This file has not been formatted yet. ==================== Song of Songs 1 - 22 are missing ==================== THE SONG OF SONGS. 23 THE BRIDEGROOM IS STRICKEN BY HER GREAT BEAUTY. Of all of the wives of Solomon, the Shulamite had to be the most beautiful. He looked upon her and saw a woman who was without a flaw of any kind. SOS. 4:7 We see her then as a type of the last day church which will become the Bride of Christ. The church must pass the scrutiny of the one who is all righteous, yet be declared as being spotless. Eph. 5:27 To the natural man that seems to be an impossibility. With the Lord all things are possible. Peter proclaimed that those who seek after the new heavens and the new earth will measure up to the standard established by the Word of the Lord. Being in Christ, they would be as spotless and blameless as He is. 2 Pet. 3:13-14 We are presented with a constant challenge to be His ‘fair one.’ To have the same righteousness and purity which we find in Him. 1 John 3:3 FOR THE CHURCH. There is a very special beauty which touches the heart of the Lord. That is when His people come before Him with a heart that has been made holy by association with Him. We are warned that without holiness no man shall see the Lord. Heb. 12:14 The whosoever’s of the Bible lead us to salvation but entrance into the kingdom of the Lord is granted only to those who have taken advantage of the invitation proffered them. The beauty of holiness leads to true worship unto the Lord. 1 Chr. 16:29 The prayer of Moses as found in Psalm 90 is one that we could well emulate. He prayed that the beauty of the Lord might be made manifest upon them. That attractiveness is something that is to be desired and will be presented to those who seek it, by the Lord Jesus. Ps. 90:17 THE PERFECTION OF BEAUTY. ASAPH (Jehovah has gathered) wrote of Zion as being the very perfection of beauty and that the light of the Lord had been upon her. Ps. 50:2 That was as a type of that which is yet to come. The true perfection of beauty, is the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, his Bride. Now we come to the real, the eternal Sion. The city of the living God. To the New Jerusalem. The city of those born of, and filled with the Spirit of the Lord. A city built of the justified, the blood washed, those who have reached the perfection of the Lord. Heb. 12:22-23 All the elements that create beauty, the kind of loveliness that the Lord desires is found in her midst. The Bride is the perfection of beauty. She is the true, the eternal Sion. THE SONG OF SONGS. 24 HER EYES WERE AS THE EYES OF THE DOVE. SOS. 1:15c Strong gives the Hebrew word, ‘yownah’ for the word dove. Then he stated that is probably from the same as ‘yayin’ or wine, to effervesce or to intoxicate. The eyes of the Bride are very attractive to the Bridegroom. He discerned in them the message of attraction and love that is within her heart. The eye can speak unspoken words which are as meaningful as any message voiced. The dove is noted for its soft tender eyes. Eyes which are singled for its mate. Like the early church in Jerusalem the Bride will serve the Lord with "gladness and singleness of heart." Acts 2:46 Mutually, they are completely committed to one another. THE DOVE, A SYMBOL OF PEACE. Noah when searching for land sent forth a dove. Noah felt that because of the birds loving nature and her nesting instinct that she would return to the ark. The first time she returned to the ark, with no signs whatsoever. Seven days later she came back with an olive leaf which she had in her beak as a sign of abated waters and the end of the judgment of the Lord. The olive leaf is still a sign of peace and reconciliation. Gen. 8:8-11 The third time she found a place of security and peace away from the ark and did not return. Much as the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Lord Jesus was ‘as a dove’ descending from the sky and remained upon Him inaugurating the age of the Spirit. The dove is also a type of the Holy Spirit. No bird came upon Him that day but the descent of the Spirit was like the swift and immediate plunge of the dove. It was the Spirit of the Lord who descended and remained upon Him. Mt. 3:16 THE RESPONSE OF THE BRIDE. MY BELOVED. She referred to his beauty and comeliness. SOS. 1:15 She is most deeply impressed by His profound majesty. The splendor of her Bridegroom is not after the measurement of the natural man but after the spiritual. The garments of Aaron and his sons, who were to be priests, were of themselves beautiful. Their real beauty was the fact that they were called ’holy garments’ and were to be worn as an expression of the holiness of the Lord as they ministered before Him. Ex. 28:2 True beauty is to be found in the revelation of righteousness which is the beauty of the Lord. We are exhorted to worship Him in that exquisite beauty of holiness. His beauty is found in the holiness which is His nature and being. 