Our Beloved

O. T. #1558  "Our Beloved "
Nov. 4, 2019
Summary of Song of Solomon


LET IT GLOW

Whew! We made it through the book together. I think this is the second time I have studied it. It's not the type of material I enjoy reading. Anyway, we made it. All the way through, we studied the Song from the view point that the Shulamite farm-girl-turned-queen didn't love Solomon, but a shepherd back home. After reading the material from that view, I tend to think it was not the correct one for me. Maybe she really did forget her fellow back home and fell in love with the king. He certainly did fall head over heels in love with her.

So, for sure we can gleam from this book that love in a marriage needs to be kept alive and actively showing it. We need to ward off pride, resentment, unforgiveness, selfishness, and neglect. Those "little foxes" have the potential of chewing away at the vines and blooms to destroy them.

Since God is the Author of love and the Creator of the institution of marriage, we can see how this book exalts both. A Christ-honoring marriage can have an effect on their children grandchildren, church, friends, and neighbors, as well as the happiness and well-being of the couple.
[Resource: The Jeremiah Study Bible]

Are there any little foxes threatening your marriage. Listen, we have to always be on guard, alert to anyone or anything that is trying to destroy our marriage. It may come in the form of a job that keeps us separated for lengths of time, a flitting person looking for love, or just our taking each other for granted. So let this be a wakeup call to us. We must guard our love relationship.  Let our sweetness of love continue.

LET IT GROW

Usually for a summary of a book of the Bible, I review any verses that meant something to me. I consider Jesus to be our Beloved. Here we go:

I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. (2:1)
My beloved is mine, and I am His. (2:16)
How fair and pleasant Thou art. (7:6)
Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning upon her Belived? (8:5)
Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death. (8:6a)

We have learned that our God's love for His children is strong, sweet as the fragrance of roses, and as beautiful as the lily. His filling of us with this love is a gift from the Lord. How can we but share it?
He seals us with the Holy Spirit to reassure us of this love.
Is Jesus our Beloved?

LET IT GO

Help me be a more loving wife today.
Thank You Jesus that I am Yours and You are mine.

A Seal of Love

O. T. #1557  "A Seal of Love"
Nov. 1, 2019
Song of Solomon-chapter 8
Set me as a seal upon your heart,
As a seal upon your arm;
for love is as strong as death.  (verse 6, The Jeremiah Study Bible)

LET IT GLOW

A seal showed ownership and great value. The Shulamite expressed her desire for security. Very little in life provides security like a godly marriage (1 Cor. 13:7) (TJSB)

The maiden admonishes her shepherd, whom she loves, to set her as a seal, an imprint upon his heart and his arm like imprinting of a seal that forever ratifies a contract. She covets a settled assurance of his unwavering love. He love for him is like a raging flame and is as strong as death. It is utterly irreversible. No earthly influence can destroy or drown her love for him. It cannot be bought, for it is a spontaneous gift; and all she asks is the love of his heart and the strength of his arm for abiding protection.
Too long they have been separated. Now united (at the end of this book, she longs for his voice and presence. Unrelentlessly she beseeches him to always hasten to her side with the speed of the swift-footed gazelle. (verse 14)
(Liberty Bible Commentary)

We like good endings for stories, in this case, a song. With the seal of marital love, the couple is finally united with joy. Their love remained faithful throughout their time of separation. A good ending, don't you think?

LET IT GROW

Dear friend, is your heart sealed?
In Ephesians 1:13-14, Paul says, In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

When something is sealed, it is marked with the owner's name and secured as being his or her possession. god marks believers as His very own by sending His Holy Spirit to live in them. The Holy Spirit Himself is the seal. (David Jeremiah)

The price Jesus paid for His live for us was death on the cross.
Nothing is able to separate us from His love, according to Romans 8:38-39.

The church, who is the bride of Christ, should be be looking for her bridegroom to return for her.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus.  (Revelation 22:20)

Are we looking for our Beloved today?

