Unless otherwise noted, scripture references are from the Message Bible.
Song of Solomon
Chapter 1:
"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth, for your love is more delightful than wine." (NIV) In chapter 5 of the Message Bible, it says, "His words are kisses." We can look upon God's Word as His kisses to us. When you receive a rhema word from God, it is a 'now' word for you. It bears witness with your spirit. It can be those times when a scripture leaps off the page at you, giving you what you need for that day. It can also be when you see something in scripture that you've never noticed before. When that happens to you, you've just been kissed by your Bridegroom. When that happens to me, I write 'kiss' beside that portion of scripture. It's a gentle reminder to me of the great love my Savior has for me, how He longs to 'kiss' me. It makes me want to be even more sensitive to listening to Him, so that I don't miss out on a 'kiss' which He may have for me.
"I am weathered but elegant. My brothers ridiculed me and sent me to work in the fields." Thinking upon this verse, it could refer to being pulled out into the workforce because of the opinions of others, or because of feeling like you must keep up with what other people have, or that you must do what other people do. I'm not talking about those who truly must work, but I'm referring to those of us who feel that awful peer pressure to go out and work in the 'fields' because we seek the approval of other people. Are we trying to win the approval of God or man? (Gal. 1:10) Seeking the approval of God can bring us sweet satisfaction along with some eternal rewards. Seeking the approval of man will always leave us wanting more, looking for more satisfaction. Also, seeking the praise of man will end up causing much hurt because man is very fickle and ever-changing in his opinions and ideas. Man will always find something else that we need to be doing to receive his applause.
The NIV states "Do not stare at me because I am dark, because I am darkened by the sun. My mother's sons were angry with me and made me take care of the vineyards; my own vineyard I have neglected." Looking at this scripture in light of Jesus, our Bridegroom, we see that she is telling Him not to stare at her. Do we say the same thing when Christ looks at us? Does it make us uncomfortable when we feel His gaze upon us? Do we get offensive when we find Him wanting to look deep inside our heart, looking to further change us into Him image? He indeed looks at us intently, but He doesn't stare at us. Jesus looks at us similar to how a groom beholds his bride -- there is that thrill of emotion, a heart filled with love, anxiously awaiting the days ahead when they share beyond just their thoughts, words, and hearts. They will be sharing the intimacy of dwelling together. Jesus longs for that with us. He wants to indwell us, to share His dreams with us, but to also have us share our dreams with Him. Just as the bride and bridegroom once lived separate lives, through marriage, they are molded into one. We are to be molded to Christ, taking on His Name, leaving the fleshly ways of our past behind us.
Later in the chapter, it says, "We enjoy a canopy of cedars enclosed by cypresses, fragrant and green." When we choose to work the 'field' which God has called us to work, we will find that we are enjoying that canopy of cedars, which is enclosed with cypresses. Cedar was used in building material because of its great growth and strength. We are to be building a foundation upon the Solid Rock. We want the materials we use to be strong, like cedar wood. Taking this a step further, are we building with things that give growth and strength to our marriage? Or are we like the foolish woman who tears down her marriage with her own hands? (Pr. 14:1)
Another interesting thing to note about cypress is that it is actually the 'gopher wood' that was used to build Noah's ark. That wood was strong, and able to withstand the worst flood ever seen. God can make us strong, able to stand firm and secure no matter what storms we face.
"My beloved is a bouquet of wildflowers picked just for me from the fields of Engadi." Engadi was an oasis with fresh water and hot springs. It was a source of fine dates, aromatic plants used in perfume and medicinal plants. Our relationship with Christ is to be one where we have fresh, living water flowing from us. We are to be growing fine 'fruits' through the fruit of the Spirit who dwells in us. We are to be the aroma of Christ to our world. Thinking about our 'world,' what aroma do we
give when we are stuck in traffic, when the line at the grocery store is long, when the cashier rings up an item incorrectly and we don't notice it until we get home? What aroma do we offer to our family at the end of the day when we are tired? What aroma do we give when our hormones are raging, and we don't feel up to par? Are we able to offer the 'medicine' of loving care and compassion to those around us? Jesus offers us that oasis of Engadi -- it's found in abiding in Him. (Jn. 15)
Do you feel the need to visit the oasis today?
© 2004, Stacy R. Miller
Chapter 2
"I'm just a wildflower picked from the plains of Sharon, a lotus blossom from the valley pools, a lotus blossoming in a swamp of weeds. As an apricot tree stands out in the forest, so my lover stands above the young men in town. All I want is to sit in his shade, to taste and savor his delicious love. He took me home with him for a festive meal, but his eyes feasted on me!"
