Archive for the ‘Song of Songs’ Category

Elul 5779 – Teshuvah Day 19 (9/19/19)

Posted: September 19, 2019 in Song of Songs, Teshuvah 40 Day Devotional
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Now comes the part none of us want to hear, when we need deliverance from our carnal self that wants to be a couch potato, relaxing without a care….while all the time the world is going down deeper into darkness and our Beloved King needs us to do the work of the ministry.

Songs 2:10, “My beloved spoke, and said to me: “Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. (11) For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. (12) The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. (13) The fig tree puts forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grapes give a good smell. Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away!“

Rise Up! – Rise up out of your comfort zone and secure place. She does not want to take risks, and face challenges and spiritual warfare. She is happy to just be at the banqueting house, even if He is not there.

  • Eph 5:14 (TPT) “Arise, you sleeper! Rise up from the dead and the Anointed One will shine his light into you!”

One morning as I was just waking up I heard “Arise My love, My fair one”. God was calig me to arise out of my bed of comfort. I knew that song, I knew that verse, but where was it? I had the CD from Israel and went searching to find it, finally going on iTunes for search. I FOUND IT! https://youtu.be/_47T8kwEnBc?t=1 Karen Davis, “Arise” from Israel My Beloved. Make sure you  listen to her husband’s voice speaking Arise My Love in the middle of the song. Just those few words caused me to rise up out of my comfort and follow what He had for me for that day.

“For  Lo the Winter is past and the rain is gone” (I would love to see TS Imelda be gone. It was 2 years ago we flooded with Harvey and now our friends in Beaumont, Port Arthur, Orange are flooding. Please pray. They are just now getting over Harvey)

  • In the Middle East, the winter is dark, short days, cold rains, sometimes snow and nothing grows. This is symbolic of fruitless times in our spiritual walk.

He now gives prophetic signs of the soon coming harvest:

  • Flowers appear appear on the grape vine, signalling the soon coming harvest. We have so many signs that we are in the last of the Last Days and I am really looking forward to that promised “Harvest of Souls”, across the world!
    • Matthew 6:28, Flowers are symbols of God’s care
  • Workers sing in Harvest because it is a joyful time! Raise a Hallelujah! Singing always comes before and accompanies revival
  • Voice of the Turtledove is heard at Harvest time. The Turtledove is a bird of passage. It appears in Judea in early Spring, when the leaves begin to come out, the flowers opening, and everything looking lovely and beautiful. It remains until Summer is gone; and then flies away to a warmer climate to spend the winter.
  • Fig tree puts forth green figs just before the mature figs. We are going to see pockets of harvest before the Full Promised Harvest of Souls, but we are so ready for any sign of reaping this Harvest!
    • Watchman Nee taught, “The fig is a winter fruit which remains on the branches until spring. It denotes fruit which has passed through the winter of death and survived it. It is the fruit which we acquire through the discipline of the Cross and the hard conditions of severe trials. It is fruit carried over into the afterwards of richer experience in Christ.” Beautiful!
  • Grapes smell fragrant at Harvest time. This indicates the life of a believer at this stage gives forth fragrance and shows promise of very much fruitfulness! Our Savior has so much confidence in us, just as He saw Peter as a Rock!

Now that Harvest is in sight, Jesus is calling us love names to woo us into coming with Him into the Harvest field. He is Lord of the Harvest. The 2nd time He says, “Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away!”

 

 

 

Elul 5779 – Teshuvah Day 18 (9/18/19)

Posted: September 18, 2019 in Song of Songs, Teshuvah 40 Day Devotional
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The Maiden gives her  3rd revelation of the King. (Remember, in this month of Elul, the King is in the field)

Songs 2:8, “The voice of my beloved! Behold, he comes leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.”

Up to now she has had 2 revelations of what we see in Jesus, now we see Him as King!

  • Shepherd – 1:7-11, protector and provider (Ps 23:1)
  • Father – 1:12, comforter and supplier (Is 9:6, Everlasting Father)
  • King – 2:8, King over nations, King of Kings, Lord of Lords; leaping over mountains (governments, problems, all authority) and that thrills her

The Message Bible, “Look! Listen! There’s my lover! Do you see him coming? Vaulting the mountains, leaping the hills.”  In Hebrew it reads “Hark!, literally ‘The Sound’ of my Beloved! This is a sound of complete joy!

