Posts Tagged ‘Song of Songs’

Tishri 5780 – Teshuvah Day 39 (10/9/19)

Posted: October 9, 2019 in Song of Songs, Teshuvah 40 Day Devotional
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Today is the Day of Atonement on God’s prophetic calendar found in Leviticus 23, the Seven Feasts of the Lord (not of the Jews). God said these are MY FEASTS (moedim, fixed appointed times on God’s calendar) The Spring Feasts are regarding personal salvation, the Summer Feast of Pentecost is about the giving of the Law and Acts 2, the Church, body of Christ. These last 3 Feasts are about the Nations, salvation of the lost in the nations of the world. It is interesting that the News is very focused on the Church of the Kurds in Syria. This is a time to get out of our own self-interest, and be like the Shulamite who is only concerned about what is on Jesus’ heart – His Church in the World.

Song 8:8, “We have a little sister, and she has no breasts. What shall we do for our sister in the day when she is spoken for?”

The Passion Translation of 8-10 reads, “My brothers said to me when I was young, ‘Our sister is so immature. What will we do to guard her for her wedding day?‘”

Watchman Nee says this is the Shulamite maiden who speaks in verses 8-9.

  • Jesus – what are WE going to do about the little ones, that can’t even nurture themselves
  • The Maiden knows that her burden is His burden and brings it to Him.
  • She now offers 2 intercessory End Time prayers
    • 8:8, for the Church
    • 8:14, for the Bridegroom to hasten His Coming

Song 8:9, “If she is a wall, we will build upon her a battlement of silver; and if she is a door, we will enclose her with boards of cedar.”

(Now you will see several different understandings on this verse)

NLT-“If she (little sister) is a virgin, like a wall, we will protect her with a silver tower. But if she is promiscuous, like a swinging door, we will block her door with a cedar bar.”

Mike Bickle’s interpretation of this verse: Her 3-fold confidence is as a wall (selfless motives), as a tower (her supernatural abilities to nurture) and as one peace (emotional hindrances removed).

  • Wall – if she has set up a wall and won’t let him in
    • Mike Bickle – wall ministry is to protect others
  • Battlement – place at the top of a tower where the protected archers shot their arrows, speaks of safety
  • Silver – redemption, protect her with anything of redeeming power
  • Door– (door, gate …(fig) of an easily-accessible woman)
    • Doors of cedar in the Temple were panels of cedar that were expensive, reliable, strong and costly
  • Watchman Nee, ““We will enclose her with boards of cedar.” We will add Christ’s heavenly humanity to her. (Wood signifies humanity, whereas cedar is tall. Hence cedar wood signifies Christ’s heavenly humanity, His glorified humanity, and His heavenly human life.) She no longer does the things that she wants to do; she does them together with the Lord.”
  • Mike Bickle – door ministry is of an evangelist, intercessor, teacher, apostle
  • Matthew Henry, “This little sister, when once she is joined to the Lord, shall be made to grow into a holy temple, a habitation of God through the Spirit, (Eph 2:21,22), when this palace comes to be finished, and the doors of this wall set up, which was the last thing done (Neh 7:1), then we will enclose here with boards of cedar; we will carefully and effectually protect her, that she shall receive no damage. We will do it; Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, all concur in contriving, carrying on, and crowning, the blessed work when the time comes.”

Song 8:10, (The Shulamite) “I am a wall, and my breasts like towers; then I became in his eyes as one who found peace.”

The Bride has a 3-fold confidence (1) She is clothed in cedar (she has put on Christ) (2) She is able to nurture many (3) She ministers in rest

  • Breasts like towers – developed, full – able to nurture
  • Found (matza) peace (shalom) – she has now obtained favor, completeness, quiet

 

Tishri 5780 – Teshuvah Day 37 (10/7/19)

Posted: October 7, 2019 in Song of Songs, Teshuvah 40 Day Devotional
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Song 8:1, “Oh, that you were like my brother, who nursed at my mother’s breasts! If I should find you outside, I would kiss you; I would not be despised.”

The Maiden continues to express her love for the Beloved. She is no longer self-seeking, it is all about Him. This is how people feel who are impassioned and consumed with love. When you really find Jesus, make Him first, everything changes and your are going to have a fire in your heart.

  • In the East, family members could be affectionate in public, but public affection between loves was forbidden.
    • Even in a land such as the US, people do not understand and will freely criticize those who are on fire for God.
    • I remember David Wilkerson when God first sent him to New York City to preach on the streets. Ridicule and angry threats availed much, but now we see the fruit of his passion!
  • Matthew Henry comments, ‘The spouse wishes for a constant intimacy and freedom with the Lord Jesus. She was already betrothed to him, but, the nuptials being yet not solemnized and published (the bride, the Lamb’s wife, will not be completely ready till his Second Coming), she was obliged to be shy and to keep at some distance; she therefore wishes she may be taken for his sister, he having called her so (ch. 5:1), and that she might have the same chaste and innocent familiarity with him that a sister has with a brother, an own brother, that sucked the breasts of the same mother with her, who would therefore be exceedingly tender of her, as Joseph was of his brother Benjamin.’

