Day 165: The Lover and the Beloved (2025)

Summary

The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) - Episode Summary: Day 165: The Lover and the Beloved

Release Date: June 14, 2025

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Introduction and Acknowledgments

[00:00 - 00:46] Fr. Mike Schmitz opens the episode by expressing gratitude to supporters of the Ascension podcast. He highlights the transformative impact of the podcast on listeners' lives and explains how financial contributions enable the creation of free, authentically Catholic digital content.

Notable Quote:

Fr. Mike Schmitz: "We make authentically Catholic podcasts and videos and other digital content to help people know the Catholic faith and grow closer to God. And we do it all for free." [00:19]

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Scripture Readings Overview

[00:46 - 02:11] Jeff Cavins introduces the day's readings, which include:

• First Kings 15-16
• Second Chronicles 16-17
• Song of Solomon 4

He emphasizes the use of the Great Adventure Bible Timeline to understand the context and sequence of events, recommending listeners obtain the Great Adventure Bible for better comprehension.

Notable Quote:

Jeff Cavins: "With the timeline that Jeff put together shows so clearly... that Ahab becomes like one of the worst ones that we get to hear from." [23:40]

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Detailed Scripture Readings

First Kings 15-16 & Second Chronicles 16-17

[02:11 - 16:41] A comprehensive reading of the selected chapters from First Kings and Second Chronicles is presented. The passages cover the reigns of King Asa of Judah and Nadab of Israel, highlighting:

• Asa's initial devotion and subsequent reliance on political alliances over God.
• The decline of Asa's faithfulness leading to personal and national challenges.
• The rise of King Ahab in Israel, noted for his profound evil and idolatry, particularly his association with Jezebel and the worship of Baal.

Key Themes:

• Faithfulness vs. Political Alliances: Asa's shift from reliance on God to seeking support from Syria.
• Moral Decline: The introduction of Ahab as a ruler who increases Israel's sins, contrasting Asa's earlier righteousness.
• Prophetic Warnings: Jehu's prophetic declaration against Baasha's house due to their evil deeds.

Notable Quote:

Fr. Mike Schmitz: "He walked in all the sins which his father did before him... as David." [02:27]

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Reflection on Song of Solomon Chapter 4

[16:41 - 22:15] The episode transitions to Song of Solomon Chapter 4, where the beauty and mutual respect in the relationship between the lover and the beloved are poetically depicted. Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into a theological reflection inspired by Pope John Paul II's "Theology of the Body".

Key Insights:

• Mutual Respect and Consent: The beloved has the agency to accept or reject the lover's advances, symbolized by the lover knocking on the door and the beloved deciding whether to open it.

• Dignity and Self-Mastery: Emphasizing that the woman remains the master of her own mystery, ensuring that intimacy is consensual and respectful.

• Symbolism of a Locked Garden: Represents self-possession and the choice to engage willingly in a loving relationship.

Notable Quotes:

Fr. Mike Schmitz: "He can knock and he waits... she can always refuse because she remains... the master of her own mystery." [20:24]

Fr. Mike Schmitz: "You first approach your bride as sister. You first approach your bride as one who exists for love, for her own sake." [21:39]

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Lessons from King Asa's Reign

[22:32 - 25:34] Fr. Mike reflects on King Asa's life, drawing parallels to contemporary faith journeys:

• Consistency in Faith: Asa's long period of righteousness contrasted with his final years of faltering faith when he relied on political alliances rather than God.

• Importance of Perseverance: The necessity to maintain faithfulness throughout one's life, not just at the beginning.

Key Points:

• Impact of Decisions: Asa's alliance with Syria initially provided relief but ultimately led to moral and spiritual decline.

• Consequences of Distrust: Moving away from reliance on God brought about turmoil and personal afflictions for Asa.

Notable Quote:

Fr. Mike Schmitz: "He can spend so much of our lives being faithful. We have to not just start well, not just run well. We want to finish well." [25:24]

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Preparing for Future Lessons: Introduction of Elijah

[23:40 - 26:44] Fr. Mike encourages listeners to keep track of the timeline and characters, especially as the prophet Elijah is introduced in upcoming episodes. He underscores the importance of understanding the historical and prophetic context to fully grasp the narrative of salvation history.

