Welcome, welcome to those just joining us for our journey through
The Song of Songs!
Please read over the instructions in “Getting Started.”
I have wanted to do this book for a long time.
This is why:
Tim Keller believes our main problem is
that we doubt God’s love for us.
Brennan Manning believes the one question we will be asked on Judgment Day is
“Did you believe I loved you?”
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The following is a short video of a small group (whom I love) from my church in
Nebraska that did Idol Lies and
how they were awakened to their “unfaithfulness” and then desired to have the
love of God replace their love for their idols:
How we need to linger over
the best song
the highest song
The Song of Songs
There are two historical approaches that scholars have taken to The Song of Songs:
1. It is primarily a picture of the love of Christ for His Bride with an application for marriage.
2. It is primarily a love song of marriage with an application to Christ and the Church.
There are people who love the Lord in each of these camps, so it is important we give grace to those in the camp we are not in. (And I’m praying for grace from those who are in the camp I am not in as well!)
It is certainly true that we can learn something about Christ’s love and about marriage from this book, the disagreement comes concerning the primary emphasis. And where you give the primary emphasis dramatically impacts how you interpret the book.
I am in the first camp, and I have been enormously helped by Matthew Henry, Charles Spurgeon, Hudson Taylor, and most recently, Mike Reeves of the Reformed Theology Network who draws upon Puritan Richard Sibbes. Sibbes lived at the time of Shakespeare and so his language is antiquated, and Reeves is so helpful in clarifying the language of Sibbes. Our own Laura pointed out to me that Nancy Leigh DeMoss did a series on The Song of Songs from this first perspective, and that has also been a great resource.
Both Mike Reeves and Nancy Leigh DeMoss have free downloadable sessions we will listen to during these series. Nancy Leigh DeMoss also has her teaching in written form. Mike Reeves is in a classroom setting and you will have to listen carefully for some of the audio is soft, but I don’t want you to miss it. As Reeves says in his wonderful British accent, “I believe you will be refreshed,” and oh, I have been! And our own Anne has a video, we will see later, when we are further into the study. All are free!
This week will be an overview.
Here are some fascinating facts provided by Mike Reeves:
- Up until the early 1800’s, The Song of Songs was always seen as primarily a picture of the love of Christ for His Bride with an application to marriage. It has only been in the last two hundred years that the focus has shifted.
- Up until the early 1800’s, The Song of Songs was the most preached on book in the Old Testament. Now it is rarely preached on, and if it is, it tends to be from the perspective of marriage.
For those of you who have been blessed by teachers who feel the primary emphasis is on marriage, I think you will also be blessed by this perspective. Not only will you develop greater confidence in God’s love for you, but when you see both your marriage and your marriage bed through the perspective of Christ and the church, it enriches this earthly bond.
The Mysterious Song
Some of you have expressed understandable apprehension about this book, and I understand. Solomon, who is the author, liked to write in riddles — we see this in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. So The Song of Songs is a mysterious book, and it is a poem, rather than a chronological story. There are flashbacks and repetitions, as is characteristic of songs and poetry. It is also important to look at this as an allusion rather than an allegory. Like a parable, The Song of Songs is a big picture, rather than a didactic equation where you can find a parallel for each detail. There are so many WILD interpretations from those who have done The Song of Songs from both camps. In the first camp, for example, one author said that her beloved lying between her breasts was Christ between the Old and New Testaments! And in the second camp, the interpretations often seem to me to demean the beauty of The Song of Songs by suggesting certain sexual practices. I do want to make it clear that I believe there is an application to marriage and the marriage bed, and this book shows us how beautiful, how mysterious, and how powerful the marriage bed can be. But the main purpose, I am convinced, is to deepen our confidence in God’s love.
There are two primary characters: King Solomon, the bridegroom, whom the bride usually called my beloved; and the peasant girl, the Shulamite, the bride, whom Solomon usually calls my love. (Those pet names may help you know who is talking.)
Sunday/Monday Icebreakers (Everyone answer all)
1. What stood out to you and why?
2. What, if any, has been your perspective of The Song of Songs up to now?
3. What do you hope to gain from this study?
Monday-Wednesday: Bible Study: Clues to Discern the Primary Message
Let’s see if we can gather clues from the Bible itself as to the primary message of The Song of Songs. This is a bit of a “riddle,” but do your best and ask God to help you to see.
4. Every other book of the Bible is about one relationship, that of God and His people. Can you think of a book that is not about that? Do you think The Song of Songs would be an exception? Why or why not?
Every other book of the Bible has Christ at the center, because God knows we are blessed when He, rather than we, are at the center. Here is what our own Elizabeth wrote:
When I read the Bible in context, with God, instead of Self, as the center, the reference point–the Bible is…indescribable! I am noticing now that even one verse strikes me as it never has before. There is a richness and depth that draws me in for more. And, not sure if this makes sense out-loud–but there is a RELIEF, a peace that comes from taking myself out of the center. When I stop looking for answers for me–and turn to His Word to know more of Him–there is a satisfying calm that comes over me.