Song 8:2, “I would lead you and bring you into the house of my mother, she who used to instruct me. I would cause you to drink of spiced wine, of the juice of my pomegranate.”

  • We must bring Jesus to places where He will be honored, those who have taught her
    • Often those who have taught us have grown cold and we desire for the fire of God to help them finish well
    • We cannot bless them and be critical of them at the same time
  • Spiced (this is the only time it is used in the Bible)
    • When there was an honored guest, their cup would have spices mixed into the wine – very expensive, costly
    • She promises to serve him, “I will cause”
  • Juice of the pomegranate – graces from her inner life
  • Watchman Nee, “She continues to say, “When that day comes, it will be as if I am leading You into the heavenly Jerusalem. I will forever be taught of grace. All my fruits today are for the making of the sweet wine of that day, which will serve as Your eternal joy. None of the spiritual fruits I have received from You will be for myself. On that day all the pomegranates will be turned into spiced wine for Your satisfaction. I will give everything I have to You, and everything I have will be for Your enjoyment.”

Song 8:3, “His left hand is under my head, and his right hand embraces me.” (4) “ I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, do not stir up nor awaken love until it pleases.”

  • Left hand – unseen work of God
  • Right hand – Covenant, the hand of blessing, manifested work of God
  • Matthew Henry, “She doubts not but to experience his tender care of her and affection to her), that she should be supported by his power and kept from fainting in the hardest services and sufferings (His left hand under my head) and that she should be comforted with his love—His right hand should embrace me. While we are following hard after Christ his right hand sustains us, (Ps 63:8)
  • Refer to SOS 3:5 notes, “until ‘she’ is ready” (I think this is the maiden’s voice)
    • Third time : 2:7; 3:5; 8:4)- the first 2 times “by the gazelles of the field” but this time it is omitted because she is mature and not easily distracted, double minded or ‘tossed to and fro’- no more foxes!!!
  • Watchman Nee, “She is now living in the hope of rapture; she is in His hand. Her feeling at the moment is proper. There is no need to arouse her. Do not interfere by the hand of flesh, until she wakes up in the countenance of His face.”

 

 

Tishri 5780 – Teshuvah Day 36 (10/6/19)

Posted: October 6, 2019 in Song of Songs, Teshuvah 40 Day Devotional
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The Shulamite  continues to express her love and commitment for the Beloved. Strong’s Concordance lists Shulamite as “the perfect” or “the peaceful”.

Song 7:12, “Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine has budded, whether the grape blossoms are open, and the pomegranates are in bloom. There I will give you my love.”

  • Early – diligence in assignment, priority, not waiting until a more inconvenient time
  • Now she is serving for HIM, not for the people
    • Undistracted intimacy
  • Watchman Nee,“Laziness is not a characteristic of the Lord’s life. Only those who are spiritual can be diligent…..The difference between diligence and laziness lies in the use of time. This is why the apostle charged us to redeem the time” (Eph. 5:16; Col. 4:5).
    • I can attest to this. Unless I get up early and make prayer and devotion a FIRST priority, the distractions of the day take over. Once I have made this a priority, my day flows and everything gets done – ‘decently and in order’
  • Vines budded, grapes blossom, pomegranates in bloom all speak of different people and ministries that need maturing
    • Pomegranates have lots of seeds. It is fun teaching someone who will spread the Word and are hungry and productive.
    • Budded, blossoms open, in bloom all speak of different stages in our faith walk with Jesus in the midst of ministry. This is a place of selfless love.
      • There is a risk of faith, disappointments and mistreatment, but love for the Beloved causes strength and courage to go forth into ministry.
  • Apostle Paul knew Jesus in the suffering of ministry
    • Phil 3:10, “That I may know Him (intimacy with God) and the power of His resurrection (ministry) and the fellowship of his sufferings (hardship), being conformed to His death.”
    • I Cor 15:10, “I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”
    • 2 Cor 11:23-28, “In labors more”
  • Watchman Nee, “In the past, work was something that was a distraction. Because of much serving, the maiden would lose the fellowship at His feet. To an immature believer, work does not improve his love to the Lord. On the contrary, it puts a barrier between him and the Lord. This is a sign of an imperfect union. But by this time, her experience has reached the stage of perfection, and she is able to relate the Lord’s work to the Lord Himself and able to relate even the world to the Lord. She is able to relate the Lord’s brother to the Lord Himself. Now she can express her loves to the Lord at the place of His work. She can make her work an expression of her love to Him. She has no condemnation after she works, and she is no longer afraid of losing something of the Lord through her work.”