1 Chr. 16:29 THE SONG OF SONGS. 25 THEIR COUCH. Note that her statements no longer relate to the items mentioned as belonging to him, but they are now ours. SOS. 1:16 A marriage bed would have had a canopy over it and would be well decorated. The two have become one and are sharing their possessions together. We are joint heirs with Him. Rom. 8:17 Even as those in Christ are privileged to share with Him and become one with Him. As the first Adam said concerning Eve, "This now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh." Gen. 2:23 So the church is to be with the Lord Jesus, of Him and for Him. The church, the Bride will make herself ready. Rev. 19:7 Their marriage is as literal as everything else in the Scripture is literal. The fulfillment of the great mystery, Christ and His church. Eph. 5:30-31 GREEN. The color of life. The most restful color to the eyes. The great Shepherd leads His flock to "green pastures" where they are able to feed to their hearts desire on the luxuriant green grass and to lie down in peace because He is watching over them. Ps. 23:2 If there is a single missing element in the church today it is the lack of the teaching of the Word. The sheep are constantly heard crying out for the Word of the Lord. The green olive tree is an illustration of the fruitfulness exemplifying the church. Ps. 52:8 As in all marriages the expectation of being fruitful and creating a family is their hope. The Bride will be married to her Christ and filled with anticipation that there would be fruit unto the Lord. Rom. 7:4 CEDAR AND FIR. Solomon requested building materials from Huram the king of Tyre that he might build a glorious house unto the name of the Lord. 2 Chron. 2:8 The cedar and the fir were used by Solomon in building the temple. Christ and His Bride are the eternal temple of the Lord. It is their house. Built by them as an everlasting home for the redeemed. The Bride is the only holy city in the plan and purpose of the Lord. Rev. 21:2 The cedar was used because of its stateliness, and durability, it was aromatic and beautiful. All qualities that would add to the beauty of a home. Also traits that are conducive to a strong spiritual life. THE SONG OF SONGS. 26 COULD IT BE BOTH? Barnes notes that "the majority of the christian fathers assigned this verse to the King (Christ). Hebrew commentators generally assign it to the bride." In the songs sung by the church it is directed toward the Lord Jesus. "Lily of the valley," an so forth. Perhaps the ‘I am’ used to introduce the subject will help us distinguish between the two. SOS. 2:1 Jesus applied "I Am" to Himself when He stated that before Abraham was, "I AM." The ever existing one, the eternal. John 8:58 In the end, it does not matter a great deal for His Bride will be one with Him. The exact flower is not certain but we may rest assured that it was beautiful and fragrant. SHARON. A plain about thirty miles long. The excellency of Carmel and Sharon will be extended to the wilderness. Carmel and Sharon are noted for their beauty and fertility. The wilderness is a very special place for the Bride of Christ. It is her refuge during the one thousand two hundred sixty day reign of the antichrist. In that wilderness the Lord will have prepared a place of shelter for her. Rev. 12:6 The Bride is transported into the desert by the power of the Spirit, eagle wing power. Note, she is nourished for a time, times and half a time, or three and one half years. She is completely sheltered, hidden from the face of the serpent. Rev. 12:14 Sharon represents the "green pastures" of Psalms 23. The place of flocks. Peaceful, tranquil, and totally secure. This will occur while the valley of Achor or trouble will reach its climax in what we know as the great tribulation period. Isa. 65:10 A BRIEF GLIMPS INTO THE WILDERNESS. A time, when what is termed a wilderness is not