When I was a new Christian I taught my son’s kindergarten Sunday School class and Werner Sallman’s famous painting, “I Stand At The Door and Knock” was prominent in that classroom. I told the children that Jesus was knocking on the door to their hearts, and there was no handle on the door, so they would need to open it. J. R.’s hand shot up and he earnestly pleaded that he wanted to open the door. God surely came to that little boy that morning and he has grown into a man who deeply loves the Lord.
But I would teach Revelation 3 differently today, for I believe it is a message aimed at lukewarm believers rather than unbelievers. Yet God in His mercy still worked through me in spite of my messy theology, for His heart was so for J. R. His power is not stymied by His weak earthen vessels.
I’m not sure if Werner Sallman based his painting on Revelation 3 or on The Song of Songs 5, but they are parallel passages. In The Song of Songs, Christ is knocking on the door of His Bride, and she is very slow to respond to Him. In Revelation, again, He is knocking on the door of the church at Laodicea, and they too lack passion.
We forget how wonderful He is, and our excuses are as flimsy as the Shulammite maiden’s excuses. She has washed her feet, drawn the drapes, and does not want to get up to open the door for Him.
I slept, but my heart was awake.
A sound! My beloved is knocking,
“Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my perfect one,
for my head is wet with dew, my locks with the drops of the night.”
I had put off my garment;
how could I put it on?
I had bathed my feet,
how could I soil them?
Song of Songs 5:2-3
Such flimsy excuses we have for not responding to the Lord’s still small voice. Yet when we are faithless, He is faithful. His love will NEVER let us go. Listen — this is the truth this passage describes in story form. She is lazy, faithless — yet he is knocking till his locks are wet with dew. She loses his presence, but NEVER the relationship. She suffers, for her heart has been rekindled and she remembers how excellent he is — he is indeed, the fairest of ten thousand to her soul. He has not abandoned her, for he will return. Listen to O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go by Indelible Grace (click on the U-Tube version):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-tXgsBq418&list=RD02YQBcg3uy2DM
Sunday
1. What stood out to you from the above and why?
Monday – Friday Bible Study (Next week we will concentrate on the rich corresponding lecture from Mike Reeves)
Remember: Each day your primary duty is to get your soul “happy in the Lord.” Use music if it helps warm your cold heart. Next study the passage — you may want to take only a question or two a day and immerse yourself in it. Then use it as a springboard for prayer. Here is one of my favorite songs about His faithfulness, but you no doubt will have others to recommend to help us all.
Monday
There are marriages in which the couples basically live parallel lives, without oneness or intimacy. That is not the cold life the Lord wants with us. He feels as close to us as a brother, a friend, yet there is much more. We are His love. He doesn’t want duty, but passion. He doesn’t want to just see us in church at 11 on Sunday, He wants to be one, intertwined, in the warmth of His love.
2. Read The Song of Songs 5:2-3
Kathy Keller says that Tim was looking for a tall blond when he met her and their friendship developed. (She is a short brunette!) They became very close, as brother and sister, kindred spirits. But she wanted more. Finally she gave him the speech about leading her on, but keeping her at arm’s length. He answered her by kissing her. He often tells singles not to dismiss the two thirds of the room on the basis of physical attributes when looking for a spouse — for you want someone who can be close to you emotionally, mentally, and spiritually — even before physically. You want a sister, a bride. Amazingly, this is how Jesus sees us. Not as servants, but friends. Not as distant, but as His bride.
A. What names does he call her and what does this tell you about the beauty of this relationship? What does it mean to you
that He sees you as both sister and darling? What else does he call her?
B. Richard Sibbes sees two warring parts of our soul in “I sleep, but my heart waketh.” Do you?
C. In Matthew 26:41, what did Jesus say to the sleeping disciples that showed two warring parts?
D. Compare Revelation 3:14-22. What similarities do you see with The Song of Songs 5:2-3?
E. What evidence is there that he has been knocking for a while?
Use the above verse as a springboard for prayer: confession, thanksgiving, petition.
Tuesday
3. Read The Song of Songs 5:3-5
A. What excuses does she give for not responding?
B. Be alert (and pray now about this) for giving an excuse — then try to identify the lie. Record it here.
C. When she does arise, what happens to her heart? What does this tell you?
Use the above verse as a springboard for prayer.
Wednesday
4. Read The Song of Songs 5:6-7
A. Describe what happens in this passage.
B. Why are the watchmen beating her? Nancy Leigh deMoss was not sure if it was discipline or persecution. What do you think and why?
Richard Sibbes believes the shepherds have become wolves, and how painful it is when suffering is caused by those who were appointed to care for our souls. I find some comfort here however in God acknowledging this happens — and yet she will not back away, she is still seeking her Beloved. Unfortunately, many, especially the young, when abused by the church, back away from the Lord. But here, she does not. She goes to the daughters of Jerusalem, who are also a part of the bride, though less mature than she.
Use the above passage as a springboard for prayer.