5. According to 1 Kings 4:32, how many songs did Solomon write? How many riddles?
6. What is this song called, according to the first verse? How is this like “the King of kings,” or “the Lord of lords?”
7. What do you think is the best possible song? Why?
8. We are told Solomon is the author, and we can glean something about the perspective of the book by considering Solomon’s style of writing. He liked to write riddles, and they run through Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. He opens Proverbs with:
Let the wise hear and increase in learning,
and the one who understands obtain guidance,
to understand a proverb and a saying,
the words of the wise and their riddles.
Proverbs 1:5-6 (ESV)
We have come to associate “riddles” with a child’s game, but in Scripture it is deeper. We understand a mysterious heavenly truth through a less mysterious earthly truth.For example, in Ecclesiastes Solomon tells us:
As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.
Ecclesiastes 11:5
9. What is being communicated by the above “riddle” from Solomon?
Jesus told “riddles” in the form of parables
There was a man who went out to sow…
A man once gave a great banquet and invited many…
A man planted a vineyard and lent it out to tenants…
10. In the above parables is the primary message about the earthly example or the spiritual parallel?
11. We also associate Solomon with women and with love. What do you learn about him from Ecclesiastes 2:8?
We know that Solomon walked with God and God appeared to him twice, and granted his heart’s desire for wisdom. God also warned him, knowing his weakness for women, but Solomon disobeyed and married 300 wives and took 700 concubines. How then, we ponder, can he possibly foreshadow the ultimate Bridegroom?
This is a mystery. We do not know when The Song of Songs was written. It may have been in his youth when his only bride was the Shulamite. It may have been in old age when he had possibly repented of his folly. Why would God choose him to foreshadow the ultimate bridegroom. Here are a few thoughts from others:
Richard Wurmbrand (Voice of the Martyrs) and Nancy Leigh DeMoss feel it is precisely his fallenness that God chose him, to show that He can redeem and use anyone. Nancy Leigh De Moss writes: “That is exactly where grace comes in…”God can’t bless the sin of your past but he can use a broken and contrite heart. That’s the person God wants to use and chooses to be a channel, a vessel of communicating His love and His grace and mercy to others.”
Richard Sibbes (the Puritan pastor) says Solomon was known for his passion, and this shows us God’s desire for us.
I wonder if Solomon is chosen in part for his kingly splendor, for he was the wisest and wealthiest king. It is a picture to me of a great King who loved an unworthy peasant girl, and whose love transformed her into a beautiful princess. This is the story of the gospel: the bride is asked to leave her shameful past behind and become a daughter of royalty. This is in essence the story of Psalm 45, which has been called The Song of Songs in a nutshell.
11. Why do you think God chose Solomon to write this song and why?
12. Based on all you have read above, what do you think is the primary message of The Song of Songs and why? (Let’s hear from everyone!)
Thursday/Friday: Helicopter Ride
This is not a chronological story, yet you can see growth on the part of the bride. Most divide it into three areas of growth. The Song of Songs has flashbacks and repetitions, but basically, I think this will help you as you as you read through. Much will be mysterious, like a riddle, but still, ask God to give you glimpses of His love for you as you read. I’ve chosen three sections that seem to represent these three stages.
13. Find something in each category that stands out to you and explain why:
A. First Love (a time of euphoria when you first fall in love with Jesus) (Song of Songs 1:1-2:8)
B. Wilderness Love (when you realize there is a cost, and that your Bridegroom doesn’t always make sense and you feel like withdrawing) (Song of Songs 5:2-9)
C. Invincible Love (when you have matured to the point you trust Him, even when there is mysterious pain) (Song of Songs 8:5-7)
14. If time permits: I am so excited to share what I’ve learned from Mike Reeves (and the Puritan scholar Richard Sibbes) — but that will need to wait til next week so I don’t overwhelm you with homework. For those of you who have time, read Psalm 45, for it is The Song of Songs in a nutshell. We’ll look at it again next week — but if a verse quickens you, share it here.
Saturday
15. What is your take-a-way and why?
432 comments
13. Find something in each category that stands out to you and explain why:
A. First Love (a time of euphoria when you first fall in love with Jesus) (Song of Songs 1:1-2:8)
“With great delight I sat in His shadow, and His fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love.” (2:3b-4)
I think of times when I have been still, really resting in His shadow. An awareness of the depth of His presence and His love for me. I am in need of a time like that now.
B. Wilderness Love (when you realize there is a cost, and that your Bridegroom doesn’t always make sense and you feel like withdrawing) (Song of Songs 5:2-9)
v. 3: “I had put off my garment; how could I put it on?”
This made me think of the times I have felt “too weary” to go to Him. When I refuse to be still. I don’t want to look at something in my heart, I resist His probing.
v. 6: “I opened to my beloved, but my beloved had turned and gone. My soul failed me when he spoke. I sought him, but found him not; I called him, but he gave no answer.”
I have experienced these dark times. Times when I want to feel Him, but my own pain is consuming me, and I can’t see. I feel as though I am drowning and cannot sense His presence. But the storm does pass.
