May 2, 2015  Song of Songs 2:1-2  

She
1 I am a rose of Sharon,
    a lily of the valleys.
He
2 As a lily among brambles,
    so is my love among the young women.

Commentary:

She compares herself to wild flowers. Or perhaps most accurately, she compares herself to a beautiful flower in the wild. There are no definite consensus about what these "rose of Sharon" and "lily of the valleys" are. The first is probably not a specie of rose. The second may be of the lily family. 

Anyhow she thinks she is beautiful but not royal. He thinks much more highly of her. To him, she is a lily among brambles - the only beauty in his eyes. Among all the young women, she only is my love. It must be so flattering and comforting to hear him say it. 

Now we may also have a hard time explaining Jesus' electing love for us. Why does Jesus give up His life to redeem us? We are sinners. We may recall having done some nice things. But whatever they are, we know we have not done anything to deserve the everlasting love of the Son of God. 

Yet the Lord God declares through the prophet Jeremiah, 

... declares the Lord, I will be the God of all the clans of Israel, and they shall be my people.”
2 Thus says the Lord:
“The people who survived the sword
    found grace in the wilderness;
when Israel sought for rest,
3     the Lord appeared to him from far away.
I have loved you with an everlasting love;
    therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
4 Again I will build you, and you shall be built,

    O virgin Israel! (Jeremiah 31:1-4)
  
Jesus doesn't love you for who you are in your eyes. Jesus loves you for who you are in Christ. 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. (Ephesians 1:3-6)

AMEN Lord Jesus AMEN

April 29, 2015  Song of Songs 1:15  

He

15 Behold, you are beautiful, my love;
    behold, you are beautiful;
    your eyes are doves.

Commentary:

Verse 15 and the next three verses (1:16-2:1) are another pair of exchanges between the beloved and his lover. Apparently, they have now met and see eye to eye of each other. Thus, both said, "Behold ..." 

What does the man see in the woman? He looks and exclaims "behold, you are beautiful" not once, but twice. Before you let your imagination work on this scene, I must point out the differences in culture and the occasion of their meeting. 

First, they met at noon when the sun was high. They were both shepherds. Hence, they were taking a break from working among smelly animals in a very dry, dusty, and perhaps hot climate. Second, they were living in the Ancient Middle East. The culture and customs were very conservative. They dressed very conservatively. All that the man could see of the woman in such an occasion was probably the eyes. Thus, do not be surprised at this comment of the man:

behold, you are beautiful; your eyes are doves.

Even though he could only see the eyes, they were beautiful to the eyes of the beholder. Because he was looking at "my love". Alas, can modern science explain "love"? Can evolution account for "love"? But God is love. And God made man and woman in his image. We are to love and be loved. 

Do you know what the Lord Jesus sees in you? He sees more than just our eyes. He knows our hearts. He can see places where we are afraid to look. Yet incredibly, he declares his steadfast love to us:

5 For your Maker is your husband,
    the Lord of hosts is his name;
and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer,
    the God of the whole earth he is called.
6 For the Lord has called you
    like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit,
like a wife of youth when she is cast off,
    says your God.
7 For a brief moment I deserted you,
    but with great compassion I will gather you.
8 In overflowing anger for a moment
    I hid my face from you,
but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,”
    says the Lord, your Redeemer. (Isa 54:5-8)

Jesus sees us as what we will ultimately become. The bride He redeemed. The bride He made complete, holy and beautiful. That is who we are. No amount of sin or guilt can keep Jesus from making us truly holy. Paul exclaims, 

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? (Rom 8:35) 

If Jesus loves us so, why are you worrying about building your own self-esteem?

Behold, you are beautiful, my love

It is enough. Let me behold you, my Lord. 

AMEN

April 28, 2015  Song of Songs 1:12-14  

She

12 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.

Commentary:

Nard, myrrh, and henna blossoms are all highly desirable and valuable sources of perfume in Arabia. So in the previous verses, "the king" compares his lover to a mare among Pharaoh's chariots. She now answers him that he is like the fragrances she desires. She wants him by her side, on her, and with her. 

They are in love with one another, body and soul. This is what God has designed for marriage.

This at last is bone of my bones
    and flesh of my flesh;
Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed. (Gen 2:23-25)

If the Lord Jesus loves you so, love Him back. Desire Him.

AMEN 

April 27, 2015  Song of Songs 1:9-11  

He

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.