the waste howling place which we might imagine. We have already read that it is a place prepared by the Lord. Rev. 12:6 It is also termed, "her place." Rev. 12:14 The dry and arid place will be glad at coming of the Bride, for there will be a complete change. The land will rejoice, break forth into life with a profusion of flowers and plant life. Isa. 35:1-2 The glory of the Lord will be revealed there. The beauty and splendor of Carmel, Sharon and Lebanon will be combined to beautify the garden of the Lord. Her place in the wilderness will be as glorious as the garden of Eden for she is in the garden of the Lord. Comfort, joy, gladness, the song of the Lord and the sound of thanksgiving will be heard there. It is the hiding place of the Most High. Isa 51:3 THE SONG OF SONGS. 27 THE LILY. SOS. 2:1 Our attention is drawn to the temple which Solomon built. There were two cast bronze pillars At the entrance to the temple. The top was shaped like a lily or a trumpet. The pillars did not support the temple but were there as a witness. Solomon named them, Jachin, meaning "he shall establish it." The other was Boaz, meaning, "in it is strength." 1 Kings 7:15-22 These stood at the door of the temple as a witness and testimony that the Lord would establish His form of worship and that His might and power would be manifest in it. Would we do not do an injustice to the Word of the Lord if we considered them to be types of Christ and His Bride. They are the door to all that the Lord has prepared for those who will love Him. In them we find the permanency and the strength of the Almighty. They are God’s witness and testimony to this world. THE VALLEYS. The word valley is used in the plural, not singular. Most Christians know that in our walk with the Lord there are many valleys. Serving Christ is not always a mountain top experience, by any means. The valleys promote a spiritual growth which cannot be found elsewhere. David gave us a good example of what to expect in the valleys. He saw the flocks covering the area as a garment. Likewise, he saw it as a place where there was an abundance of corn or the Word. There was singing and shouts of joy to be heard. The valleys need not be a place of doom and despair. It is a time of spiritual advancement and seeing the hand of the Lord being made manifest. Ps. 65:13 THE LILY AMONG THE THORNS. The redeemed and the unredeemed contrasted. The beauty of the beloved, the Bride, compared to the uninitiated. Thorns have no possibility of reaching the splendor of the Lily. There are none as fair or as majestic as the Bride. SOS. 2:2 As the hand of the Lord creates the beauty of the lilies of the field so He will clothe His Bride in purity and righteousness. Mt. 6:28-29 The expectation of the Apostle Paul for the church was that they would be, blameless, faultless living a life that is irreproachable. Harmless, or without mixture, separated and uncontaminated by their surroundings. In the very throes of a vile and contaminated period of time. While living among people who are given over to unrighteousness, the purity of life, found in the Lord remains strong and uncontaminated. His Bride will maintain her integrity and shine forth with the glory of her Lord. Phil. 2:15 THE SONG OF SONGS. 28 THE BRIDE. Found, a place of repose under what is translated to be an apple tree. Some say that it was a citron tree. The type of tree is immaterial What is important that she found shade and rest along with the sweet perfume of His presence. It was the tree of her choice. The scriptures reveal Him to be the tree of life. Not only physical, and natural life but most significantly, He is that tree which is eternal and occupies a predominate place in the heaven of heavens. Rev. 22:2 All life emanates from the Lord. This tree is the most significant of all the trees in the forest, at least in her sight. She is so desperately in love with Him that she can see none other but her beloved. He stands out among all men. In her mind, and in the heart and mind of anyone who knows Jesus, there is no one like him in all the earth, nor has there ever been. He is most unique and outstanding in the history of mankind. SOS. 2:3 UNDER HIS SHADOW. David was often prophetic in the penning of his Psalms. He wrote of a shelter under the wings of the Lord (Incidentally He does not have wings) or under the shadow of the Almighty. This was to be his place of sanctuary "until these calamities be overpast." Ps. 57:1 The Bride might well make the same statement. She will dwell under the Divine protection of the Lord for one thousand two hundred and sixty days. There, her complete life is totally dependant on the Lord. Rev. 12:14 There is no way that the Lord will allow His Bride to go through the tribulation period. FOR A SECOND TIME THE LORD MIRACULOUSLY DELIVERS. The deliverance of Israel from Egypt is a type of His deliverance of the Bride from the attack of the great dragon, the devil. Rev. 12:13 As the cloud and the fire protected the Israelites during their wilderness journey. So, the same protection will be granted the Bride. A cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night. All of which is the glory of the Lord and is the defense of the Bride. The Lord is there as a tabernacle and a shadow for defense and refuge. Isa. 4:5-6 His glory will fill the whole of the camp in the wilderness. Note, this is not referring to the deliverance of Israel from Egypt. What He did then, He will do again, in the end of the age for the Bride of Christ. With all the modern day surveillance equipment there is no way that she will be in a place which is totally secret, but the Lord will shelter her. As the Egyptians could not pass through the cloud or fire to attack Israel so He will protect His church. THE SONG OF SONGS. 29 THE SHADOW, THE SECRET PLACE, THE TRUE REFUGE. Jesus loved the people to whom He came to minister; He considered them His very own. His efforts were directed toward them. Therefore with great pathos He spoke to them of the Divine protection that could have been theirs. He likened it to the protection a mother hen gives to her chicks when she warns them of impending danger. They are then sheltered under her wings. How often He would have gathered them in the secret place of the most High, "but ye would not." Pathetic words. What a glorious kingdom they could have been. Mt. 23:37 THY WINGS. Ps. 17:8 We have already stated that the Lord does not possess wings. He does not need them for His transportation. There can be no doubt but what ’WINGS" allude to the most precious area of the tabernacle and the temple. That was the Mercy seat over-shadowing the Ark of the Covenant. The Cherubim looked down on the Mercy seat with their wings shadowing the work of redemption which was accomplished when blood was sprinkled upon it. The Cherubim with the mercy-seat were all made of one piece of gold and were hammered into shape. It is a most beautiful type of the Godhead. Three, yet one. Ex. 25:18 The wings of the Cherubim were stretched out over the Mercy-seat, thus the reference to the shelter of His wings. The shadow of His wings is where His most excellent loving kindness is made manifest. Ps. 36:7 It is the secret place of the most High where those who flee to Him for refuge and comfort may find complete tranquility. Ps. 91:1 ITS FRUIT. The fruit of the tree under which she had found repose and shelter was to her most sweet. Delightful and enjoyable. Man lost access to the most important tree and its fruit when Adam and Eve sinned and were ejected from the garden of Eden. However, even then the Lord made manifest the way back to that precious tree of life. One has to pass between the cherubim and experience the cutting of the flaming sword in order to gain access to that tree. Gen. 3:24 Once again we have a very descriptive evidence of the triune God. The cherubim representing the Father and the Spirit. The flaming sword the Lord Jesus, the Word of God. Eph. 6:17 The only way to the tree of eternal life is through being born again by the living Word of the Lord. 1 Peter 1:23 THE SONG OF SONGS. 30 A MARRIAGE CELEBRATION. Brought into the house of wines, the banqueting house. This is what both had sought, a more intimate relationship. SOS. 2:4 The emotions of David are beautifully expressed in his words found in Ps. 63 It is good when we feel what he felt. He was seeking the Lord. Early, and with great desire, in order to be in His presence. He spoke of his desire as being a strong thirst. The soul, the spirit of man may be possessed of a great thirsting after the Lord. Jesus promised that "they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, shall be filled." Mt. 5:6 For both, revival and the marriage of the Lamb, it is necessary that there be a fervent seeking after and longing for the presence of the Lord. An