Leaping over Mountains: The term mountain is used symbolically in the Bible. It is a natural image of stability (Ps 30:7), obstacles (Zech 4:7; Matt 11:23), God’s power (Ps 121:1-2); large, big things we cannot overcome; demonic mountains

Hills are still problems, but smaller.

I was reading the ArtScrolls Tanach Series book on Shir haShirim (Song of Songs). “According the the account in the Midrash, the verse refers to Moses. When he came and said to Israel, ‘In this month you will be delivered’, they said to him, ‘our teacher Moses, how can we be delivered? Did not God say to Abraham [Gen 15:13] ‘And they shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years’, and so far only two hundred and ten have passed. Moses answered; Since God desires to deliver you, He disregards your calculations, but ‘leaps over the mountains‘, the ‘mountains’ and hills mentioned here referring to the calculations and periods. He ‘leaps over’ these calculations and periods and in this month you will be delivered.”(page 105) Ibn Aknin quotes the Midrash that ‘mountains’ refers to their intentional transgressions, which God ‘skipped over’ [overlooked; forgave].

Watchman Nee taught, “But though she takes pleasure in His return to her, yet she does not, as we shall see, heed His words, nor is truly submissive to Him.”

  • This is truly what happens when the immature believers want to only have fun and excitement in the Christian walk.

Songs 2:9, “My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Behold, he stands behind our wall; He is looking through the windows, gazing through the lattice.”

Young stag is an adult male deer.

A Gazelle can easily leap in victory over mountainous areas and has boundless energy

Jesus is now “seated” at the right hand of God. There are 2 times that Jesus ‘stands’ and when He stands He is ready for action or when He stands in honor (Stephen)

  • Stephen’s stoning (Acts 7:55)
  • Laodicean Church (Rev 3:20), ready to knock on the door of the “lukewarm Church”

OUR Wall — This is not a wall she put up, but the wall of protection from distractions that the Holy Spirit has formed. She continues to remain undisturbed.

Through the Lattice –He is outside and wants to woo her and lead her into new things.

Perfect verse for these 40 Days of Teshuvah!

  • Perry Stone wrote in the 40 Days of Teshuvah, “the word arubah (root word) coveys an image of something akin to a pigeon hole or chimney. These would be relatively small openings, but nevertheless, sufficient to serve their purpose. The purpose, in this case, is to pour out blessings from heaven to earth, but focused on those who have been faithful to God.” [note- arubah is the Hebrew word for windows in Malachi 3:10, and it does not mean ‘flood gates’] Arubah also implies a lattice, which is connected to the idea of someone watching another through a very small opening

 

 

 

 

Elul 5779 – Teshuvah Day 17 (9/17/19)

Posted: September 17, 2019 in Song of Songs, Teshuvah 40 Day Devotional
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The Maiden is giving 7 declarations in Chapter 2 of Song of Solomon (Song of Songs). Today we will cover the final declarations, 6 & 7.

Songs 2:5, “Sustain me with cakes of raisins, refresh me with apples, for I am lovesick.”

  • This is her 6th declaration, “I am lovesick” speaking of the intensity of her love for the King. She is crying out, she will never be the same, she is ruined for this world!
  • Apples speak of the refreshing, “I want more of Jesus”. There was a chorus used in the Charismatic Revival when I first was saved,
    • “The greatest thing in all my life is knowing You. The greatest thing in all my life is knowing You. I want to know You more, I want to know You more. The greatest thing in all my life is knowing You”
    • Then the next time you would used ‘serve’ instead of know, then ‘love’ You more – all the time singing to Jesus. He still inhabits your praises.
  • Raisins speak of the ministry of the Spirit – “I need more of His Presence”.
    • Grapes point to the wine of the Spirit.

Songs 2:6, “His left hand is under my head, and his right hand embraces me”

  • This is the 7th declaration
  • The Left Hand represents God’s hand of mercy
    • This  is the ‘unseen’ works of God in her life; activity we cannot see
    • Under my head, out of view – the mercy is a support and protection (Even when I don’t see it He’s working, He never stops “Way Maker song)
    • Our King is always protecting and providing in unseen ways
  • The Right Hand represents strength, handshake, covenant, direction and the hand that is used to bless
    • This is the ‘seen’ works of God in our life; discernable activity of God
    • This is the sweet, manifested presence of God we can experience
    • We should never look for an experience, but be thankful for those times when we do and remember – BUT THE JUST LIVE BY FAITH, not experience

Songs 2:7, “I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or by the does of the field, do not stir up nor awaken love until it pleases.”