Thursday/Friday
Oh blest be Jesus, the Tie that binds our hearts in Christian love! Prepare your heart with this new rendition of a classic by Sara Groves: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcYFtihSg_8
5. Read Song of Songs 5:8-9
A. What does she ask of the daughters of Jerusalem and then, what do they ask of her?
B. What do you see happening in this passage?
C. How has this happened for you, here, on this blog?
She begins to describe His beauty. I used to think this song, “He’s the Lily of the Valley,” was confused, because that is what He calls her — but then I remembered, “She is looking like Him.” And in these descriptions, she does say that His lips are lilies, dripping liquid myrrh. I love Johnny Cash, perhaps because Steve did, but I do. I appreciate how God turned him around and then he went to the prisons. The only song Steve requested at his funeral was the one June sang to him when she was dying, “The Far Side Banks of Jordan.” But here he is singing “He’s The Lily of the Valley.” (LINK)
6. Read Song of Songs 5:10-16. Meditate on this and comment if you are quickened.
Use this as a springboard for praise and prayer.
In next week’s parallel message from Mike Reeves, he talks about how preachers once frequently preached on the excellencies and beauty of Christ, but now rarely do. Pray for revival with our shepherds and watchmen!
Saturday
7. What is your take-a-way for this week and why?
184 comments
SoS 5 reminds me of the song I Stand in Awe of You (Beautiful Beyond Description) and worship does make my soul happy in the Lord. When I consider the Awesomeness of our God, I know my soul is safe in Him.
Renee — this insightful comment makes me feel it was persecution and not discipline.
3. Read The Song of Songs 5:3-5
A. What excuses does she give for not responding?
Basically, she has gotten into bed, having already taken off her robe and bathed her feet. If she answers the door, she will have to put the robe back on and her feet will get dirty again. What a bother, just when she was about to drift off to sleep!
B. Be alert (and pray now about this) for giving an excuse — then try to identify the lie. Record it here. There are tasks which I sometimes feel the Lord is calling me to do, but I can easily convince myself that I am not the right person….I am too old to be doing it…someone younger should do it. Of course I am aware that the Bible is filled with stories of unlikely people being called to do all kinds of tasks, and they were able to perform marvelously with God’s help.
C. When she does arise, what happens to her heart? What does this tell you? When she decides to arise, everything changes. Now her fingers are dripping with myrrh. Myrrh is representative of repentance. She is now very much wanting to see her lover and is repentant for having stayed in bed so long, making her excuses.
Use the above verse as a springboard for prayer. Dear Lord Jesus, I hear you knocking…I can envision you knocking…just like in the painting. I am sure you are getting impatient, as too much time has gone by and I have not responded to do what you want. Why am I so reluctant? Sometimes even I do not know. Forgive me, I pray, and help me to trust you completely, so I will have no fear of going wherever you may lead. Amen.
4. Read The Song of Songs 5:6-7
A. Describe what happens in this passage. When she opens the door, she finds her lover is no longer standing there. He is gone. She looks and calls for him, but she does not find Him. So she sets out into the night searching for Him, because now she urgently wants to find Him. The watchmen catch her, beat her, and take away her cloak.
B. Why are the watchmen beating her? Nancy Leigh deMoss was not sure if it was discipline or persecution. What do you think and why? I think in that culture, decent women were not expected or permitted to go out into the night like she did. Perhaps the watchmen did not recognize her, and thought she was a prostitute, and so they treated her with extreme disrespect.
I liked Jill’s theory about the watchmen beating her, as it directly linked to the church:
“but the church (or even secular society in general) berates and beats her because she is perhaps doing it “wrong”. How many come for help and then get turned away, or are smugly scorned because they are “doing it wrong”.
Use the above passage as a springboard for prayer. Oh Dear Lord, Sometimes we feel as though we are the one beaten, but perhaps sometimes we are the ones administering the beating through our misguided participation in Your Church. Help us never to mistakenly identify an earnest seeker and treat them as if they are a heathen. Help us to mold ourselves after you and may we be covered in the perfume of your Spirit as we attempt to serve you. Amen.
5. C. How has this happened for you, here, on this blog?
It’s hard to pick just one example, God has moved so through all of the ladies here-I see Him in all of us. I think when I see a sister pursue Him and truly love others I see Him for only He can prompt this and mold His love in her. His love is what I long to see in other believers. I am going to limit myself to two examples. 🙂
I see Him in Elizabeth here, how she labors in prayer for us and encourages us and gives to us His encouragement through articles, songs and scripture God encourages her with-His love in her clearly overflows onto us. The outflow of Him in her is like a fresh drink of water to me. God has also encouraged me through Susan and Chris through the years. Both of them have gone through so much yet continue to walk in faith admitting their struggles yet pointing us to Him as they yield and cling to Him-He is more important than their struggles in this life, and His love is evident in both of them. Renee is really growing and I so see Him in her-I have always seen her pursuing Him and loving Him, but all the more since partaking in this SOS study-He is coming to her and she is opening up to Him-it is beautiful and she encourages me.
I can’t help but think as we pursue Him and yield to Him individually, His fruit in us should impact us corporately in how we love one another and pursue Him together. I liked Elizabeth’s last post in how she brought out the corporate bride for that is what God is showing me too as of late in our new church. I have been in two Bible Studies and have seen His love-yet also have seen how the evil one twists His way into even our studies in how we treat one another. I can’t help but think every critical thought we have about another’s answer, or every desire to prove we are right, or any jealousy about God’s fruit in another is really from the evil one who tempts us in those moments with our pride. He wants to divide us! Jesus said they will know you are mine by your love for one another.
Rebecca, these are good thoughts…oh how I can relate to those secret, inner thoughts at times! Thinking something critical about what someone says/answers, wanting to jump in to give the “right” answer, being jealous of another’s fruitfulness. I don’t know how much of it is the enemy wanting to stir-up dissension, and how much is our own sinful flesh fighting for self-promotion.