C. Invincible Love (when you have matured to the point you trust Him, even when there is mysterious pain) (Song of Songs 8:5-7)
v.5: “Who is that coming up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved?”
I read this and immediately pictured Chris. We have witnessed her coming out of the wilderness and leaning on her Beloved. It’s a powerful example for me—His love is stronger.
v.7: “Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.”
Loved this verse. Nothing can separate me from His love—nothing can overcome it. His love for me is greater than any other force.
Elizabeth~I agree, loved verse 7, nothing can separate us from His love.
I can also relate to your comment “When I refuse to be still. I don’t want to look at something in my heart, I resist His probing.” I think maybe sometimes I have made myself become busy or busier thinking that would heal the pain, but its like any other thing, busyness just suppresses what God is trying to surface and bring to light. Love your take on this.
C. Invincible Love (when you have matured to the point you trust Him, even when there is mysterious pain) (Song of Songs 8:5-7)
Song of Solomon 8:6
Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord.
I was with my mother for the last few months while she was dying of cancer six years ago. She wished to remain at home and we stayed with her to help fulfill her dying wish. I wish I had talked more to my mother about spiritual things during that time but I was busy making meals and tending details, as well as needing alone time to process. My mother was a deeply spiritual person and she accepted her impending death with peace and determination, knowing she was going “home” to her Father. I felt the strong love of God very clearly during that time – protected, secure, no doubts about God – fierce, holy, strong.
Beautiful memory, Diane-wow.
Diane~ that is very beautiful. Thank you for sharing this part of your life with your mother. What a great memory in your heart to have. I have read your post, “I felt the strong love of God very clearly during that time – protected, secure, no doubts about God – fierce, holy, strong.” Wow…said so beautifully!
13. Find something in each category that stands out to you and explain why:
A. First Love (a time of euphoria when you first fall in love with Jesus) (Song of Songs 1:1-2:8)
It makes me think of new love: the time when your senses are heightened and everything is over the top wonderful. However, in verses 5 and 6, there is the anxiety of whether you are truly lovable or worthy of love. So, in our relationship with Christ, when we first come to faith, there is that time where the scales have been removed and we see God’s great love for us. It is over the top wonderful and yet we can wonder if we are worthy (no) but still deeply loved (YES). I especially love 2:4: “Let him lead me to the banquet hall, and let his banner over me be love”. My Bible cross references Number 1:52 where the tribes of Israel are being divided up and each tribe is to be in their own camp under their own standard (banner). This identifies them as belonging to this tribe and helps the people to stay together and not get lost. So under God’s banner of love, we identify with Him and remain safely with Him.
B. Wilderness Love (when you realize there is a cost, and that your Bridegroom doesn’t always make sense and you feel like withdrawing) (Song of Songs 5:2-9)
This passage makes me think of when love is moving into a more comfortable stage where lovers can become complacent. In verses 2 and 4, the beloved is pursuing his bride but she is taking him for granted. Her comfort is coming before being with Him. So we can become too comfortable with God’s love and take it for granted. But when she comes to her senses and goes to him, he has gone away. Sometimes, God does pull from us, not to leave us but to remind us of our great need for Him. Finally, when she searches for her beloved, she is abused by the watchmen. So we too can be “beaten up” by the world when we neglect God. When we turn our hearts to our idols.
Jill, love your analogy about complacency with God and getting beaten up by the world when we turn to idols instead of God. And you are so right, the wilderness does remind us how much we need Him…oh how I hated the wilderness….but I grew the most in those times too.
C. Invincible Love (when you have matured to the point you trust Him, even when there is mysterious pain) (Song of Songs 8:5-7)
This passage shows me that God’s great love for me will not be denied. It speaks in words of power and strength. Verse 7: “Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away”. Troubles cannot drive away God’s love.
14. If time permits: I am so excited to share what I’ve learned from Mike Reeves (and the Puritan scholar Richard Sibbes) — but that will need to wait til next week so I don’t overwhelm you with homework. For those of you who have time, read Psalm 45, for it is The Song of Songs in a nutshell. We’ll look at it again next week — but if a verse quickens you, share it here.
v. 2-“grace is poured upon your lips;”
Who can we say that about? Certainly not me. To have lips filled with grace—I am silenced. He effuses grace.
v. 4 “In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness;”
His power. I am always enamored by His mighty, victorious, power. Riding the white horse, coming to my rescue.
vs. 10-11 “10 Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear: forget your people and your father’s house, and the king will desire your beauty. Since he is your lord, bow to him.”
Oh that my ears would be opened. Let the noise and confusion of my life be silenced. That I might focus my gaze upon His beauty and remove myself from the inner throne of my heart, and enthrone Him alone.