  • “Until it pleases”
    • TPT- until she is ready to arise.
    • MSG – until the time is ripe—and you’re ready.
    • NLT- until the time is right
    • HNV- until it so desires
    • NASB- Until she pleases.”
    • VOICE- Don’t stir a fire in your heart too soon, until it is ready to be satisfied.
    • I believe that SHE is correct
      • Cannot be He, the Lord does not need to be protected
      • The Bride must be protected from distractions
    • This may be the Holy Spirit of God speaking, providing protection during seasons of our life
      • These seasons in the Song of Songs are an example of times of going deep in God
      • Wilderness times are prolonged seasons of going deep and just as the Israelites 40 years in the Wilderness were protected and provided for, that is what we should expect in our seasons of Wilderness
      • The religious spirit will try everything to keep us out of the deep things of God
  • The daughters of Jerusalem are sincere believers that lack discernment of the various operations of the Spirit and different seasons with God
    • These sincere immature believers will still have a religious spirit working if they are taken out of a dead, dry denomination that preached works instead of faith
    • Watchman Nee “those who are fond of ecstatic moods and given to meddling”
  • Gazelles and Does of the field speak of gentleness and sensitivity, freedom
    • They are easily startled and distractions are sent straight from the enemy
  • The Maiden (representing the Bride of Christ) must be protected from distractions!
    • This is 1st of 3 times the Spirit warns not to disturb (2:7; 3:5; 8:4)

Elul 5779 – Teshuvah Day 16 (9/16/19)

Posted: September 16, 2019 in Song of Songs, Teshuvah 40 Day Devotional
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The first verse of the second chapter is the maiden giving two declarations of faith. Now the King replies to the maiden.

Songs 2:2, “Like a lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.”

This shows purity in a sinful world. Lily speaks of purity and humility. Thorns are the first result of sin in the Garden of Eden. They grow by themselves, they are the curse on the ground. These are not the daughters of Jerusalem, who are immature believers. Watchman Nee wrote, “The Lord considers those who pursue after Him as lilies, unlike those who are born of sin.” So these daughters he is comparing her to are those living a sinful life and natural life all around her.

[Maiden} Songs 2:3, “Like an apple tree among the trees of the woods, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down in his shade with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.”

3rd declaration of 7, “Like an apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my Beloved among the sons.” Now she will compare the King to sinners.

  • The apple tree speaks of satisfying. As many trees are useful only after they are cut down, an apple tree keeps on giving fruit, season after season. (Songs 2:5, refresh me with apples.- NKJV)
  • Trees of the woods speak of ‘great men of the earth’. Daniel 4:10-14 is speaking of King Nebuchadnezzar. No matter how great men of this world are, nothing will satisfy you like Jesus!

4th declaration of faith of 7, “I sat down in his shade with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.”

  • This reminds me of Mary and Martha. As I am typing this, the picture on the all across from me in my dining room is called “the Promised Rest”. It is Jesus, with Mary at His feet, speaking to Martha who is carrying a urn. The caption under the artwork is “Come…and learn from Me, for My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” And under that caption is “Martha… only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part” Luke 10:42. Mary took great joy at sitting at the feet of Jesus, and in that she found true rest.
    • Watchman Nee wrote, “One is joyous because he sits under His shadow, meaning that he feels as if he is being raptured to His presence.”
    • The shadow (shade) is in contrast to the echoes of the shining of the sun (Ps 91:1)
  • His fruit – the fruit that Adam and Eve caused them to fall from glory. But as we partake of the benefits He has provided for us, and they are very satisfying. When I look at social media, all the people are running after this or that, and they are not satisfied. Jesus satisfies! Oh, what a peace and sweet joy just to be in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Here is  a great song for this verse from the Gaithers. https://youtu.be/_xJkwUGFpDk?t=5

Songs 2:4, “He brought me to his banqueting house, and his banner over me is love.”

This is the 5th declaration of faith of 7.