I’m doing a retreat in Kentucky this weekend and it seems so many things are going wrong — would love your prayers. I have a pretty bad cold and my tech person cannot come as her mother died. I have a back-up, but she has had tech troubles too. Is it spiritual warfare? I don’t know. But I would love your prayers for a hedge and for quickening for me and the women. Thanks so much.
Dee, I’ll be praying for your retreat, for your health, for His help to enable you to speak even with a cold, for the tech-issues! Praying for safe travel, too!
Lord, we ask for You to come and bless Dee and this conference. Would You be her strength in all ways–restore her body, take all the techy issues into Your hands. Lord You are the Powerful One and we trust You with every detail. We ask that You would move in the hearts of those who will hear Your message, and that You would clearly speak through Dee, Your vessel. I pray too for her tech person who has lost her mom–would You comfort her in this time. Lord, we lay it all down before You and trust You and thank You for all You will do. Amen
Will pray.
Oh God, use Dee this weekend. Glorify your name even if the circumstances are not smooth. Speak your truth even through imperfect weak people and equipment.
Praying now Dee
Dee, I’ve been praying for you throughout the day. I hope you are feeling MUCH better. Praying God will protect and quicken you and the women who attend and comfort your tech person.
I also prayed that you will do a retreat around here 🙂
My take-away: He remains faithful — even when I feel beaten. Still soaking all of this in. His love is penetrating a lot of layers. I’m feeling as if I could spend the rest of my life in this study and still not grasp the extent of His love.
5. Read Song of Songs 5:8-9
A. What does she ask of the daughters of Jerusalem and then, what do they ask her? She asks them to tell him she is faint with love if they find him. I imagine this is a request to actually go find him versus a casual if-you-happen-to-bump-into-him-please-mention thing. ? I assume that from the urgency in her previous search and the fact that she may not be well enough to go looking for him given the beating she just took?
They then ask her, “How is your beloved better than others…?” Basically asking for justification for why they should go on this errand (“How is your beloved better than others, that you so charge us?”). Our cultural would ask this haughtily. But I want to give the daughters of Jerusalem the benefit of the doubt here (because they do consent and say they will look for him in 6:1), that they are curious, or merely allowing this friend the chance to sing of her love, instead of weighing the scales on whether or not this is a worthy task to spend time on.
B. What do you see happening in this passage? I started to answer this, above. I see this in a positive light as the bride’s friends are a positive influence throughout the book. She has been beaten and had her cloak taken away and she turns to her friends, who come and listen to her plight and offer help while she recovers and is unable to do that which she set out to do. The assumption is that they will find the bridegroom and bring him to her! How often have we been the hands and feet of Christ, bringing the bridegroom to the beloved?! Beautiful picture. I am unclear on the “faint with love” statement. In our culture it is a picture of swooning, is this the same? I am convicted because someone who is faint with love always speaks of that love and makes decision erring on the side of doing it for her love, or doing what her love would prefer. How often do I err on the side of my idols rather than “erring” toward doing what Christ would have me do. Again and again I am charged from God to slow down, wait, be quiet….to dwell on my love instead of act out of habit. And for her friends to encourage her to speak and sing of her love, why she loves the beloved. I like that. To just listen to someone’s testimony on what God has done in their life is a beautiful and encouraging thing. This also could have been some accountability. “Why?” is the best question to ask when going about a task. Perhaps the friends were helping to check her soul for idols?
C. How has that happened for you, here, on this blog? I am new to the blog but I see interactions on here between sisters who love. There is no judgement just encouragement to praise the one we love and to understand and accept the gift He has given. Re-reading some of the comments this morning, I was hit by the thought that the replacement for an approval idol could be compassion and service toward others vs. isolation.
6. Read Song of Songs 5:10-16. Meditate on this and comment if you are quickened.
“His mouth is sweetness itself; he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, this is my friend, daughters of Jerusalem.”
The most challenging concept for me has been that He sees me as “altogether lovely,” not partly so, but altogether. But the more I study the more my mind has been coming to terms with this concept. I have seen myself as utterly wretched but humbled before Him, accepting His gift and that is beautiful, but doesn’t match the imagery here. So I tried to accept myself as beautiful, and I could get to the point where I saw parts of me beautiful, but not altogether. For some reason my mind just couldn’t reconcile it together – wretched sinner, altogether lovely. But I am understanding now and this verse was the “punchline.” The same phrase was used by the bridegroom to the bride and now she uses it on Him, and the Johnny Cash song that brought out the point that He is like the Lily of the Valley. We are altogether lovely because we are covered in His garment of Grace (thinking back to the Song of Songs artistic interpretation from last week). Our wretchedness is fully covered and on top of that we are becoming like Him so that idyllically if we did take the cloak off we would look like Him – altogether lovely. (Obviously, we can’t take the cloak off, but the point is that He IS transforming us.) I don’t know if I fully get it in a theologically correct sense yet, but it is coming together. I also think of my kids and my husband – They are altogether lovely, I see their actions apart from them, is this a part of how God can see me as altogether lovely?
These are good thoughts, jill.
It really makes me think. When we recognize our approval idol, do we isolate ourselves to protect ourselves or let ourselves see others with Christ’s eyes (compassion and service)?
I agree with Diane. Good thoughts. I do think he both sees us in Him, covered, how we are being transformed, and how we will be transformed.