15. What is your take-a-way and why?
The Song of all Songs, the one true song my heart longs to hear, the one song HE longs for me to hear, is one of His redeeming love. I am just quieted tonight by the truth that of all the things He most wants to say to me—it is not instruction or reprimand, it is not reminding me of where I have failed. The greatest song He longs for me to incline my ears to, is His deep, deep love. How deep the Father’s love for me. I am His. Forever. Cannot be taken from me, because I did not earn it. I don’t have to feel shy or embarrassed by the way He lavishes His love in this book—because it is all about His heart, who He is. I think the part that makes me tend to feel uncomfortable is still the part of me that wants to hide—to cover myself in my own righteousness—which is a skimpy, hole-filled garment. But when I rest in being clothed in HIS righteousness—of course I am beautiful—for the beauty is all Him.
Beautiful, elizabeth.
‘I am just quieted tonight by the truth that of all the things He most wants to say to me—it is not instruction or reprimand, it is not reminding me of where I have failed. The greatest song He longs for me to incline my ears to, is His deep, deep love. How deep the Father’s love for me. I am His. Forever.”
Lovely, Elizabeth. I’m keeping this!
Yes, Elizabeth-so true and good..”To cover myself in my own righteousness-which is a skimpy, hold filled garment. But when I rest in being clothed in HIS righteousness—of course I am beautiful—for the beauty is all Him.”
elizabeth, I am keeping this one too.
Diane–I’ve been meaning to ask how Joel is doing?
Thanks for asking, Elizabeth. Joel is staying with us for the better part of two weeks so that Krista can have “alone” time with the boys. He is still working part time doing lawn maintenance, but otherwise struggling with self-esteem and lack of focus. Long-term job is still needed. I would appreciate your prayers for him that God would heal his own hurts and give him a firm place to stand.
I am so glad to be home! It has been such a difficult week. I have had no opportunity for the study and hope to catch up tomorrow. I have been praying for openness and honesty in relationship for my son and his fiancé. I got it between she and I this week and I don’t know if I can reconcile it. I don’t know what to do with it or how I can possibly build a relationship with her. At least not one that I feel capable of. I just need to crawl up in The Lord’s lap. I feel broken. If I spoke the truth to my soul right now I would say that it is time for strength in the inner woman through the Spirit. Of course this is unfamiliar territory, because He will lead me. As Samwise said, true adventure is never looked for but finds us. That may not be it exactly but I think I know what he meant. Fear not, for I Am with you, even to the end of the age. Love that!
The incident on the beach was not at our beach but a place my sister rented on the southern end of the outer banks. We had no idea of the treachery of that particular area but thank The Lord my nephew has been trained as a lifeguard. Never will I go back there for swimming!
Diane, I tried to answer from last week a response to me near the end of the week. I would love to continue talking if possible.
Anne–so much. Praying for rest for you–crawl up on His lap, and rest. So thankful Alfred is OK.
Yes it has been so heavy. I am finding rest this morning and hope in this study and the comments I am reading.
Oh Anne — so sorry to hear of emotional tides as well as the trauma you went through. Yes, climb on the Lord’s lap. Praying The Song of Songs will help you. You have such a heart for the Lord, I cannot help but believe your future daughter-in-law will see Him in you and that love will break down the walls.
My take-a-way is invincible love. Love stronger than death, unrelenting as the grave. It is mine, secured for me by the One who went to the grave for me. I have not achieved it yet but it is mine, as sure as the resurrection of my King.
Not sure how my take away ended up here. I was going to lament Dee, at how thick the walls and how deep the brokenness. Thank you for your confidence and encouragement.
Anne, definitely a rough week for you between Alfred’s close brush with death and your difficult conversations with son’s fiance. Yes, climb up on the Lord’s lap and be comforted. The Lord has this too in His control. Prayers going out for you.
I saw your response to my message from last week. Thanks very much.
Sorry for your rough emotional week, Anne. I’m trying to understand this…are you saying that you did have openness and honesty between you and son’s fiancé but now you are having a hard time handling what was shared? I will pray.
I am curious…when you said you were at the southern end of outer banks…we usually vacation at Emerald Isle (Crystal Coast) which is at the southern tip of the Outer Banks…the currents there are strange-they go sideways. Is that close to the area where you were?
Susan, yes I am having a hard time with what was shared. Very hard to explain because I don’t feel I can share on Internet.
I have never been to Emerald Isle but I know it is a good family beach. This was the very north of topsail island where the new river comes in. Right on the New River Inlet. On the beach we could look left and it was the river with no waves, look right and it was the ocean with waves. They thought the river side was very calm so we walked over and looked at the ocean side but it was almost high tide and looked very treacherous to me. I expressed my bad feeling about it and thankfully no one went in. We just sat in chairs while the tide came on in but they got bored so we looked at the river side. It only appeared calm. There were no waves but unseen current. He went in and the bottom just washed out under him. He was swimming in and getting farther out until his head started to bob under. That’s when I started to wade in and Ben came from somewhere behind me. He said he swam across the current. I think that is something lifeguards learn.
I did not even have time to pray before God answered for it was all split second. It has been so hard not to replay it all in my mind, complete with what could have happened.
My sister and her family go to Topsail…oh my, what you described sounds terribly frightening. Thankful Ben knew what to do. I understand better now about the situation with Al’s fiancé.