Key Insights:

• Understanding Kings and Prophets: Recognizing the interplay between royal histories and prophetic messages enhances comprehension of biblical events.

• Anticipating Challenges: The forthcoming introduction of Elijah signals significant developments in the biblical story, particularly concerning the moral state of Israel.

Notable Quote:

Fr. Mike Schmitz: "None of the kings in the north are going to be good. They're all going to be false and unfaithful to the Lord." [23:40]

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Closing Reflections and Encouragement

[26:10 - 26:44] Fr. Mike concludes the episode by reinforcing the day's lessons:

• Faithfulness Throughout Life: Emulating Asa's early devotion while avoiding his later mistakes.

• Engagement with Scripture: Utilizing tools like the Great Adventure Bible Timeline to deepen understanding.

He encourages listeners to continue their journey with dedication and anticipates the continued exploration of biblical narratives in upcoming episodes.

Notable Quote:

Fr. Mike Schmitz: "We have to not just start well, not just run well. We want to finish well." [25:24]

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Conclusion and Prayer

[26:38 - 26:44] The episode wraps up with a prayer for the listeners and an invitation to join in the next day's reflection.

Notable Quote:

Fr. Mike Schmitz: "I'm praying for you. Please, Please pray for me. My name is Father Mike. I cannot wait to see you tomorrow." [26:38]

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Summary

In Day 165 of "The Bible in a Year" podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz guides listeners through a deep exploration of First Kings 15-16, Second Chronicles 16-17, and Song of Solomon 4. The episode emphasizes the importance of sustained faithfulness, mutual respect in relationships, and the profound lessons drawn from biblical kings' lives. By intertwining historical narratives with theological reflections, particularly drawing from Pope John Paul II's teachings, Fr. Mike offers listeners actionable insights to apply in their spiritual journeys. The introduction of future prophetic voices, like Elijah, sets the stage for continued engagement with the Bible's rich tapestry of stories and lessons.

Transcript

[Fr. Mike Schmitz]

Before we get started, I just wanted to offer a quick thank you to all those who have supported the Catechism.

[Jeff Cavins]

In a Year or the Bible in a Year podcast.

[Fr. Mike Schmitz]

We hear stories every day about how those shows have transformed people's lives and because of your prayers and financial gifts, you are a significant part of that. You might ask a question though. Question is, what does Ascension do with these financial gifts?

[Jeff Cavins]

Great question.

[Fr. Mike Schmitz]

The answer is we make authentically Catholic podcasts and videos and other digital content to help people know the Catholic faith and grow closer to God. And we do it all for free. If you found this podcast to be helpful in your life and would like to help us continue making free Catholic content we can post online, please consider making a financial contribution, an ongoing financial contribution, by going to ascensionpress.comsupport. that's ascensionpress.comsupport.

[Jeff Cavins]

Thank you and God bless. Hi, my name is Fr. Mike Schmitz and you're listening to the Bible in a Year podcast where we encounter God's voice and live life through.

[Unknown]

The lens of Scripture.

[Jeff Cavins]

The Bible in a Year podcast is brought to you by Ascension. Using the Great Adventure Bible Timeline, we'll.

[Unknown]

Read all the way from Genesis to.

[Jeff Cavins]

Revelation, discovering how the story of salvation unfolds and how we fit into that story today. Today is day 165. We are reading from First Kings chapter.

[Unknown]

15 and 16, Second Chronicles chapters 16.

[Jeff Cavins]

And 17, and the Song of Solomon chapter 4. That's a lot of chapters today. That's five chapters today, so that's gonna be great.

[Unknown]

So buckle up and hang on.

[Jeff Cavins]

We are reading from the Bible translation.

[Unknown]

Called the Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition.

[Jeff Cavins]

I'm using the Great Adventure B Ascension. If you want to get your own great adventure Bible from Ascension, you can go to ascensionpress.com you can also go to Amazon or wherever you find Bibles.