3. Read The Song of Songs 5:3-5
A. What excuses does she give for not responding?
“I have taken off my robe…I have washed my feet”. In other words, “I’m all ready for bed and I don’t feel like getting up.”
B. Be alert (and pray now about this) for giving an excuse – then try to identify the lie. Record it here.
When I read her responses and she says “MUST I…?” I see “do I have to?” I see the lie of taking him for granted, of taking HIM for granted. Did she expect him to wait outside all night, to sleep outside her door until the morning when she was ready and willing to get up? I see the lie of power and control, of wanting, at that moment, their relationship on HER terms. There is an unwillingness, an unyielding spirit or attitude here. He is sacrificing his comfort for her – he’s out in the night all cold and wet, but she doesn’t seem to care about that. She’s not willing to sacrifice her comfort for him.
When I feel the tug on my heart to spend time with Jesus, to pray, to get in the Word, to step out in faith, to put someone else’s needs before my own, to be unselfish rather than selfish, and I don’t…I miss the opportunity. I say I’m busy right now, too rushed, or simply I don’t want to right now-I’m more important. I see, too, that it’s losing your affection for Him…the relationship becomes a “duty” of “must I?” rather than a joy. I see a constant battle between my will and His will, my way and His way.
C. When she does arise, what happens to her heart? What does this tell you?
I just had a new thought, that feelings follow action. Verse 4 says, “my heart began to pound for him.” I think suddenly her heart is turned, it is warming. But I also sense, in the pounding heart, an urgency, an “am I too late?” She hears him trying to reach through and open the latch with his hand. Is it his insistence or persistence that makes her heart pound in response to his determined love for her, even when she has been so selfish?
As she turns her heart back to loving him more than herself and her own comfort, that enables her to get up and leave her idols. Looking at Jesus, His love and sacrifice for me is the only thing that can break the power of sin over me. My heart needs to “pound” for Him.
Use the above passage as a springboard for prayer:
These are some of the things that came out during prayer over this passage…Lord, I see how in response to her selfishness, her loving her comfort and power/control idols at that moment more than him, that he does not get angry, he doesn’t yell at her, curse at her, call her names, demand or command her to get up and open the door, or start pounding. Instead he responds by reaching for her by thrusting his hand through the latch-opening. He responds with even more love to her lack of love and care for him. This is what turns her to leave her idols and arise to open to him. How do you respond to me when I sin? Jesus shows me His hands with the nail prints in them. He demonstrates His love for me. I believe this is the only thing that will change my heart…but how stubborn and stiff my heart can be to want my way.
Please make me to be like the maiden who sees his hand and gets up to go to him, her hands dripping with myrrh as she is filled with repentance. I see in me how hard it is for me to submit to my husband, to love him this way. This surely carries over into how well I submit to You, Lord. Please work in my heart.
This has been a strange week for me. I made a good strong start, then I fell behind. Now I am chugging trying to catch up. All in the background is the fact that I have a dental problem, and it has caused me profound pain. Pain in my mouth is too close to my brain, and renders my brain almost useless!! I apologize as I haven’t been good at all this week about reading others’ posts and responding to crises. Forgive me if this sounds like just so many excuses:)
5. Read Song of Songs 5:8-9
A. What does she ask of the daughters of Jerusalem and then, what do they ask of her?
She asks them to help her find her lover, and if they do, they should tell him she is faint with love. They, in turn, ask her what makes her lover special. I take that to mean “what distinguishes Him, how will we identify Him.”
B. What do you see happening in this passage?
She begins to describe Him in glowing terms. Could this be like a seeker asking a Christian “What makes your Savior so wonderful?” So I am thinking a little Evangelism is going on in this passage.
C. How has this happened for you, here, on this blog?
Everyone needs encouragement from other Christians sometimes, and this blog is a wonderful place to get that encouragement. We help one another along — no one has all the answers. And when one of us threatens to sink due to the world pressing in or the Evil One attacking us, then we send up volleys of prayer to support one of our group when they are most vulnerable.
Deanna, just reading this (I am behind, too…worked night-shift Friday night, swim meet all day Sat…) I do hope and pray your pain is better, that you were or will be able to get this problem fixed!
Hello everyone,
I have been busy with family and hiding a bit. I enjoy reading all of yr responses and I will pray for u this w/e Dee. I believe that when the enemy comes in like a flood God raises up a standard against him. I pray that God uses you as His standard to speak to everyone this w/e in Kentucky.
Sometimes but not all the time when Jesus stands at the door of my heart and He is knocking. I want to clean up and make things look nice. I do not want Him to come in until I am all perfect yet that is the time when I need Him the most. I remember one time when my first husband was beating me (there was actual blood all over the place) the phone rang and he answered it and pretended everything was ok. I went along with it. I did not see anything that was wrong. I wanted to clean up and pretend. I did have courage that night. I called my pastor over. He came but when he came. Bill sat in the chair and mocked me. He did pray and he did meet with the board members but nothing really came of it. I remember sitting at my kitchen table and thinking that people who love each other do not beat one another. I left but part of me still believed Jesus could not love me b/c I was not perfect. I had been bad or I was too ashamed to let God in. I had to tidy up and clean up and be perfect and pretend. But I am learning to let God into the broken parts of my heart and the parts where even I am too afraid to go. Jesus takes my hand and I go. Sometimes this love of Jesus is strange and foreign to me. That God would be concerned with my tears, my pain, my sorrow that I have locked away but if God thinks it is important it must be and I let him in.