14. For those of you who have time, read Psalm 45, for it is The Song of Songs in a nutshell. We’ll look at it again next week — but if a verse quickens you, share it here.
Psalm 45:4, 10-11
4 In your majesty ride out victoriously
for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness;
10 Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear:
forget your people and your father’s house,
11 and the king will desire your beauty.
Since he is your lord, bow to him.
In light of the King’s righteousness, we are called to “forget” all others – family, friends, colleagues. This reminds me of part of some wedding vows: “and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her as long as ye both shall live.” I am sure there is a wide variation of interpretations of what this might mean in marriage, but to me it means, in this verse, that God is to be Number 1 in my life – before even my husband or my children. Not that I do not cherish and care for them, but worshipping God is to be my highest priority. He is to be my whole world. We are to “bow to Him” and none other. This is both a hard commitment and a beautiful one. If we truly understand who God is, we will joyfully, willingly desire this because of our adoration for Him.
Both a hard commitment and a beautiful one. Esp in your life now.
15. What is your take-a-way and why?
What I am most thinking of this morning is the ups and downs of love. Not God’s love for us but the path of my love relationship with God. It starts with adoration but can easily over time fall into complacency. But then, He is faithful and I see Him again and see my need for Him and run to Him. And He accepts me and loves me. But then, I can fall away again. Just like the Israelites. So I guess my take-a-way is the need and desire to stay more connected to God’s love. I so want to find a way to smooth out the hills and valleys of love. It will never be a perfect road this side of heaven but I’d like it to be less hilly. I think I’m looking too much at me and not enough at Him.
the ups and downs of love. And focusing on Him. Yes.
B. Wilderness Love (when you realize there is a cost, and that your Bridegroom doesn’t always make sense and you feel like withdrawing) (Song of Songs 5:2-8)
Well…..I am tempted many times by my idols and would rather them than Him. They are near and He feels so far away. I wonder if He is worth waiting for; I would rather be content with my earthly things. I need to cling to His love for me and SOS (ha! Still laughing at that one) might be that reminder of His beautiful love of ME.
My worst wilderness love was with my son AND daughter (my idols) and their teenage years. I DO NOT know why we, as a family, had to go through the pain of quiting school, drugs, runaways, court dates for various things, etc. It was SO painful. It went on for about 6 total years. I was a wreck, crying all the time. I hate to even think of it now. However, looking back, I was prideful and those events certainly have humbled me. The other thing that happened is that it made me closer to Him. I had nothing else to cling to in those years. I guess the only thing left to wonder is why the good that came to me had to be at the expense of my kids. I know there are things that happened that they can’t change that were (unfortunately) life changing; like tattoos and potential diseases 🙁 I’m not sure (at this point) that we are closer as a family. That remains to be seen. However, I know we are not the family I saw us being 20 years ago. Still chewing on whether I “like” us or not. I’m sure God has it all worked out and I just had a different idea…
Laura, your sharing here really touches my heart. I also struggle with what I wanted for them and what they have chosen. I trust that God has them and that this broken road is necessary.
Amen.
Amen, hugs to you Laura-Dancer!
Laura, love this post, your honesty, your real-ness. Have I told you I really like you?:)
🙂
Susan–would love to hear how Melanie did?!
13.
A. First Love (a time of euphoria when you first fall in love with Jesus) (Song of Songs 1:1-2:8)
1:2 “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—for your love is more delightful than wine…”
1:4b “We rejoice and delight in you..we will praise your love more than wine.”
I remember that euphoria-nothing and no one and nothing else mattered but Him-He refreshed me with His presence as I spent time with Him communing in the word, as I went for walks outside, at work, as I was cleaning-anywhere. Everything was so new-the Word breathed life into me-Jesus was my food and my strength-my knight in shining armour.
B. Wilderness Love (when you realize there is a cost, and that your Bridegroom doesn’t always make sense and you feel like withdrawing) (Song of Songs 5:2-9)
2:1 I slept but my heart was awake. Listen! My beloved is knocking:..
The times when I am in the wilderness is when I am asleep-I am asleep because I have bought the lie that something is sweeter than Him-yet at the same time my heart is awake.
V.7b (the watchment) “They beat me, they bruised me; they took away my cloak..”
This is how I feel in the wilderness-I feel subjected to whatever trial that comes into my life and it doesn’t make sense that He doesn’t rescue me right away and so I feel like withdrawing further.
C. Invincible Love (when you have matured to the point you trust Him, even when there is mysterious pain) (Song of Songs 8:5-7)
V6b-7a: for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away…”
She came out of the wilderness on His arm-she learned deeper His love-it is like a blazing fire-it can’t be quenched-even when she is in the wilderness. She has embraced that regardless of her circumstances He loves her..She has found His love truly is sweeter than wine-sweeter than anything an idol could offer. Her trust in Him has grown more sure in the wilderness.
I am not mature yet-but He is helping me to meditate on this step by step- He may withdraw if I turn my face from His pursuit of me-but He pursues me-I am His and He will not forsake me so I can trust Him in the wilderness for I KNOW He will use that time to speak sweetly to me-Hosea 2:14,15: “Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will respond as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt.”