Others

11 We will make for you ornaments of gold,
    studded with silver.

Commentary:

"The king" compares his lover to a mare among Pharaoh's chariots. That may not be obvious at first glance. Pharaoh's chariots are pulled by war horses. They are valiant, strong, and fearless. They give the term "horsepower" its true meaning. But there is one thing that can play complete havoc with these war horses - a mare that is beautifully decorated. One mare from the rival can turn the whole battle around. 

There is a Chinese story about a general giving up his city for the sake of one beautiful woman. We are seeing a similar description. "The king" so highly cherishes his lover that he would give up a lot (even a battle) for her. And the voices of the "others" agree too.

Why does "the king" care for a "very dark" woman so? Why is there such love? Because we have a loving God. God is love. 

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (1John 4:10)

Do not think too highly of yourselves. Yet you are not so lowly that God cannot love you.

4 what is man that you are mindful of him,    and the son of man that you care for him?5 Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings[b]    and crowned him with glory and honor.6 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;    you have put all things under his feet,7 all sheep and oxen,    and also the beasts of the field,8 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,    whatever passes along the paths of the seas. (Ps 8:4-8)

Yes, you are small and insignificant. Yet Jesus loves you.

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.  (1John 4:7)

AMEN

April 26, 2015  Song of Songs 1:8   

He

8   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.

Commentary:

A couple days ago, we read, "Tell me, you whom my soul loves, where you pasture your flock ..." Here, one verse later, we have the answer from the beloved. 

She called him "the king." He called her, "O most beautiful among women." Is this a lesson on biblical manhood and womanhood right here or not? 

So in effect, he bid her to come. She will find one eager to receive her. "Pasture your young goats beside my flock." Perhaps a shepherd would get a little more meaning from this line. The interesting part is "if you do not know" Why would or wouldn't she know? 

Our Lord Jesus also bid us to come, 

“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.“If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as[f] the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” (John 6:35, 37,51; 7:38)

If you do not know yet, the Lord is bidding you to come. You will find him. You will find green pasture too. 

AMEN

April 25, 2015  Song of Songs 1:5-7  

She

5  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?

Commentary:

The lover uses a term to refer to her beloved, "you whom my soul loves." What does it mean? Do you know what your soul love? Here she probably means she loves him not just skin-deep, but deep down in her soul as well. This phrase reminds me of another famous verse,

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. (Deut 6:5)

She is a keeper of vineyards. But her own vineyard (probably means her physical body) she cannot keep away from the sun. She is dark. But she does not feel inferior. 

very dark, but lovely ... like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon.

She seeks her beloved. She desires to meet with him, even at high noon when they can be alone. 

This is a beautiful description of love. Her soul desires the one and none other. 

1 As a deer pants for flowing streams,
    so pants my soul for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God,
    for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God? (Psalm 42:1-2)

There is nothing wrong with desire. The problem is not that you love too much. But you love too little. Desire the loveliest.

1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
    O Lord of hosts!
2 My soul longs, yes, faints
    for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
    to the living God. (Psalm 84:1-2)

AMEN 

April 24, 2015  Song of Songs 1:1-4   

1:1 The Song of Songs, which is Solomon's.

She

2 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.

Commentary:

These opening verses have three sections: Verse 1 is the title or introduction; Verse 2-4a is the voice of the lover for her beloved; Verse 4b is the voice of her companions agreeing with her.

The title "Song of Songs" is like "Lord of Lords" and "King of Kings." It declares that this is the Song of all songs, the supreme song. 

The whole Song is a duet between the lover and her beloved whom she calls "the king." It is quite obviously a love poem. It brings the readers back to the love between the first man and the first woman in the Garden of Eden. 

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed. (Gen 2:24-25)

Ultimately, the love between the lover and her beloved points us to the love between Jesus and His church. This is the love that everybody rejoices. We should drink to this love. 

Love the Lord Jesus, your king!

AMEN

May 18, 2015  Song of Songs 8:8-14   

Others

8 We have a little sister,

        and she has no breasts.

        What shall we do for our sister

        on the day when she is spoken for?

9 If she is a wall,

        we will build on her a battlement of silver,

        but if she is a door,

        we will enclose her with eboards of cedar.

She

10 I was a wall,

        and my breasts were like towers;

        then I was in his eyes

        as one who finds peace.