LET IT GO

Thanks be to Jesus for His unchanging, never failing love.
I stand in awe of Your amazing grace.
How wonderful is Your Holy Spirit of seal on my heart.

Un What Do You Delight?

O. T. #1556  "In What Do You Delight?
Oct. 31, 2019
Song of Solomon-chapter 7
How fair and how pleasant art thou. O love, for delights! KJV, verse 6
Oh, how beautiful you are! How pleasing, my love, how full of delights! NLT, verse 6

LET IT GLOW

Solomon continues his praise of his Shulamite bride's beauty, as in chapter 4. He attempts to dissuade the maiden's faithful affection for her shepherd-love by describing ten of her features that he find particularly beautiful. What woman would not be flattered when she is compared to a tower of ivory or a palm tree? Hmm. Anyway, to sum it up, he finds her fair and pleasant, and delights in her. (verse 6)

Are we pleasant toward our spouse?
Does he delight in us?
Do we speak with words of wisdom and kindness? (Prov.31:26)


LET IT GROW

Does Jesus delight in us?
Is our life pleasing to Him? Without faith it is impossible to please God.
Are or ways beautiful to Him?

In what are we told to delight?
Do we delight:

• in the law of the Lord? Ps. 1:2
• in the Lord? Ps.37:4
• to do His will? Ps.40:8
• in His statutes? Ps.119:16
• in His testimonies? Ps.119:24.

Good questions, huh?

LET IT GO

Help me to be a more pleasant person, Jesus.
May my delight be in You, in Your commands, and Word.

A Sweet Garden

O. T. #1555  "A Sweet Garden"
Oct. 30, 2019
Song of Solomon-chapter 6

LET IT GLOW

In the last chapter, we read where Solomon left his new wife, since she rejected him or they had a disagreement. (Isn't that common of newly weds?) She went out looking for him, but could not find him.
Apparently, he headed toward the gardens of Tirzah, located some 35 miles northeast from Jerusalem. It's name means pleasure or beauty. King Jeroboam made Tirzah the first capital of the divided northern kingdom (1 Kings 14:17) (Life Application Study Bible)

According to 1 Kings 11:3, Solomon's weakness was women, since he had 700 wives and 300 concubines. Why was he qualified to speak about love and marriage?

1. We can learn from Solomon's mistakes.
2. In his best moments, Solomon was a worthy teacher. Although he strayed from the path, he once walked that path with sincere devotion.
3. God chose Solomon to teach us life lessons. There was no king like him. who was beloved of his God. (Neh. 13:26)  (The Jeremiah Study Bible)

You know, a garden would be a good place to retreat when one needs to think, right? It has flowers of fragrance and beauty, and usually quietness, peace away from the world.

One time my family went up to a camp located in the beautiful mountains of New Mexico. Up a hill, there was a magnificent rose garden, which was seclude away from the world. One morning I arose early and ventured there to the prayer garden. There I had sweet communion with my Lord Jesus. Now whenever I hear the song, The Garden, my mind and soul ventures back to such a wonder time.

Do you have a special place where you commune with your Lord?

LET IT GROW

How does this apply to us? Matthew Henry says that the garden represents The Church, separated from the world.

• Jesus has ascended into heaven to intercede for the church and us, His loved ones.
• We can commune with Him through prayer.
• Those who truly love Christ will desire others find His love, also.
• He is gracious  takes pleasure in those who fear Him.
• We must be completely devoted and dedicated to serving our Savior.
• Fruit of the Spirit will be evident in our lives, then.
• Churches should be filled with godly people who live by the God Word and show good-will.

If we are not there in our walk, we need to return, return to Jesus, as verse 13 says. Are you attending a church for worship?

LET IT GO

Sweet Jesus, thank You for never leaving me nor forsaking me.
Direct us to the church where You want us to be.

