Bible Poetry Reading Plan: Song of Songs 3-4
Matthew 3:1-3 (ESV); In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet
Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make
His paths straight.’”
It was prophesied that before the Messiah came, one would come who would prepare the way for Him
calling the people to repentance. After years of prophetic silence, John the Baptist came along and
fulfilled the words of the prophet Isaiah.
John the Baptist was a necessary step in the redemption plan, once again drawing the focus of the
people back to true worship. Many times God had made it clear through the prophets of old that
the motions of sacrifice and holiness and repentance meant nothing to Him if the heart was not
also bowed before Him. John relayed this to the Pharisees when he said, “Bear fruit in keeping with
repentance.”
The description of John paints quite an extreme picture: a man dressed in garments of camel’s hair
eating locusts with wild honey. But he was a man of integrity. His counter-cultural lifestyle was a match
to his counter-cultural message. He was a man of extreme passion and obedience who willingly lost
his life for the message he preached. His focus was on the will of God and his poignant words “He
must become greater and I must become less” when speaking of Christ show us an attitude of true
humility. His desire was to see God high and lifted up.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Are you ever afraid to ask God about His will for fear of being asked to do something way too
scary or extreme? What kind of things are you afraid to ask God? Why not bring some of those
things before Him in listening prayer today. Remember that He loves you.
2. How can you shoulder John’s motto “He must become greater and I must become less” today?
What does this look like for you?
3. Spend time committing yourself and your day to God. Pray that He would be glorified in all you
say and do.