11    Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon;

        he let out the vineyard to keepers;

        each one was to bring for its fruit a thousand pieces of silver.

12 My vineyard, my very own, is before me;

        you, O Solomon, may have the thousand,

        and the keepers of the fruit two hundred.

He

13 O you who dwell in the gardens,

        with companions listening for your voice;

        let me hear it.

She

14 Make haste, my beloved,

        and be like a gazelle

        or a young stag

        on the mountains of spices.

Commentary:

We may consider this final passage as three inter-related poems with each having three distinct characters. The three (sub)poems are 8-10, 11-12, and 13-14.  The voices are she (little sister), he (Solomon), and others. In the first poem, others are the brothers; in the second poem, keepers of the vineyard; in the third, companions in the gardens.

The first poem (8-10) is a conversation between the brothers and their young sister. The day when she is spoken for is her wedding day. It is fast approaching. In the brothers' eyes, she is too young. But they do not know if she has remained chaste (a wall) or she has been promiscuous (a door). Should they honor her or rein her in? Her answer is emphatic. She is honorable but she is no longer a "little" girl. She has grown. She will be her husband's shalom (peace). The brothers are portrayed as the keepers of her virginity.

The second poem (11-12) is spoken from the voice of she. There are two vineyards. In the first, the relationship between Solomon and the keepers is that of landlord and tenants. The tenants work for the master and they have to pay the master in order to bring the fruit to the market for sale. But in the  second vineyard - "my very own" No one can obtain the fruit for money. She the owner does not treat her fruit as available for sale. She gives away her fruit selectively. She gives to Solomon and her keepers. She honors both.

The third poem (13-14) is a duet. He yearns for her voice. She yearns for his appearance. They are both yearning for the day of their union. Her companions are like her keepers too. 

With this brief description, you may see how the three poems are inter-related. All three are actually pointing to that big wedding day. It is the day of union. It is the day of consummation. It is the day when he shall find shalom, when she will open to her beloved, when the fruit is brought forth, and when the keepers are rewarded. 

These three poems are summarizing the theme of the whole Song. Marriage is the most beautiful thing. It is worthy of all patience. Wait for it that all shall be honored. Do not throw away the ultimate shalom (peace) for anything else. 

In the Old Testament, the keepers are the law, the prophets and the (wise) sayings. For us, Jesus graciously sent us His Word (the Bible), His Holy Spirit and one another (brothers and sisters in faith). Listen to them. Be the keeper of one another!

The Song of Songs, of course, is the counsel of true wisdom. Jesus also said, 

if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand.  (Matthew 24:23-25)   

Who then is the faithful and wise servant? (Matthew 24:45)

Jesus (my King) is eagerly awaiting that day as well, He said,

I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. (Matthew 26:29)

The foolish ones get drunk, get into fights with one another, or fall asleep unprepared (read Matthew 24-25)

The wise one will remain chaste for her Lord! The wise one will desire the Fruit of the Marriage!

Come, Lord Jesus, come!

AMEN

 

      

May 16, 2015 Song of Songs 8:1-7  

 8:1 Oh that you were like a brother to me

       who nursed at my mother's breasts!

       If I found you outside, I would kiss you,

       and none would despise me.

  2   I would lead you and bring you

       into the house of my mother—

       she who used to teach me.

       I would give you spiced wine to drink,

       the juice of my pomegranate.

  3   His left hand is under my head,

       and his right hand embraces me!

  4   I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem,

       that you not stir up or awaken love

       until it pleases.

  5   Who is that coming up from the wilderness,

       leaning on her beloved?

      Under the apple tree I awakened you.

      There your mother was in labor with you;

       there she who bore you was in labor.

  6   Set me as a seal upon your heart,

       as a seal upon your arm,

       for love is strong as death,

       jealousy is fierce as the grave.

       Its flashes are flashes of fire,

       the very flame of the Lord.

  7   Many waters cannot quench love,

       neither can floods drown it.

       If a man offered for love

       all the wealth of his house,

       he would be utterly despised.

Commentary:

8:1-4 closes the main body of the poem that starts in 1:2. In the beginning, she was yearning for love. By now, they are married and she is cherishing the moments. Compare 1:2 with 8:1b

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine; (1:2) 

If I found you outside, I would kiss you, and none would despise me. (8:1b)

Both verses talk about kisses in very different ways. The former is the voice of a young girl longing for love. The latter is the voice of a young woman bathing in love.  8:3-4 is the exact duplicate of 2:6-7 to indicate the closing of the main body.