Song 7:13, “The mandrakes give off a fragrance, and at our  gates are pleasant fruits, all manner, new and old, which I have laid up for you, my beloved.”

  • Mandrakes  symbolize intimacy with God
    • It is a fruit associated with love
    • Mandrakes are believed to have ability for fertility (Rachel & Leah, Gen 30:14)
    • Genesis 30 & Song 7:13 are the only time mandrakes are listed in the Bible
  • Gates – the fragrance of the beauty of pleasing Jesus in ministry goes before her
    • The ‘gates’ are places that God has assigned for us, and we will find fruit ‘there’ 
  • New & Old– proven truths from her past and new fresh ones
    • Matthew 13:52, “Every scribe instructed..brings out of his treasure things old and new”
    • Not just one kind of fruit, some new fruit and some older fruit- different people bearing different fruits.
    • Those who have walked with the Lord for years but have grown cold can only bring out the old, no new & fresh testimonies, no intimacy, no fruit
  • Jesus has laid up treasures in heaven for us, but we are laying up treasures of love and obedient service to Him and for Him
    • Rev 4:10, “The 24 elders fell down before Him…. and cast their crowns before the Throne.”

 

Tishri 5780 – Teshuvah Day 33 (10/3/19)

Posted: October 3, 2019 in Song of Songs, Teshuvah 40 Day Devotional
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The Beloved continues to praise the Maiden.

Songs 6:8, “There are sixty queens and eighty concubines, and virgins without number.” (9) “My dove, my perfect one, is the only one, the only one of her mother, the favorite of the one who bore her. The daughters saw her and called her blessed, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.”

Three female positions of honor were in Solomon’s court

  1. Queens (wives)
  2. Concubines that he slept with
    1. Both queens & concubines bore his children and had an inheritance with him
  3. Virgins attended the queens & concubines, no intimacy, no reproduction

At the time of this writing Solomon had 60 wives. Eventually he would have 700 wives and 300 concubines (I Kings 11:3)

Watchman Nee, “Corporately speaking, the Lamb has only one wife. (the Church) But individually speaking, He has many lovers. Some are like Queens, some like concubines, while others like virgins…. .But whatever they are, they all have a love relationship with the King. Yet none of them matches the maiden in her pursuit.”

  • Dove – singleness, loyalty
  • Perfect One – matured spiritually, a work of grace
    • A person who receives more grace is one who allows God to work on him more, while a person who receives less grace is one who allows God to work on him less
  • Only one of her mother – Church (Gal 4:26), Jerusalem above is the mother of us all) Produced 1 Body of Christ, or 1 Bride
    • Her blessing is seen by the immature and those closest to him
    • Prophetically speaking, she will not longer be treated badly in the House of God, but will now be honored.

Songs 6:10, “Who is she who looks forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, awesome as an army with banners?”

Mike Bickle teaches the one who says ‘who is this or who is she’ is the Holy Spirit (3:6; 6:10; 8:5)

Watchman Nee, “Here the Holy Spirit speaks through the mouth of a third party again and brings out the maiden’s glory through exclamatory questions….The Holy Spirit likes to stimulate the thoughts of the believers with questions; He arouses their attention once again to consider God’s work and understand what is pleasing to God. Every time the Holy Spirit poses a question, it comes after a renewed perfecting on the part of the maiden….Here we see the same pattern. Every time the believer reaches a higher level of experience, the Holy Spirit uses questions to reveal the history or reason behind the experience.”

  • Shines forth as the morning- hope comes before the full light (light of the world). Shadows are gone now that she is walking by faith.
  • Moon – reflection of the Sun, has no light in itself
  • Sun – fullness of glory (New Jerusalem will have no Sun for light because Jesus will be the Light)
    • The Bride will be in full glory (Rev 21:11; Luke 11:36; Daniel 12:3)
  • Army With Banners – The Bride will rule the administration of Jesus’ Kingdom forever
    • Daniel 7:27, “Then the sovereignty, power, and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be given to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will last forever, and all rulers will serve and obey him”
    • 6:4 was for the victory over her own weaknesses
    • 6:10 is for victory over all powers before the Marriage Supper of the Lamb

The Bride’s 4-fold glory seen progressively:

  1. Dawning of God’s Light
  2. Moon is warfare and evangelism
  3. Sun in age to come – full glory
  4. Ruling as God’s weapon in His government forever (banners)

Song 6:11, (The Shulamite) “I went down to the garden of nuts to see the verdure of the valley, to see whether the vine had budded and the pomegranates had bloomed.”

