The ancients forbade the reading of the Song of Songs before the age of thirty. But was that because it was just about sex? Or might they have feared the young would see only sex, tittering like school boys, trampling upon the pearl of great price? That seems to be where the world is today, and we as believers cannot help but be impacted by this pollution. Images of sexual promiscuity have so flooded our land that many believers can no longer imagine how God could use this metaphor to communicate a deep truth to us. We miss what God longs to impart to us.
(This next part is tricky — and I welcome input for the upcoming book. How do I show the problem without becoming part of it? Have I said enough to be clear? Too much?)
Exacerbating the problem are the preachers who have treated the Song as soft porn. They interpret everything in The Song to be just about sex, and treat it as a prescriptive sex manual endorsing practices that would make many women uncomfortable and telling them God commands they do it. As one preacher of a mega-church said, “If you feel like you’re being dirty, your husband is pretty happy.” John MacArthur responded:
That approach is not exegesis; it is exploitation. It is contrary to the literary style of the book itself. It is spiritually tantamount to an act of rape. It tears the beautiful poetic dress off Song of Solomon, strips that portion of Scripture of its dignity, and holds it up to be laughed at and leered at in a carnal way.
With pollution seeping from the world to the church, it has indeed become more challenging to imagine that God would use marriage and the marriage bed as a metaphor for something so sacred. But the fact is, He does.The prophets, the poets, and the parables all rely on this most intimate of metaphors. Jeremiah equates idolatry with adultery; Hosea is a mural of a broken-hearted bridegroom loving a faithless bride; Isaiah tells us that God rejoices over us as bridegroom rejoices over his bride; Psalm 45, the Song and the Parables all point to a great wedding day of the King’s son and his bride. Revelation speaks of a holy city, a “new Jerusalem,” coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Both Revelation and the Song close with the bride calling to the beloved to return. “Make haste, my beloved” and “Come, Lord Jesus!”
Likewise, the central verse about marriage, stated first in Genesis at the wedding of Adam and Eve, and then drumming through Malachi, Matthew, Mark, and 1 Corinthians, finally culminates in Ephesians where it is clearly revealed that earthly marriage is intended to illumine a deeper mystery:
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound,
and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.
Ephesians 5:31-32
Ellen F. Davis, in her Westminister Commentary, says we need to see both earthly and spiritual marriage in the Song, for the pictures are “mutually informative” when held side by side.
We’re going to spend three more weeks looking at overall themes in the Song, and then, when Lent begins, get directly into a verse by verse study.
In the next two weeks we are going to consider five qualities God ordained for marriage, and see how they illumine the mystery to which marriage points.(This is a division of one chapter, which I’m struggling to title!) I’ve gone from “The Song is Sacred,” to “It’s Not Just About Sex” and “A Metaphor Not Just a Marriage Manual” Input or other ideas welcome.
God ordained purity and passion for for marriage and they point to a deeper mystery.
THE PROTECTION OF PURITY
THE NECESSITY OF PASSION
Decades ago I was speaking in California on Mary and Elizabeth. I talked about how challenging it must have been for newlyweds Mary and Joseph to abstain from intimacy until after Jesus was born, but God helped them to do it. In the same way, it is challenging for young couples today to abstain from intimacy until marriage. It is rare that they do it. But if they do it, God has a gift waiting for them. If they have both managed to be pure, if they have both managed to protect their “garden locked up,” then for at least that first challenging year of marriage, God gives them that tremendous sexual excitement like a “balm,” like a jar of ointment to soothe on one another at night.
They need this balm for the first year of marriage is challenging as they realize they married a sinner, and as they adjust to their natural differences. But if they have dipped into that balm repeatedly before marriage, they come to that challenging first year with an empty jar.
Afterwards a darling little white-haired lady made her way up to me in her walker with something to tell me. Her eyes aglow, she said enthusiastically: “I LIKED YOUR POINT ABOUT THE BOMB! i REMEMBER — IT WAS A BOMB!”
I was confused and then I realized she heard “bomb” instead of “balm.” I began to laugh but thought, I don’t need to correct her. The protection of purity gives you both a balm and a bomb!
But how does that illuminate our relationship with God?
That’s where we will start this week.
You have been so helpful to me with your comments for the upcoming book. Feel free to keep it up — on anything you read here.
SUNDAY ICEBREAKER
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
MONDAY-WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY
Let’s get started with the first: The Protection of Purity
Though purity before marriage is increasingly rare today, it was and is and always will be God’s best. Ellen Davis writes: Our world is groaning under the weight of instantaneous contacts and temporary relationships…too many souls are stunted, arrested in adolescent development. Could it be that the cultivation of real intimacy is the greatest social and spiritual challenge of out time? …The images of the Song underscore throughout the lushness of sexual exclusivity. “I come to my garden, my sister, my bride…my dove, my perfect one, is the only one.” (5:1; 6:9)
There are earthly reasons why purity is wise. Not only does purity protect our bodies from disease, but also our hearts and minds from a corruption that hinders entering fully into intimacy with just one person for life.
2. On an earthly level, what do you learn about God’s desire for purity from:
A. 1 Corinthians 7:1-4
B. Hebrews 13:4
3. If you can give a testimony on why you are glad you waited until marriage, we’d love to see it here! Or, if you are willing to share your sadness in not waiting, that too speaks as a testimony. Be brief and give us the reasons you are glad or sad.
If we failed, Christianity alone gives us hope, for He can make us clean. Watch this clip from Paige Benton Brown and summarize “the grammar of grace.”
4. Share your summary and thoughts on the above, perhaps with a sentence of praise to your Redeemer.
5. How do you see the beloved’s delight in his love’s purity in Song of Songs 4:12-15?
6. Purity is not just for before marriage, but throughout. Give several ways, besides not having sex with other people, that God calls couples to purity within marriage.
The Song has some similarities to pagan love poetry, but there is a crucial difference. Pagan love poetry is vulgar, whereas in the Song, there is only beauty. God has reformed and raised the language, for marriage is to be honored, and the bed undefiled for it points to a precious mystery.
7. Give an example from the Song of how God speaks of the mystery of sex in beautiful rather than graphic or vulgar language.
8. Let’s consider some ways this parallels our relationship with Christ.
A. What analogy does Paul use for the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 11:2? What could rob them of their purity? How does this apply to you?
B. What are some ways to identify false teachers according to:
1) Matthew 7:16-20
2) Galatians 1:6-8 (You may need to investigate why this was a “different” gospel.
