to Paul - meaning "little"; since he now saw himself in that way (see 1 Corinthians 15:9). We see that Barnabas and Saul were chosen from a very select group of believers. Barnabas and Paul first sail to Cyprus - quite possibly where Barnabas has connections (he sold his land and business). It was here that the Apostles were aided by God in the face of a powerful enemy. From verses 13-52 we read of the Apostles' journeys to Perga and to Antioch in Pisidia. Antioch was in the mountainous region of Turkey. Paul appears to have been sick at this time. Ramsay speculates that it was perhaps malaria. Paul's address in the synagogue at Antioch is masterful and contains many echoes from Stephen's defence in Acts 7. In addition to bringing salient points from Israel's history to the fore - especially those which focus on the coming Messiah - Paul shows how the Scriptures (in particular Psalm 2, Psalm 16 and Isaiah 55) reveal that Christ would die and be raised to eternal life. Through the Lord Jesus Christ forgiveness of sins would be granted to those believing and accepting God's offer. The next Sabbath the entire city comes to hear Paul's message. The Jews stir up opposition and are denounced by Paul, who declares that from now on Paul and Barnabas would preach to the Gentiles. The Apostles left Antioch shaking the dust from their feet as the Lord Jesus had commanded his disciples to do in Matthew 10 verse14). Penned by Warwick Rosser and his team, produced by Christadelphianvideo.org See more Thoughts from the Christadelphian Dialy Bible Reading Planner (By R.Roberts) here... https://christadelphianvideo.org/thoughts-on-the-readings-for-may-4th-deuteronomy-21-song-of-solomon-1-acts-13/?feed_id=91218&_unique_id=68159931ba18c