  • “He brought me” – 1:4 speaks of running, 1:8 speaks of following, 1:12-14 speaks of sitting, 1:16-17 speaks of resting and 2:3 speaks of her enjoying his presence, ‘sat down’. Now, He carried me! Like a Groom picks up his bride and carries the bride over the threshold on their wedding night.
    • This is the 2nd time the King brought her. 1:4b, chambers, the ‘secret place’.
    • That is what happened to me the summer of  2011 when every night Jesus brought me into this Song of Songs. It was the Holy of Holies of the Bible. It is not meant to be read over in a hurry,  as you try to get through the Bible in a year. This is meant to entwine your heart to Him.
  • Our greatest banquet will be the Marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:7). In those days, the Banqueting House was a house of wine. This speaks of celebrating God’s love with joy and gladness. We are to feed on the truths of the identity of the Bride of Christ, see ourselves in that light.
  • A banner identifies you, such as an army marching under a banner. Each of the Tribes had a banner and when the cloud stopped in the Wilderness, all Israel stopped and each Tribe camped by their banner.
    • Matthew Henry wrote, “written in it in letters of gold, letter of blood, is love, love;.. When a city is taken the conqueror set up his standard in it. ‘He has conquered me with His love, overcome me with kindness, and that is the banner over me’.”
    • One of my favorite choruses, “Oh how He loves you and me. Oh how He loves you and me. He gave His live, what more could He give. Oh how He love you, Oh how He loves me, Oh how He loves you and me.” (1975 Word Music)

 

Elul 5779- Teshuvah Day 15 (9/15/19)

Posted: September 15, 2019 in Song of Songs, Teshuvah 40 Day Devotional
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Chapter Two of Song of Songs covers “Who I Am In Christ”, confessing our identity in Him.

Song 2:1, “I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.”

“I am the rose of Sharon” — This is her 1st faith declaration of 7. Her first confession in the first chapter was “I am dark”, his light (holiness) exposed her darkness. After she sees the truth in SOS 1:12-17, she can make a faith confession that she cannot yet see. The Rose of Sharon was a very common flower.

  • AMPC reads, “ [She said] I am only a little rose or autumn crocus of the plain of Sharon, or a [humble] lily of the valleys [that grows in deep and difficult places].”
    • She sees herself as ordinary, but loved by the King.

“And the lily of the valleys” — This is the 2nd faith declaration of 7. Lily speaks of purity and humility.  The Bride’s primary purpose is to fully love (rose) and obey (lily) Jesus. You cannot separate love and obedience. It is all about our choice to love and obey, He does not change.

  • John 14:21, “Those who truly love me are those who obey my commands. Whoever passionately loves me will be passionately loved by my Father. And I will passionately love you in return and will manifest my life within you.” (TPT)

Valley speaks of the low places in this dark world, and she speaks plural — valleys. Our level of intimacy with Jesus in the valley (good or bad times) determines our spiritual success.

  • Revelation 2:3-5, ” I see what you’ve done, your hard, hard work, your refusal to quit. I know you can’t stomach evil, that you weed out apostolic pretenders. I know your persistence, your courage in my cause, that you never wear out. But you walked away from your first love—why? What’s going on with you, anyway? Do you have any idea how far you’ve fallen? A Lucifer fall! Turn back! Recover your dear early love. No time to waste, for I’m well on my way to removing your light from the golden circle.”
  • In this time of the 40 Days of Teshuvah, returning to our First Love, this is a very important thing to do, confess who you are in Jesus Christ!!! Remember, repent, confess and do the first works!

 

 

Elul 5779 – Teshuvah Day 13 (9/13/19)

Posted: September 13, 2019 in Song of Songs, Teshuvah 40 Day Devotional
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I just finished the devotions from Chapter One of the Song of Songs. The maiden first saw herself as dark, stained by life and drained by taking cared of everyone else’s fields, but not taking care of her own heart of faith. Burnout! Verses 12-17 is where she sees more of her purpose in her life by confessing what the King says about her.

This reminds me of the amazing movie that is out right now in many theaters, OVERCOMER by the Kendrick Brothers. There is a place in the movie where the teenage girl who is training for cross country racing gives her heart to the Lord. The Principle who led her to the Lord tells her to read Ephesians 1-2 to see all that God says she is. That is where she finds her identity.

Begin confessing your identity in Christ and watch your world change. Ephesians 1-2 says I am blessed, I am chosen, I am a child of God, He has a plan for me, I am loved, and much more. That is who YOU ARE TOO! Start confessing and agreeing with God and what He says you are. Live like a child of the King!

Elul 5779 – Teshuvah Day 12 (9/12/19)

Posted: September 12, 2019 in Song of Songs, Teshuvah 40 Day Devotional
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The maiden is overcome with the King’s love for her. She receives that love. That is what we are to do, receive the love of Jesus! When we reject it we stay in darkness, but when we receive His love we cannot help but to praise Him!

