The Song of Solomon has been the centre of much theological debate. As we read – you can draw your own conclusions. Enjoy this book that displays longing of young love and beauty of a fulfilling marriage!
Song of Solomon 1:
1 The Song of Songs, which is Solomon's.
The Bride Confesses Her Love
2 [She ] Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine;
3 your anointing oils are fragrant; your name is oil poured out; therefore virgins love you.
4 Draw me after you; let us run. The king has brought me into his chambers.[Others] We will exult and rejoice in you; we will extol your love more than wine; rightly do they love you.
5 [She ] I am very dark, but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon.
6 Do not gaze at me because I am dark, because the sun has looked upon me. My mother's sons were angry with me; they made me keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have not kept!
7 Tell me, you whom my soul loves, where you pasture your flock, where you make it lie down at noon; for why should I be like one who veils herself beside the flocks of your companions?
Solomon and His Bride Delight in Each Other
8 [He ] If you do not know, O most beautiful among women, follow in the tracks of the flock, and pasture your young goats beside the shepherds' tents.
9 I compare you, my love, to a mare among Pharaoh's chariots.
10 Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments, your neck with strings of jewels.
11 [Others ] We will make for you ornaments of gold, studded with silver.
12 [She ] While the king was on his couch, my nard gave forth its fragrance.
13 My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh that lies between my breasts.
14 My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of Engedi.
15 [He ] Behold, you are beautiful, my love; behold, you are beautiful; your eyes are doves.
16 [She ] Behold, you are beautiful, my beloved, truly delightful. Our couch is green;
17 the beams of our house are cedar; our rafters are pine.
Song of Solomon 2:
1 [She ] I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.
2 [He ] As a lily among brambles, so is my love among the young women.
3 [She ] As an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men. With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.
5 Sustain me with raisins; refresh me with apples, for I am sick with love.
6 His left hand is under my head, and his right hand embraces me!
7 I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.
The Bride Adores Her Beloved
8 The voice of my beloved! Behold, he comes, leaping over the mountains, bounding over the hills.
9 My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Behold, there he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, looking through the lattice.
10 My beloved speaks and says to me: "Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away,
11 for behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone.
12 The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.
13 The fig tree ripens its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away.
14 O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the crannies of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.
15 Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom."
16 My beloved is mine, and I am his; he grazes among the lilies.
17 Until the day breathes and the shadows flee, turn, my beloved, be like a gazelle or a young stag on cleft mountains.
Things to think about…
1. Ahh first love…what heights of joy and depths of despair can be reached from this experience. This young woman desires to be with her man, Song of Sol 1:4. She desires his kisses and embrace, S of S 1:2, yet she has to wait. She asks why she should be as one who veils herself, S of S 1:7. She wants to be fully open and revealed to him. Courtship is a place where there needs to be very specific and defined boundaries otherwise the young couple are bound to fall morally, which brings in all sorts of guilt and shame which will only have to be dealt with at a later date. This is where a loving Christian church, ideally with supporting godly parents are of immense value and support. In what ways are we doing this well at CBC? In what ways could we improve?
2. In S of S 1:8-17 we see that both he (Solomon) and she (the young Shulamite) are known to each other, and clearly find each other physically attractive. There seems to be an intimate setting here where a house and furniture is involved. The first home after marriage is a special place of treasured memories, this is important to have sorted (listen up young men). In the days of the ancient near east, engagement was an agreement leading to certain marriage. I think much of today’s pre courtship and engagement has lost its purity and blessing through de facto relationships. This story shows a longing and a sustained desire. This is gone in the modern, try before you buy, setting.
3. This young woman knows she is desirable and beautiful, S of S 2:1. This does not go unnoticed by the young Solomon, S of S 2:2. Their unity and love is palpable, S of S 2:4,5. What side of the bed are they each on? S of S 2:6 gives the answer – we also see this later in the book. Should this be something we practice, or is it cultural? Just an interesting thought. S of S 2:7 is very important and is mentioned a number of times throughout the book. Make sure you do not force love or push into a relationship. It must be mutual on both sides. If it isn’t, it is not meant to be.
4. Look at the words this young bride shares regarding her new young husband, S of S 2:8-17. This young buck wants his new young bride to “Arise…and come away” vss 10 & 13. He has so much energy and vigour and is moving a thousand miles an hour. He wants her with him and to help him do the things that he is doing and being concerned for the things he is concerned with, for example, “Catch the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards”, SofS 2:15. Her beloved is like a gazelle or young stag jumping here and there, vs 17. I remember all the things I did as a young man, I dragged my young wife around with me, leaping and jumping as I went. Not all of this “leaping and jumping” was well thought out. Wisdom is far better. But we must exalt the importance of vigour, unity and joy in a young marriage. Here again, the church has a wonderful role to play in supporting the younger marriages within the fellowship. Older, married Christians, what are you doing to support and lead those who are in their early married years?
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Title was “Give it a shot, nothing to lose” – Reading Eccles 11.
1. Solomon had tried everything in life. He had 700 wives, 300 concubines and many building projects and an abundance of wealth. He wanted for nothing, yet his testimony was “all is vanity”. What did he mean?
2. How is a baby who has been still born better than one who has lived a ful life yet does not know God. There is encouragement here. Can we be certain all babies go to heaven, what are your thoughts?
3. Christ alone gives us abundance in this life and certainty in the next. Can we be certain?
4. Pray for each other and the outreach of the gospel
Prayer Points
1. The right choice for a full time Youth and Young Adults Pastor to start Jan 2023.
2. Some away through sickness.
3. Ministry leaders within the church.
4. Sunday’s members meeting.
5. Peace to rest over Ukraine.
6. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
7. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Sunday’s members’ meeting. Pray for site development and the leaderships wisdom to manage through the process.
2. Many returning back to full health.
3. Worship on Sunday – thankyou Paul, Suzy, Melinda and Maddison looking after Kidz at Church. Iman doing the words. Fiona and Suzy in café always do a stellar job. Thankyou for those who welcomed at the door.
4. All those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe
5. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Remember to check your duty rosters.
2. Poikie and Braai next Sunday morning – remember to bring salads, etc. Meat and rolls provided. Service will be outside.
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
4. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism question for August...
Q. 7. What is hell? A. A place of dreadful and endless punishment & torment.