Three times garden is her garden, six times it is His garden. This is His garden. She now goes down to help Jesus in the garden of the ‘little ones’ that are just budding.

  • Garden of Nuts – walnut grove, orchard. Walnut groves were thick & provided relief in the heat. Walnut oil was used for making soap for cleansing. Walnut leaves were used for healing and the life of a walnut was on the inside.
  • Vendure -Hebrew ‘eb’, meaning freshness, fresh green, green shoots, or greenery
  • Vine and Vineyard are God’s people and His work (Isaiah 5; John 5)
  • Blossoming pomegranates – individual believers

Song 6:12, Before I was even aware, my soul had made me as the chariots of my noble people”

She was surprised at the love, compassion and zeal she felt for ministering to others!

  • Noble people – royal family

Song 6:13, (Daughters of Jerusalem) “Return, return, O Shulamite; Return, return, that we may look upon you!”  “What would you see in the Shulamite— As it were, the dance of the two camps?”

Watchman Nee, “This passage opens with a call by some of the daughters of Jerusalem; “Return…that we may look upon thee!” To this others made reply in effect; “Why do you wish to look upon this Shulamite? What do you see in her?” The answer is given in the following verses (7:1-5) in the form of a victory dance.

Two Camps – mahanaim, encampment, army camp, body of people, company. (Genesis 32- Esau and Jacob at Mahanaim)

We see two different responses to the maiden’s love for the king.

  1. 13a – support, respect, admiration of the daughters
  2. 13b- sarcasm from the jealous other daughters (not all Christians are going to support you in your walk of faith) ‘Who does she think she is!” Not a question, but words of scarcasm.
Tomorrow in Chapter 7 we will see Jesus vindicate the maiden There is a time when He will fight for us and we will hold our peace.

 

 

 

Tishri 5780 – Teshuvah Day 32 (10/2/19)

Posted: October 2, 2019 in Song of Songs, Teshuvah 40 Day Devotional
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Day 3 of the 10 Days of Awe

Songs 6:1, (The Daughters of Jerusalem) “Where has your beloved gone, O fairest among women? Where has your beloved turned aside, that we may seek him with you?”

  • After hearing of how beautiful and wonderful her Beloved is, the love of the maiden has drawn the immature to seek Him with all their heart. They realize their void, not experiencing the same intimacy.

Songs 6:2, (the maiden replies) “My beloved has gone to his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed his flock in the gardens, and to gather lilies.”

  • Now she is teaching the immature how to seek intimacy.
  • Garden (Church, Body of Christ)
    • Gardens (plural) speak of individual believers and their place of intimacy with Jesus
  • His Garden – His secret place
  • Spices – sweet smelling (grace ministry whether it is) private or public
  • Beds – garden terrace or bed (within the garden)

Songs 6:3, “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine. He feeds his flock among the lilies.”

There is a progression in her love and commitment for the Beloved:

  • 1:4, My Beloved is to ME
  • 2:15, My Beloved is MINE and I am His
    • the first 2 it is all about herself, then Him
  • 6:3, I am my Beloved’s and my beloved is mine
    • She is coming higher, putting the flesh in its place
  • 7:10, I am my Beloved’s and His desire is towards me
    • Now she is totally sold out

In Chapter One she asked where He feeds His flock – now she is teaching others how Jesus wants to feed them individually.

  • Among the Lilies – purity, separated (Mt 5:8, pure in heart will see God)

Songs 6:4, (The Beloved) “O my love, you are as beautiful as Tirzah, lovely as Jerusalem, awesome as an army with banners!”

  • Tizrah – the most beautiful city of the Canaanite and became the Capital city of the divided kingdom of Israel (Josh 12:24; I Ki 14:17; 15:33; 16:8, 23; 2 Ki 15:14)
    • Tizra means ‘pleasant’ or ‘my delight’
    • Natural Beauty – beautiful to unbelievers, soul-winner
  • Jerusalem – Spiritual Capital of Israel blessed with the presence of God. She is prized with her ‘spiritual beauty’. David found the city, but Solomon made the city beautiful with the Temple.
  • Army with Banners – victorious, defeated her greatest enemy – her flesh and her thought life! (The defeated enemy lost all their banners)

What is the most beautiful was that she was doing this to move the King’s heart, and not for anyone else – not trying to please or move people, no self promoting!

Songs 6:5, “Turn your eyes away from me, for they have overcome me. Your hair is like a flock of goats going down from Gilead.”

This is poetic language – Jesus does not want us to stop looking at Him.

  • Matthew Henry comments, “When we are calling to God to turn the eye of His favor towards us, He is calling us to turn our eye of obedience towards Him.”