C. If you are a mother, you are also exhorted to be a “guard” over your childrens’ hearts and minds. The word “keeper” in Titus 2:5, which may be translated in various ways, is from a Greek word meaning guard.
If you have children still at home and have found effective ways to guard the purity of their minds, please share.
D. John closes his letter with, “My little children, keep yourselves from idols.” How does running to an idol compromise your purity and quench the presence of God in your day? Be specific.
E. In David’s penitential psalm after his adultery with Bathsheba, he prays to be cleansed and then lists four results of that restored purity. Find them in Psalm 51:7-13. Comment on each.
F. Have you experienced a correlation between having purity in your life and any of the above results? If so, share.
Sing this to the Lord in your “closet,” making it your heartfelt prayer to Him.
Now let’s consider the necessity of passion.
I told “Samantha” I’d pick up for our Christmas tea. I asked her, on the way, to tell me her spiritual background. She smiled, knowing where I was headed, and wanted to reassure me she was okay with God even though she didn’t go to church. “Oh, Dee, I did that. In one foster home they were Baptists and I went forward and said the prayer. So I’m good. I know where I’m going when I die.” I held back for we were at the tea, but am praying for another change to come back to her with the analogy of marriage. I hope to ask: “How do you think you’d feel if “Mike” said to you. “I married you. We’re good. We don’t have to spend time together. We don’t have to talk, walk, or make love. We’re good. We did that.” 9. Only Christianity among the worlds’ religions has a robust view of the marriage bed. Find it:
A. Proverbs 5:18-19
B. Challenge Question — here is a verse that links purity to passion. Song of Songs 8:10. What do you think it means?
The closest we come on this earth to understanding love and intimacy is in the love of a man and a woman in marriage. In fact the word translated “know” in Scripture refers to both sexual intimacy and to a genuine relationship with Christ. The euphoria of falling in love, the ecstasy of sexual intimacy as intended, and the continual repentance and devotion to the other person that a good marriage requires is, indeed, a window into our relationship with Christ.
10. Counselors say that a lack of passion (either negative or positive) is the surest sign they are headed toward divorce. What correlation might you see with Christ, and how does Revelation 3:15-16.
11. If the passion is gone in your marriage or in your relationship with Christ, here are three things Christ tells you to do. Find them in Revelation 2:4-5. Then pray them.
12. Describe how God feels when he sees his bride’s passion has dissipated. How does he know? Ponder Jeremiah 2:1-8.
Thursday-Friday. Finish (or start and finish!) Sermon by James Hamilton.
James Hamilton Song of Songs 1
If you are married, you could listen to this with your husband. He does address husbands frequently. But he also, unlike most preachers today, takes it deep into our relationship with Christ.
13. Share your notes and thoughts.
Saturday
13. What is your take-a-way and why?
167 comments
8. Let’s consider some ways this parallels our relationship with Christ.
A. What analogy does Paul use for the Corinthians in 2:11:2? What could rob them of their purity? How does this apply to you?
He uses the marriage analogy, that he, Paul, has “promised” the Corinthians to “one husband, Jesus Christ, so that they might be presented as a “pure virgin” to Christ. It is like Paul is telling them that they are betrothed, or engaged, to Christ. Back in those days, I believe betrothal was as serious a committment as marriage. Paul wants them to be presented to Christ as a pure bride.
What could rob them of their purity? I had to read on to answer this…Paul is afraid that the Corinthians may be led astray from their sincere, pure devotion to Christ by being deceived by those who preach a Jesus other than the Jesus Paul preached, or by a different gospel. They are already putting up with it, or listening to false teachers.
How does this apply to me? I need to make sure that everything I take in…listening to sermons, reading Christian books, what I hear on Christian radio, even a Bible study and its teacher; does it line up with the gospel as preached in God’s Word, or is it different? Just by “putting up with it”, I am in danger of being unfaithful to Christ.
B. What are some ways to identify false teachers according to:
A) Matthew 7:16-20 – Jesus warns that false prophets come to us in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are wolves. He says that we will recognize them for what they are by their fruit.
B) Galatians 1:6-8 (You may need to investigate why this was a “different” gospel – in this passage Paul says that the Galatians are so quickly turning to a different gospel; they are being thrown into confusion by “some people”. So that might be one way to also identify false teaching – it causes confusion. One commentator I read said that Paul was referring here to the “Judaizers” who were trying to get these new Christians back into legalism or Christ plus all the rules the Jews used to follow. This commentator noted that the apostasy was from a Person (Christ) and not just a doctrine.
C. If you are a mother, you are also exhorted to be a “guard” over your childrens’ hearts and minds. The word “keeper” in Titus 2:5, which may be translated in various ways, is from a Greek word meaning guard. If you have children still at home and have found effective ways to guard the purity of their minds, please share.
This was a challenge when all of my children were still at home. My husband and I are on different pages. He would see nothing wrong, for example, if my sons lived with their girlfriends or had premarital sex. I was the only one who gave “the talk” to my boys and I did the best I could to encourage them to remain pure. My daughter is the only one at home full time now, and she is 15. I have used Dannah Gresh’s material, Secret Keeper Girl, which focuses on the mother-daughter relationship and purity and modesty in the way that you want your daughter to see herself as “fine china”, God’s masterpiece, not a “throw-away styrofoam cup”. This translates into how she dresses and hopefully remaining pure. I know Dannah also has Pure Freedom for older girls. One thing I remember when listening to Josh MacDowell was that it’s your relationship with your child that matters. You can say all you want, but if the relationship is not there, they are not likely to listen to you.
D. John closes his letter with, “My little children, keep yourself from idols.” How does running to an idol compromise your purity and quench the presence of God in your day? Be specific.
God equates idolatry with spiritual adultery. He is my heavenly Bridegroom and all that He has is mine, and He longs to lavish His love, His goodness, His mercy, His forgiveness, His comfort (I could go on and on) on me. But, if I am feeling lonely or unhappy and I decide instead to go online and do a little shopping to give myself a lift, it’s like He is standing there with open arms waiting for me, but I turn my back on Him and press the “BUY” button and now I temporarily feel better. But I missed out on the opportunity to go to Him and deepen my intimacy with Him. That must greatly disappoint and sadden Him, because He alone knows what I need and what is best for me. I miss out on experiencing His presence because I don’t go to Him and ASK for it.
Susan–you always bring it right to my heart with your word pictures, and honesty: “it’s like He is standing there with open arms waiting for me,”
I will remember that today–so good!
