Bible Pathways - July 31, 2005
July 31
Read Song of Solomon 1:1
In Today's
Virtues of married love — symbolic of Christ's love for His Church
The wholesome enjoyment of married love between a man and a woman is expressed in The Song of Solomon. It sets forth with figurative language the delight of the bridegroom in the bride and of the bride in her husband. The bride describes her wonderful memories as her bridegroom tarries. The whole narrative has a dreamlike quality. The circumstances are vague and not such as occur in ordinary life. The longing, the wondering, and the searching represent the images of dreams. The bride was asleep on her bed, but her thoughts were continually about her absent bridegroom. By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loves: I sought him, but I found him not (The Song of Solomon 3:1).
Every believer is assured that my Beloved is mine, and I am His (2:16), for Jesus Christ has entered into our very lives. Our love relationship continues to grow and deepen as we listen to Him speak to us as we read His Word. We become different people by virtue of our relationship with the coming Bridegroom. With Paul, we too can say: I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me (Galatians 2:20).
As Christians, sometimes we enjoy a very close sense of the presence of Christ. But, all too often, His presence seems far away. Yet our love for Him continues to grow as we wait expectantly for that first glimpse of Him when He welcomes us home as His bride (see John 3:29; Ephesians 5:22-33; II Thessalonians 14:16-17).
As the bride, we also wait with great anticipation for the return of our Bridegroom Jesus, when we too, will be able to say: He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love (The Song of Solomon 2:4; Revelation 19:7-9).
Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in Me In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also (John 14:1-3).
Christ Revealed:
As the chiefest among ten thousand (The Song of Solomon 5:10). Jesus is the KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS (Revelation 19:16).
Word Studies:
1:3 savour = fragrance; 1:11 borders = ornaments; 1:12 spikenard = perfume; 1:16 our bed is green = we recline on a grassy field; 2:5; stay me = invigorate me; flagons = with delicacies; sick of love = overcome, lovesick; 4:4 bucklers = small shields; 5:4 bowels = heart; 8:5 raised = awakened.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for The International Shortwave Radio Broadcast sponsored by Dr. and Mrs. John Hash · Government Officials: Rep. Adam Putnam (FL) and Rep. Joe Wilson (SC) · Country: Hungary (11 million) in east-central Europe · Major language: Hungarian · New freedom has opened the door to evangelism and Bible distribution · 61% Roman Catholic; 24% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: Intercede in prayer for those who forsake or disappoint you (II Timothy 4:16).
Optional
Memory Verse for the Week: 1 Thessalonians 4:18