[Unknown]

Are sold and get those there. If you want to download your own free Bible in a year reading plan.

[Jeff Cavins]

You can visit ascensionpress.com bibleinayear and if.

[Unknown]

You want to subscribe to this podcast, you can by clicking on subscribe.

[Jeff Cavins]

As I said, it is day 165, which is so good, you guys.

[Unknown]

Congratulations. This is remarkable. Imagine, for the last 165 days, or at least 165 times, you have allowed.

[Jeff Cavins]

God's Word to shape your mind and.

[Unknown]

Shape your heart and to shape the.

[Jeff Cavins]

Way in which you see the world.

[Unknown]

It's so good. What a gift.

[Jeff Cavins]

So day 165 reading 1st Kings 15:16, 2nd Chronicles 16 and 17, and the.

[Unknown]

Song of Solomon, chapter 4, the first book of kings, chapter 15. Abijam reigns over Judah. Now, in the 18th year of King Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, Abijam began to reign over Judah. He reigned for three years in Jerusalem.

[Jeff Cavins]

His mother's name was Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom.

[Unknown]

And he walked in all the sins which his father did before him. And his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father.

[Jeff Cavins]

Nevertheless, for David's sake, the Lord his.

[Unknown]

God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, setting up his son after him and establishing Jerusalem. Because David did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and did not turn aside from anything that he commanded him all the days of his.

[Jeff Cavins]

Life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.

[Unknown]

Now there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all the days of his life. The rest of the acts of Abisham in all that he did, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? And there was war between Abijam and Jeroboam. And Abijam slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David. And Asa, his son, reigned in his stead. Asa reigns over Judah. In the 20th year of Jeroboam, king of Israel, Asa began to reign over Judah. And he reigned 41 years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Maakah, the daughter of Abishalam. And Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as David.

[Jeff Cavins]

His father, had done.

[Unknown]

He put away the male cult prostitutes out of the land and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. He also removed Maacah, his mother, from being queen mother, because she had an abominable image made for Asherah. And Asa cut down her image and burned it at the brook Kidron. But the high places were not taken away. Nevertheless, the heart of Asa was wholly true to the Lord all his days. And he brought into the house of the Lord the votive gifts of his father and his own votive giftssilver and gold and vessels.

[Jeff Cavins]

War between Asa and Baasha.

[Unknown]

And there was war between Asa and Baasha, king of Israel. All their days. Baasha, king of Israel, went up against.

[Jeff Cavins]

Judah and built Ramah that he might.

[Unknown]

Permit no one to go out or to come in to Asa, the king of Judah. Then Asa took all the silver and the gold that were left in the treasures of the house of the Lord and the treasures of the king's house and gave them into the hands of his servants and King Asa sent them to Benhadad, the son of Tapremon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, who dwelt in Damascus, saying, let there be league between me and you, as between my father and your father. Behold, I am sending to you a present of silver and gold. Go break your league with Baasha, king of Israel, that he may withdraw from me. And Ben Hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel and conquered Ijon, Dan, Abel, Beth, Maachah, and all Chinneroth in all the land of Naphtali. And when Baasha heard of it, he stopped building Ramah and dwelt in Tirzah. Then King Asa made a proclamation to all Judah. None was exempt. And they carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber with which Baasha had been building. And with them King Asa built Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah. Now the rest of all the acts of Asa, all his might and all that he did, and the cities which he built, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah. But in his old age he was diseased in his feet. And Asa slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David, his father. And Jehoshaphat, his son, reigned in his stead. Nadab reigns over Israel. Nadab, the son of Jeroboam began to.

[Jeff Cavins]

Reign over Israel in the second year.

[Unknown]

Of Asa, king of Judah. And he reigned over Israel two years. He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the way of his father, and in his sin, which he made Israel to sin.

[Jeff Cavins]

Baasha, the son of Ahijah of the house of Issachar, conspired against him.