8C. I like the Amplified Bible for Titus 2:5 ” …makers of a home (where God is honored)…”. Isn’t that lovely? I can’t wait to read of how so many of you are doing this right now! Susan’s comments as to being on a different page than her husband I DO get! My experience there was much the same….it’s very hard.
I do think we need to have that wonderful rest of working hard and praying much over such Scriptures for our children….and knowing that ultimately, it it the LORD who will call them and sanctify them in His time, should He choose. When my oldest son was a freshman in high school, we began a group called “Moms in Touch” – now “Moms in Prayer’ in our local high school. Every Wednesday morning we gathered to PRAY. not talk, but pray. We prayed our requests rather than “sharing” them – which we all know can go on many, many rabbit trails. The verse that I chose for Zack was Psalm 119:9 …”How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” Well…it was a long and winding road….but it has been such a tremendous delight to watch my oldest son thriving in his walk with Jesus! The joy and fruitfulness is simply abounding! He DOES love the Scriptures and is a man of God and of service to Him. So I do believe that I am now seeing that verse worked out through his life in amazing ways. 🙂 The other children?? Still praying…… 🙂
Jackie, I was in a Moms In Touch group, too for 12 years! It was lifeline for all of us. Like you, my and my friends children (some of them)? Still praying.
Ernema – oh so sweet! 🙂 I sometimes think of those prayers even yet rising as incense before the Father….and so pleasing to Him! I’m so thankful that He gave Fern Nichols such a simple, common sense, Scriptural, Holy Spirit brainstorm all those years ago….so neat to think of us sharing in that experience together – though separated by so many miles and years!!
E. In David’s penitential psalm after his adultery with Bathsheba, he prays to be cleansed and then lists four results of that restored purity. Find them in Psalm 51:7-13. Comment on each.
I looked right in my NASB Bible because I remembered that I had written something in the margin next to this passge: “This is a picture of a whole person, a believer – accepting God’s forgiveness, being renewed by the Spirit, regaining the joy of his salvation, and then having a testimony for others.” I needed this reminder today! So here are the four results:
1) A clean heart – David asks the Lord to “create a clean heart in me”. Only God can do that, after He has provided cleansing from my sin and a guilty conscience.
2) A steadfast spirit (or upright) – David asks God to “renew a steadfast spirit within me” and I take that to mean God’s help (His part) in my putting off a sinful habit or specific sin. It isn’t a matter of self-determination; I need God’s help.
3) The joy of salvation – David asks God to “restore to me the joy of Thy salvation”. Deliberately sinning and then refusing to deal with it, to go to God and ask for forgiveness and make things right with Him, steals all my joy. Being back in His arms gives me back my joy.
4) A willing spirit – David asks God to “sustain me with a willing spirit”. I tend so easily to wander away from God. I believe going deeper into the Song can help me in this, because as I behold HIm and my love for Him grows, my spirit will be more willing to trust Him, to obey Him.
F. Have you experienced a correlation between having purity in your life and any of the above results? If so, share.
First I would say that sin can be so deceptive, you can think you are happy and joyful and everything is going along swell. I was there about 15 years ago, and being deceived. But then everything came crashing down. I had a very memorable time of prayer with the Lord, in which He asked me a question and I saw my sin for what it was. All that other stuff was false happiness. He took away my idol, too. Once I admitted my spiritual adultery to Him, I know He forgave and cleansed my heart. It was a “wobbly” time…joy would come later. Even today I tend to repeat the pattern, though, just with different things that I look to to fill the emptiness, the loneliness. It is a constant struggle.
Wow Susan – as I mentioned in my answer below….your words speak to what I shared ALMOST word for word. Sometimes I think we are living parallel lives!! 🙂
8D. John closes his letter with” My little children, keep yourselves from idols”. How does running to an idol compromise your purity and quench the presence of God in your day? Be specific.
I’ve mentioned before how I sometimes (not often, but sometimes) look back over my prayer journals from years gone by. At times it is almost enough to discourage me from chronicling any more at all! My idols scream out from the pages at times….my husband, my children, my COMFORT!!!….and the list goes on and on. I also can clearly see that, though many, many years have passed…..the same idols cry out to me….and I far too often put them in the place of my Highest, Dearest, Love.
But what I also see is His faithfulness…..His tenderness with me – always and forever. He really DOES love me. In spite of myself. Some mornings when I wake….before going to Him and seeking His face…..I will turn on the computer (just to “warm it up”, you know!!)…..and then I find myself “checking in” with perhaps this blog….to see how God has been meeting with you all in the study. Or then maybe just slip on over the the FB prayer page to see who might have been crying out for prayer in the night……and before you know it, time has slipped on by…..the days’ chores await….my time in the Scriptures and prayer with the Lover of my soul becomes distracted, rushed…..idols have crept in and pushed Him aside….instead of going straight to Him….RUNNING to Him as soon as my feet will take me to Him! As Mueller put it “getting happy in the Lord”…..first of all.
I’ve noticed that in the days that He isn’t first in my day……a kind of lethargy dogs me throughout the day. It’s as though I’m going about my tasks with a low grade fever….things get done, but there’s no zest, no true joy. When an opportunity comes to witness of the power of Christ ……I will let it slip by….I’m just “too tired” to take it all on….too empty.I think to myself “I will revisit this person and this opportunity when I’m feeling more prepared!” And indeed, if I am not filled with the Spirit, it IS hard to witness of Christ! For it is the Spirit who does the witnessing through our mouths and hands and feet! But the Word tells us to ALWAYS be ready …..and I cannot do that when my own life is in thrall to my idols. What a difference though if I have taken the time to sit at His feet and worship Him early in the morning….the day itself may go completely beserk…..but His peace is constant. I find myself looking with anticipation for little “moments’ to lift up His name to others – even in the midst of disappointment and chaos. I wish I could say that this is every day. Not. But I have to say….when we’ve run to our idols instead of our Bridegroom….at any moment in time we can repent and turn around….we CAN run to Him!! Sweet restoration.
Jackie–You and Rebecca have mentioned your old prayer journals, and I have to chime in my old journal story! I remember one college break coming home and throwing away ALL my prayer journals dating back to 7th grade!–because I was so sickened by seeing the level of “me-centered-ness”…and then I grieved after that garbage man came and took that trash! But now I laugh that I (sort of) thought it was as simple as throwing away the old and starting over–which has some Scriptural truth beneath..but OH how thankful I am for the Lord, through Dee, teaching us the only way out of ourselves is through the “expulsive power of a new affection”. I started to quote part of Reinke’s Joy Project here (still reading it–but it is SO worth getting!)–but it’s too long a quote and I don’t mean to de-rail your post! I love this too “I’ve noticed that in the days that He isn’t first in my day……a kind of lethargy dogs me throughout the day”–how TRUE that is and how GRACIOUS of Him to let it be that way so that we would crave Him more!
