This book is part of a collection known as The Wisdom Literature, which also includes Job and Ecclesiastes. It is often thought that King Solomon wrote the book of Proverbs. Solomon Proverbs is a collection of short sayings and poems that train people to make good choices for every-day living. Proverbs challenges the reader to be mindful of God and the collective wisdom of righteous people. Wisdom is a gift of God that will lead to a well-lived life. 

We sometimes live as if tomorrow is guaranteed.  It is not of course, and we ask questions such as, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”  In the book of Ecclesiastes, we sample the wisdom of the “teacher” who is looking back over his life and sharing what he has learned, perhaps in the hope that tomorrow’s generations will be able to avoid the mistakes he has experienced.  Written about 300 years before the birth of Christ, the teacher writes that all life is fleeting and unpredictable.  There is a season for everything in life, and if we are wise, we will discover it is not all about pleasure and materialism.  Instead, real meaning is found when we trust in God.

The Song of Solomon, also known as the “Song of Songs” or “Canticles,” found in the Old Testament traditionally is attributed to King Solomon.  However, scholars debate whether he wrote the book or if it was composed later in his honor; therefore, the authorship remains uncertain.  Widely debated is the date of composition.  While some scholarship ranges from the 10th to the 2nd century BCE, many scholars believe it was written between the 6th to 4th centuries BCE.

When reading the Song of Solomon, one discovers a collection of poetic verses that celebrates love and the beauty of relationships.  The language is rich with metaphor, allegory, and vivid imagery.

The book offers several practical applications for contemporary readers, celebrating the beauty and intimacy of marriage, while emphasizing the importance of respecting boundaries within the context of a romantic relationship. When approaching the text from a religious perspective, the book can be taken as an allegory of the relationship between God and His people, reflecting the idea of a deep, intimate connection between the divine and the human.  

Song of Solomon’s poetic language encourages readers to appreciate the beauty of love, including the physical aspects of relationships.  

The book of Isaiah is the longest prophetic book. The book begins with Isaiah who receives a vision to go and speak to the people on behalf of God. (Isaiah 6:1-9) Isaiah is to invite the people back to faithfulness to the God who saved them. Isaiah proclaims a God who would redeem Israel. The book of Isaiah is written in three parts: Part one (Chapters 1-39) takes part before the exile to Babylon. Part two (Chapters 40-55) takes place during the time of captivity in a foreign land. Part three (Chapters 56-66) occurs during the return to the promised land. Isaiah is a book of hope. Through this book, God’s people are called to obedience while trusting in God’s goodness, knowing that God will act today, tomorrow, and in the future. 

We encourage you to begin your Bible reading time by reciting the month’s memory verse and then the daily Bible reading. Reflect on the reading – did it raise questions or confusion; did it inspire you or warm your heart? Then, to live in a spirit of gratitude, write down three things for which you’re grateful. Finally, close your devotional time in prayer. While you might not feel the same way each day, the ongoing discipline of having a daily devotional time will have lasting impact on your life and certainly deepen your relationship with God.