[Unknown]

And Baasha struck him down at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines. For Nadab and all Israel were laying siege to Gibbethon. So Baasha killed him in the third year of Asa, king of Judah, and reigned in his stead. And as soon as he was king, he killed all the house of Jeroboam. He left to the house of Jeroboam not one that breathed until he had destroyed it according to the word of the Lord, which he spoke by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite. It was for the sins of Jeroboam which he sinned and which he made Israel to sin. And because of the anger to which he provoked the Lord, the God of Israel. Now the rest of the acts of Nadab and all that he Did Are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? And there was war between Asa and Baasha, king of Israel, all their days. Baasha reigns over Israel.

[Jeff Cavins]

In the third year of Asa, king of Judah, Baasha the son of Ahijah.

[Unknown]

Began to reign over all Israel at Tirzah, and he reigned 24 years. He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin, which he made Israel to sin.

[Jeff Cavins]

And chapter 16.

[Unknown]

And the word of the Lord came.

[Jeff Cavins]

To Jehu, the son of Hanani, against Baasha, saying, since I exalted you out.

[Unknown]

Of the dust and made you leader.

[Jeff Cavins]

Over my people Israel, and you have.

[Unknown]

Walked in the way of Jeroboam and have made my people Israel to sin, provoking me to anger with their sins, Behold, I will utterly sweep away Baasha and his house, and I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat. Anyone belonging to Baasha who dies in the city, the dogs shall eat, and anyone of his who dies in the field, the birds of the air shall eat.

[Jeff Cavins]

Now the rest of the acts of.

[Unknown]

Baasha and what he did and his might, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? And Baasha slept with his fathers and.

[Jeff Cavins]

Was buried at Tirzah, and Elah his.

[Unknown]

Son, reigned in his stead. Moreover, the word of the Lord came by the prophet Jehu, the son of.

[Jeff Cavins]

Hanani, against Baasha and his house, both.

[Unknown]

Because of all the evil that he did in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger with the work of his hands in being like the house of Jeroboam, and also because he destroyed it. Elah reigns over Israel. In the 26th year of ASA, king of Judah, Elah the son of Baasha, began to reign over Israel in Tirzah, and he reigned two years. But his servant Zimri, commander of half his chariots, conspired against him. When he was at Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza, who was over the house of Tirzah, Zimri came in and struck him down and killed him. In the 27th year of ASA, king of Judah, and reigned in his stead. When he began to reign, as soon as he had seated himself on his throne, he killed all of the house of Baasha. He did not leave him a single male of his kinsmen or his friends. Thus Zimri destroyed All the house of Baasha according to the word of the.

[Jeff Cavins]

Lord, which he spoke against Baasha by Jehu the prophet.

[Unknown]

For all the sins of Baasha and the sins of Elah his son, which they sinned, in which they made Israel to sin, provoking the Lord God of Israel to anger with their idols. Now the rest of the acts of Elah and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?

[Jeff Cavins]

Conspiracy and death of Zimri.

[Unknown]

In the 27th year of Asa, King of Judah, Zimri reigned seven days in Tirzah. Now the troops were encamped against Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines. And the troops who were encamped heard.

[Jeff Cavins]

It and said, zimri has conspired, and.

[Unknown]

He has killed the king. Therefore all Israel made Omri the commander of the army, king over Israel that day in the camp. So Omri went up from Gibbethon and all Israel with him, and they besieged Tirzah. And when Zimri saw that the city was taken, he went into the citadel of the king's house and burned the king's house over him with fire.

[Jeff Cavins]

And died because of his sins which.

[Unknown]

He committed doing evil in the sight of the Lord, walking in the way of Jeroboam, and for his sin which he committed, making Israel to sin. Now the rest of the acts of Zimri and the conspiracy which he made, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? Omri reigns over Israel and builds Samaria. Then the sons of Israel were divided in two parts. Half of the people followed Tibni the.

[Jeff Cavins]

Son of Ginath, to make him king.

[Unknown]

And half followed Omri. But the people who followed Omri overcame the people who followed Tibni the son of Ginath, so that Tibni died and Omri became King. In the 31st year of ASA, king of Judah, Omri began to reign over Israel and reigned for 12 years. Six years he reigned in Tirzah. He bought the hill of Samaria from Shamar for two talents of silver. And he fortified the hill and called the name of the city which he.