Song 1:16, “Behold, you are handsome, my beloved! Yes, pleasant! Also our bed is green. (17) The beams of our houses are cedar, and our rafters of fir.”

We see her 6-fold response in verses 16 & 17:

  1. You are handsome, beautiful
    1. Fair – yapheh,
  2. You are MY Beloved
    1. She has now made this very personal
  3. You are pleasant–  delightful, lovely kind
    1. Pleasant, Hebrew Naiym (na-Em’), generous to any one; agreeable
  4. Our Bed – couch, divan
    1. Green pastures are beds for sheep
    2. She has now been fed, reclining to rest (Ps 23:2, beside still waters- waters of rest)
  5. Beams of our houses (plural) are cedar
    1. Cedars from Lebanon, tall and strong trees
    2. Cedar was used for building and adorning the Temple and royal palaces, especially for wainscots and ceilings
    3. Cedar was used for the cleansing of lepers (Lev 14:51-52) and purification of sin (Num 19:6)
    4. This represents firmness and stability; supports. Humanity that is filled with glory!
    5. Cyprus and Fir were the 2 chief kinds of wood in Solomon’s time
  6. Rafters of fir
    1. Fir is a fragrant & beautiful wood, pleasing in sight & smell that was used for the galleries for walking in the Temple
    2. Fir here is also called Cypress. Hebrew Berowth, and is used for cypress, fir, juniper, pine.
    3. Cypress is produced in a place called “death city”. The Jews planted cyprus beside their graves. Hence, cyprus signifies our Lord’s death. Our shelter is the Lord’s humanity and benefits of His death.

Matthew Henry wrote in his commentary on BlueLetterBible.org, “Every thing in the covenant of grace (on which foot all their treaties are carried on) is very firm, very fine, and very fragrant.”

Elul 5779 – Teshuvah Day 11 (9/11/19)

Posted: September 11, 2019 in Song of Songs, Teshuvah 40 Day Devotional
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Jesus lifts us out of our shame and guilt. As long as we feel like a pig, we will act like a pig. A person who feels worthless will not try to overcome, they will be continually overcome themselves and become their own worst enemy.

The King speaks to the maiden, bringing her out of her shame, burnout and darkness. As you read this, meditate on the Bridegroom Jesus speaking to you.

Song 1:15, “Behold, you are fair, my love! Behold, you are fair! You have dove’s eyes.”

The King is calling us ‘My love’. This is how we need to see ourselves or we will never possess our Promised Land, the benefits that Jesus died to give us. Not only did God so love the world, Jesus loved us way back then! He chose to take our place in the death and burial so we would experience the life more abundantly. But we will never experience that life until we agree that He loves me, even in my shame, low-self worth. We need to see our self in HIS WORTH! He loves us, each of us, individually.

Doves Eyes: Doves only mate once in their lifetime. This speaks of loyalty, purity. Holy Spirit is symbolized as a dove and is loyal to Jesus. Doves have no peripheral vision, they are single eyed. They can only see one thing at a time. We are to have the Spirit’s perspective and see ourselves as Jesus sees us. “I am the disciple Jesus loves.”

The King calls her “fair” twice in this verse. The Hebrew word for fair here is “yapheh“, H3303 and means ‘beautiful, excellent, comely’.

Elul 5779 – Teshuvah Day 10 (9/10/19)

Posted: September 10, 2019 in Song of Songs, Teshuvah 40 Day Devotional
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The maiden had been consumed with her thoughts of herself, low self-worth. The enemy of the Cross will always point you to yourself and how you always fall short. But once Jesus really expresses His love for the Bride, expounds on her Beauty, she has come to life, revived, love is awakened again! Now she responds to the King with 3 responses.

Songs 1:12, “While the king is at his table, my spikenard sends forth its fragrance.” (13) “A bundle of myrrh is my beloved to me, that lies all night between my breasts.”

  1. Worship as she feeds at the King’s table (vs 12)
    1. God has provided a table of blessings for us (1 Cor 10:21), the result of the Cross
    2. This reminds me of the Prodigal son that came home after a life wasted and his father rewards him for returning, and he sits at his father’s table.(Lk 15:20-32)
  2. She meditates day and night on the extravagant gift of His life for her (vs 13)
    1. Mike Bickle wrote: “The most obedient and worshipful saints think the most on the cross. It is their constant meditation and confession.”
    2. This 2 minutes song is an example on meditating on Jesus death, burial and resurrection. https://youtu.be/r89NFu8Sn1Y?t=1
  3. She sees His beauty (vs 13)
    1. it is amazing how beautiful Jesus is when you take your eyes off yourself!

