NIV, LifeConnect Study Bible: Growing Deeper, Growing Stronger in Your Spiritual Life

Septuagint (the early Greek translation of the Old Testament)

Song of Songs is a love poem or compilation of love poems written to God’s people to honor and celebrate his gift of romantic, sexual love within the context of a marital relationship.

Themes The book of Ezra includes the following themes: 1. God’s sovereignty. God is sovereign over all peoples and rulers, even pagan kings (1:1; 6:22; 7:6,27). He controls history and orchestrates events for his own purposes. Despite opposition, God will fulfill his promises and protect his people. 2. Restoration. Ezra describes not only the resto

13Whoever conceals their sinsm does not prosper, but the one who confessesn and renounces them finds mercy.o

In Jewish tradition Proverbs 31:10–31 is recited by a husband to his wife on Sabbath evenings.

Notice the key role of prayer in Nehemiah’s life, and evaluate its importance in your own life today.

Love is both pleasurable and painful. Joy is the dominant note of the Song, but the reader also is warned that love is a powerful emotion that may bring disappointments (5:2–6:3). The Song’s young woman repeatedly warned her female friends not to hurry love (2:7; 3:5; 8:4). Love has a dangerous side (8:6), and it deserves to be treated with caution

Song of Songs demonstrates that contentment and fulfillment are found in the exclusivity (2:16) of the marriage relationship.

Note the writer’s statements about Jewish customs and the explanation that Jesus brought a new covenant (of grace through faith) that is infinitely better than the old one (of obedience to the law). Pay attention to the repeated use of the words “better” and “superior.”