Keep the Spark in the Marriage

O. T. #1554 "Keep the Spark in the Marriage"
Oct. 29, 2019
Song of Solomon-chapter 5
His mouth is most sweet: yea, He is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem. Verse 16

LET IT GLOW

It is suggested that some time has passed since the wedding, and the girl felt some indifference had entered the couple's marriage. Perhaps she rejected his advances and he left, along with the spark. Conflicts and pressures may creep into a marriage, so does tenderness. External stress can work against the marriage relationship. Therefore, effort must be made to be havens for each other. Respect and love are important in marriage. Remain as good friends, sharing, listening, and showing understanding  for the other's likes and dislikes. (Resource: Life application Study Bible)

What aspect do you and I need to work on so our marriage remains close?

LET IT GROW

Another view is that the wife was disinterested in intimacy and the husband left. She went looking for her husband, but found him not. The watchman did not help, nor did the women. They asked the wife what made her husband so special. Her reply is how we can describe our Beloved Savior  Jesus Christ.

How do we relate the verses 10-16 to Christ? After all Isaiah 53:2 tells us that He had no form of comeliness.

• He is white, with spotless innocence in His life (no sin). 
• His head is as fine gold, for the head of Christ is God. He is our treasure. 
• Black hair indicates He does not grow old. Revelation 1:14 reveals His hair as white, denoting eternal. 
• His eyes are as doves eyes, fair, clear, and kind. 
• His cheeks are sweet as flowers, reviving and refreshing. 
• His words sanctify and are sweet with grace, as lily lips. 
• His hands are are as gold rings indicate His works are powerful and beautiful with grace. 
• His white belly denotes tender compassion and affection, strong love for His children. 
• His legs are strong as marble pillars. They are steadfast and able to bear weight. 
• His countenance is pleasant and charming as a pleasant forest or park. Cedar trees are tall and strong for excellent use. 
• His mouth is sweet to a believer-forgiven. 
• Last, Christ is altogether lovely, our beloved, and friend. 

We are a child of The King, chosen, not forsaken. Whom the Son sets free is free indeed. In my Father's house, there's a place for me. What a song of reassurance.
Are you a child of God?

LET IT GO

Tell others how lovely my Savior is. 
You are a beautiful Savior. Thank You, Jesus for dying on the cross for me. Such love!

Our Body

O. T. #1553 "Our Body"
Oct. 28, 2019
Song of Solomon-chapter 4

LET IT GLOW 

How are we using our body? Is it for the glory of God or for our self? Is it modest or exposed for others to see?

I would like to skip this chapter due to its sensual content, but will not due as it has spiritual referral.
Solomon is the bridegroom describing how he sees his bride. The appearance of the bride overwhelms the loving groom. He admires it. Apparently, he sees all of her. There is no since in our trying to cover up what we do because our Lord Jesus sees all. Neither should it matter to us what others think of us, as long as we are pleasing to Jesus. Right?

How is the beauty of this young woman compared with that of the church and believers?
There are 7 ways, which is the number of perfection:

1. Her eyes-humble, modest, mournful. Wisdom and knowledge are the eyes of a new person in Christ. Our aims and intentions are to be sincere and honest. Are we looking with spiritual eyes to see where God is working so we can join Him? Do we see the needs of others?
2. Her hair-pleasant to the owner. Her locks are as beautiful as Mt. Gilead covered with a shaggy goat herd. Hair of these goats is exceedingly delicate, soft, long, and black. (Falwell) God knows how many hairs are on our head. Not a hair on our head will perish. Are our good works  as obvious as our hair?
3. Her teeth-are white as newly washed sheep, which are used to chew grass. Are we chewing on God's Word in meditation? Is our faith growing beyond the baby stage?
4. Her lips-as a thread of scarlet. Red lips is a sign of health. Do we praitour Savior with our lips?  Is our speech with grace?

 

LET IT GROW 

     5. Her temple or the upper part of her cheeks-are rosy like the pomegranate cut open.    
            Do we blush when we are told the Lord Jesus loves us tenderly and 
             unconditionally?
       6. Her neck-is like a tower, straight and strong. Do we hold our head up with 
           courage?
       7. Her breasts-provide milk for children. Are we growing spiritually in the sincere 
           of the Word? Are we teaching spiritual babies with grace?