[Jeff Cavins]

Built Samaria, after the name of Shemar.

[Unknown]

The owner of the hill. Omri did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and did more evil than all who were before him. For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and and in the sins which he had made Israel to sin, provoking the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger by their idols. Now, the rest of the acts of Omri which he did and the might that he showed, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? And Omri slept with his fathers and.

[Jeff Cavins]

Was buried in Samaria.

[Unknown]

And Ahab his son, reigned in his stead. Ahab reigns over Israel and does evil.

[Jeff Cavins]

In the 38th year of ASA, king.

[Unknown]

Of Judah, Ahab the son of Omri began to reign over Israel. And Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria 22 years. And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord more than all that were before him. And as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, he took for his wife Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians, and went and served BAAL and worshiped him. He erected an altar for BAAL in the house of BAAL which he built.

[Jeff Cavins]

In Samaria, and Ahab made in Asherah.

[Unknown]

Ahab did more to provoke the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were.

[Jeff Cavins]

Before him in his days. Hiel of Bethel built Jericho and laid.

[Unknown]

Its foundation at the cost of Abiram, his firstborn, and set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son, Segub, according to the word of the Lord which he spoke by Joshua, the son of Nun. The Second Book of Chronicles, chapter 16. Alliance with Syria. Condemned. In the 36th year of the reign of Asa, Baasha, king of Israel, went.

[Jeff Cavins]

Up against Judah and built Ramah, that.

[Unknown]

He might permit no one to go out or come in to Asa, king of Judah. Then Asa took silver and gold from the treasures of the house of the Lord and the king's house, and sent them to Ben Hadad, king of Syria, who dwelt in Damascus, saying, let there be a league between me and you, as between my father and your father. Behold, I am sending to you silver and gold. Go break your league with Baasha, king of Israel, that he may withdraw from me. And Ben Hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel. And they conquered Ijon, Dan, Abel, Mayim, and all the store cities of Naphtali. And when Baasha heard of it, he.

[Jeff Cavins]

Stopped building Ramah and let his work cease.

[Unknown]

Then King Asa took all Judah, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber with which Baasha had been building. And with them he built Gebah and Mizpah. At that time, Hanani the seer came to Asa, king of Judah, and said.

[Jeff Cavins]

To him, because you relied on the.

[Unknown]

King of Syria and did not rely on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped. You were not the Ethiopians and the Libyans, a huge army with exceedingly many chariots and horsemen. Yet because you relied on the Lord, he gave them into your hand. For the eyes of the Lord move back and forth throughout the whole earth to show his might in behalf of those whose heart is blameless before him. You have done foolishly in this, and from now on you will have wars. Then Asa was angry with the seer and put him in the stocks in prison, for he was in a rage.

[Jeff Cavins]

With him because of this, and Asa.

[Unknown]

Inflicted cruelties upon some of the people.

[Jeff Cavins]

At the same time. Asa's Disease and Death the acts of Asa from first to last are written.

[Unknown]

In the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.

[Jeff Cavins]

In the 39th year of his reign.

[Unknown]

Asa was diseased in his feet, and his disease became severe. Yet even in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but sought the help from physicians. And Asa slept with his fathers, dying in the 41st year of his reign. They buried him in the tomb which he had hewn out for himself in the city of David. They laid him on a bier which had been filled with various kinds of spices and prepared by the perfumer's art, and they made a great fire in his honor. Chapter 17. Jehoshaphat's reign Jehoshaphat, his son, reigned in his stead and strengthened himself against Israel. He placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father, had taken. The Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father. He did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and and not according to the ways of Israel.

[Jeff Cavins]

Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in.

[Unknown]

His hand, and all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat. And he had great riches and honor. His heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord, and furthermore he took the high places and the Asherim out of Judah. In the third year of his reign.

[Jeff Cavins]

He sent his princes, Ben Haiel, Obadiah.

[Unknown]

Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah to teach in the cities of Judah, and with them.

[Jeff Cavins]

The Levites, Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shimeiremoth.

[Unknown]

Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadanijah.

[Jeff Cavins]

And with these Levites, the priests Elishama.

