Song of Solomon 8 DEVOTED LOVE The previous chapters of the Song of Solomon are recapitulated in a sense in this final chapter. The two lovers are not in the noisy and worldly city, but are in the quiet place from which the Shulamite maiden came. It was here she was found by her Beloved. It is often good to go back to the beginning of our life with our Lord Jesus Christ. The relationships in that place were not that of a group of decked out young women of the city who were either a part of the king’s hareem or those of the city. Here was where she was at home. Her mother, brothers and young sister all had close ties to the heart of the bride.
When we enter the family of God by faith in Christ, we have a very meaningful relationship of those with whom we share the bonds of the new birth. Those ties have a unique and very personal connection that goes far beyond those of flesh and blood. Those who are in the true church are conscious of the fact they are being watched to see if there is any impropriety in the way we live our lives, and how we conduct ourselves in public. The lover wanted to be able to publicly declare her love for her Beloved One who was in the outside place. So, we go out to Him to show the world, that our Lord Jesus, who was “despised and rejected of men,” is our Savior, our Friend, the Supreme Object of our love.
Where can we lead Him? To the places we go to work? To the homes of those with whom we associate? To the places where we spend our leisure time? To the “house of our mother?” It is in that place we learn what is really important. It is there we learn how to give from our hearts that which we have prepared for our heavenly Bridegroom. It is there we offer our sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving, and give to Him of the fullness which He has given to us. When we find ourselves in communion with our Beloved, there is the closeness of an embrace. There is communion and rest in our hearts being together. We are able to give to Him what is most important to Him. Nothing should ever be allowed in my life to disturb or take away that close communion with Him.
Looking ahead we see the bride and her Beloved coming out from the wilderness after the long journey is over. She is leaning on her Beloved in dependence and confidence, even though the wilderness journey was hard and long. There are many things we learn in the wilderness that can never be learned anywhere else. It is in the wilderness experiences we are tested and proven as to reality, quality and sincerity. It is there that which is in our hearts becomes that which is real in our lives. We learn that it is He who raised us up and gave us life when we were dead in trespasses and sins. He has placed us as sons and daughters in heavenly places.
It is his grace that has made us a new creation in Christ Jesus. The Lord is the One who awakened us to new life under the shades of Him who is our “apple tree.” The liberty of faith, who is “the mother” who brought us into that liberty of new life in Christ, started a whole new life for every believer in the church. Added to the work of our Lord and faith in Him, is the work of the Holy Spirit who has set a seal upon our hearts. That testifies to the fact that “we love Him, because He first loved us.” The Holy Spirit also has set an outward seal on the arm that enables us to do what we do “as unto the Lord.”
True marital love is the strongest force in human experience because it doesn’t yield to external pressures, and is as “strong as death.” Death has its claim staked out on every person. Love that is stronger than death has come through our Lord Jesus Christ who conquered death by laying down His life in infinite love for us. “God demonstrated His love for us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” His love for us led Him to die for us. Now, as the One who used the keys of life and death that are His alone, He who laid down His life, took it again when He rose from among the dead forevermore. His love remains full and complete, and will never wane.
Love has another part to it. Jealous love is not peevish, but honorable and righteous. When it claims someone to be its very own, it cannot accept a rival, nor can it share itself with another person or thing. God’s affections for His own people never fails, and He does not allow the world, the flesh and the devil to share those affections. His love is like a blazing flame of fire that can never be extinguished or conquered.
Not all who are in the family of God have the same spiritual maturity. Therefore, there are those who are plagued with doubts, fears and misgivings because they are inclined to compare themselves to those believers who have experienced the power of divine love for a longer period of time. A wall of protection is needed in which the fullness of our redemption is made as clear and fully refined as purified silver that shines in all its undefiled glory. The strength and lasting duration of divine truths need to be set in place as a door to the soul of the young sister. Then the weak can be assured of their safety and security. Eternal life, and all it brings to us, keeps us from being tossed about by “every wind of doctrine.” The solid door of safety and truth is not only practical, but such a door is beautiful to see and experience as we open it to the vistas that are beyond.
The fully developed bride knows who she is and has the personal experience of giving and receiving love. She knows she is beautiful to her Loved One. She is strong enough to help the weak. And she is strong enough and has the understanding as to how she can bring satisfaction, contentment and joy to her Beloved. Her Beloved One has a vineyard which He let out to others to tend. It still remains for Israel to bring to Him that which is valuable to Him. The bride, the true church, has its own source of fruitfulness and satisfaction. As a bride gives herself to her lover, so the church gives to the Beloved Lord Jesus that which blesses Him, brings glory and honor to Him. All she has been testifying to others about, now ceases as she hears His voice.
He wanted to hear her voice, to be with her, to see her and to claim her for Himself. She in turn is anxious for Him to quickly come to her and for her so their love could be consummated. Such love does not diminish. Rather, doors previously closed to each other are opened to the spirit, soul and body. Devotion and commitment remove the desire to keep secrets from each other. Faithfulness in such a relationship is the key to human love and happiness. Committed, loving and faithful marriages of one man to one woman are reflections of God’s committed love for us. What joy is anticipated when the church looks earnestly and longingly for our Lord Jesus Christ to come and catch us away to Himself! We can only imagine the joy and wonder of that time and communion!