SoS 6-8
“I am my beloved’s, and his desire is for me” (SOS 7:10). Still trying to look at this book of love poetry through the lens of my relationship with God, and this is the verse that stands out. I don’t typically have a problem with the first part of that verse. I am quite happy to identify myself as belonging to God. It’s that second part that I really need to grab hold of.
I tend to identify more with Psalm 84:10 which says, “For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.” In my mind, I am blessed to hit the courtyard or the threshold to God’s house. The thought of going inside…of belonging inside…seems too great. But in Luke 12:32, Jesus tell us, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” God doesn’t just want me in His courtyard; He doesn’t just want me in His house. He wants to give me the kingdom! WANTS to give it to me! It is His good pleasure, Jesus says, and Jesus doesn’t lie. Indeed, as hard as it is for me to believe, God’s desire truly is for me…and for you. See what lengths He went to in order to make us His own!
Act 7:22-43
Stephen’s discourse continues throughout this entire passage, and he does not appear to be finished just yet. So again I marvel at the fact that they let him go on like this. As Jewish religious leaders, I would think they would be rather indignant at the history lesson because they considered themselves more learned than others and because, if I were in their shoes, I would be wondering what on earth this lengthy, well known history lesson had to do with the accusations and charges brought against him. It does seem, however, that Stephen is starting to build up to his point.
Note his description of Moses as, “this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer” (Acts 7:36). He followed that comment with, “This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.’” A prophet like Moses; one who was sent by God as both ruler and redeemer…Stephen is building up to his point. But first, Stephen makes a point of reminding these Jewish leaders that the people God sent Moses to rule and redeem rejected him and turned to other so-called gods. Hmmm….God’s Word is so full of correlation and meaning. Everything means something, it seems, more than face value. And that’s the beauty of it. God has shown us in so many ways what His plan and His Truth are. All we need to do is seek to understand it and to believe it. Amazing.