But so sweet you were keeping prayer journals before the 7th grade!
Jackie so much good stuff here. Your comments about distractions of our idols. Oh so true. I too struggle with that. It is a constant battle. They take the life right out of me. My desire to not do that is there yet I fail. On that note I am limiting my time here:)Looking to be well balanced in all things.
8E. In David’s penitential psalm after his adultery with Bathsheba, he prays to be cleansed and then lists four results of that restored purity. Find them in Psalm 51:7-13. Comment on each.
1. Joy and rejoicing (v.8, v.12) This joy and rejoicing is entirely apart from circumstance, but rather is in his salvation….in Him!
2. There is a new spirit within me…..a renewed vigor and loyalty to God! (v.10)
3. I am confident and have assurance in His presence – His presence is a thing of delight to me (v. 11)
4. I will testify of Him and His ways to others! (v.13) (sorry….my bold setting is not listening to me….won’t turn off!!!)
how stange….it was showing in bold lettering…but didn’t post that way! hmmm..
F. Have you experienced a correlation between having purity in your life and any of the above results? If so, share.
Too many instances to really share here! But I do want to say that in the issue of drinking alcohol….for quite a few years after becoming a believer in Christ I justified my alcoholism every which way! Interestingly…..I do believe that the “church culture” had changed significantly over a few decades from the time of my childhood until I was in my 30’s…..I found that church people were drinkers!! This was marvelous for me as an alcoholic in a way….because it was easier for me to slip under the radar undetected – or so I thought!!!! Of course all that really mattered was the guilt and shame in my relationship with the Lord. Still, I was able to deceive myself at times and go along “slipping” VERY regularly. 🙁 I have no words to describe the freedom of the 2 decades since I FINALLY was broken before the Lord and gave Him my wreckage….and determined….only BY HIS GRACE….to live an alcohol free life for the rest of my days!!! Talk about flying free!!! Psalm 51 says it all!!! And Susan’s paragraph for her answer to this question fits perfectly with my own experience! I could take what I said here and put it almost word for word into what she said!
Jackie, wow…your comments here brought me back to the Bible study I attended on Tuesday, where we had a good discussion of 1 Corinthians 8, in particular, “Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak…Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.” Paul discussing eating meat sacrificed to idols, but this struck me when you said, “I found that church people were drinkers…this was marvelous for me as an alcoholic in a way…”
Yes, we have “permission” to have a few drinks…of course the Scriptures say “no” to excessive intake, but something to think about…when we partake of our liberty to have one or two drinks socially, are we creating a stumbling block for someone else?
Susan, yes…..I actually don’t want to give the impression that I’m BLAMING other believers for enjoying alcohol!! 🙂 The sin was mine and mine alone! BUT….from the “other side” as a sober alcoholic….and with an alcoholic son….I’ve been pondering this a lot these days. Where are the “safe places” for those who are struggling and stumbling and desperately praying to break free from addiction? It can be VERY hard for a newly sober believer ……sitting down to a dinner with wine bottles on the table and everyone else imbibing and laughing and ….there you are just dying inside….holding on by the fingernails and feeling your grip slipping away. Ultimately, I think it does just come down to seeking to really know one another well….and being quick to “sacrifice” that glass or two of wine or beer for a loved one who would find that very painful. I’m loving hearing that you are having lively discussions over the Scriptures on this topic! YAY!!
5. How do you see the beloved’s delight in his love’s purity in Song of Songs 4:12-15?
Okay, here we hit the fluffy stuff now….frankinsence, myrrh; so hard to dicipher.
A garden is fruitful; a plethora of produce, so his girl is fruitful I suppose? He compares her “shoots” (is that offspring?) to pomegranates. Pomegranates are seedy, juicy, and stain your fingers pink. They are hard to de-seed. Does this mean she is fruitful but difficult to obtain? The rest of the things listed are either essential oils (I had to look up nard) or spices. She is sweet? Or, her offspring are sweet? She is spicy? Or the offspring? Hmmm….oils were used for anointing right? Is she anointed? Are they anointed? I think her offspring are the well of “living water.’ They are the ones to carry his flame Throughout the land. I don’t know…..
“A garden locked is my sister, my bride, a spring locked, a fountain sealed. Your shoots are an orchard of pomegranates with all choicest fruits, henna with nard, nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all choice spices— a garden fountain, a well of living water, and flowing streams from Lebanon.”
Song of Solomon 4:12-15 ESV
6. We should be pure in our thoughts, what we read, what we listen to and watch on TV and movies, etc. we should put a hedge around ourselves to protect our marriage❤️.
9. Only Christianity among the world’s religions has a robust view of the marriage bed. Find it:
A. Proverbs 5:18-19 – This proverbs tells a man to rejoice in the wife of his youth, and “may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love.” This certainly has a sexual undertone to it; to enjoy the sexual intimacy, to enjoy his wife’s body.
B. Challenge Question – here is a verse that links purity to passion. Song of Songs 8:10. What do you think it means?
“I am a wall” is the imagery of sexual purity…she has an immoveable boundary around herself; not just anyone is permitted to enter. “My breasts are like towers”…the first hint of the passion awaiting him? Towers are tall…he can see what’s in there…might this be his anticipation of their first time together? “Thus I have become in his eyes the one bringing contentment”…her sexual purity makes her special in his eyes; a prize…she is his and his alone, the one who will bring him contentment, and I’m thinking it is contentment because there hasn’t been anyone else involved with her; there are no other lovers, past or present, to compete with.
10. Counselors say that a lack of passion (either negative or positive) is the surest sign they are headed toward divorce. What correlation might you see with Christ, and how does Revelation 3:15-16.
I’m not understanding the counselors’ statement, the part about a lack of passion “either negative or positive”. I get the negative part, but postive? The verses in Revelation are the Lord Jesus’ words to the church in Laodicea, and He tells them that they are neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm. He wishes that they were one extreme or the other, but because they are lukewarm He is about to spit them out. So…spiritually in my relationship with Christ…I may feel “cold”, those times when I feel so distant from Him, a desert time, but I continue to talk to Him and I don’t like it this way. “Hot” would be those times I do feel so close to Him and I am eager to be with Him. “Lukewarm”…I’m coasting, not giving my relationship with Him much thought, care, or attention?