How I wish I had known him as a child, like the little boy above, that Dee speaks of. I would have liked to rush over and invite Jesus into my life and my heart but I believe that God’s timing is impeccable and right on time. I am re reading the Leslie Vernick book on the “Emotionally Abusive Relationship”. There is so much going on in my life that I had hidden that Jesus wants me to deal with. I am inviting Him in and letting go of toxic relationships. Sometimes letting go is difficult b/c u want people to get saved or u think u can save them. I cannot save people only God can.
I realize that I need Jesus so much. I love listening to the Getty’s. I have ordered their c.d.’s. I love to worship and read God’s word. It makes me feel safe, gives me hope, gets me out and reassures me so much of His love for me. God showed me just recently that in Revelation He wipes away our tears. I have read that many times but now I totally get that. God, Himself will wipe away our tears. Totally mind-blowing and beautiful and I accept that. So many times in my life God has wanted to love me but I have not let Him in. I do so now. I guess I am at a stage in my life where I just do not want to pretend anymore. Perfect love cast out all punishment for what does punishment have to do with love. Nothing! Sometimes I feel like I am talking to myself but just typing this helps me to see more clearly.
Blessings to all of u.
Mellany
In next week’s parallel message from Mike Reeves, he talks about how preachers once frequently preached on the excellencies and beauty of Christ, but now rarely do. Pray for revival with our shepherds and watchmen!
I wrote this poem Oct. 22nd 2012.
I am lamenting for the name of Jesus
Looking in each church door
Finding sometimes a whisper
I rejoice, I weep, I dance
Then I am stopped
Another program, another Pastor wanting to keep his pension, pointing fingers, pride of how great their church is
why people weep? go hungry? are desolate?
I wearily leave, closing the door
I go home, I am sad,
I weep, I lament
Then tenderly Jesus dries my tears
I try again
Hearing His name far off
I run eagerly, looking in
I hear music, prayer, rejoicing
The Spirit of God is moving
I want in -but people just look-
No anger, nothing, just looking
I want in – I fall by the side of the building
Wearily after time, I walk away
Looking for Jesus
Simply the name of Jesus
Lifted high is what I am looking for
It is what I need, what I desire
Instead I will find a quiet seat and just soak in Jesus
Sit and just soak in Jesus!
Mellany, I appreciate so much your perspective here – your hearing Jesus knocking but wanting to “clean up”, wanting to be perfect. I can relate. I too am tired of pretending, yet afraid of what I see inside me. Yet I too agree with this.
“O, love that will not let me go. I rest my weary soul in Thee.” as the hymn writer says.
And thank you for the poem. It is so sad that the needy so very often do not feel welcome in our churches when they come looking for Jesus. Keep opening doors for Jesus, my friend, and keep coming here to keep us honest and humble.
Mellany, always so good to hear from you…what a beautiful post, but hard to think of you being beaten, blood…so thankful God is healing those wounded places of your heart, letting-go of pretending.
Something I have been thinking about lately….Solomon wasn’t a prophet, right? If not, then how would he even know the church would eventually be born? How would he know about Jesus? So, if he didn’t know of the church and Jesus then how could he write a love poem about Jesus and the church? it seems that it would have been a love poem about God and us OR him and his wife and their relationship.
Just thinking…
Laura dancer, good question. I am hoping others chime in with their thoughts, but here is what I understand. Solomon was not a prophet, but he did have great wisdom given him by God.(Early in Solomon’s reign, he asked God for wisdom, which God granted. Although he did not know about Jesus and Christian church, he was part of God’s chosen people. He had the books of the law and history part of the Old Testament. He knew of the promises and the covenants given to Abraham, Moses, and his father David. They worshipped God in the temple. In essence, they were very like what we know as a church today.
I think that Solomon had glimpses of God’s love as seen in His love for the nation of Israel. Solomon’s God is the same God as we know now, even though Solomon did not know the fullness of God in His revelation in Jesus Christ. We live this side of the Cross, but God’s cherishing, forgiving love was evident even before then for the eyes that could truly see.
Thank you so much for your prayers. I am thankful that my tech person was able to be at her mother’s side and God provided me with a wonderful replacement who was already coming so it didn’t mean another plane fare. I am thankful for the hours David spent on the phone helping us. I am thankful for smooth flights. I am thankful I slept quite well last night considering I have a pretty strong cold. I did get lost driving to the retreat grounds but finally made it. Last night the opening by Teasie Cannon (new author — wrote My Big Bottom Blessing) was so good in preparing hearts. So now may the Lord come, as you have prayed, despite my frailty.
Oh Dee! So glad to hear this!! 🙂 Hate to hear you got lost driving but thankful you got there.
Teasie is wonderful and I know God will move Dee..I am learning when the enemy attacks that is a good sign that God is on the move.
Lord, I stand in agreement with the sisters here and ask that you would be Dee’s strength and that you would come in a mighty way at this retreat-to show the ladies your beauty-that they would be drawn so powerfully to respond to you and that you would open their eyes to the idols that hold them back-and you would compel them to let them go and cling to you for you are altogether lovely.
Rebecca– I was going to write you next — but here you are. Thanks for all you did behind the scenes. Yes, Teasi is a woman of God.