Sharon was a jungle of oaks and swampy marshes rather than a fertile plain. We were the same way before we came to Christ. Living fleshly ways, we were like an untamed animal from a jungle of swampy marshes, bogged down by all the filth and shame we carried. In Is. 65:10, we see that Sharon will become a pasture for flocks. It is symbolic of the peace God grants to His people. We also see that Jesus came as the Rose of Sharon. He grew among the brambles of this world to accomplish His Father's will so that He could rescue His Bride from her jungle, giving her a pasture where she can feed and rest.
We see Jesus as the lotus, which is a waterlily. He is the Lily of the Valley, rescuing us from our valley. Once we invite Him into our hearts, He blossoms even among all of the weeds which have taken over our heart for years. Because of all that He has done to prove His undying love for us, He stands out to us even when we feel that we are in a forest, covered with the shadows of the many trees (trials) which are surrounding us, casting dark shadows of fear upon us. Yet, sitting in the shade of our Beloved is a desirable place because we are sheltered under the wings of the Almighty. He allows us to taste and savor His love, and in turn, we see His eyes feasting on us, delighting in us, rejoicing in us. (Ps. 34:8; Zeph. 3:17-18)
In verse 8 her lover is leaping across the mountains and over the hills for her. Did you realize that Jesus does the same for you? Your Bridegroom went all the way to hell to prove His deep love for you.
Further into the chapter, He speaks again, "Come, my shy and modest dove -- leave your seclusion, come out in the open. Let me see your face, let me hear your voice. For your voice is soothing and your face is ravishing." She is in seclusion, yet he wants her to come out into the open. Many times, we have those places of seclusion in our hearts, but God wants us to bring them out into the open. We think we are protecting ourselves by keeping those issues in seclusion, but all we are doing is isolating ourselves from a deeper relationship with our Bridegroom.
Just as He is calling her in this portion of scripture, Jesus calls us. How do we respond when He's calling for us? Does guilt or condemnation make us want to hide, as she did? Do we fear what He will say to us? Do we fear what He will ask of us? In the very next verse it mentions the little foxes that ruin the vineyards. The little foxes can be those hidden, secluded things. It can also be the guilt, fear, or condemnation. They keep your 'garden' from growing the way that God intends for it to grow.
Do you have any foxes that you need to remove from your garden? Are you hiding from your Beloved Bridegroom?
© 2004, Stacy R. Miller
Chapter 3
"Restless in bed and sleepless through the night, I longed for my lover. I wanted him desperately. His absence was painful. So I got up, went out and roved the city, hunting through the streets and down alleys...I looked high and low, and didn't find him."
When she finds him, she says, "I threw my arms around him and held him tight, wouldn't let him go until I had him home again, safe at home again by the fire."
We all have times when our relationship with the Lord wanes and grows cool for a period of time, whether it be a few hours or for many weeks. In my own life, I have had those times when I was miserable from that distance between my Lord and I, and it caused me to toss and turn throughout the night. I had a deep 'want' inside of me, and in my roaming throughout the city, looking to fulfill that want, I would turn to reading romance novels, shopping, spending too much time on the computer, eating carelessly, and more. My quest to find my Lover would eventually lead me to my knees. I would 'latch onto' Him once I found Him, determined to never go through that experience again.
Today's verse mentions how she wouldn't let go of him until she had him home again. This would signify putting Christ in the proper priority in our heart. In the Amp. Bible, Col. 3:16 talks about letting Christ have His home in our hearts. When she talks about having him safe by the fire, the fire represents the Holy Spirit's fire, being re-lit in our lives.
Are you currently roaming the city, looking for your Lover? Why don't you try getting on your knees and see if finding Him becomes a whole lot easier than searching throughout the city.
© 2004, Stacy R. Miller
Chapter 4
"Leave your high mountain hideaway. Abandon your wilderness seclusion...You've captured my heart...You looked at me, and I fell in love. One look my way and I was hopelessly in love! How beautiful your love...Your fragrance more exotic than select spices...Every syllable you speak a delicacy to savor."
We have captured the heart of our Bridegroom. He now wants to capture our heart. He wants us to be hopelessly in love with Him, willing to abandon the wilderness. Sometimes we've lived in the wilderness so long that we grow comfortable there, never noticing how unhealthy it is for us. He wants us to leave our hideaway and abandon ourselves to loving Him, caring not what others may think about how we choose to love Him. Not caring what they think about the changes that come about in our lives because of loving Him with that total abandonment.
