Reading 'Verbatim', the Books of the Old Testament - 'Song of Songs' - An Allegory; Bi-Monthly, Post I, Chapter 6, July 30, 2020

​Welcome back, my friends,

Now, my friends, let us study the 'allegorical' interpretation of the 'Song of Songs' Chapters 3-8 this week, with daily posts, July 27-28-29-30-31, August 1, 2020 with all chapters from the allegorical interpretation posted, as the Lord wills.  This includes either the relationship between Israel and God and/or the church and Christ,  through  'Comments of Matthew Henry', 1710.

No matter how you choose to 'study the Word', you, I, must always have the corresponding Holy Bible Scripture to read directly.  It is important to ALWAYS remember, the Holy Spirit will 'quicken', 'enliven our spirit' to the 'truth'. John 16:13 provides audio-bible.com/bible/bible.html 
  
13 'But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.' ​ Therefore:
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​The Holy Spirit illuminates our minds by helping us to see how the events in the past recorded in Scripture carry over to today a vision for the future, shaping our view of the world, of God, and a path for our life of faith in the process. The Spirit orients our present, on the basis of the past, towards the future vision.

[Reading 'Verbatim', the Books of the Old Testament - 'Song of Songs' 'Review'; Bi-Monthly, Post-A/B, July 13/15, 2020] Link to a list of All Prior Posts.
Reading 'Verbatim', the Books of the Old Testament - 'Song of Songs'; Bi-Monthly, Post Introduction, June 29, 2020​ Link to Introduction

​Reading 'Verbatim', the Books of the Old Testament - 'Song of Songs'; Bi-Monthly, Post Chapter 6, July 6-PM, 2020 Link to Chapter 6, Verbatim.  audio-bible.com/bible/bible.html 

Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710. Chapter 6   audio-bible.com/bible/bible.html 
​Inquiry where Christ must be sought. (1) Where Christ may be found. (2,3) Christ's commendations of the church. (4-10) The work of grace in the believer. (11-13)

 audio-bible.com/bible/bible.html ​ 
1 Those made acquainted with the excellences of Christ, and the comfort of an interest in him, desire to know where they may meet him. Those who would find Christ, must seek him early and diligently.

​2,3 'Christ's church is a garden, enclosed, and separated from the world; he takes care of it, delights in it, and visits it. Those who would find Christ, must attend him in his ordinances, the word, sacraments, and prayer. When Christ comes to his church, it is to entertain his friends. And to take believers to himself: he picks the lilies one by one; and at the great day he will send forth his angels to gather all his lilies, that he may be for ever admired in them.

​The death of a believer is not more than the owner of a garden plucking a favourite flower; and He will preserve it from withering, yea, cause it to flourish for ever, with increasing beauty. If our own hearts can witness for us that we are Christ's, question not his being ours, for the covenant never breaks on his side. It is the comfort of the church, that he feeds among the lilies, that he takes delight in his people.'

Christ's commendations of the church. (4-10)  audio-bible.com/bible/bible.html ​ 

4-10 'All the real excellence and holiness on earth centre in the church. Christ goes forth subduing his enemies, while his followers gain victories over the world, the flesh, and the devil. He shows the tenderness of a Redeemer, the delight he takes in his redeemed people, and the workings of his own grace in them. True believers alone can possess the beauty of holiness. And when their real character is known, it will be commended. Both the church and believers, at their first conversion, look forth as the morning, their light being small, but increasing. As to their sanctification, they are fair as the moon, deriving all their light, grace, and holiness from Christ; and as to justification, clear as the sun, clothed with Christ, the Sun of righteousness, and fighting the good fight of faith, under the banners of Christ, against all spiritual enemies.​

The work of grace in the believer. (11-13)  audio-bible.com/bible/bible.html ​ 

11-13 'In retirement and in meditation the Christian character is formed and perfected. But not in the retirement of the idle, the self-indulgent, or the trifler. When the Christian is released from the discharge of his duties in life, the world has no attractions for him. His prayer is, that all things belonging to the Spirit may live and grow within him, and around him. Such are the interesting cares and employments of him whom the world wrongly deems unhappy, and lost to his true interests. In humility and self-abasement, the humble Christian would turn away from the sight of all; but the Lord delights to honour him. Chiefly, however, may the reference be to the ministering angels who shall be sent for the soul of the Christian. Their approach may startle, but the departing soul shall find the Lord its strength and its portion for ever. The church is called the Shulamite: the word signifies perfection and peace; not in herself, but in Christ, in whom she is complete, through his righteousness; and has peace, which he made for her through his blood, and gives unto her by his Spirit.'    Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.  Amen. Amen. 

​We shall continue with Post J, Chapter 7, tomorrow, July 31, 2020.  So, please take your time when in the 'presence of the Lord', prayerfully studying His Love Letter to You, the Holy Bible.  Amen. Amen.​