And I’m so excited you get to go to your own retreat this weekend. Are you there?
Oh yes, i am on the bus now! Sitting close to my new friend Liz. 🙂 almost to the retreat. Wish you were speaking here!
6. Read Song of Songs 5:10-16. Meditate on this and comment if you are quickened.
You, Lord Jesus, are altogether lovely. You are above all-You are glorious. You became a man and humbled yourself because You want and love us, and you willingly suffered taking on my payment for sin so you could have me-you were the only One who could do that, and you did. You died for me as I drove the nails in. My King, above all power and all thrones-my glorious one radiant and ruddy. My beautiful savior, lover of my soul-You are the One who designed me for You and You wooed me with kindness my whole life-You redeemed me from the pit, from the penalty of my sin, yet it just began! When my heart wanders you come to my door and knock-waiting for me-Your hair is wet with dew and You are full of Grace. Your Grace abounds with wisdom from your sweet lips when daily my heart is tempted-you cover me with Your Love and faithfulness every day and when I wander into the desert you take away the dung that I held higher than you-and you speak tenderly to me and woo me back- I did nothing to deserve You- your Grace abounds for you are my beloved, my friend and I love you.
5. Read Song of Songs 5:8-9
A. What does she ask of the daughters of Jerusalem and then, what do they ask of her?
She asks for them to tell him how she loves him when they find him. They want to know why he is any better than the others? What does she see in him that the others don’t have?
B. What do you see happening in this passage?
There is some sort of rivalry going on? I’m not really sure? They are jealous of her? They mention her beauty and want to know why he is so great.
C. How has this happened for you, here, on this blog?
Not sure the connection here. I probably have misunderstood the poetry (I’m good at that!). I don’t believe we are jealous of one another here on the blog…..I do think we help each other understand the bible and clarify points when needed. We bring different perspectives (maybe that’s it for her too!) of things and even different cultural thoughts. We care about one another also.
I am really struggling with my mom’s health issues. As we speak, my mom is being transported to the ER due to a high fever; some sort of infection. She had been in the hospital a couple of weeks ago for being “delusional,” confused, and not all there. This has never been her issue; always the physical, not the mental state. Very sad. It seems they can’t figure out what is wrong (could be the HUGE hole in her backside that they created a year ago by neglect??? They started hyperbaric oxygen a couple of weeks ago also, but not enough treatments to matter at this point). Very frustrated and wondering why getting old must be so gross. Can’t we just lay down and die? I haven’t been able to talk to her because she can’t seem to hear me and may be confused as to who I am as well since she isn’t with it mentally. I have tried to press the bladder infection (to make sure we keep an eye on the level of infection there) because that seems to make her confused. I guess I would ask for prayers that the doctors figure out what is going on so they can treat the real problem, and that mom isn’t in pain. I pray that I can be comforted even though I can’t speak to her. Once again…very sad.
Laura dancer, sorry your mom is struggling with health issues again. Have you been able to be there with her? I’m guessing not and that must be so hard for her to be “confused”. I will pray for her, for the doctors, and for you during this hard, sad time.
Laura, I am so sorry your Mom (and therefore also you) have to go through all of the pain and frustration! You are wise to keep asking about the bladder infection, particularly if her confusion is a recent unexpected problem. Also if I understood correctly, she has a pressure sore that they can’t seem to get healed? The pain from that is enough to throw a person off mentally — that is no small item. I will certainly be praying for your Mom that someone very wise gets into the act real soon.
Laura. I am so sorry for your mom….I pray they find the problem soon….praying for her and you. How is Sarah doing now?
Oh Laura, I’m so sorry…it is hard to have to see your mom suffer so much and for so long. You are right…any kind of infection, especially in the elderly, can cause confusion. And I’m sorry to hear about the pressure sore…it is still not healing properly? And I know your mom has cancer too…I’m sorry but I can’t remember what the current condition is with that, but that could also affect her ability to heal. I will pray for her right now.
Laura–so sorry. continuing prayers for all of you. It all sounds so so hard. How is Sarah doing lately?
3. Read The Song of Songs 5:3-5
A. What excuses does she give for not responding?
She had already taken off her robe, and washed her feet. She didnt want to be bothered.
B. Be alert (and pray now about this) for giving an excuse — then try to identify the lie. Record it here.
I struggle, just to put this bible study first like I did in the beginning. I am so busy with kids in the morning, and not feeling well with my back right now. Not an excuse, fact, but Im reminded to press in more when we least feel like it. God knows I have been feeling awful and so busy on top of it. Sometimes I just want to rest and not be bothered, yes admittedly even with God, sad truthful fact. The ONE person I need to be bothered with IS God…He sustains me.
C. When she does arise, what happens to her heart? What does this tell you?
She becomes enveloped in Him, saturated with His myrrh and sweet presence…that is so beautiful. His love and presence overwhelmed her heart and satisfied her so.
Use the above verse as a springboard for prayer.
Lord, there are so many times, especially lately that I just need to run to you, lean on you and seek you. Yet I become complacent and tired, too tired to pray and seek you. Yet I am reminded when I am before you, your presence and love is all I need, nothing else matters, all my worries, aches and pains vanish in your presence. Your presence sustains me, even with my bad days.
5. Read Song of Songs 5:8-9
A. What does she ask of the daughters of Jerusalem and then, what do they ask of her?
If they are to find her lover, to tell him she is faint with love, she loves him that much and desires him. The Jerusalem daughters wanted to know why her lover is better and why she would ask or even dare say such a thing, with such boldness?