How he is going to use 3 natural features to describe her: hair, teeth and cheeks

  • Hair -commitment, dedication
  • Majestic as a flock of male goats
    • Proverbs 30:29, “There are three things which are majestic in pace..walk; (31) a greyhound, a male goat, king whose troops are with him”

What we saw in 4:1-3 were prophetic – he now speaks from what he sees naturally.

Songs 6:6, “Your teeth are like a flock of sheep which have come up from the washing; every one bears twins, and none is barren among them.”

  • Teeth – her ability to chew strong meat, which is to rightly divide the Word of God. If there is a right way to understand and teach the Word of God, there is also a wrong way.
  • Shorn – Songs 4:2 adds ‘shorn’ to describe the sheep, clipped and balanced

Songs 6:7, “Like a piece of pomegranate are your temples behind your veil.”

  • Temples – Cheeks, emotions
  • Pomegranate – red, blushing
  • Veiled – modesty

Jesus sees us as committed, dedicated, balanced in the Word and innocent to Him as we draw closer to Him and farther away from the world. SELAH

 

Tishri 5780 – Teshuvah Day 31 (10/1/19)

Posted: October 1, 2019 in Song of Songs, Teshuvah 40 Day Devotional
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Songs 5:8, “I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my beloved, that you tell him I am lovesick!”

Watchman Nee, “When she failed to find the needed help from men of spiritual caliber, she now turned with her request to those who were spiritually less mature than herself.”

  • Before she was”lovesick’ because of an overflow of emotions. (2:5) But now it is a hunger for love in this time of dryness.

Songs 5:9, (The Daughters of Jerusalem) “What is your beloved more than another beloved, O fairest of women? What is your beloved more than another beloved, that you so charge us?”

  •  They do not understand that “NONE” can compare with her Beloved.
  • When someone receives Jesus and is totally changed, who wants nothing but to sit at His feet – people around them do not understand what they are going through on the inside. They see Jesus in the History book and not in their heart. They do not KNOW Him intimately.

Now the Maiden will begin to describe her Beloved to those who are spiritually immature.

Songs 5:10, “My beloved is white and ruddy, chief among ten thousand. (11) His head is like the finest gold; his locks are wavy, and black as a raven. (12) His eyes are like doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set. (13) His cheeks are like a bed of spices, banks of scented herbs. His lips are lilies, dripping liquid myrrh. (14) His hands are rods of gold set with beryl. His body is carved ivory inlaid with sapphires. (15)His legs are pillars of marble set on bases of fine gold.
His countenance is like Lebanon, excellent as the cedars. (16)  His mouth is most sweet, yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem!”

  • White – tsach, dazzling, glowing, bright (purity, separated from any sin)
  • Ruddy – adam, red, ruddy, full of life and power
  • Chief – dagal, banner, standard, to look, behold (Jesus is not only our banner, but also our banner carrier)
  • Ten Thousand – rebabah, often used for a very large number, millions, multiple
  • Head – leadership; like finest gold, life of God, superior to others
  • Locks – hair represents dedication to God, commitment to the Church
    • Wavy – taltal, bushy, flowing (used only once)
    • Black as a raven – describing the color of the locks. Grey represents diminished strength.  Our Savior is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Jesus has eternal power.
  • Eyes – discernment, understanding, wisdom, knowledge (eyes of the seat of expression)  Here they also express emotions, ‘tears of tenderness’
    • Doves – singleness of vision (Rev 1 says His eyes were like flames of fire – doves’s eyes are red)
  • Cheeks – emotions, passions, pleasure
    • Spices describe the diversity of His affections for us
  • Lips – speech, words
    • Lilies – pure
    • Dripping with Myrrh – selfless
  • Hands – speak of activity
    • Rods of gold – divine character (following the perfect will of God)
      • KJV says gold ‘rings’, galiyl, turning, folding, rod, circuit (will not slip)
    • Beryl – tarshiysh,  “Adorned with the gems of Tarshish (eluding to the nails, of which great care was taken.” (Bullinger’s Companion Bible, pg 926)
    • Watchman Nee – “Beryl is mentioned a few times in the Old Testament, including Ezekiel 1:16 and Daniel 10:6. In both places, the meaning is ‘stability’…Hence, both the rings of gold and beryl speak of the stability of the Lord’s work.“
  • Body / Bowels – compassion, moved with compassion.
    • KJV, “His belly [is as] bright ivory overlaid [with] sapphires.”
    • Carved Ivory – rare and expensive; an animal must die to get the ivory
    • Sapphires – “the body of heaven in his clearness” (Exodus 24:10). His feelings come directly from heaven!
  • Legs – his walk, forward motion; administration of  his purpose; upright position
    • Pillars – strength, support
    • Marble – strong and permanent
    • Gold – divinity
      • She mentioned gold 3 times: thoughts of his mind, works of his hands, stability of His feet – all divinely controlled by God
  • Countenance – mar’eh, what is seen, sight, importation of glory
    • Lebanon – stately & honorable
    • Cedars – very tall tree; high and lifted up
  • Mouth – chek, taste, gums, palate (2:3; 7:9)
    • A taste tester would taste everything before giving it to the king; her our King has tasted everything before giving it to us!
  • After the 10 expressions of her Beloved, she sums it into “altogether lovely”.
    • This is my Beloved, This is my Friend!