I think both a lack of anger and a lack of excitement reveals not caring. Shut down. Dead. But I think you got there with the Revelation passage.
8. Let’s consider some ways this parallels our relationship with Christ.
A. What analogy does Paul use for the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 11:2? What could rob them of their purity? How does this apply to you?
Paul feels a divine jealousy for them for he betrothed them to One husband and they were straying.
satan can rob them of their purity by leading astray their thoughts in cunning ways like he did in the garden with Eve. he does this in an almost innocent kind of sneaky way, robed in sincerity, intellectual pursuit perhaps, or by twisting the Gospel via a false teacher-he usually twists the truth with lies. satan then can lead us away from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. It makes me sick!
This applies to me-to be on guard for he prowls around looking for someone to devour and he starts with our thoughts..it is slow and sneaky..I know, he does it to me and is doing it to my family.
Hope to comment more individually — on my way to Texas prisons. I’m reading your comments and savoring your thoughtful responses!
Haven’t had time to come in here and comment but been reading the comments. Like Dee, I am savoring the thoughtful responses and letting God minister to me through the words of you all. Very refreshing to hear of God’s faithfulness to come and “visit” you through your struggles, past and present.
4. Share your summary and thoughts on the above, perhaps with a sentence of praise to your Redeemer.
The gospel is always “and yet”…it is not about us (i.e., what we do or don’t do), but about God and His incredible grace.
Oh Lord, even on my best days I fall so terribly short; thank You that You accept me as I am, that You make a way for me, that my salvation is about You. Thank You for Your love and mercy.
5. How do you see the beloved’s delight in his love’s purity in Song of Songs 4:12-15?
He speaks of her “garden” being locked up and her “spring” enclosed (purity), and describes the delicacies within her “garden” and the lovely flow of water. His comparison of choice fruits and spices and a nourishing, refreshing flow of water to purity is evidence of how highly He values her purity.
6. Give several ways, besides not having sex with other people, that God calls couples to purity within marriage.
*being honest with and respectful of your spouse; your spouse being your trusted confidant…your “go to.”
*nurturing and treasuring intimacy with your spouse. (Lizzy…:) )
*not allowing an interloper into the marital relationship, e.g., emotional affair.
*dabbling or more than dabbling into pornography
*being flirtatious with members of the opposite gender who are not your spouse, giving the appearance of impropriety.
*dressing immodestly or seductively for another other than your spouse.
4. Share your summary and thoughts on the above, perhaps with a sentence of praise to your Redeemer. The grammar of grace is always NOT causative but contradictory. I think it is important to realize that there is mercy in here but grace abounds. Mercy is not getting the punishment we deserve but God’s love goes beyond that to grace – giving us gifts we do not deserve and the greatest gift of paying our punishment for us. In His infinite wisdom and love age knew condemnation would paralyze us but grace would free us and make us new.
God I do praise you! Thank you for You and Your truly amazing grace! Thank you for your generosity in dealing with me, a sinner.
5. How do you see the beloved’s delight in his love’s purity in SoS 4:12-15? A garden locked and a fountain sealed…is this the reference to her purity? She has a well of living water, flowing streams and many fragrances – her garden is healthy and fruitful and pleasant, abundantly so. Ther is life within the sealed place.
6. Purity is not just for before marriage, but throughout. Give several ways, besides not having sex with other people, that God calls couples to purity within marriage. Many have mentioned guarding interactions with other men, reading books that entice romantic thoughts of “what could be”, movies of the same…
I think in our culture the biggest temptation is an attitude of “be better” toward our spouse. Everyone tells us that our spouse should make us happy and so he should change in order to make sure we are happy, but that isn’t in our vows, nor is it the essence of marriage in its God-created intentions. Purity within marriage can imply not serving yourself but to always desire your spouse’s best and to act toward that in love. You can be unfaithful to your spouse in the sense that I have made myself more important and seek after my selfishness rather than love for him. Loving and feeling loved are different and separate. To be chaffed by inconveniences caused by my husbands different way of doing things is in a sense being unfaithful to those vows I made to work diligently toward loving him (I am referencing non-sin issues here). And expecting him to do everything perfectly the way I want him to is also contrary to the vows I made…
Clarifying: NOT reading books that entice romantic thoughts and NOT watching movies of the same temptation…
7. Give an example from the Song of how God speaks of the mystery of sex in beautiful rather than graphic or vulgar language. The whole Song is filled with taste and smell. There is an overwhelming sense that their interactions have overwhelming sense! Their love and physical interactions are taste and smell that is sweet and something they carry with them (fragrance that stays with them). The beauty is that they are caught up in each other’s love physically and emotionally and it stays with them, almost ‘haunts’ them because it is lasting and meaningful as it should be. There is a secret of an experience shared that they alone can smell and see and taste (in the garden).
6. Purity is not just for before marriage, but throughout. Give several ways, besides not having sex with other people, that God calls couples to purity within marriage.
I read this and first asked myself—what does purity in my relationship with the Lord look like? No other gods, idols, loves…and then it struck me that in marriage—there is such an easy tendency (I think) to let in other loves. The obvious ones—other people, images, etc…but how tempting it can be to be lured away by my part time job, fitness, friends, kids. I’m thankful my husband truly is my best friend, but I can imagine the struggle if he wasn’t. And definitely I have times of even subtly putting other things before him, even things I don’t like, like housework! Early on in our marriage, I learned that my husband would get greatly offended if I didn’t stop what I was doing and greet him when he came home. At first I sadly had the attitude of ‘sorry, buck up, I’m cooking, cleaning, hands full with kids…’ Then one night I asked him more about it and realized the deep pain from an old childhood wound of coming home as a latchkey kid, no one ever there to greet him. From that day, I always make sure to literally stop whatever I’m doing when he comes in. Sorry, Queen of Spiels here, but I think there are many “loves” or just distractions of life, tyranny of the urgent, that can get in between us and our spouse. It is key for me to remember, to live out, God first, husband second, then kids, etc…
Lizzy-I love the Tyranny of the Urgent..Oh that is such a battle for it can get between us and our spouse..I SO agree, it is key..as you said, God first-like the wheel hub illustration-then our intimacy with Him spills out onto our marriage and children, etc.. He shows us when intimacy in marriage isn’t what it should be and God will also show us our distractions. That is what He is doing with us lately and we are praying for direction and wisdom in regard to our time management.