8:5-7 is like she pulls herself out of the body to look back at the loving couple from a little distance. She is looking at love in perspective. She is explaining what love is after she has had time to experience it. Verses 6-7 is almost like her definition of what true love is.

8:5 is the exact same words of the first part of 3:6. 3:6 portrays the scene of arrival of the groom for wedding. 8:5 portrays the scene of the lovers together anticipating the fruit of love - childbirth.

According to her definition, love cannot be explained or duplicated by science or logic. It is so intense, so completely sealed to the heart and the bones. Money and wealth cannot buy love. Love cannot tolerate another. Jealousy guards the love relationship.

Such love is the love the Lord God has for His people. As God reveals the First Commandment, He said,

“You shall have no other gods before me.  “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:3-6)

 God loves you so much more than you expect or imagine. Don't despise His love. Because of His jealous love for you, He sent Jesus to die for you on the cross. But not just that, He made you for no other but His son. God made you to be united with Jesus for an everlasting union. Therefore, walk with the Lord Jesus, your beloved. Love Him.

AMEN

May 15, 2015  Song of Songs 7:11-13   

11 Come, my beloved,

     let us go out into the fields

     and lodge in the villages;

12 let us go out early to the vineyards

     and see whether the vines have budded,

     whether the grape blossoms have opened

     and the pomegranates are in bloom.

     There I will give you my love.

13 The mandrakes give forth fragrance,

     and beside our doors are all choice fruits,

     new as well as old,

     which I have laid up for you, O my beloved.

Commentary:

Any shyness, any anxiety, and any jealousy has now disappeared. She is completely his and she knows also that "his desire is for me." They have given themselves to each other heart, body, and soul. Fields, villages, vineyards ... etc are not his or hers anymore but simply "the fields, the villages, the vineyards ..." They are not courting each other in love but they are living together in marriage. They have become united in one.  

This is a scene reenacting the happy days of the Garden of Eden. Back in Genesis, God set Adam in the beautiful environment of the garden and commanded him to keep it:

The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. (Gen 2:15)

But soon, we read that, 

the Lord God said,  “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man ... But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. (Gen 2:18ff)

When the woman unites with the man, they are not lacking anymore, but complete. When a man and a woman are united in marriage, they are "good." They are fit to take care of the Garden. And we are seeing here she and he doing that. They are in marriage. But she does not forget the fields, the vineyards, and the fruit-bearing plants. Because she remembers God said,

“Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, (Gen 1:28)

She didn't forget; and neither should you. Do not forget this mandate of the Lord. Man and woman are united with one goal: to turn the whole world into the Garden of God's love and to fill the entire earth with the fruit of Eden.

 May the Lord bless your time of laboring together in love! Let love cover the earth as the waters cover the sea!

AMEN

May 14, 2015  Song of Songs 7:1-10  

He

7:1 How beautiful are your feet in sandals,

    O noble daughter!

Your rounded thighs are like jewels,

    the work of a master hand.

2 Your navel is a rounded bowl

    that never lacks mixed wine.

Your belly is a heap of wheat,

    encircled with lilies.

3 Your two breasts are like two fawns,

    twins of a gazelle.

4 Your neck is like an ivory tower.

Your eyes are pools in Heshbon,

    by the gate of Bath-rabbim.

Your nose is like a tower of Lebanon,

    which looks toward Damascus.

5 Your head crowns you like Carmel,

    and your flowing locks are like purple;

    a king is held captive in the tresses.

6 How beautiful and pleasant you are,

    O loved one, with all your delights!

7 Your stature is like a palm tree,

    and your breasts are like its clusters.

8 I say I will climb the palm tree

    and lay hold of its fruit.

Oh may your breasts be like clusters of the vine,

    and the scent of your breath like apples,

9 and your mouth like the best wine.

She

It goes down smoothly for my beloved,

    gliding over lips and teeth.

10 I am my beloved's,

    and his desire is for me.

Commentary:

7:1-10 is very much like 4:1-16. It begins with "the king" praising the beauty of his bride; then follows with a confession of his love for her and an appeal for love making. Both passages end with the woman yielding to his desire. 

