Song of Solomon 8
The Love of the Church to Christ.This section describes the deep longing of the church, or the believer, for a closer and more open relationship with Christ. The believer wishes for a natural, family-like closeness with Jesus. She wants to welcome Him openly, learn from Him, offer Him her best, and be supported by His love. The believer also warns others not to disturb this special relationship with Christ.v. 1: The believer wishes for a more open and constant closeness with Christ, saying she would like to be seen as His sister. This would allow her to be familiar and comfortable with Him, just as a sister is with her brother. This wish is about wanting a pure and loving relationship, full of tenderness. Some people see this as the Old Testament saints hoping for Christ’s coming, so they could know Him better (Hebrews 2:11 a). But for all believers, it means wanting to share in Christ’s nature and enjoy a close, loving bond with Him. v. 2: The believer says that if she could have this closeness, she would publicly show her love for Christ, without fear of being judged. She would greet Him openly, like a sister caring for her brother. After Christ’s coming, believers can confess their love for Him more freely, without shame. Wherever we see Christ’s likeness, even among those different from us, we should show love and not worry about being despised, because true Christian love brings respect.The believer also promises to use the chance to know Christ better. She would bring Him into her mother’s house, which means bringing Him into the church or into private prayer, where there is close fellowship. There, Christ would teach her, because those who know Christ are taught by Him. The presence of Christ makes church teachings and worship helpful to all believers. She also wants to offer Christ her best, like spiced wine and the juice of her pomegranate, which means giving Him her love and service. These things are pleasing to Christ, and He values a joyful welcome above all. v. 3: The believer is sure that Christ will care for her. She says, His left hand shall be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me . This means Christ will support and comfort her, giving her strength in hard times. Christ did this for John, laying His hand on him when he was afraid (Revelation 1:17; Daniel 10:10, 18 b). God always supports His people with His everlasting arms (Psalm 138:3; Psalm 63:8 c). v. 4: The believer warns others not to disturb her special time with Christ. She says, I charge you...that you do not stir up nor awaken my love until he pleases . This means we should not do anything to upset Christ or cause Him to leave us. We should not provoke Him or drive His presence away, because we will regret it. We must value Christ’s presence and never do anything that would make Him withdraw from us. The Church's Dependence on Christ; The Love of the Church to Christ.This section describes the beauty of the believer’s trust in Christ and the strength of true love. It shows how believers depend on Jesus, remember His help, and long for a close, lasting relationship with Him. The passage also explains how powerful and unbreakable real love is, especially the love between Christ and His church.v. 5: People admire the believer as she comes out of the wilderness, leaning on her beloved. The “wilderness” means a place of trouble or distance from God. The believer is now seen leaving that wilderness, depending on Christ for strength and guidance. This shows the power of God’s grace in saving and comforting His people. Just like the Jewish people were brought out of the desert by God’s help (Deuteronomy 32:10-11 d), and the early church was lifted up by Christ’s grace (Galatians 4:27 e), every Christian must also trust Christ, not themselves, to come out of spiritual dryness. In life and in death, believers must rely on Jesus (Philippians 1:21 f).The believer reminds Christ of how she sought Him before and received His help. She says, I raised thee up under the apple tree. This means she has often prayed and found comfort in Christ, sometimes alone and in quiet places, just like Nathanael was under the fig tree (John 1:48 g). She remembers calling on Him in tough times and finding that He answered her prayers (Psalm 34:4 h). She also remembers others who prayed and were helped, like a mother giving birth to a child after pain and struggle (Galatians 4:19 i). After difficult times of repentance, God brings comfort, just like Jesus promised His disciples would have joy after sorrow (John 16:21-22 j). v. 6: The believer asks Christ to confirm their relationship, saying, Set me as a seal upon thy heart, as a seal upon thy arm . She wants to be sure of His love and to always be close to Him. This is like having a name engraved on someone’s hand or heart, never to be forgotten (Isaiah 49:16 k). It also refers to how the high priest carried the names of God’s people on his heart and shoulders (Exodus 28:11, 12, 21 l). The believer wants Christ’s power and love to protect her always. If we want Christ’s love to be sure, we should also keep Him in our hearts.v. 6-7: The believer explains how powerful love is. She says, Love is strong as death, and jealousy is cruel as the grave. Love can be so strong that nothing can stop it, not even death. Christ’s love for us was so powerful that He died for us. The love of believers for Christ makes them care more about Him than anything else. True love is like a blazing fire, a flame of the Lord (Psalm 29:7 m). This holy love burns away selfishness and lifts the soul towards God. v. 7: Real love cannot be destroyed. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it . Nothing, not even great suffering or temptation, can take away the believer’s love for Christ (Romans 8:38 n). Even if someone offered all the riches they had to buy or replace this love, it would be refused and thought worthless. Christ wants our hearts, not our wealth (1 Corinthians 13:1 o). Nothing in this world can compare to the true love between Christ and His church. Concern for the Gentiles; Privileges and Duties of the Church.In this section, Christ and His church are pictured as partners discussing important matters. They are united in love and now work together for the good of others, especially those who are not yet part of the church. The passage also talks about the church as a vineyard, showing both the blessings and responsibilities believers have.v. 8: The church shows concern for her “little sister” who is not yet mature, saying, 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? This can mean the Jewish church thinking about the Gentiles who did not yet know God or have His teachings (Isaiah 54:1 p). The Gentiles had no spiritual knowledge or comfort. The church cares for those who are far from God and prays for their salvation. This also teaches us to care for anyone who has not yet come to Christ (John 10:16 q). Believers should always look for ways to help others know Jesus. v. 9: Christ answers about the “little sister,” saying, If she is a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver; and if she is a door, we will enclose her with boards of cedar . This means if the Gentiles, or those far from God, accept the truth and build on Christ, He will make them strong and beautiful, like a palace. If they are open to Him, He will protect and care for them. God promises to finish the good work He begins in people (Ephesians 2:21-22 r). Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit all work together to bring people into God’s family and help them grow. v. 10: The church thanks Christ for His kindness, saying, I am a wall, and my breasts like towers; then was I in his eyes as one that found favour . She is not proud, but grateful. She knows that Christ made her strong and mature. She remembers that her happiness and growth are only because of His love. She finds joy in knowing she is accepted and favored by Jesus. This gives her hope that Christ will also help her “little sister” grow up in faith. v. 11-12: The church and Christ talk about a vineyard, which represents God’s people. Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon; he let it out to keepers; every one for its fruit was to bring a thousand pieces of silver (Song of Solomon 8:11 s). This shows that Christ’s church is precious to Him, like a special garden (Matthew 21:33 t). He wants believers to care for the church and produce good fruit. God expects us to use our gifts and opportunities well, and to give Him the glory. The church says, My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: you, O Solomon, must have a thousand, and those that keep its fruit two hundred (Song of Solomon 8:12 u). This means believers should give their best to Christ, but they will also receive blessings in return. If we honor Christ with our lives, we will also find joy and reward in serving Him. – Mutual Love of Christ and the Church; Expectation of the Glory to Be Revealed.This final section shows Christ and the church saying goodbye for a time. The church stays on earth to serve in the “gardens,” while Christ ascends to heaven, the “mountains of spices,” where He prays and works for His people. Their parting is filled with love and hope, and both long to stay connected until they are reunited forever.v. 13: Christ speaks to the believer and says, You who dwell in the gardens, the companions listen for your voice; let me hear it . Jesus encourages His people to keep in contact with Him and with each other. Believers should talk together, encourage each other, and speak about Christ often (Malachi 3:16 v). But most of all, they should share their hearts with Jesus in prayer. He loves to hear from His people and wants them to tell Him everything that is in their heart (Proverbs 15:8 w). Christ tells us to speak to Him about our joys and our troubles, and He promises to listen. v. 14: The believer replies, Make haste, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices (Song of Solomon 8:14 x). Here, the church asks Jesus to return quickly. She longs for His second coming, when He will take her to be with Him forever. Even though life on earth can be good, being with Christ in heaven is far better (Philippians 1:23 y). True believers look forward to the day when Jesus comes again. They do not fear His coming, but desire it because it will be the beginning of perfect happiness. The joys we have with God now make us long for the greater joy that is coming. Every time we worship or pray, we should remember the hope of finally meeting Christ and being with Him forever. As the Bible says, Even so, come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20 z)
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