[Unknown]

And Jehoram, and they taught in Judah, having the book of the law of the Lord with them. They went about through all the cities of Judah and taught among the people. And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the land that were round about Judah. And they made no war against Jehoshaphat.

[Jeff Cavins]

And some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat.

[Unknown]

Presents and silver for tribute. And the Arabs also brought him 7700 rams and 7700 he goats. And Jehoshaphat grew steadily greater. He built in Judah fortresses and store cities. And he had great stores in the cities of Judah. He had soldiers, mighty men of valor. In Jerusalem, this was the muster of.

[Jeff Cavins]

Them by fathers, houses of Judah, the commanders of thousands.

[Unknown]

Adna, the commander, with 300,000 mighty men of valor. And next to him, Jehohanan, the commander, with 280,000. And next to him, Amasiah, the son of Zikri, a volunteer for the service of the Lord, with 200,000 mighty men of valor of Benjamin Eliadah, a mighty man of Valor, with 200,000 men armed with bow and shield. And next to him, Jehozabad, with 180,000 armed for war. These were in the service of the king, besides those whom the king had placed in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.

[Jeff Cavins]

The Song of Solomon Chapter Four.

[Unknown]

The bride's Beauty extolled.

[Jeff Cavins]

Behold, you are beautiful, my love.

[Unknown]

Behold, you are beautiful.

[Jeff Cavins]

Your eyes are doves behind your veil.

[Unknown]

Your hair is like a flock of goats moving down the slopes of Gilead. Your teeth are like a flock of shorn ewes that have come up from the washing, all of which bear twins, and not one among them is bereaved. Your lips are like a scarlet thread, and your mouth is lovely. Your cheeks are like the halves of a pomegranate. Behind your veil your neck is like the tower of David built for an arsenal. Whereupon hang a thousand bucklers, all of them shields of warriors. Your two breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle, that feed among the lilies until the day breathes and the shadows flee. I will hasten to the mountain of Myrrh and the hill of Frankincense. You are all fair, my love. There is no flaw in you. Come with me from Lebanon, my bride. Come with me from Lebanon. Depart from the peak of Amanah, from the peak of Senir and Hermon, from the Dens of lions from the mountains of leopards. You have ravished my heart, my sister, my bride. You have ravished my heart with a glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace. How sweet is your love, my sister, my bride. How much better is your love than wine and the fragrance of your oils than any spice. Your lips distil nectar, my bride. Honey and milk are under your tongue. The scent of your garments is like the scent of Lebanon. A garden locked is my sister, my bride. A garden locked, a fountain sealed. Your shoots are an orchard of pomegranates with all choicest fruits, Henna and nard, nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all the trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices. A garden fountain, a well of living water and flowing streams from Lebanon. Awake, O north wind, and come, O south wind. Blow upon my garden. Let its fragrance be wafted abroad. Let my beloved come to his garden and eat its choicest fruits.

[Jeff Cavins]

Father, we give you praise and we love you. Please receive our love. Please receive our praise. In Jesus name, Amen. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

[Unknown]

Okay, one note on the Song of Solomon.

[Jeff Cavins]

As we noted, this is the love song between God and his people.

[Unknown]

And it's about human love as well.

[Jeff Cavins]

And there's a couple things that Pope John Paul ii, when he wrote this.

[Unknown]

Thing called the Theology of the Body.

[Jeff Cavins]

A series of teachings that he had given for the space of roughly five years, on Wednesdays over in the Vatican, he would come out and he would teach every Wednesday for roughly, I think it was like 135Wednesdays, not in a row, but consecutively or, you know, over the space of five or so years. And at one point, he reflected on the Song of Psalms, Song of Songs, Song of Solomon.

[Unknown]

And he noted, he said that we.

[Jeff Cavins]

Caught this, I think, a couple days ago, where here's the lover. And the lover knocks on the door, and it's the beloved, it's the woman.

[Unknown]

She can answer or she can't answer. It's hers, though.

[Jeff Cavins]

He can knock and he waits.

