Summary of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs
By Johannes Brenz
I translated a brief overview of the books of the Bible by Johannes Brenz (1499–1570) for the weekly devotional. Here’s what Brenz has to say about Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs.
For more Brenz on Holy Scripture, check out the archive!
There are three books ascribed to Solomon: the Book of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs.
In Proverbs, there is first a very clear sermon, under the name of Wisdom, concerning the eternal Word of God, through which all things are created and governed, which Word is indeed Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Further, this book contains fine, glorious proverbs, by which Solomon teaches, on the one hand, the fear of God and true faith in Him, and on the other hand, good morals and character, for which those in this life ought to strive. But what kind of faith in God might one have, and what kind of honorable morals or good works could one strive for, if one does not have Christ the Lord?
The preacher of Ecclesiastes aims to seek and show certain and steadfast prosperity, fortune, and well-being in every station of life, which one may undertake or begin in this life, yet finds in all these nothing but vanity. Therefore, he finally comes to this conclusion: there is nothing better or more useful for man than to fear God and keep His commandments. For whatever may befall him in this life, such a man will be able to stand before God's judgment.
But how shall you fear God, keep His commandments, and stand before His judgment so that you may obtain true, eternal blessedness, if you do not have Christ? For this reason, if this book does not point you to Christ, then I do not know what heavenly or spiritual fruit you might otherwise draw from it.
The Song of Songs is a psalm of thanksgiving in which one thanks God for establishing and adorning the polity and assembly of the Israelite people with many great and wonderful deeds, as He has with the monarchy and priesthood, that is, with good laws, statutes, and ordinances by which the assembly is ruled and governed. He has also done so with His true worship, wherein God's Word, especially the promise of Christ, is proclaimed, so that the people may learn and understand where they should seek true piety and salvation. These are truly the greatest and highest blessings which may befall men.
Now do you think that the Holy Spirit, in so highly extolling and praising the earthly, perishable kingdom of Israel, should meanwhile neglect the spiritual and eternal kingdom of Christ? The external kingdom of Israel certainly possessed great adornment and splendor. The kingdom of Christ, however, has far greater adornment and splendor, which is described at the end of the Song of Songs: fortified with walls and bulwarks, adorned with cedar boards and panels, and endowed with prosperity and joy. This is none other than the preaching of the Gospel, which has spread abroad into the entire world, and the manifold gifts of the Holy Spirit, indeed eternal blessedness through Christ! Here one sees how such fine, glorious testimony and praise of Christ and His kingdom are written in this little book.
Johannes Brenz, Kurtzer Begriff und Inhalt der gantzen Heiligen Schrifft (1552)
Matthias Storm, The Judgment of Solomon (1640)