all consuming looking for Him whom we declare to be the one we love. Ps. 63:1 THAT WHICH WAS SOUGHT AFTER. He wanted to see, to experience once again the marvelous glory and power of the living Lord. The glory of the presence of the Lord exceeds any other possible experience that man may have. It is a touch of heaven on earth. David had known and had seen the majesty of the Lord in the sanctuary. Now, in dire circumstances his thoughts return once again to that time. Ps. 63:2 There are high points of our Christian experience which we fondly remember, and perhaps even long again to experience that moment. However, there are greater and more wonderful times for each and every child of the Lord. We are yet to enter into the banqueting hall where the heart is made to rejoice in a full and complete measure. The wine of the banquet represents the joy of the Holy Spirit. Rejoicing without an after effect. Only the after glow of His glorious presence. Ps. 104:15 HIS BANNER OVER ME. Not only is His love displayed in His attention toward His Bride but mounted as a flag in the banqueting room is the declaration of His great love for her. A display for all to see that they might understand the intensity and the quantity of His love toward her. SOS. 2:4 The banner also was a token of His acceptance of her great reverence and respect for Him. It is an insignia of truth. The truth of this tremendous love which exists between these two. Ps. 60:4 To be steadfast, steady and always abounding in Spiritual things is an absolutely necessary that we might maintain our love for Him. This is a love that is manifest by our obedience to the Word of the Lord. It indicates our abiding in Him, because our love is strong enough to greatly desire to please Him. John 15:10 THE SONG OF SONGS. 31 STAY ME. Strengthen me with new wine. New wine in the scriptures is a wonderful type of the filling of the Spirit. Those present in the upper room were accused of having a drinking party and being drunk on new wine. They were talking in languages which they had not conversed in before. They were loud and filled with much joy. Acts 2:13 The Bride is found longing for and seeking after the strength of the Holy Spirit. She knows the joy and rejoicing made available to her through the presence of the Spirit in our lives. SOS. 2:5 The grant of the Lord, to you, now, is that very strength of the Spirit which the Apostle calls, "all might". That is strength inexhaustible. Absolutely unlimited. The beauty of all this is that it belongs to the one who is in love with the Lord Jesus. Col. 1:11 If we are walking in obedience, we need not look to some act of the Lord in the future. What He has for us, is for the here and now. We may know and demonstrate His power, the power of the Spirit of the Lord. Eph. 3:16 FLAGONS. David, a type of Christ, as king, blessed his people by giving them gifts of food, including a flagon of wine. 2 Sam. 6:19 According to their way of life in that day, a flagon would have been the skin of a lamb or kid of a goat. In the prophetic reference to the Lord Jesus found in Isa. 22:23-24 The glory of the Fathers house is hung on that "nail in a sure place." Included in that is the gift of the Holy Spirit that One whom Jesus said He would request of the Father and send to His own. John 14:14, 26 The table of Show Bread was also to have its golden jars and bowls, containing the drink offerings which were to be poured out before the Lord. Ex. 25:29 The bread and the wine speak to us of the communion table. Also the enlightenment of the Word given us by the Holy Spirit, who is our God sent teacher. The Bride of Christ will thirst until filled with the fullness of the Spirit. She will, "not be drunk with wine, wherein is excess." But she will be, "FILLED with the Spirit." Eph. 5:18 The Bride of Christ will walk in the power of His great and mighty love. Loving Jesus even as He has loved Her and given His life that He might find her, His true love. Eph. 5:2 He is working on us even now to sanctify and cleanse unto Himself a very special Bride who is the very epitome or holiness and righteousness. Eph. 5:26 The Bride will be made up of a people who have prepared for that day. They will know the fullness of His love and will reciprocate with the same measure. ==================== Song of Songs 1 - 22 are missing ==================== incomplete 08:54 2/05/2006 formatting not edited eof