I’m really struggling answering questions this week for two reasons….they are hard. The other reason is I have way over committed myself to work and other activities and am wiped out exhausted. Between new grandson who lives with me, 2 jobs, and trying to close grades for the semester and start a new one, I am losing it. I definitely need Jesus right now ?.
I had to skip down a few questions because I didn’t know how to answer a few.
B. What are some ways to identify false teachers according to:
1) Matthew 7:16-20
False teachers should be avoided. Do your best to recognize them.
2) Galatians 1:6-8 (You may need to investigate why this was a “different” gospel.
Maybe the “new gospel” is their idols?
C. I used to try to keep my kids away from inappropriate television…I like to tell Theis story….when my kids were young; 5,6,10, I heard about a tv show that was a cartoon. I wondered what it was about since we heard it was something for the whole family. We all gathered around the tv and began to watch. Homer Simpson was going back to college and entered the college grounds. I thought, “this is great! The dad is going back to school!” In the next second, it began raining bras! Oh my goodness, I turned the tv off immediately and told my kids I didn’t think it was a good show to watch! Too funny. But truly, my kids didn’t even know what sugar was until they went to their aunts house and she put it in their cereal! I’ll never forget Sarah coming home to tell me that aunt sissie put “this white stuff on my cereal,” with wide eyes!
D. John closes his letter with, “My little children, keep yourselves from idols.” How does running to an idol compromise your purity and quench the presence of God in your day? Be specific.
Your focus is distracted from Him. If you spend time with food or drink, work or exercise, or whatever, you are taking time away from the One who wants your attention most.
LAURA — I LIKE YOUR APPLICATION TO TELEVISION. 2 JOHN WARNS ABOUT WELCOMING FALSE TEACHERS INTO OUR HOMES — SO MANY CHRISTIANS ARE RUDE TO THE OCASIONAL MORMON OR JEHOVH’S WITNESS AND THEN TURN AROUND AND WELCOME FALSE TEACHERS THROUGH THE MASS-MEDIA.
That’s so true Dee! We gave up cable a few years ago too.
E. In David’s penitential psalm after his adultery with Bathsheba, he prays to be cleansed and then lists four results of that restored purity. Find them in Psalm 51:7-13. Comment on each.
He will be cleansed white as snow, rejoice and have joy and gladness, a clean heart, a right and willing spirit, and the joy of His salvation within him.
I think David would be feeling pretty free after this prayer. He would feel purged of his sin and strive to do better. At the end he says he will teach others as well. Although I have asked forgiveness for several terrible things I have done in my life, I’m not sure I have these feelings or really believe I can be forgiven.
8. B. What are some ways to identify false teachers according to:
1) Matthew 7:16-20
By their fruit. Carefully examine what they say and do with the Scriptures. I thought of a current day example which would be the Word Faith movement and its teachers such as Joel Olsteen, Joyce Meyer and Kenneth Copeland. I went here to find out more: http://www.equip.org/article/the-teachings-of-joyce-meyer/ I also thought about other faiths that add to the Gospel-salvation by faith plus something else, or Jesus plus something else = salvation and you must do things or go through someone in order for God to hear you-in order to have a relationship with Him-but it hinges on what you do so you never know if what you are doing is enough or not.
2) Galatians 1:6-8 (You may need to investigate why this was a “different” gospel.)
Jewish Christians came in to the Galatian church and said you have to believe in Jesus Christ but also be circumcised. So they added something to the Gospel.
Rebecca – your comments here caused me to remember back just a couple of years when someone gave me a huge pile of Joyce Meyers’ magazines to “take in to the women in jail”. I thanked her politely and shared that we stuck strictly to the Bible and the simple curriculum we used in the studies that encouraged only the Bible! It was a semi-awkward moment in which I was so THANKFUL that we truly did have this simple protocol in place! It was also a great reminder that the evil one never ceases scheming – and when he sees solid teaching of the Word and the Gospel in the jails and prisons….he WILL seek to divert and redirect!! And I’ve seen that the cloak will OFTEN be as “an angel of light”. Our vigilance must be constant – and in that one moment ….plus others that I won’t take the time to share! – I was SO grateful that our dear ministry’s founder had the foresight to put the simple protocols for our study in place! And this surely is applicable to every other area of our lives!
Jackie-Yes..I have dear friends who love Joyce Meyer and Joel Olsteen. It breaks my heart for their Gospel is a different Gospel which brings guilt and condemnation. I think the word faith movement is the one Christians are being bedazzled and fooled by.
8. C. If you are a mother, you are also exhorted to be a “guard” over your childrens’ hearts and minds. The word “keeper” in Titus 2:5, which may be translated in various ways, is from a Greek word meaning guard.
If you have children still at home and have found effective ways to guard the purity of their minds, please share.
-I have both done well and made mistakes so I will share. I did well to guard their purity when they were young by guarding what t.v. shows they watched, but also in my behavior-what I watched, what I said-but more important though is the overflow of being with Him onto my children for He gives me discernment and wisdom.
-Paying attention to the ‘checks’ in my spirit and addressing issues like what types of new friends they make, etc. giving a balance between loving the unloved yet guarding your heart with who you befriend.
-I DON’T want to make anyone feel guilty but I have learned-this is my mistake! My boys were brought up pretty strict until around middle school. We became more liberal with what we let them explore at that age. Books like Harry Potter-and the movies were fine..my boys didn’t turn to witch craft because of it and I knew they wouldn’t..however the internet can be SO dangerous. It can be good but very dangerous in letting in what they aren’t capable of reasoning through for their brains aren’t fully developed yet-their judgment and common sense. They can be easy prey for satan to influence them with other doctrines. Most phones have internet access-basically all of them. That is the scary part.
BUT God can restore what the locusts have eaten. We decided to cut them off of the internet at an early evening time and they turn their phones in too. We have banned You Tube as well as other internet sites. If we find out they go to them they will lose their phones. (For the life of me I can’t figure out the parental control things on our wifi or the apps you can download and my boys might figure out a way around it anyway-so that is why we didn’t take that route.)
I almost forgot this-but it is so important. Find healthier things for them to do-like chores-lol! Or serving the poor together-doing ministry together, verse memory, maybe longer devotion time-but be creative with it. Recreational activities for nerds like my boys. 🙂 They need to be okay with quiet and doing nothing. I think over-business isn’t good either.
Most of the things I mentioned were ways to guard them from ungodly things getting into their hearts and minds..but it is also crucial for them to see ‘why’ we have rules and boundaries and it isn’t just to ‘restrict’. Christianity isn’t about not being able to do fun things-or a kill joy, rather God doesn’t want us to give satan a foothold in these things for he seeks to destroy us and drive us away from Him.
