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
Chapter 8
1 O that thou wert as my brother, that sucked the breasts of my mother! when I should find thee without, I would kiss thee; yea, I should not be despised. 2 I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother's house, who would instruct me: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate. 3 His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me.
Society demands many things of us. Married couples should not overly show their affections publicly. The Shulamite bride expresses her desire that Solomon were her brother. Then she could openly show her affection for him.
Her desire is to be held by her husband (verse 3).
It has long been the case that society did not allow the display of Christians expressing their love for Jesus. It seems that those who do not KNOW Christ are quite embarrassed by conversation which speaks of our love for Him. In many areas of society, an open and honest statement of love for Christ is scorned. And in some places Christians go, such conversation is forbidden by law.
But the desire of the Christian is to know the joy of the PRESENCE of our Lord. And the presence of Him in our hearts demands conversation which speaks of His love.
4 I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, until he please.
Love between a man and a woman takes time to develop. Love is not simple emotions and feelings, it is a COMMITMENT.
A couple should allow time to get to know one another before they commit to marriage. Marriage is a serious lifetime commitment. And one should know that the intended spouse is one with whom they can spend the rest of their lives.
Marriage itself needs to grow in the commitment of love. Solomon and the Shulamite are now married, but she realizes that there are parts of the marriage which must GROW. Married couples need to pay attention to one another and learn one another as each year progresses.
Christians need to pay attention to Christ in the Word of God and learn more about Him each year. That helps them to grow and mature in the most wonderful relationship of all.
5 Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? I raised thee up under the apple tree: there thy mother brought thee forth: there she brought thee forth that bare thee.
See how she has matured in the short time of their marriage. She is different now than when he first met her. All the more reason for couples to pay close attention to one another and grow TOGETHER in the marital relationship.
6 Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. 7 Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.
Her desire is to be his most treasured possession. A "seal" was perhaps a signet ring which held the authority of the wearer. A "seal" also could be a special insignia worn about the neck or the arm.
Notice that the Shulamite realizes love cannot be bought. To try and BUY love is to despise the very intimate character of it.
The love of God cannot be purchased. It is given freely by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). God's love is yielded toward mankind (John 3:16, Romans 5:8).
The love that God desires from His people must be GIVEN (Matthew 10:32-33). Man is made in the "image of God." Man's love for God cannot be bought even by God. It must be FREELY GIVEN.
The demonstration of that love is yieldedness (Luke 9:23) and obedience (John 14:15).
8 We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts: what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for? 9 If she be a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver: and if she be a door, we will inclose her with boards of cedar.
Whether the brothers of the Shulamite speak, or whether she is simply remembering their attitude toward her as a youthful girl is not the issue here. The issue is what she is reminded of.
If she had been a "wall," or strong standard, they would provide her a great reward: "palace of silver." If she were a "door," or open to prostitution, they would have ENCLOSED her.
The END RESULT of a person's life at judgment depends upon the person's genuineness in attitude toward Christ. Judgment day will determine whether a person has shown allegiance to Christ or infidelity.
10 I am a wall, and my breasts like towers: then was I in his eyes as one that found favour. 11 Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon; he let out the vineyard unto keepers; every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand pieces of silver. 12 My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred.
She says she has been a "wall." She has shown her moral character and yielded only to her husband.
Though Solomon had great riches, and she had none, she gave all she was to him.
The Christian must rely upon the power of God within in order to demonstrate moral character and integrity. We can only do this when we yield ourselves totally and singularly to Christ our Lord.
Though He is rich and owns all the world, we can only give ourselves for that is all we have. But it is ACCEPTED by Him (John 6:37, Romans 10:13).
13 Thou that dwellest in the gardens, the companions hearken to thy voice: cause me to hear it
Solomon expresses his desire to "hear" her voice. He has many "gardens," but he desires to hear from HER voice.
Christ has many who belong to Him. But He longs to hear YOUR voice and MY voice each day.
14 Make haste, my beloved, and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices.
The Shulamite's desire is that her husband will come quickly to her.
This conclusion is similar to that of the book of Revelation (see Revelation 22:17). The bride (the church) desires that the Groom (Christ) come quickly to receive her.
This world has many joys and pleasures. But NONE are akin to the beauty of genuine love in a marriage.
The marriage supper of the Lamb is surely desired of the bride today. We, the church, long for the day when Christ shall come and we shall be with Him for eternity.
PLEASE CONTINUE IN BIBLE STUDY WITH US TOMORROW.