Tishri 5780 – Teshuvah Day 30 (9/30/19)

Posted: September 30, 2019 in Song of Songs, Teshuvah 40 Day Devotional
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Remember, 4:16 was a major transition, “Awake O North Wind”

Song 5:2, “I sleep, but my heart is awake; it is the voice of my beloved! He knocks, saying, “Open for me, my sister, my love, my dove, my perfect one; for my head is covered with dew, my locks with the drops of the night.”

  • In this, Jesus is revealing Himself to her in a night season, inviting her to “fellowship in His sufferings’ (Phil 3:10)
    • In verses 3-5 she responds in obedience which will be followed by a test in verses 6-7.
  • I Sleep – she is now at rest, no longer battling the flesh for decisions and compromise.
  • He is knocking at the door of her heart to come to a new level
    • Night represents darkness, hard times to see things
    • Opening a door speaks of a level of communion (Rev 3:20)
    • Drops of the night – now she will fellowship with Jesus suffering
  • He is describing his relationship with her, leaving out “spouse“
    • My sister: identification, same life; sharing in the sufferings
    • My love: he reminds her of his tender love
    • My dove: he speaks of her singleness and loyalty
    • My perfect one: undefiled; he sees her ‘intentions’ as perfect, mature

Songs 5:3, “I have taken off my robe; how can I put it on again? I have washed my feet; how can I defile them?”

I think most people see this as if she is refusing to get up and answer the door. But she calls him her ‘beloved’, responding in love and obedience (vs 4).

  • Robe – she has taken off the worldly ways, and is now clothed in robes of righteousness – she is refusing compromise.
  • Feet – her walk is now a walk of faith and she will not turn back

Songs 5:4, “My beloved put his hand by the latch of the door, and my heart yearned for him.”

He is now helping her to open her heart in full obedience

  • Lock – thoughts and emotions that block our heart and keep her from full obedience
  • Heart – me’ah, belly, inward parts, emotions
  • Yearned – hamah, roar, cry aloud, mourn, be moved, growl, stirred

Songs 5:5, “I arose to open for my beloved, and my hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with liquid myrrh, on the handles of the lock.”

This speaks of the abundant life with the Holy Spirit.

  • Myrrh – her decision to die to self
    • His hands were dripping with myrrh ‘like liquid’ on the lock of her heart
    • This will be preparing for the 2 tests that come in verses 6-7
  • Fingers – activity, actions of working faith
  • Handles on the lock – thoughts and emotions

Test 1 (He allowed the test) Songs 5:6, “I opened for my beloved, but my beloved had turned away and was gone. My heart leaped up when he spoke. I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.”

  • Now she will have to walk totally by faith, without him – Will she totally trust by faith?
    • The first time he withdrew himself was because of her fear, insecurity
    • Now he will withdraw to strengthen her
  • Her greatest desire is his presence
    • We are assured that Jesus will never forsake us (Heb 13:5), but there is a difference between walking by faith and experiencing His presence.

Test 2 – Songs 5:7, “The watchmen who went about the city found me. They struck me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took my veil away from me.”

  • Will she quit under pressure and the bait of satan? (skandalon, offence)
    • She is suffering abuse under those who were supposed to feed and protect her
  • Watchmen, keepers – leaders, spiritual authority that guard the people of God
    • Wounded in the house of friends (Ps 55:12-21)
  • Took my veil away – exposed secret things. Now she cannot function in the Body, no covering, no place to minister
    • They will broadcast her failures and she will face shame again

 

 

Elul 5779 – Teshuvah Day 28 (9/28/19)

Posted: September 28, 2019 in Song of Songs, Teshuvah 40 Day Devotional
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We use many idioms in our nation that others would never understand. Like, “fork in the road”. Now you are going to see the Beloved idioms from the farming community, that would speak real to her. Just as Jesus would speak to the fishermen about fishing and the farmers about planting seeds.