Jesus loves to hear the sound of your voice. He calls them a delicacy -- tasting them with great delight. Do you feel like delighting your Bridegroom today with the sound of your voice?
© 2004, Stacy R. Miller
Chapter 5
"I was sound asleep, but in my dreams I was wide awake. Oh, listen! It's the sound of my lover knocking, calling!...He's one in a million. There's no one quite like him!"
Sometimes the Lord will call to us while we are dreaming. I have had several instances where He gave me the same dream over and over until I realized that He was giving me a vision of what He wanted me to do. Then I was able to make it a matter of prayer, just waiting on His timing in bringing it to completion. Keep in mind -- this doesn't mean that ALL dreams are visions. I have far more dreams that aren't actual visions from the Lord. For Him to get my attention, He often has to give me the same vision many times. It's at that point that I realize He is calling to me, even in my sleep. Yes, I have to agree with today's scripture -- He truly is one in a million. I find myself telling Him quite often that there is truly NO ONE like Him, no one who even begins to compare! Sister, is He calling to you in your sleep?
In the NIV, verse 5 tells how she arose to open the door for her lover, but her fingers were covered in myrrh. When she opened the door, her lover was gone. There are a couple of lessons to be learned here about myrrh. First, myrrh is the fragrance of death. It was used in embalming. Rom. 6:23 tells us that the wages of sin is death.
When we have sin in our lives, we can 'chase away' our Bridegroom. He smells that fragrance of death from our sin, and since He is holy, He won't stay where sin is abounding.
Secondly, if we use myrrh in a way that pleases our Bridegroom, the results will be different. Myrrh was used to purify young girls for the king's bed. (Est. 2:12-13) It was also used for a lover's couch. (Pr. 7:17) God wants us to purify our hearts, then we will have a sweet fragrance about us because we have chosen to die to our fleshly desires. When we die to those fleshly desires, it also gives off a fragrance of death, but it's a precious, pleasing fragrance to our Bridegroom.
She goes on to talk about her beloved. He is "pure and untarnished...eyes like wells of water. His words, warm and reassuring...He stands tall like a cedar, strong and deep-rooted...His words are kisses...Everything about him delights me, thrills me through and through."
How often do you allow your Bridegroom to thrill you? He delights to do so. Let Him kiss you with His words. I promise you -- if you let Him do it once, you'll be begging for more!
© 2004, Stacy R. Miller
Chapter 6
In verse 9, we find that her friends are calling her blessed. When we fall head over heels in love with Jesus, others will see a change in us, causing them to call us blessed because they see something awesome taking place in us.
In verse 11, it mentions a grove of nut trees. To open a nut, it requires careful diligence to get it open, then you get the meat from it. It's the same with the Word of God. We must be diligent in opening it. When we are diligent, God will reward us with the 'meat' of the Word. (Heb. 11:6)
In verse 13, he asks the Shulammite's friends why they are gazing at her as if gazing at the dance of Mahanaim. Mahanaim was a place of refuge. Her friends could see that she had found that place of refuge in her intimate relationship with her beloved. She had chosen to love him with complete abandonment, not caring about what others think of her.
Have you found Jesus to be your refuge? Have you reached that place of complete abandonment with Him? He loved you with complete abandonment -- leaving His throne to go all the way to the pit of hell for you. Now He's patiently waiting on you to love Him passionately, in hot pursuit of Him.
© 2004, Stacy R. Miller
Chapter 7
"Your breasts will be clusters of sweet fruit to me." Does God see the fruit of the Spirit abiding in our hearts? "Your breath clean and cool like fresh mint." Do our words refresh others? (Pr. 10:11,20-21,31; 15:4; 18:21)
"Hang my locket around your neck." The gift of a gold necklace could signify being placed in a high office. When you marry a king, you become the queen. We are going to be married to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. "Wear my ring on your finger." This could signify being engaged to be married to the Lamb of God.
© 2004, Stacy R. Miller
Chapter 8
NIV: "Who is this coming up from the desert, leaning on her lover?" These young ladies have watched this Shulammite girl for years. They saw her working the fields at a very young age. They saw how weathered she was from that hard work. They saw her when she was separated from her lover -- the desperation she felt while in that wilderness. Through her desert experiences, she has learned to lean on her lover. Do we lean on the Lover of our soul? Do our desert experiences bring about a noticeable change in us that others can't help but see? Do we radiate His glory and goodness because He has walked with us through the desert?
© 2004, Stacy R. Miller
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