SOS Lessons: If you Don’t Need It Now, You’ll Need It Later

Young women of Jerusalem, swear to me that you will not awaken love or arouse love before its proper time! – Son 8:4 (GW)

Three times in Canticles (2:7; 3:5; 8:4), the maiden begs that love be not stirred up until the “proper time”. Indeed, the author of Canticles most famously stated in another of his books, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecc 3:1).

I find it humorous and ironic that the same pastor that frowns on the young men and women of his church reading Canticles tries to force them to read the same book years later – now that they’re married and are having quarrels in their homes; (because it’s difficult – if not impossible – to read Canticles ALOUD to your spouse while still holding a grudge against them).

This fact alone reminds us not to be myopic when it comes to scriptural revelations. The Bible is an inspired book that is relevant for all times, for all ages and for all seasons. If you don’t need or like what you’re reading now, don’t tear it off, or rewrite it, or twist it out of shape; because God in His omniscience and wisdom knows you’ll need it later.

Half a century ago, the eminent Bible commentator Finis Dakes proposed two (now seen to be) aberrant doctrines due to the limited scientific knowledge then. He misinterpreted clearly written out words of scripture because they contradicted ‘science’; but scientific knowledge has moved on, and proven that scripture was right after all.

In contrast, the early reformers seriously thought there was a contradiction between Paul’s justification by faith and James’ justification by works and doubted James’ place in scripture. But unlike Dake they stuck to what was patently revealed – no matter how unpalatable and contrary it felt to them back then – and James is still a book in the Bible.

Sadly, even today, many doctrines, teachings and Bible translations contravene clearly spelt out scriptures just because they supposedly do not make sense or counter their theology.

Beloved, “let God be true, but every man a liar;” (Rom 3:4). Even in our private Bible studies, let’s allow the Word to teach us; and if we don’t like what we’re reading now, let’s give it time. Because God knows that we’ll need it later.

AMEN.

More Blessings await you today; you’ll not miss them in Jesus’ Name.

GREG ELKAN