Resources: Matthew Henry' Commentary, Liberty Bible Commentary
           
LET IT GO

Use my body for Your glory.
May it be the temple of the Lord Jesus.

A Season of Night

O. T. #1552. "A Season of Night"
Oct. 25, 2019
Song of Solomon

LET IT GLOW 

As the song goes, it was night and the young woman sought the one she loved, but found him not. It was a season of night and darkness for her.
She went into the streets, even asked watchman, then finally she found him, her beloved. She held him and wouldn't let him go.


LET IT GROW 

Are you in a season of night spiritually? Are you not sure which way the Lord wants you to go?
It maybe in the area of a job, which church He wants you to join and serve in, it maybe decisions of other nature. It seems we are there now. We are visiting various churches in our area, seeking where the Lord wants us. It is a hard time, unsettled.

What to do. Look to Jesus. We are to seek the will of Jesus without restrictions, with surrender of heart.

LET IT GO

I will call upon You and You God will show me great and mighty things.

Little Foxes in Marriage

O. T. #1551  "Little Foxes in Marriage"
Oct. 24, 2019
Song of Solomon 2-Part 2
Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes. My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies. (verses 15-16)

LET IT GLOW

One time we rented a house in town after the parsonage was quickly sold and before we got the farmhouse remodeled. The backyard had a chain fence around it. Interwoven in it were grape vines. As summer came, I noticed the vines were loaded with lushes grapes, which ripened. I had to quickly pick them due to birds flying in to eat them. The birds were similar to the little foxes in our key verses today. Their goal was to eat, destroy, the fruit. There is noting like eating a juicy vine ripened grape in your mouth.

Little foxes among the vines. To what does that refer? Well, large groups of young foxes can descend on a field or orchard and destroy it, eating the grapes before they were harvested, tender grapes. The owner of the vineyard needed the fruit which was destroyed.

The Shulamite  young sister was told to destroy those little foxes before they destroyed their crop. Those little critters could work havoc in Palestinian vineyards. They play among the vines, dig holes, and spoil fences. Although carnivorous, they are also fond of young shoots and grapes; so they need to be trapped or driven away before the fruit begins to ripen. (Clarke, pg. 52)

How do the little foxes apply to us?

• There are all kinds of problems that can disturb or destroy a marriage.
• They must be removed in order to have a successful and continuing marriage.
• Little irritations must not be ignored, but identified so the couple can deal with them. (Application Study Bible)

Got any of those little things that irritate you or your spouse? (Slurping, shoes scattered through the house, not putting down the seat-nip them in the bud early, friend.) Don't let them fester into big sore spots and cause division.

The church needs to watch for the foxes, false prophets and persecutors. They rob peace and progress of the gospel. They must be tamed or restrained of their mischief. (Matthew Henry)


LET IT GROW

My beloved is mine, and I am his. (verse 16a)

This gal remembers the shepherd she loves back home. Her heart belongs to him.
Believers and the church belong to Christ. We are his and He is our Beloved. We commune with Him through prayer and Christ is our Mediator. He gives us happiness and all we need.

Do you belong to Christ? Are you walking and talking with Jesus all day long?
Have we given ourselves to Christ, all of our selves to Him (2 Corinthians 8:5)?

If we be His, His wholly, His only, His forever, we may take the comfort of His being ours. (Matthew Henry)

LET IT GO
                      ... and let love reign.
                                 ... letting the little things not become big things.

You Are Loved!

O. T. #1549  "You Are Loved!"
Oct. 22, 2019
Song of Solomon
And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father. 1 Kings 3:3a

LET IT GLOW

It is good for the married couple to get away alone every once in a while. We usually go to Branson a few days for our anniversary celebration. And there are times in between that we get away.

