A MATTER OF FAITH- SONG OF SOLOMON: AS CHRIST LOVED THE CHURCH

EPHESIANS 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 

Perhaps the reason there are so many divorces is because so many people do not fully understand what love is. Sexual pleasure has replaced relational intimacy. What does it mean to lay down your life for someone? (John 10:15-17, 15:13) It is true that Jesus died for us however he also lived for us. 

JOHN 1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

The Song of Solomon introduces us to this godly love. The reader is challenged to see the development of an intimate relationship between God and a follower through a the developing realtionship between the man and the woman.

NOTE: My King James Study Bible- Full Color Edition defines Typological interpretation of Scripture as follows: “The early church admitted the literal courtship and marriage but interpret these as only a type of Christ and the church(cf. Eph 5:22-33).”  In other words Song of Solomon can be interpreted literally but it is also representative of the relationship between our Lord Jesus and the church. 

Sexual pleasure does not equate to marital bliss but marital bliss will lead to pleasure (not always sexual). Husbands take the lead in a relationship by being an example of Christ on earth. Wives are a type of church that honors their husband as the church should honor God.

Learn to love God and you can learn to love your spouse.

As I read verses 1:5-17 in Song of Solomon I see the struggle we all have in our faith walk.  Far to many churches are segregated; there are Black churches white churches. churches rich people go to and churches where poor people attend. Some individuals who have a heart to learn more hesitate to attend a particular church because they believe they are not dressed properly.  I know people who do not go to church because they have nothing to put nothing in the offering when it passes by. It is an “I am not good enough” mindset that stops many from having a relationship with our Lord.

Song of Solomon 1:5-6
I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.
Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept. 

The Shulamite woman spoke to her friends, the daughters of Jerusalem.

NOTE: Putting things in context requires a pause in your reading to explore a particular character, define a word, or research the culture of the time. Your perspective will influence your understanding of what you read. Thus it may be important to know: Who are the daughters of Jerusalem?  In my research I discovered: Scripture does not elaborate on their specific identity, commentators do agree they are unmarried women. Thus for the context of this particular Scripture the daughters of Jerusalem are women that the Shulamite knew, her friends.

The worlds’ standard of beauty requires that a woman take care of herself. Women spend thousands of dollars on clothing, shoes, accessories, manicures, pedicures, make-up and hair care. But not everyone can afford or has the time for these beautification treatments. Such was the testimony of the Shulamite woman.

Personally, I can but as a rule choose not to. My relationship with both my husband and God are such that I can come just as I am. 

Look at advertising today. They are encouraging men to do the same! But God does not care about such superficial things.

“Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me:’ the woman was self concious. Perhaps she was comparing herself to those other women, her friends who did not have to work in the fields and had time to bathe in scented waters. Like this woman, we often focus on superficial things when God is looking at your soul.

DEUTERONOMY 6:5
And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 

Think about this: We compare our church to other churches. Yes we do! People who attend small churches are not as bold as those who attend a mega-church, perhaps they are intimidated. “Look not upon me, don’t look at my small church we cannot do what the big churches do.” This was Gideon’s problem? (Judges 6:15)

The idea that you cannot because of your size reveals a lack of confidence in the word of God. Jesus loves the church not a church.

In my previous post I discussed the “tents of Kedar” and the “curtains of Solomon”. They are both beautiful and superficial. Have you ever heard the chorus in the song “beauty is only skin deep?   A tent has to be built and curtains have to be raised both are outer coverings desigbed to hide what is inside. The dark tent prevents the sun from entering in the shelter, the curtains stop getting to close. How can you receive love if you will not let people come near you? How can you recieve the Son if you are blocking Him?

Many can not give receive love nor can they give it,, they enclosed their hearts to outside influences. Many know of God but do not have a personal relationship with him because they have covered themselves with the traditions of men.

MATTHEW 15:2-6
Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. 

The key to a successful relationship with your spouse is a successful relationship with God. It is important to separate the words of man from the wisdom of God. This first chapter of the Songs will help you is an introduction to successful relationships on earth and in heaven.  - It is a MATTER OF FAITH written by Marsha L F Randolph

A MATTER OF FAITH- SONG OF SOLOMON STUDY  reflects the opinions and property of the author MARSHA L F RANDOLPH. All rights reserved- do not use without permission. All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise stated. Don’t miss weekly faith based post FOLLOW THIS BLOG and receive notifications when a new article is posted.
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