B. What do you see happening in this passage? Im not exactly sure? Other than she is being bold in charging every woman to put God first in their lives, His love is like no other, and the woman are shocked she would make such a statement and charge them to believe it?
C. How has this happened for you, here, on this blog?
I can not even begin to tell you how much this bible study was God sent. I feel bad for missing out on some of it. This bible study makes me view God in a way where I only see Him looking at me with love, not judgement or punishing me. His love truly does fill my heart, my voids and just gives me such peace, in the more simplest and profound way. Nothing else compares to His love and presence. I love reading Song of Songs and come to this study with excitement, likes its revealing hidden truth about God’s love I never knew. Most importantly…its given me back the most important thing….my First Love~Jesus.
OMG< I am behind but OH Dee, how I love Johnny Cash as well, just ask my son. He is learning to play the guitar and I always ask him to learn Johnny Cash for me. IM right there with you. 🙂
6. Read Song of Songs 5:10-16. Meditate on this and comment if you are quickened.
His eyes are like doves by the water streams ~to me this represents peace. Their is a sense of peace and calmness Jesus longs to give us, he looks at us with such tenderness as a dove.
This whole passage is beautiful, I can not resist reading it over and over with such excitement in my heart for Jesus.
Richard Sibbes believes the shepherds have become wolves, and how painful it is when suffering is caused by those who were appointed to care for our souls. I find some comfort here however in God acknowledging this happens — and yet she will not back away, she is still seeking her Beloved. Unfortunately, many, especially the young, when abused by the church, back away from the Lord. But here, she does not. She goes to the daughters of Jerusalem, who are also a part of the bride, though less mature than she.
Could you all please be praying for my friend Stephanie, she and her husband are going through this right now in their church. If fact, it’s my old church in Italy… she is being shunned for speaking truth and I wont go into it all, but even the pastor is calling himself a prophet…she stood up against something she didnt agree with and she was asked to come in for a meeting with the pastor, her husband included.The pastor and her went back and forth. He is convinced she is wrong and is asking her to write an apology letter to the whole church?? REally absurd I know…ON a good note, they move in December, but she has been battling a lot of things she seems as ‘off’ and not right in this church…the one time she takes a stand she is criticized and shunned even worse. Please keep her in prayers, she truly loves God.
Sisters, if you have a facebook account, Dee gave an update on the event she is speaking at. He is SO answering prayer! Go and read it if you can!
Sisters, I have been feeling a bit dry the last few days, not terrible, but not great. And I keep getting behind, which for me is hard. I have a hard time reading the comments now in my email, but I think I just need to change the email I use for the blog (I don’t use my every day one, but this one makes everything come through hard to read). Anyway, I woke with the hunger to make my heart happy in the Lord and I have to share my “trick”. Today I did something that stirred my soul, melted my heart, and I feel the tears in my eyes. I came here, I re-read all of Rebecca’s posts. Oh how the Lord uses her and how blessed we all are by her passion for Him. I used to think it sounded funny to say “on fire” for Jesus–but now I see it in such beauty–it is Rebecca. I just wanted to thank Him here for her honest sharing that ALWAYS points back to Him and His power.
Especially what she wrote in #6 above-OH, it’s a must read, if anyone sees this but missed hers! I am copying it for daily prayer. Love you all, so thankful for this fellowship. We sing Blessed be the Tie that Binds (above version) all the time at church, and it has always made me think of this group. (we get 6 Indelible Grace this Sunday 🙂
6. You, my Lord, my Beloved shine above all.From the top of Your head, You are without blemish. You are purified gold, Your thoughts are only true.Your eyes towards me are not harsh or cold. You know all, and yet You look upon me with the tenderness of a dove. Your face is gentle, the lines are soft. Your words are kind. Your arms are beautiful, inviting, comforting.Your body is strong. You alone are my Protector. Nothing compares to Your power. From Your mouth flow words of truth, grace, and unending, unstoppable, life-granting love.Thank You my Lord. How can both such matchless power and supernatural grace be combined? Only in You. Forgive me for not trusting, resting, staying in Your arms. Thank You for Your grace that opens wide your embrace and draws me to You. Thank You for Your Word, there is no fear in it. Thank You for Your amazing love I could never deserve, but You shower upon me through Your grace.
3. Read The Song of Songs 5:3-5
A. What excuses does she give for not responding?
She is already in her night-sleep clothes…her feet are clean and will get dirty if she gets up to open the door…it will require additional effort on her part that she doesn’t really care to exert.
B. Be alert (and pray now about this) for giving an excuse — then try to identify the lie. Record it here.
Yes, I have been a casualty of church leadership gone astray; I have suffered hurt and disappointment, but truth be known, I am no longer really looking for a new church “home” as I should be…it is easier to not; easier to not put my trust in peril, easier to not open my heart to potential hurt, easier to stay home on Sunday mornings… This displays a lack of trust in my Lord…my Lord who is trustworthy and worthy of my trust in His guiding and directing me, helping me to discern where I am to worship corporately.
C. When she does arise, what happens to her heart? What does this tell you?
Her heart is thrilled within her…she is eager for His presence once again. She realizes her love for Him…Him who is knocking at her door, Him who is desiring her company/presence.
