THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
This program of daily devotions is designed to take you through the Bible in three years. It is our desire to help you gain a better general understanding of God's Word.
Please understand that in a study this brief, we will be concerned with only the major emphases and context of the Scriptures.
Each day a devotion for one or two chapters is posted, beginning with chapter one of Genesis and going through chapter twenty-two of Revelation. You are free to print each page as it appears. If you miss a day, you may contact us and request that devotion. Please send your request, along with $.50 (p&handling) for each page to:
Bruce McGee,Pastor
205 Adams
Columbia, LA 71418
We have a great friend in Gary Godard. He has set up an archive page. To view ALL the prior devotions by Scripture, just clik
Bro. Bruce's commentaries for
the books of Genesis through 2Kings are
now available in hard copy for $7.50. Just mail your request for
COMMENTARY ON (BOOK NAME) to the address above.
Song Of Solomon
INTRODUCTION:
I am thoroughly convinced that the entire Bible (66 books) which is now in our possession, was given by God, inspired by God, and caused to be written for our education and edification. Both Paul (2Timothy 3:16) and Peter (2Peter 1:24) believed this to be true. And David certainly believed it to be true (see Psalm 119).
The Song of Solomon is especially such a book. This poetic drama in song declares with open sincerity the beauty of the marital union of a man and a woman. Though the name of God is not specifically mentioned, and though the New Testament never quotes from the book, when studied properly this song certainly explains much of marriage, as well as the union of the church to Christ.
Jewish people read this song on the eighth day of Passover each year. It reminded them of their genuine and intimate relationship with God as well as the intimacy of marriage with one spouse, to which we are all commended by the Word of God.
There is no doubt that this song was written by Solomon. The first verse tells us so, and the literary style of wisdom language certainly supplements such an understanding.
The song as a drama was not intended to be acted out. Rather it was written about an experience in the life of Solomon.
Thus, one may realize that the Song of Solomon is not one to be acted out upon a stage; but rather, it is to be EXPERIENCED in the heart of believers.
CHAPTER 4
1 The song of songs, which is Solomon's.
The terms employed in the Hebrew convey that this is the CROWN SONG of Solomon. We must remember that he wrote 1,005 songs (1Kings 4:32).
Some doubt the veracity of the Bible in this statement. Let me point out that even in this day, I know a man who has written over 500 songs! These songs have been recorded and used by several Christian artists.
The artistry of writing a song demands experience of the subject. Solomon had personal experience with marriage. He also had personally experienced the union of God in his life.
2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. 3 Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee. 4 Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.
This young woman had been found by the King, and has been brought to his palace. But she has not yet been brought to marriage.
She speaks of the "kisses of his mouth" as the delight of the knowledge of pure love. His love she says is "better than wine." Wine was used to make the soul "merry" (Genesis 43:34, Ecclesiastes 9:7). But the great grace of God is what makes the entirety of the soul merry! Truly, "The lips of THE RIGHTEOUS (ONE) feed many..." (Proverbs 10:21)
Even Solomon's NAME brought joyful thoughts (verse 3) to people's hearts. And those of pure hearts ("virgins") did truly love him. How much more our CHRIST? Oh! How His NAME brings JOY!!
"Draw me..." meaning "call unto me." We could not be saved, brought to the great marriage supper of the LAMB of GOD unless we were first DRAWN by His Holy Spirit! And when finally we are brought into His INNER CHAMBERS (Heaven), we shall certainly REJOICE!!
5 I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon. 6 Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.
The young woman considers herself to be "black," burned by years in the sun. The reason she has been so much in the sun is because her stepbrothers made her keep the vineyard. Having to work in this manner, she had no time to keep her "own vineyard," her body. She was not accustomed to using oils, perfumes and such as other ladies were.
Are we not all "black" with sin? Yet we are "comely" to our Master! He desires us as part of His creation. He desires to have a genuine personal
relationship with Him.
Though we are unable, in ourselves, to keep our soul from sin, we can be received of our Lord by repentance and surrender. We can also be received into the "brotherhood," the "bride of Christ," the church.
7 Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?
The young woman desired to be where she could SEE Solomon; where she could have personal knowledge of his presence.
We, as Christians, should desire the closeness of our Lord, Jesus.
8 If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents.
The other young ladies tell her that if she desires to see him, she should take a place near "the shepherds' tents." He would soon be there.
Surely, the presence of Christ is near the "shepherds' tents" - the church, and the undershepherds of His flock. One can take a place there and be assured He will visit there.
9 I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots. 10 Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold.
Solomon now speaks of the young lady. He is a man, and describes her in beauty as a man. He is familiar with horses, realizing there is beauty in them as well as strength and power.
Our Lord has described those who have surrendered to Him as beautiful in His sight, and because we were created in His own image (Genesis 1:26, Ezekiel 16:14).
11 We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver.
Realizing she will soon be called to the marriage, the other young ladies determine to help her prepare for that wonderful event.
The church is the place where saved sinners help other saved sinners prepare for the great "marriage supper of the Lamb" (Revelation 19:9).
12 While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof. 13 A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts. 14 My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of En-gedi.
"Spikenard" was a highly aromatic oil imported from India, and was valued at great price. The flavor of it reminded her of the love of the king who sat regally at his table.
Young women commonly wore a pouch of perfumed spices ("bundle of myrrh"). Christians should do all they can to be "approved of God" (2Timothy 2:15).
The smell of the "camphire" (or Henna blossoms) which grew in the desert near the Dead Sea reminded her of the wonder and splendor of the king.
The beauty and fragrances of the earth should remind us that our Lord not only created all there is; but He also created it with beauty and fragrance.
15 Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes. 16 Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed is green. 17 The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir.
First (verse 15), the king speaks concerning her beauty. Her countenance is described as "fair," or, in the Hebrew - beautiful.
Then, (verses 16-17), the young woman speaks to the king. In that the "bed is green," she speaks of the everlasting nature of the relationship. And the same is relative to the use of "beams...of cedar, and..rafters of fir." The qualities of both wood products are longlasting.
If the human being, even engulfed in sin, is beautiful enough for Christ to die for, then each person is truly marvelous in His sight. We are created by His wondrous grace, and called out of the blackness of our sin to eternal redemption. His desire is that all mankind might be saved (2Peter 3:9), and that we might partake of His everlasting nature (John 3:16).
PLEASE CONTINUE IN BIBLE STUDY WITH US TOMORROW.