Song 4:13, “Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates with pleasant fruits, fragrant henna with spikenard,”

  • An orchard is to feed others. This describes her fruitfulness
  • Pomegranates – seeds, abundance of fruit. This speaks of the fruit of the Spirit
  • Henna, kaphor, price of life, ransom, pitch or henna plant

Song 4:14, “Spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices—”

  • Nard – a spike of a nard, a very expensive plant from India used for costly perfume
  • Saffron – orange-yellow flower used for flavoring in drinks and confections to promote perspiration for cooling the body
  • Calmus – reed grown by marshes that have a sweet smelling fragrance
  • Frankincense – incense used in prayers offered to God
  • Myrrh – Arabian gum from the bard of a tree, used for sacred oil and embalming
  • Aloes – fragrant Indian tree, used for perfumes
  • Chief spices – from the balsam tree, sweet smelling perfume

I think the Passion Translations lays out vs 13-14 beautifully: “Your inward life is now sprouting, bringing forth fruit. What a beautiful paradise unfolds within you.When I’m near you, I smell aromas of the finest spice, for many clusters of my exquisite fruit now grow within your inner garden. Here are the nine: pomegranates of passion, henna from heaven, spikenard so sweet, saffron shining, fragrant calamus from the cross, sacred cinnamon, branches of scented woods, myrrh, like tears from a tree, and aloe as eagles ascending.”

Song 4:15, “A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon.”

  • The Bride has 3 sources of water
    • Ps 1:3, blessed hearts are like a tree planted by the water
    • Is 1:30, hardened hearts are hard from being dry
  • Three ways the Holy Spirit ministers to us
    • Fountain – hidden source of water from below surface
      • Gardens, plural – enough for us and others
    • Well – stored water to draw as needed
    • Streams – outward flow of water, coming from the high places, refreshing

Now the Maiden replies to His words of love, respect and admiration:

Song 4:16, “Awake, O north wind, and come, O south! Blow upon my garden, that its spices may flow out. Let my beloved come to his garden and eat its pleasant fruits.”

  • THIS IS THE TURNING POINT OF THE WHOLE BOOK!!!
    • Where she shifts from only thinking of what Jesus can do for her, but now she wants to be part of His plan, she wants to be devoted to Him alone.
  • North Winds – tough times, times of challenge to bring us to a new place in Him
    • Challenge is to keep our face to Him in the North Wind
  • South Winds – winds of refreshing, winds that bring us blessings
    • The problem with the south winds is sleep and comfort
  • Blow upon my gardens – my heart and my ministry to be deeply affected
    • Deeply affected, pressed to bring out true fragrance

Now the Beloved sees she has allowed her heart to become His garden. She is no longer just concerned about her inheritance in Him, now it is His inheritance in her.

Song 5:1, I have come to my garden, my sister, my spouse; I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk. (To His Friends) Eat, O friends! Drink, yes, drink deeply, O beloved ones!

  • 9 times He says “My” to depict His ownership in Song 5:1 and 6 times in verse 2.

Elul 5779 – Teshuvah Day 23 (9/23/19)

Posted: September 23, 2019 in Song of Songs, Teshuvah 40 Day Devotional
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Watchman Nee taught that verses 6-11 were not spoken by the Beloved or his beloved maiden, but rather the Holy Spirit speaking through the inhabitants of Jerusalem. The question of Vs 6 is spoken one of them and the replies that follow are spoken by others, revealing the scene before them.

Song 3:6, “Who is this coming out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all the merchant’s fragrant powders?”

What they see in the distant cloud of dust, rising like columns of smoke, approaching from the wilderness. We learn later that it is caused by a progression of men, carrying the Beloved and his beloved maiden on a palanquin.

  • Wilderness – midbar, pasture, uninhabited land, desert, or mouth
  • Pillars of smoke – smoke represents the glory of God in the Tabernacle. Smoke comes out of fire, revealing Holy Spirit investing her with new truth.
  • Myrrh – burial spice, He is perfumed, no longer smells of death, rising to God as a sweet smelling sacrifice; first born from the dead
  • Frankincense – Used in the Holy Place & Holy of Holies.  Jesus is rising to His role as High Priest (Heb 7:25)
  • Merchant Powders – Merchant is singular. This speaks of Jesus’ commitment to us, at a cost of faith and obedience. Matthew 13:45-46; merchant finds a pearl at great price (Church); sold all. 

First Reply: Song 3:7, “Behold, it is Solomon’s couch, with sixty valiant men around it, of the valiant of Israel. (8) They all hold swords, being expert in war. Every man has his sword on his thigh because of fear in the night.’

Solomon’s Couch/Palanquin: a portable enclosed chair, royal wedding bed. Charles Spurgeon preached, “Great princes of the East are in the habit of traveling in splendid palanquins, which are at the same time chariots and beds. The person reclines within, screened by curtains from public view; a body-guard protects the equipage from robbers, and blazing torches light up the path along which the travelers proceed.”