4. Read The Song of Songs 5:6-7
A. Describe what happens in this passage.
She recognizes/acknowledges her need and desire for Him and opens the door to let Him in…He has departed. She looks for Him in hopes of finding Him…in this process she is abused by the watchmen.
B. Why are the watchmen beating her? Nancy Leigh deMoss was not sure if it was discipline or persecution. What do you think and why?
I think the watchmen beat her because they judge her as not being who she pretends to be (i.e., a bride)…they rip away her veil that signifies her marital status. In commentaries I referenced, the watchmen (i.e., priests) were likened to false prophets that find the truth offensive and wish to squelch it (truth as in “gospel”) or clergy that have lost their central focus of Christ and are threatened by new thoughts and ideas that may put theirs in a different, less favorable light.
5. Read Song of Songs 5:8-9
A. What does she ask of the daughters of Jerusalem and then, what do they ask of her?
She asked them to make a promise that should they locate her love to tell Him her longing for Him. They ask her what is so special about Him that makes Him better than others.
B. What do you see happening in this passage?
The bride recognizes her loss; she is left to re-examine/contemplate His specialness, His unique qualities that puts Him above all others in pondering an answer to “the daughters'” question.
C. How has this happened for you, here, on this blog?
As others, I too, have somewhat fallen behind in posting study answers and reading others’ comments. It seems a common theme that participants are dealing with hardships (family issues, illness) these days…is this spiritual warfare or just the fate of living in a fallen world? I noticed early on in the study that troublesome things seemed to be rearing up for many and thought that the evil one must really fear what the study of SoS might produce.
Anyway in answer to the question..this bible study blog is a very special place…one that I treasure. I am blessed by reading others’ perspectives in postings and participating in the study. Each member has special insights and information to share. When I am away for a few days, I long to return.
My take-a-way: spiritually and mentally there is a lot to ponder, some of which I outlined in my last post. But the prqctical application for me is that being tired is a vulnerable place. the bride was tired, In a dreamlike state she did not respond quickly to her beloved’s calling. Being tired seems like a justified excuse for not doing certain things I am convicted off. But, instead I need to trust that God will empower me as I go, when I obey and get up despite having to redress and soil my feet. While being tired can certainly be a legitimate ‘condition’, in my life I have also seen it as an attack from the enemy (perhaps this is more a spirit of laziness than tiredness, but it feels the same!). So. I need to take care of myself, ensuring I get rest and eat well, and I need to choose to do what The Lord convicts me of, even if I do not “feel” like it.
I pray for you all as I read your posts. I hope today finds your soul happy in The Lord.
jill–such wise thoughts here, it spoke to me–thank you for sharing, i’m thankful you are with us
How Deep the Father’s Love for Us
7. What is your take-a-way for this week and why?
My takeaway is how much I miss this bible study. How we all have a lot going in our lives, we all battle ups and downs, some more than others. I have learned the women in this study are true to God’s heart, meaning you all reflect His love, grace, and tenderness towards one another. This truly is a time in my life that I need and God is showing me His true heart for his beloved, myself. I am just in awe at how clearly Song of Songs has become to me, things I have never read or understand become real,meaningful and I stand in awe of God and all that He is. Most importantly His love for me, it’s renewed my first love for Jesus. I have had a lot of questions lately with so many different ‘movements’ of God and some clarity through this bible study. I cant than you enough Jesus for this study, the lovely ladies and Dee. May you all be blessed.
4. Read The Song of Songs 5:6-7
A. Describe what happens in this passage.
She gets up, goes to the door and unlocks it, opens it, only to find her lover is gone. Her heart sinks. She looks for him, calls for him, but cannot find him and he doesn’t answer. She goes out looking for him and is found by the night watchmen of the city as they are patrolling. They beat her and take her cloak.
B. Why are the watchmen beating her? Nancy Leigh DeMoss was not sure if it was discipline or persecution. What do you think and why?
This whole passage is strange…at first I thought maybe the watchmen see a cloaked figure and don’t realize it’s a woman so they accost her. Did they mistake her for some criminal up to no good? Or, did they know right away she was a woman? At any rate, they should have been concerned for her, a woman out alone at night, and offered to help her, escort her safely where she wanted to go. If, however, they were punishing her for being a woman out alone at night, then that is discipline “gone wrong”.
If the watchmen represent church leaders, they have failed to do their job. They are to guide, lead, and protect.
(I do see persecution in this passage…but I will answer that next)
Use the above passage as a springboard for prayer:
Lord, what I see here is when she decides to obey, to leave her idols, to open to her lover, he is gone, and she feels deeply the pain of his absence. That may be Your discipline, Lord, when You withdraw the comfort of Your presence. I know how at times I feel like I’m in the desert, alone, and I don’t feel You are near. Yet, I need to trust during those times that I am still Your child…I have not lost my relationship with You. You may be disciplining me because of sin, or I may be the one who moved away from You. But I know I have forgiveness – it was Jesus who was “beaten and bruised by the watchmen” – He suffered for me. When I sense the pain of Your absence, even that is a good thing because it causes me to keep seeking You, wanting to be close to You again.
I see the gospel here: “They beat me, they bruised me, they took away my cloak”. Jesus was beaten, Jesus was bruised, the soldiers took away His garments. Jesus – You died for me – You were separated from the Father so I would never have to be separated from Him. You took my beating. Thank you, Jesus. I can know I am eternally safe and secure. I may not sense Your presence for a time but You have not left me and I am always Yours.