Rebecca – I’ve said it more than once…..if I could beam you into MD to just rub shoulders with some of the young women I know in the thick of things with raising children……I would do it!!! Which is not to say that the young women I know here are NOT wise and seeking Christ in their mothering as well as their whole lives, for they ARE!! But God has really gifted you with unusual wisdom I do believe. Many, many times when I read your entries regarding mothering I find myself saying “yes, yes!! she is HEARING you Lord Jesus!!! She is moving with your Spirit in this!!”. I’m not seeking to “over praise” you, Rebecca!! I’m just rejoicing in the humility He has called you to before Him…..and it’s spills over everywhere and blesses ME enormously!!
Jackie, you are such an encourager! I have to admit I am learning so from my mistakes! I confess I used to parent for results..If I guard their minds, then they will…if I take them to awana’s then they will love God…I did good things like restricting unhealthy things to keep their minds as pure as possible..but as time went on I feared they might rebel against God or think Christianity is all about morality if we shelter them too much..so we loosened up A LOT but they discovered websites and you tube videos with ungoldy ideologies and it influenced them-shaped them somewhat in a crucial time in their development! So being liberal or conservative in parenting..hmmm..not sure about that but being faithful in parenting..YES! My new motto is faithful parenting, not successful parenting. 🙂 I just hope I am not too late! But God is in control, not me and my prayer for my boys now is that they would want God-Love Him back..that they would grow in comprehending how long, how high, how deep is the Love of Christ. I do know if He has them and they stray, He will pursue them. :))
8. Let’s consider some ways this parallels our relationship with Christ.
A. What analogy does Paul use for the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 11:2? What could rob them of their purity? How does this apply to you? He uses the analogy of marriage. Presenting a virgin bride to Christ. Their thoughts could rob them of their purity.”2 Corinthians 11:3 “… your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” I may not ACT unfaithful, my outside may look upright, but my thoughts betray me from a true devotion to Christ, and in the application of my earthly marriage, my husband. I am ever amazed at my selfishness and pride in thinking all should go my way and I should get what I want! Just as Christ taught the true sin is in the heat, so too true devotion and purity is in the heart, both in my earthly marriage, and with Christ.
B. What are some ways to identify false teachers according to:
1) Matthew 7:16-20 – you will recognize them by their fruits. Some fruit takes awhile to bloom. And some fruit only shows itself in certain situations.Some are very good at disguises…but the fruit eventually shows itself. Thinking here of some high profile preachers who have been caught in scandal. Is it ok to judge by one piece of fruit? Bad fruit cannot come from a healthy tree. Is forgiveness key in not hindering an otherwise good teacher? We all have bad fruit That will eventually bloom horribly.
2) Gslatians 1:6-8 (You may need to investigate why this was a “different” gospel) – the other gospel was justification through the law, specifically comulsion to circumcise but implies other strict adherence to “being a Jew.” False teachers can be identified if they teach justification by anything but faith, or if they teach justification by faith + works.
C. If you have children still at home and have found effective ways to guard the purity of their minds, please share. We are very careful in what we allow our 7 and 8 year-old to see and hear. They do watch secular movies that are screened by us, we are not attempting to cocoon them, but to make sure they are old enough to proces what they are exposed to. However, if they see or hear something we try to answer questions honestly and allow them to ask questions. For example- They have asked me about some mild cuss words and I have consciously just talked about what they mean and why they aren’t kind to say instead of them “being in trouble” for saying them. We always talk about the lesson in the movie, or about people’s choices when we come away from experiences (like hating bullies vs praying for them and sympathizing that we all are sinners). We talk about grace, and choice, and consequences for adulthood. But we also talk about different world views and how they measure up to God’s word. Short answer: our approach (time will tell if it’s effective) is conversation, honesty, and caution.
In regards to sex we recently bought a book that comes with a set of books that appropriately increase the kids’ knowledge of that special relationship. There is a book for each age group as well as a book for the parents. My parents never, ever talked about it, to my detriment, I believe they were just doing what they thought best…my husband was educated by friends in this regard, so we are trying to seek God’s will for our kids instead of either of those two extremes.
Here is the adult book, (the kids books are listed separately):http://www.amazon.com/When-Tell-Your-Kids-About/dp/160006017X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453474812&sr=8-1&keywords=How+and+when+to+talk+to+your+kids+about+sex
If anyone else is reading through the year-chronologically-did you see the Song of Songs in Jacob wrestling with God? I sensed it in the whole scene but wasn’t sure if I was stretching it. 🙂 So I went to Matthew Henry’s commentary and he points out a clue when the angel said ‘let me go’ and Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me.’ Matthe Henry said this: The angel, by an admirable condescension, mildly requests Jacob to let him go (Gen. 32:26), as God said to Moses (Exod. 32:10), Let me alone. Could not a mighty angel get clear of Jacob’s grapples? He could; but thus he would put an honour on Jacob’s faith and prayer, and further try his constancy. The king is held in the galleries (Song 7:5); I held him (says the spouse) and would not let him go, Song 3:4.
There seems to me to be a sense in Jacob of strength given to Him by God yet humility in asking for blessing. He went to God tp pray and ‘wrestled’ with him..to me this is communion but with passion.
D. John closes his letter with, “My little children, keep yourselves from idols.” How does running to an idol compromise your purity and quench the presence of God in your day? Be specific. Time is the biggest one, desire is another. If I give time to idols, I do not have time to give God. Satan tries to fool me with “I have no time for God or prayer” but when I choose Him He meets me and there is time. Desire is the same. If I give in to my desire to be entertained or not bored or to escape difficult situations then I have missed the chance to be in His presence, have Him soften me, accept with open hands what He gives me. It’s a substitution process. It’s one or the other. No man can serve two masters.
E. In David’s penitential psalm after his adultery with Bathsheba, he prays to be cleansed and then lists four results of that restored purity. Find them in Psalm 51:7-13. Comment on each.
1. He will be cleansed – forgiven. (V 7, 9)
2. He will be glad and rejoice. (V8, 12) I find it interesting that the bones are still crushed but rejoicing.
3. He will have a new/pure heart and spirit, (v 10, 12) so that he would sin no more! But be sustained by willingness to God’s will given to him by the Holy Spirit.
4. Because of his experience he has a testimony that will glorify God and turn sinners to Him who saves (V13) and he will teach others God’s ways from his new heart and retrospect.