[Unknown]

And if she answers, that's great, he can come in. If she doesn't answer, then he doesn't force his way in.

[Jeff Cavins]

And John Paul II made this point.

[Unknown]

About when it comes to love between a man and a woman, between the.

[Jeff Cavins]

Love of the husband and wife, he.

[Unknown]

Says that the woman always remains a master of her own mystery. She always remains a master of her own mystery. Meaning that even if they're married, her husband, every time he approaches her, every time he initiates intimacy with her, he knocks, essentially, and she can say no.

[Jeff Cavins]

John Paul II goes on to say, he says, this is the man's risk.

[Unknown]

He always risks. When he initiates, even as a husband.

[Jeff Cavins]

He'S like, no, she's not mine to just use or not mine to my own pleasure.

[Unknown]

He knocks and he risks. He knocks and he waits. And she can always refuse because she remains, in John Paul's words, the master of her own mystery.

[Jeff Cavins]

In fact, we see this in chapter four, where it says, a garden locked.

[Unknown]

Is my sister my bride? She's a garden locked.

[Jeff Cavins]

Another way to say it, he says.

[Unknown]

A garden fountain, a well of living water, and she's a garden locked. Meaning that he can't force his way in. Meaning that the woman always, always has possession of herself.

[Jeff Cavins]

She gives of herself to the man.

[Unknown]

Or she doesn't, but she gets to choose whether she gives of herself or not. And he approaches, and he approaches with love.

[Jeff Cavins]

He approaches also with tenderness, knowing that, again, it's a risk and she can.

[Unknown]

Refuse because she is a garden locked.

[Jeff Cavins]

Another thing to note is it says.

[Unknown]

A garden locked is my sister my bride.

[Jeff Cavins]

And John Paul again points out, he says, one of the things it reminds us of is that every time we approach those with whom we might even have a romantic relationship. So whether that be a man to.

[Unknown]

His wife, here, my sister, my bride, or a woman to her husband, my brother, my husband, my brother, my groom.

[Jeff Cavins]

John Paul points out, he says that it's always my sister first. And he says, why is that? Because you think I don't have a.

[Unknown]

Sexualized view of my sister?

[Jeff Cavins]

And in John Paul essentially says, yes, exactly.

[Unknown]

You first approach your bride as sister. You first approach your bride as one who exists for love, for her own sake. She exists for her own sake, not as your bride first. She first exists as herself. Does that make sense?

[Jeff Cavins]

John Paul II said, as often as.

[Unknown]

Husbands and wives approach each other like this, first seeing each other as the other who exists for their own sake, for the Lord's sake, the first as sister, first as brother, then they can truly give themselves as groom, can truly give themselves as bride, because they've entered.

[Jeff Cavins]

Into this reality, right?

[Unknown]

They first see each other for who they truly are, not who you are.

[Jeff Cavins]

To me, if that makes any sense. So it maintains the dignity of the person before being spouse, before being that lover, essentially. So a little reflection from John Paul II when he talks about the theology of the body, if we could Go back to our not necessarily confusing. Here's what I invite you to do when it comes to Kings and Chronicles.

[Unknown]

Is in this write the names down.

[Jeff Cavins]

If you have the opportunity at all.

[Unknown]

If you have a great adventure Bible.

[Jeff Cavins]

Itself, this is where this Bible comes into handy in a massive way. Just so helpful because the timeline that Jeff put together shows so clearly. Okay, this is the next king and this is the next king. So we have some overlap, right, With Chronicles talking about the reign of Asa and then Kings talking about the reign.

[Unknown]

Of Asa and Jehoshaphat and all these other different kings. And we're wondering, wait, is this the.

[Jeff Cavins]

North or is this the south? When you have that great adventure Bible.

[Unknown]

Timeline, even if you were to go.

[Jeff Cavins]

Online and order it from ascensionpress.com that would be really helpful.

[Unknown]

If you can't get your hands on.

[Jeff Cavins]

The Bible that we have, you can also get the hands on this kind of fold out timeline that can be critical in this time because tomorrow even.

[Unknown]

We'Re going to be introduced to a.