The other men looks at her from their chariots (see 6:13); whereas, he who portrays himself as "a king" (see 7:5) looks up to her from her feet (7:1). He uses many dignified objects to compare her to.
     Your neck is like an ivory tower.
     Your eyes are pools in Heshbon,
           by the gate of Bath-rabbim.
     Your nose is like a tower of Lebanon,
           which looks toward Damascus.
     Your head crowns you like Carmel,
           and your flowing locks are like purple;

He does not look down at her like a piece of property for his entertainment (see 6:13b). He sees her standing tall  (like a palm tree 7:7) full of dignity. He is captivated by her (see 7:5). To obtain her, he "will climb the palm tree (7:8)."

This kind of condescending love is very uncommon in Ancient Near East culture. Paul appears to be telling husbands to love their wives with this kind of love. 

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her (Eph 5:25),

Obviously, Paul said so because he understood his Master Jesus has done so for the church. Jesus loves his church and looks upon her as worthy. He willingly calls her to join him as co-heirs of the Kingdom. This Jesus is our King and our beloved. 

She captured this love chemistry very well in 7:10: I am my beloved's, and his desire is for me. Mary's song reflects a similar joy of knowing God's love:

         “My soul magnifies the Lord,
                  and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
           for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.

                  For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

Her king desires her and she is so willingly yielding herself to him. There really is no shame between these two lovers. It is the most beautiful kind of love. 

If this is the way Jesus, the King of kings, loves you, do you hold him at a distance? He asks you to walk with Him on the Way of Life. Do you see him only on Sundays? and just half-heartedly? Or will you fall heads over heels in love with Him? 

             For the mountains may depart
                   and the hills be removed,
             but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,
                   and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,”
             says the Lord, who has compassion on you. (Isaiah 54:10)

Love the Lord. 

AMEN

   

May 13, 2015  Song of Songs 6:11-13  

She

11 I went down to the nut orchard

    to look at the blossoms of the valley,

to see whether the vines had budded,

    whether the pomegranates were in bloom.

12 Before I was aware, my desire set me

    among the chariots of my kinsman, a prince.

Others

13 Return, return, O Shulammite,

    return, return, that we may look upon you.

He

Why should you look upon the Shulammite,

    as upon a dance before two armies?

Commentary:

In these few verses, we have three voices. She went to a "garden"; others responded to her beauty; He rebuked them.

Recall 6:2 My beloved has gone down to his garden

                         to the beds of spices,

                   to graze in the gardens

                         and to gather lilies. 

6:11 parallels. He went down to "his garden." Therefore, she went down to "hers." He went to graze and gather. She went to look and see. 

Both of these ventures produce the same result: it stirs up her desire for him.

          6:3 I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine;

          6:12 my desire set me ... 

6:2-3 are followed by 6:4-10 a song of his praises for her "looks" (like the dawn, moon, the sun ...). Hence, 6:11-12 are also followed by verses that highlight "look upon."

She went down to her garden. Her beauty attracted the "looks" of her kinsmen. Then he showed up suddenly to put his claim on her, to keep her from the others.

While these verses describe the relationship of a pair of lovers, it is a fit description of the relationship between Jesus and His flock. Sheep can easily get lost or distracted. They would wander off. Therefore, it falls upon the shepherd to find the lost sheep. He has to round them up and protect them from the predators. Hence, Jesus told the parable of the shepherd leaving the ninety-nine to look for the one lost. (Matthew 18:10-14)

Jesus told this parable to explain that "it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. (Matt 18:14)" Another famous verse echoes this sentiment, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)."

We are the sheep so easily gone astray. But our dear Jesus won't let it happen. Jesus did not lose anyone that belongs to the Father. But there are lost sheep out there that Jesus has to gather:

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (John 17:20-21)   

It is our Good Shepherd's prayer that we may share His gospel to others that they may believe through our word.

Don't wander off to look and see. You may easily be deceived by false philosophies and self-made religions. But, go into the world with a higher purpose: to satisfy the wandering hearts with the Living Water of the Lord.

AMEN

  

May 12, 2015  Song of Songs 6:4-10  

He

4 You are beautiful as Tirzah, my love,

    lovely as Jerusalem,

    awesome as an army with banners.

5 Turn away your eyes from me,

    for they overwhelm me—

Your hair is like a flock of goats

    leaping down the slopes of Gilead.

6 Your teeth are like a flock of ewes

    that have come up from the washing;

all of them bear twins;

    not one among them has lost its young.