Spikenard (spike of nard) is a perfume (used 3 times in Song of Songs). Nard is a plant found in India used to make the most expensive perfume. Our life of worship is sweet smelling to Jesus (2 Cor 2:14-16)

Myrrh is both a perfume and an embalming spice. It is an Arabian gum from the bark of a tree, used in sacred oil and in perfume. As the maiden sleeps, thoughts of Jesus give her a good night sleep. Even in her sleep she is expressing love for Him. His death is my life, that is amazing! Myrrh speaks of His suffering love.

Night time symbolically means ‘hard times’, when we don’t ‘see’ the answer (Josh 1:8)

Breasts speak of what feeds, nourishes. Faith and Love are the twins that satisfy and nourishes  us.  1 Thes 5:8, “But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.”

VS 14, “My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blooms in the vineyards of En Gedi.”

“My beloved is to me” – She has now ‘put on Christ’! She sees Him as her Savior!

Cluster – more than one, multi-faceted. Our King is so wonderful and beautiful in so many ways.

Henna Blossoms – Hebrew does not say henna blooms (KJV  camphire), but kopher (H3724), a price of a life, ransom, bribe; pitch

En Gedi  was known for the abundant fragrance, from Oasis West of the Dead Sea. When Jesus appears, there is always a fragrance. En Gedi means “the fountain of the lamb”.

Elul 5779 – Teshuvah Day 9 (9/9/19)

Posted: September 9, 2019 in Song of Songs, Teshuvah 40 Day Devotional
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Mike Bickle wrote in his Studies for God School 2007: Understanding this Song helps us identify the issues that God is specifically dealing with in our lives. It equips us to discern what God is doing in the different seasons in our lives……People often find themselves in two different places in this Song in the seasons of their life.  I revisit the same place in the Song again and again.

In the Month of ELUL, it is a time in history when the King would come off his throne and go to where the people were, in the fields and wherever they were working.  In verses 9-11 we see the King affirming his love for the Maiden, the same as Jesus wants to affirm His love for the Bride of Christ.

Songs 1:9, “ I have compared you, my love, to my filly among Pharaoh’s chariots.”

Pharaoh’s war chariots had the best and most trained horses in the world. King Solomon, was the wealthiest man in the world and he bought many of Pharaoh’s horses. A horse is a symbol of strength, power and denotes swiftness. In her flesh we felt weak, but Jesus sees us in strength to lift us out of our weaknesses.

Song 1:10, “Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments, your neck with chains of gold.”

Cheeks speak of emotions (blush, dimples). The emotions of anger, joy or sadness are expressed in the cheeks.

Ornaments speak of her character. Ornaments are created by the skillful work of an artist. Jesus is the artist that makes us beautiful. When we have walked closely with Jesus, we are not concerned about the little things that normally cause us anger and sadness. He lifts us up and gives us ‘beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness’ (Is 61:3)

The Neck speaks of our will (stiff neck, stubborn). Our neck turns the head as it chooses which way to go. A neck without a necklace signified a stubborn neck. But this maiden has chains of gold! Gold is purified by fire. The maiden has purified her will to submit entirely to the King.

Song 1:11,  “We will make you ornaments of gold with studs of silver.”

Some translations of this verse say it is the Daughters of Jerusalem, the immature believers, who are speaking to the Maiden. But I like Watchman Nee’s interpretation. “We will” is the King’s promise, and in the plural ‘we’ the Holy Spirit is making reference to the Trinity. (Gen 1:26, ‘let US make man in OUR image, in OUR likeness.’)

The maiden’s ornaments of Gold speaks of the divine character, with the works of the flesh burned and purified with fire (Mal 3:1-4; Rev 3:18). In Revelation 3:18 it speaks of “buy from Me gold refined in the fire”. That speaks there will be a cost to this refining, it will cost us something, not with money, but with sacrifice to return to the Lord.

Silver speaks of redemption. She will be used to bring deliverance to the captives because she is redeemed and has paid the price to walk in that redemption. This is the only time the word ‘studs’ is used in the Bible. He will bring order into our thought life as we submit to His ways. The ‘helmet of salvation’ is provided for us, but we need to put it on.

 

 

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