This is beautiful Rebecca. Song of Hope
Anne, I think it was you who saw that and therefore helped me see it when we studied Hosea when I first came on..it was one of those times in the Word that I am blown over on my knees..and I won’t forget it. Those kisses you can’t forget!
Yes, Rebecca and Anne, a song of Hope. I commented on these verses already. Man, they are powerful!
1. What stood out to you and why?
The application of Hosea to Song of Songs stands out to me. The woman in the video who realized she was the whore really stood out to me because I remember realizing that when I first did Dee’s Hosea study.
2. What, if any, has been your perspective of The Song of Songs up to now?
I had an inkling that Song of Songs was about more than marriage from a song I used to listen to back in the 80’s about the Rose of Sharon. it was only a hint and I had no idea how to apply it. Over the years I have found the Song painful to read because my marriage fell way short of what is described there. Now I see that it is a pretty high standard for any marriage and that marriage is only a picture of our relationship with Christ.
The name of the book also stands out to me. It is the Song of all songs, the desire present in every human heart. It is also the point of all of the Bible and reason for the gospel, I mean God’s desire for relationship with us.
3. What do you hope to gain from this study?
As I look back over my spiritual journey I see the path, from the song in the 80’s to the study of Hosea, on to Idol Lies and now into the Song of Songs. It is a path to true intimacy with The Lord. I have a sense of awe, a mixture of reverence and hope as I move forward.
14. If time permits: I am so excited to share what I’ve learned from Mike Reeves (and the Puritan scholar Richard Sibbes) — but that will need to wait til next week so I don’t overwhelm you with homework. For those of you who have time, read Psalm 45, for it is The Song of Songs in a nutshell. We’ll look at it again next week — but if a verse quickens you, share it here.
V. 13 and 14: All glorious is the princess within her chamber;her gown is interwoven with gold. In embroidered garments she is led to the king;
-This makes me cry..for HE is the ONE who died for me so that He could cover me and interweave my gown with gold and make me ‘All glorious’-covered in HIS GLORY. He is the one who has made me His princess.. I am a girl who was a pheasant girl-who did nothing to deserve His love-a wretch like me! Then after He saves me I forget and fall in the wilderness and HE picked me up and brought out-He is enthralled by my beauty..and it isn’t as the world sees beauty..perhaps the fruit of the spirit, His transforming me..
15. What is your take-a-way and why?
That His Love is better than wine..It was easy to say that when I first knew Him..but experiencing His love is a journey of valleys and mountain tops! I am starting to believe that wilderness times are opportunities for me to really taste His sweetness-where the Word goes deeper in and He shows me new layers of His love. I learn in the valleys that He truly is an apple tree among a forest of trees and that His apples are more satisfying than anything this world can offer.
When He sets me on mountain tops I am learning (notice I say LEARNING! 😉 ) to be careful not to trust them, but to rejoice in Him in these moments-that these are by His hand..and what helps me to have holy moderation is to see everything whether valleys or mountain tops as Him preparing me for the future. So I am LEARNING to set my hope in Him now and in the future with Him. The daily battle to hold anything up as more important than Him is SO THERE-but I have to daily turn my face toward Him-even in the pain-the mystery of not knowing..to be willing to get my hands sticky with myrrh..
Hi, sorry this is a day late. I had a very busy week and not feeling so well, trying to just get caught up and rest. I honestly could not wait all week to answer this last part of the questions this week. So here goes:
A. First Love (a time of euphoria when you first fall in love with Jesus) (Song of Songs 1:1-2:8)
I can so resonate with the first love. When I became saved, it was radical for me. I had never felt such joy, peace and a high, all while I cried over Jesus love for me? I could not get enough of spending time in prayer and the Word. I think I remained in this first love phase for a while. I especially love verse 3 ” Your name is like perfume poured out…” Just saying Jesus name, I would begin to cry and smile. I remember I was going to cosmetology school back when I gave my life to the Lord and I would sneak into the bathroom and just sit and read the word and weep over His love for me. I also felt verse 5 struck me too “Dark am I, yet lovely O daughters of Jerusalem, dark like the tents of Kedar, like the tent curtains of Solomon.” I felt like I was so tarnished, yet Jesus made me feel alive, whole and full of purpose and love. I still get glimpses of this euphoria of my First Love with Jesus. Love those moments when its in a sunset, just having that inner peace and sometimes just in the smile of a stranger in passing when you say hi to them. With this bible study I feel and see glimpses again too. 🙂
B. Wilderness Love (when you realize there is a cost, and that your Bridegroom doesn’t always make sense and you feel like withdrawing) (Song of Songs 5:2-9)
Oh how I do not like the wilderness…but at the same time, IM so glad when I get through the wilderness times, because I come out changed, renewed and sometimes a bit wiser in God. I have had many times in the wilderness…my biggest time was our 4 years in Italy,not only because it was a foreign country, but God did a major healing in my heart from my past. During this time was when God began teaching me to trust Him, when I did not understand the isolation of a foreign country and just when you think all hope is lost, He shows up and rescues you out of the wilderness. Jesus comes to your cries for Him. I can also relate to the verses of 2, with the Lover knocking, pleading to come in. So many times I would not let Jesus come in when he needed to come in.Mostly…pertaining to areas in my heart that needed healing. So I would run the opposite way not wanting to deal with pain, so verse 6 almost made me cry, “I opened for my lover, but my lover had left; he was gone. My heart sank at his departure. I looked for him but did not find him. I called him but he did not answer.” I know Jesus never leaves us or forsakes us, but I do know there were times Jesus let me stay in the wilderness. I sometimes put myself there, not wanting to give certain areas of my past hurts or heart to Jesus. Oh how I missed Jesus being in the wilderness, but those were some of the times I grew the most…
C. Invincible Love (when you have matured to the point you trust Him, even when there is mysterious pain) (Song of Songs 8:5-7)
I think I am still learning. I have always trusted God loves for me, but taking that leap of faith in certain areas…still struggle a bit. I know God’s love is invincible. Having not had good examples of love growing up, I know it sounds odd, but Im at the point now that IM really letting God love me and realizing I dont have to perform A, B or C to keep His love or for Him to be happy with me. So this one… a bit harder for me. I do love verse 7 “Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannnot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned.” To me that is beautiful, you can not put a price on love, because Jesus did it already…on the cross.