F. Have you experienced a correlation between having purity in your life and any of the above results? Is so, share. I am forgiven, praise be! Because He draws me to Him I have been slowly learning to give thanks and rejoice in His greatness even when my bones are crushed, indeed even my crushed bones are learning to rejoice. He has given me a new spirit, a new heart, but if I do not seek Him and give him thanks then I find myself regressing into hardness and bitterness. He sustains me and h given me joy in delighting in His Word and law rather than fear of not being good enough. I do have a testimony to share with others, especially in regards to anger and idols. My prayer is for courage to share it much more freely! And opportunity for relationship in which to share it. But ALL glory to Him, He is the gifted and the caller.
Jill – I’m really loving that you focused on those rejoicing crushed bones!! I think that is absolutely pivotal in life. When we are crushed, we HURT, we GRIEVE….But, we learn to rejoice and worship right in the middle of the days so painful we don’t think we can bear up under them. My ESV version states it as this: “let the bones that you have broken rejoice” – ouch! How much more personal can the Sovereignty of our Living God be??? And then my eyes turn to Jesus on the cross….no one ever felt the full wrath of God but He. The wrath of God – for our sins – crushed him utterly. “Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief, …” Isaiah 53:10a.
Jackie – thank you for this. Are you warm In the blizzard?!
Jill – we are really getting hit hard here! Up to my waist in drifts my last trip in from the barn….and a little bit panicked!!! 🙂 But now warm and toasty and overall weathering this extremely well…..though it’s not finished yet. Did you get any coastal flooding issues where you are??
9. Only Christianity among the world’s religions has a robust view of the marriage bed. Find it:
A. Proverbs 5:18-19 – My husband had these verses engraved on my ring for our wedding day. They speak of delight, passion, and intimacy that can only be found in a marriage relationship. They do not speak of enduring longevity dutifully…
B. Challenge question- here is a verse that links purity to passion. SoS 8:10. What do you think it means? she was impenetrable…no intimacy…no letting anyone in. THEN through intimacy and vulnerability she found peace. vulnerability and intimacy is scary even in a marriage relationship…you will get hurt. The challenge is to press in past the hurt till the peace outweighs the wound. not sure I have gotten there yet but through trials and pain He is beginning to show me the beauty that lies deeper than my selfish desire for no pain, through His grace.
Song of Solomon 8:10 I was a wall,and my breasts were like towers;then I was in his eyesas one who finds peace.
SWEET ENGRAVING ON YOUR WEDDING RING!
IN PRISONS SO READING BUT NOT COMMENTING A LOT. BUT I LOVE YOU.
IT IS AMAZING IN HERE — SO HUNGRY, SO BROKEN, SO GRATEFUL…
B. Challenge Question — here is a verse that links purity to passion. Song of Songs 8:10. What do you think it means?
I really didn’t have any idea what the song that, so I looked in a commentary what Matthew Henry said.
8:8-12 The church pleads for the Gentiles, who then had not the word of God, nor the means of grace. Those who are brought to Christ themselves, should contrive what they may do to help others to him. Babes in Christ are always seen among Christians, and the welfare of their weak brethren is an object of continual prayer with the stronger believers. If the beginning of this work were likened to a wall built upon Him the precious Foundation and Corner-stone, then the Gentile church would become as a palace for the great King, built of solid silver. If the first preaching of the gospel were as the making a door through the wall of partition, that door should be lasting, as cased with boards of durable cedar. She shall be carefully and effectually protected, enclosed so as to receive no damage. The church is full of care for those yet uncalled. Christ says, I will do all that is necessary to be done for them. See with what satisfaction we should look back upon the times and seasons, when we were in his eyes as those that find favour. Our hearts are our vineyards, which we must keep with all diligence. To Christ, and to his praise, all our fruits must be dedicated. All that work for Christ, work for themselves, and shall be unspeakable gainers by it.
Here is a pulpit commentary. I’m not really sure what that means or who said it but it makes sense to me.
Verses 10-12. – I am a wall, and my breasts like the towers thereof: then was I in his eyes as one that found peace. Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon; he let out the vineyard unto keepers; every one for the fruit thereof was to brings a thousand pieces of silver. My vineyard, which is mine, isbefore me: thou, O Solomon, shalt have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred. The meaning seems to be affectionate approval of the method just described. Solomon says, “If the young sister be, worthy of love, she shall receive more and more of defence and honour; she shall be all that I can make her.” The bride takes up this thought. “So it is with me, and, in the spirit of thankful acknowledgments and praise, I will respond to all the favour of the king. King Solomon has loved me, and now I am rising higher and becoming more and more glorious because of his love.” The typical reference can scarcely be missed. The Church, the bride of the Lamb, shines only in the light of him whose favour is life, and whose loving kindness is better than life. The comparison to a city with the walls and towers, while it would seem a little far fetched in a love song, is quite in place if the typical intention was in the mind of the writer. He was thinking of the city of God, “beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth.” “One that findeth peace” is the same as “one that findeth favour,” that is, one who is the object of his affection.
10. Counsellors say that a lack of passion (either negative positive) is the surest sign they are headed toward divorce. What correlation might you see with Christ, and how does Revelation 3:15-16. I have heard this before and I think it is tied to complacency, as Dee mentioned above, a lack of emotion means you just do not care either way and have somewhat dismissed the person, which is not love or relationship. Revelation 3:15-16 echoes this danger – be one way or the other but to be luke warm is to be “nothing” neither something to fight against nor something to help fight. Dead weight. The correlation with Christ is if aI have no emotion I have no true relationship with Him.
11. If the passion is gone in your marriage or in your relationship with Christ, here are three things Christ tells you to do. Find them in Refelation 2:4-5. Then pray them. Remember. Repent. Do the works you did at first. The amplified adds this: you have lost the depth of love you first had for me. So remember the heights from which you have fallen and repent…change your inner self – your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior – seek God’s will and do the works you did at first when you first knew Me.
12. Describe how God feels when he sees his bride’s passion has dissipated. How does He know? Ponder Jeremiah 2:1-8. He mourns,mHe laments. …how you followed me in the wilderness… Mirrors the end of SoS how she leans on the bridegroom coming up out of the wilderness. When we are passionate about the Lord we will follow Him into the wilderness, where are bones may be crushed but we rejoice because of who we lean on, when we lose our passion we do not have the gumption to follow Him and instead go after worthless things that make us worthless… I’m is not because He has fault but because our affections wane. God help us, draw our hearts to thee, soften our hearts to always, always see your beauty and follow after you whereever you would lead us. Let us lean on you and not our circumstances!