[Jeff Cavins]

Prophet, a very famous prophet. We have other prophets we've already heard from or Ahijah and some others, but the first really famous prophets coming up, Elijah tomorrow. And so that's really helpful to know. Oh, this is the context for that. So track down one of those great adventure Bible timelines or even just write.

[Unknown]

The names of the kings, write the names of the prophets and write where they're at. You know, are they in the north.

[Jeff Cavins]

Are they in the south? Little spoiler if you haven't heard this already.

[Unknown]

None of the kings in the north.

[Jeff Cavins]

Are going to be good. So as we ended today with the introduction of Ahab, Ahab becomes like one of the worst ones that we get to hear from. None of the kings in the north are going to be good. They're all going to be false and.

[Unknown]

Unfaithful to the Lord. They're all going to lead people into, into evil. We talked about a couple good kings today though, and we had Asa. Remember, Asa is, he's known as a good king and yet he doesn't end well.

[Jeff Cavins]

He's kind of like a story of kind of Solomon, who starts out good, doesn't end good. And King Asa reigns really well for a long time, 35 years roughly. But then you have this story where the king of Israel, Baasha, he enters into a league, covenant, kind of agreement with the king of Syria and the king of Syria, and he basically say, all right, we're not going to allow Asa to come in or go out. And Asa has this Great idea. He says, well, you know, we're going to take a bunch of money and we can get this king of Syria on our side. And he does, and it's great. And from a human perspective, this is a really good idea.

[Unknown]

But then Hanani the Seer comes to.

[Jeff Cavins]

Asa and says, okay, you relied upon the king of Syria.

[Unknown]

You did not rely upon the Lord. So because of that, remember, remember the Ethiopians? Do you remember yesterday?

[Jeff Cavins]

And we had Asa face down the Ethiopians? Asa had 500,000 troops.

[Unknown]

The Ethiopians had a million troops.

[Jeff Cavins]

It was two to one kind of a situation. And he got victory. Why?

[Unknown]

Because you relied upon the Lord your God. But now, because you've entered into this.

[Jeff Cavins]

Agreement with Syria, you'll now be fighting.

[Unknown]

And now, rather than taking his correction.

[Jeff Cavins]

Asa rebels against the Lord.

[Unknown]

He's in a rage with the Seer.

[Jeff Cavins]

Puts him in stocks.

[Unknown]

It's horrible.

[Jeff Cavins]

And then, not only that, but a couple years later, Asa gets sick.

[Unknown]

He has a disease in his feet. And he doesn't again, he doesn't seek the Lord. He seeks physicians.

[Jeff Cavins]

And Asa, basically, He spends like 35 years of really good being faithful to the Lord. And the last part of his life.

[Unknown]

He'S less than faithful.

[Jeff Cavins]

And that's the big lesson, right, for all of us. We can spend so much of our lives being faithful. We have to not just start well, not just run well. We want to finish well. We want to end well. Now, Jehoshaphat, his son, is going to be someone who starts well and he reigns well and he runs well. He's going to. He's going to finish pretty well. But keep in mind that we're going to start following Jehoshaphat's story as well. As well as the story of Ahab. Ahab, the King of the north, who, spoiler alert, as I said before, not going to be a good king, but Jehoshaphat will be a pretty good king who's in the south. So, you guys, hopefully you can follow these names and all this stuff. Again.

[Unknown]

The great thing about reading Kings and.

[Jeff Cavins]

Chronicles at the same time is that you hear the same story multiple times. Again, the bad thing about hearing Kings and Chronicles the same time is you're the same story and you're wondering, wait.

[Unknown]

Did I hear this before? Did I not hear this before?

[Jeff Cavins]

So keep track of it. Get that great adventure Bible timeline, or even simply just write down the names as you hear them, because you can realize, oh, they're talking about this guy again. And that can be really, really helpful. Anyways, gosh, it's been a long time. We gotta bring this episode, this day of the Bible to a close as.

[Unknown]

We pray for each other.

[Jeff Cavins]

I'm praying for you. Please, Please pray for me. My name is Father Mike. I cannot wait to see you tomorrow.

[Unknown]

God bless.