The Experiencing God Study Bible gives us some insight on chapter 1:

• Love is better than all other pleasures life offers. Are you tasting the great pleasures of love? (verses 2-3)
• Other women adore the beloved man. (verse 3)
• The beloved is the king. (verse 4)
• Love wants to run away alone with the beloved. Are you spending enough time alone with your beloved? (verse 4)
• Love brings joy to family and friends. Does your love cause others to rejoice? (verse 4)
• The lady had to work in the sun and could not protect her skin from the tanning, hardening sun rays. (verses 5-6)
• Love compliments the beloved. (verses 8-9, 14)
• The beloved wants to give his lady gifts. (verse 11)
• Love wants to be beautiful for the beloved. Are you making yourself pleasing to your beloved? (verses 12-17)

LET IT GROW

How can we apply this content to Christ, the bridegroom and His church the bride?

Matthew Henry's Commentary tells us:

• Treating this as a song, in singing we should make melody with our hearts unto the Lord.
• It has more about Christ in this song than scripture-songs.
• Celebrate your own love of God and share it with others.
• Solomon loved the Lord (1 Kings 3:3).
• Cheek kissing was a custom in the old days. We see the kiss of gospel-grace when Esau kissed his brother Jacob and the father of the prodigal son welcomed his son home. When stray away from our Lord, He welcomes us home. 
• Christ by the Holy Spirit draws us to Him. When with loving kindness to us He draws us. (Jeremiah 31:3)
• We, His children, who are black with filthy rags of sin, will be clothed with a robe of Christ's righteousness. 
• Jesus loves us as a shepherd loves his sheep and feeds them in green pastures and waters them at still waters. His Word is food for our soul and His Spirit refreshes us. 
• When we are weak, Christ gives us strength as horses, in our battles. 
• Grace and mercy are our jewels and gold chains as believers. 
• To us beloved ones of Christ, how precious is our Savior. 
• One day we will sit at the table of King Jesus and feast upon His goodness. 
• Believers are joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 7:17).

LET IT GO

May I show your loving kindness to others today.
May I be merciful and gracious, too.
Thank You Jesus for Your love.

Tasting Love

O. T. #1548  "Tasting Love"
Oct. 21, 2019
Introduction to Song of Solomon

We have come to the most dreaded book of the Bible for me to post. I have read different commentaries and prayed for the right approach in discussing it. so my conclusion is the best way for us to learn from Solomon is to take two approaches here. The first approach will be to take it as a story of a man and his bride, and their marriage. The second approach will be we the Church as the Bride of Christ and He as the Groom.

I don't know your situation, whether you are married or not, but can always learn for our self and for others. There must be a reason that God permitted this book to be included in the Bible. What can we learn from it?

BACKGROUND

We read of a Shulamite maiden, who is a member of the Shunem family. Her father appears to be deceased, so her brother are responsible for the family. Her brothers shepherd the flocks and she tends the vineyards. This maiden meets and falls in love with a young shepherd. Her brothers do not approve of him.

King Solomon, a younger man, and his men are returning form a trip to his northern territory. Solomon is struck by this maiden's beauty and takes her to his harem. The rustic country girl can't escape and is eventually taken to the splendid palace of the king.

The king attempts to win this gal's affection, but she refuses him, remaining faithful to the love of her life. Finally, Solomon recognizes that his beloved's heart belongs to another and not him. He releases her to return home, then she is reunited with her love.


SPIRITUAL APPLICATION

The marriage relationship is used to describe the relationship between Christ and the church. Not only the local church, but the collective church of all believers is in reference here. We are one in Christ since He is in us and we are in Him, spiritually. He showed His love for us by dying on the cross in our place and paying for our sins. He loves us now as He cares for us, feeds us with His Word, and seeks to make us beautiful spiritually. He will love us in eternity when we attend the marriage of the Lamb. Christ will return for us believers His bride and take us to heaven.

PREPARE 

Love is better than all other pleasures life offers. Are we tasting the great pleasures of love?
We are loved by God. How are we showing Hum that we love Him?