  • This speaks of our rest with Him. Just as the world cannot see Jesus or the Church right now, hidden in spiritual places, but very real.
  • We are seated with Him ABOVE this evil world.  Where He is seated, there are great victories while on earth darkness prevails.
  • 60 Men – There are 60 pillars of support in Moses’ Tabernacle
  • Valiant – gibbor, they were mighty and experts of war
  • Fear of the night – demonic powers of darkness

Song 3:9, “Of the wood of Lebanon Solomon the King made himself a palanquin. (10) He made its pillars of silver, its support of gold, its seat of purple, its interior paved with love by (for) the daughters of Jerusalem.”

The King made the palanquin Himself!!! The wood of Lebanon was the most beautiful, fragrant, expensive and strongest of all wood. Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you.” The wood in the Tabernacle was covered with gold because wood represents humanity and gold represents deity. Our life is covered with His grace and all He is.

  • Pillars of Silver – Pillars are what holds up a structure. Silver represents ‘redemption’,
  • Support of Gold – Around the royal seat and base.
    • Support – rĕphiydah, only time used in the Bible. It is the base, the floor, foundation
  • Seat of Purple
    • Seat speaks of our spiritual position, seated with Him in heavenly places, ruling from that seated position IN CHRIST
    • Purple speaks of royalty and authority
  • Interior paved with love (for) the daughters of Jerusalem
    • Paved – ratsaph, fit together, patterned, designed.
    • This speaks of the inner workings of God’s love for the entire Church (mature and immature), drawing them to His beauty

Song 3:11, “Go forth, O daughters of Zion, and see King Solomon with the crown with which his mother crowned him on the day of his wedding, the day of the gladness of his heart.”

Mother is the Church.

  • The Crown represents His power and authority to rule as the King. This crown is a ‘wedding crown’ that the Bridegroom wears to the wedding. Even if Jesus has all authority, He will not force us to crown Him, this only comes by ‘voluntary love’.

Enjoy this song as you meditate. https://youtu.be/O6lBUAWCE2s?t=1

 

 

 

 

Elul 5779 – Teshuvah Day 22 (9/22/19)

Posted: September 22, 2019 in Song of Songs, Teshuvah 40 Day Devotional
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The Cost of Delay and Reward of Obedience

Song 3:1, By night on my bed I sought the one I love; I sought him, but I did not find him.

Before it was ‘our bed’, now it is ‘my bed’, she stayed behind and did not go with Him.

There are four different ‘nights’ in our spiritual life in which we seek the Lord

  1. The night hours (inconvenience)
  2. The night (dark time) of pain (difficulties)
  3. The night (dark time) of  temptation (struggle, failures)
  4. The dark night of the soul (when you don’t feel His presence, seems like He is gone)

Song 3:2,  “I will rise now,” I said, “and go about the city; in the streets and in the squares I will seek the one I love.” I sought him, but I did not find him.

Verse 1 speaks of seeking him on her bed, but not moving. She just has wishful thinking. Now she arises, just like the prodigal son did in Luke 15:18 when he finally came to his senses.

In this time in our walk, Jesus will purposely make us feel His absence. Deuteronomy 4:29 and I Chronicles 28:9 tell  us that if we seek Him with all our heart we will find Him.

Song 3:3,  The watchmen who go about the city found me; I said, “Have you seen the one I love?”

The city is Jerusalem, speaking of Heavenly places. This is the first evidence of reviving affections, now she is getting desperate. She leaves the comfort of her bed, but the watchman cannot find Jesus for you! We have got to realize that Jesus wants us personally to seek Him with out whole heart. Ministers can teach, lay hand on you for healing, give a prophetic word……but there is no person who can bring you into that intimate place with Jesus.

Matthew Henry comments, “Those that would seek Christ so as to find him must lose no time.”

Song 3:4,  Scarcely had I passed by them, When I found the one I love. I held him and would not let him go, until I had brought him to the house of my mother, and into the chamber of her who conceived me.

She found him! She found the one she loves! It is better than comfort, it is better than hanging with the daughters of Jerusalem. She only found him when she rose up out of obedience and desperation. Desperate times require desperate seeking.

House of my mother: Church, Body of Christ, those who hurt her. Remember how they had misused her beyond her strength in Chapter 1, now she is allowing him to go to the wounds, the hurts.

Chamber of her who conceived me: to your closest family members. A place of smallness, those who have no respect for her faith, they are all too familiar with her failures.

She held him, would not let her go until he went with her to the areas of hurt in her life. The greatest hurt will come from Church people you trust and family members. But we need to forgive and go on. Only when she is emotionally delivered will she be able to go on in obedience and follow him no matter what.

But she holds onto him, she wants it on her terms. He is not yet Lord.

Now the King speaks protection over her.

Song 3:5, 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.

3 times he gives this charge: 2:6; 3:5; 8:4. All 3 times he is speaking to the immature believers to not allow any distraction to the maiden, Jesus is not finished with us yet.

 

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