Loved your description of first love — and this in wilderness “so many times I would not let Jesus come in when He needed to come in”
http://youtu.be/1spkhp41ig4
This is one of my favorite songs and I recently heard it on a podcast message this past week. I think its beautiful and speaks volumes as to what we all go through at times…so Glad Jesus makes beautiful things out of our messy lives. 🙂
God Bless you all and many hugs,
Staci
Staci, I love this song too. Someone on this blog (can’t remember who) posted a version of it awhile back and it had this young girl taking ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures of men and women, how they were changed, made beautiful, by God.
love this song…
11. Why do you think God chose Solomon to write this song and why? Solomon knew how to love well and we can see that in Song of Songs. We can also see how worldly love can lead us away from God and become a snare as it did for Solomon. From the number of wives and concubines he had it is easy to see that it became an idol in his life.
12. Based on all you have read above, what do you think is the primary message of The Song of Songs and why? (Let’s hear from everyone!)
I think Song of Songs is an example of agape love. It is not a 45 but an lp (hah! A blast from the past). The relationship of these 2 lovers shows us the stages of relationship with the Lord that we grow into. I have the sense that the relationship is a living thing in that it breathes (can be smothered) and grows, ever changing with no two alike.
Anne, I like your thought here about Song of Songs showing us our relationship with God, the stages we go through, and how it is a living thing “in that it breathes (can be smothered) and grows, ever changing with no two alike”.
Thanks to all who were praying for my daughter at camp. We picked her up last evening and…..she was happy! She even found common ground and got along with the girl who was rude to her at orientation night, as well as making a few new friends, participating with enthusiasm in all the fun games and activities, and getting to know and talk to most of her teachers. I believe a couple of the teachers were alerted beforehand and were especially looking out for her. She had a great time and was very talkative at dinner, telling us all about camp.
I’m just so thankful that God met her through many caring adults there and answered prayers for her to find friends!
Yea! I logged on just to find this, Susan–SO thankful!! What a wonderful testimony of His sweet love–so thankful 🙂
So glad for this answer, Susan!!!
That’s great, Susan. I hope the new friendship continue to develop as she starts the new school.
Wonderful Susan! So sweet to hear!
great news!…thank You, Lord for meeting Melanie through caring adult teachers/chaperones and positioning her to make new friends.
So glad your daughter’s camp went well Susan. Especially glad she was able to get beyond first impressions with the one girl. That is such a wonderful learning experience.
Awesome!
So glad for this news, Susan.
So thankful Susan!
Happy to hear that camp went well 🙂
Yah!
I agree with wht everyone has posted above.
blessings
Mellany
C. Invincible Love (when you have matured to the point you trust Him, even when there is mysterious pain) (Song of Songs 8:5-7)
When I figured out I had no control over my children and how they acted or what they did as teens, I had no choice but to believe in Him; trust Him. There was no one else who could help me. I was “done.” I’m not sure it was me maturing or being desperate though! I don’t understand how these verses represent this idea of invincible love.
In Psalm 45 it is the first verse that stands out to me because it seems like a song. The psalmist is stirred by a noble theme and our love stories are part of it. It is about our God and we are His beloved daughters, bride of His Son the King. It is kind of hard to figure out who is who but I think that is how it goes. In Him we are favored, blessed and rich beyond measure. Our positions are secure for we are beloved, highly favored.
Nanci, thanks for asking…Trevor is settling in just fine (with his girlfriend:(
I’m praying for your daughter and grand-daughter.
Didn’t get to welcome you, Jenelle…so glad you are here!!
What is my take away?
I don’t usually do a “take away” because I am never sure what will stay with me, but this week it is clear. Wilderness love is what I am and will be pondering for a while.
