(Continued-THE POETS OF ISRAEL)

As we read it, let us remember that the inspired author, guided by the infallibility of the Spirit, wrote down the opinions and the desires of the unregenerated man--what he says and thinks--as one who does not know God in Christ.

I would urge every person, either saved or unsaved, to familiarize himself with the Book of Ecclesiastes and thus see that nothing in this life pays apart from God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Otherwise, everything is vanity and vexation of the spirit. No matter what one gets out of life, if he does not know Christ when he comes to the end, his life has been a failure. It would have been better for him, had he never been born.

Solomon was the author of this unique book. Scholars are far from being agreed as to its exact teaching. All admit that it is an allegory. But what does it signify?

One school of thought is confident that the maid and her lover typify Christ and the church. Other scholars of equal piety and learning see in it a representation of the Messiah and Israel. One is in good company regardless of which position he takes.

Is it possible for us to arrive with any certainty as to which interpretation is correct? I believe that it is. Practically all students of prophecy with whom I am acquainted are convinced that the church as an institution (consisting of Jews and Gentiles, regenerated, and welded together into a living organism) is not known in the Old Testament. This fact is asserted in Ephesians 3:1f. Christ's indwelling regenerated men during the present age is what Paul calls a mystery. We are, therefore, correct in saying that the church as an institution was not revealed in the Old Testament. (But the Christian Dispensation--the period of time between the first and second comings--was revealed clearly. We may be certain, therefore, that, though the Christian Dispensation was clearly revealed by the prophets, the turn of affairs which things would take after the Messiah appeared the first time and the formation of the church were not revealed to the prophets. The Lord Jesus, in giving the parables of the kingdom, which refer to Christendom, spoke things which were kept secret from the foundation of the world (Matt. 13:35).

On the other hand, the prophets and the poets of Israel constantly spoke and sang of Messiah and of Israel in their future relationship when the latter accepts Him. It would seem, therefore, most highly probable that the allegory of the Song of Solomon should be interpreted as a reference to Him in relation to His beloved people.

The Book of Lamentations was written by Jeremiah and is the outburst of the grief which pierced his heart over the destruction and desolation which came to Jerusalem when it fell under the terrific blows of the Babylonians. It seems that the prophet ran the gamut of human feelings in his description of the disaster which befell the Jewish people in that grave calamity. But this wrecked condition will continue, and Israel will remain uncomforted until she seeing her national sin confesses it and turns to Him alone who can heal her.

All who know God through the Lord Jesus Christ should study this book and should do all that they can to bring about the conditions when this unparalleled distress shall be brought to a consummation and Israel's joy may be made complete.