It is “deep” to understand that God leads us into the wilderness so that He can open our eyes to see that we have come to the end of our own resources, that we no hope of rescuing ourselves and that our idols are useless and deceitful. Then He speak tenderly to us and gives us hope in the places that have no hope. Amazing. I am in awe at the lengths He goes to in showing His love for us.
Hosea 2:14,15: “Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will respond as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt.”
Diane
I am so thankful that you posted this take away, I am in tears as you articulated very well where I think I am…and will also be pondering for a while.
Thanks
13. Find something in each category that stands out to you and explain why:
A. First Love (a time of euphoria when you first fall in love with Jesus)(Song of Songs 1:1-2:8)
“My beloved is to me a pouch of myrrh which lies all night between my breasts.” (1:13)
This verse makes me think of when first falling in love, you think about your beloved all the time – when you wake-up, all throughout the day, as you drift off to sleep. He may even be in your dreams. This verse evokes a sense of security in me…of being guarded, protected, kept close, watched-over while I sleep.
B. Wilderness Love (when you realize there is a cost, and that your Bridegroom doesn’t always make sense and you feel like withdrawing)(Song of Songs 5:2-9)
“The watchmen who make the rounds in the city found me, they struck me and wounded me…”(v.7)
What mystifies me about this part is, where was her beloved…why was she permitted to be treated like that? When I first met Jesus and began to take baby steps in my faith, looking back it seems I was immediately under attack. I believe Satan majorly tried to derail me, and then to be looked-at like I was weird, a “nut” – it was not what I expected. I became somewhat unsure and I was growing more and more uncomfortable in the denomination I was in at that time which caused a lot of upheaval between me and my husband. One person told me that if I left the church, I risked being lost. It caused me so much anxiety, worry, and fear.
C. Invincible Love (when you have matured to the point you trust Him, even when there is mysterious pain)(Song of Songs 8:5-7)
“Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved?”(v.5)
In reading everyone’s posts, each lady here has had or is having a wilderness time. I love this verse because we are not left to die in the fire of our trials, not left to lie in the pile of ashes. Eventually, we come out of the wilderness, and many times while in the wilderness, God seems absent, yet here I see when we come out, here He is…He is our Rescuer, our Hero, and we lean on Him as we walk.
14. Psalm 45 pictures a dazzling King – parallels between an earthly king and Jesus, The King. A beautiful bride arrayed in golden garments – I liked The Message translation where the psalmist tells her to “forget your country, put your home behind you. Be HERE – the king is wild for you.” That emphasis on being in the present and believing the king’s love for you – how many times my past sins and unworthiness and depravity is what I’m thinking about.
15. What is your take-away and why?
That Song of Songs is the story of the gospel: the bride is asked to leave her shameful past behind and become a daughter of royalty. For whatever reason, I still carry a lot of shame around, regret…I want to be free from it and truly believe He loves me, and I want to learn how to love Him with the love that I see the Shullamite has for her beloved.
C. Invincible Love (when you have matured to the point you trust Him, even when there is mysterious pain) (Song of Songs 8:5-7)
Yesterday marked three years from the day we left the hospital without Daniel. I am mostly okay, I worked yesterday, a wedding for a young couple. I spent some sleepless hours last night. I feel sometimes like I doubt allow my grief enough near the surface, even in this I find I need to lean on my Beloved and trust that He will lead me where I need to be in this too.
I do trust Him.
I identified so with what you have shared Diane about how bewildering the wilderness part of the story is for you, and Elizabeth when you referenced me in your answer to this question, I cried. It does help to think others see something changed in me.
I thought more about our time in Philippines and that perhaps the thing that I hope to really continue to unravel is Pauls reference to himself as a slave to Christ, I want to be that devoted, that I stay close out of deep love, not obligation or out of fear.
That thought that came in Sunday school last week, that Christ the creator, and the glorious all powerful Christ we see in Revelation, came and was born of a woman, was willing to go to those lengths, I felt undone, I was filled with a holy fear of continuing to doubt His love, how dare I?
So that combined with this weeks study, my take away is to be more vigilant in countering the lies my enemy whispers and accusations that make me doubt the overwhelming evidence that God loves ME, He sees ME, that this love is fierce and personal. I need to look quickly to Him and stop looking so much at me.
Missing you Laura, I hope everything is alright.
“First love”: Yes it was euphoric for me. Jesus set me free from finding love in all the wrong places and finding in Him all I needed. The word of God came alive,leaping off the pages and into my heart. My desire was for Him morning, noon and night.. He brought me to His “Wilderness love”. I still remember the moment when persecution began. In a moment of panic I asked, “Lord where are you”?. He spoke words of comfort with this scripture: I will never leave you nor forsake you I will be with you until the end of the age. He taught me to lean upon Him in the wilderness time and again and buoyed me with His love and attention and brought me to “His invincible love”… Leaning on my beloved quiets my soul. “But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me”Psalm 131:2
Hi eveeryone!
My name is Elaine.
I want to start this study with you all.
Do I just jump into todays study? Do I need to start at the beginning to catch up?