7 Your cheeks are like halves of a pomegranate

    behind your veil.

8 There are sixty queens and eighty concubines,

    and virgins without number.

9 My dove, my perfect one, is the only one,

    the only one of her mother,

    pure to her who bore her.

The young women saw her and called her blessed;

    the queens and concubines also, and they praised her.

10 “Who is this who looks down like the dawn,

    beautiful as the moon, bright as the sun,

    awesome as an army with banners?”

Commentary:

I highlighted above the literary feature that identifies the boundaries of this section.

In the last verses, even though she was sick with love to the point of jealousy, she swore, I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine (6:3). Hence, we start a new section with the lovers singing songs to each other again. In addition to praising her beauty, he let out that she is without comparison:

There are sixty queens and eighty concubines, and virgins without number.

But she is the only one. Even the other women, her competition, praised her and called her blessed. He compares her to radiating wonders like the dawn, the moon, the sun, and an army with banners.

This is what he sees. He saw "my dove, my perfect one, my love." He sees only her among all the others. None is a lily beside her. So has the Lord declared His love for His people,

“For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. ... but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers...  (Deuteronomy 7:6-8)

The Lord declared His steadfast love and he swore His faithfulness:

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, (Deuteronomy 7:9)  

Jesus put an exclamation mark to the Lord's love by His death. There shouldn't be any doubt left in the people about His love. All that is left is to trust Him and to remain in His loving care. Our Lord Jesus knows our timidity. When you cry out in fear, He will gently whisper:

“Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27)    

He will dry your tears and put away your sorrows. Jesus our beloved is singing you a new song:

“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope.” (Matthew 12:18-21, see also Isaiah 42)

Do not doubt. Put your hope in Him.
AMEN

May 11, 2015   Song of Songs 6:1-3  

Others

6:1 Where has your beloved gone,
    O most beautiful among women?
Where has your beloved turned,
    that we may seek him with you?

She

2 My beloved has gone down to his garden
    to the beds of spices,
to graze in the gardens
    and to gather lilies.
3 I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine;
    he grazes among the lilies.

Commentary:

6:1 is continuation of the conversation between her and the daughters of Jerusalem (3:5, 5:8-9). She tells them that he is gone and asks their help finding him. They ask her the typical questions of what he looks like and where he may have gone.

Remember that beginning with 3:1 and right up to this section, we suspect she has been dreaming. She dreams about seeking him, finding him, holding on to him, but then losing him. The dreams describe a woman "sick with love" or "drunk with love." So what would she reply the daughters of Jerusalem in such a dream? Where would she think he must have gone? 

he [went grazing] among the lilies.

You see. In her mind, he is "the king", the "altogether desirable," the one who is the most "distinguished among ten thousand" other men. He must be extremely attractive to other women. He describes her as "a lily among brambles. (2:2)" But she thinks he must have gone after other lilies. A woman in love is also a most jealous woman. 

She imagines that he must have left to "gather lilies." She and he have had such intimacies in their garden of love (5:9-16). Now, he must have gone off to "his garden. (6:2)" Her imagination went wild out of a fear of losing her most precious. 

We may laugh at such silliness. We may brush this aside and say, "it is just 'first love.' She will get over it." Perhaps it is the way we think about about other believers who have fallen head over heels in love with Jesus. Perhaps it happens to ourselves before. We were once so fascinated with Jesus our Lord. He is our beloved. But time has passed; life moves on; things changed since then. Now we only look upon "that time" as a time of the past. We have become cynical, not expecting the fire of love to rekindle. "Jesus was once my precious. But he has been so long in coming. Will he really return?"

This is Jesus' charge against the church at Ephesus,

3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. (Revelation 2:3-4)  

In all the letters Jesus sent to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3, he said, "I will come soon." He never was in doubt of His return. Why should you? 

8 By day the Lord commands his steadfast love,
   and at night his song is with me,
   a prayer to the God of my life.
9 I say to God, my rock:
   “Why have you forgotten me?
   Why do I go mourning
   because of the oppression of the enemy?”
10 As with a deadly wound in my bones,
   my adversaries taunt me,
   while they say to me all the day long,
   “Where is your God?”
11 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
   and why are you in turmoil within me?
   Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
   my salvation and my God. (Psalm 42:8-11)

Rediscover your first love. Hope in Jesus. 

... and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:5)

AMEN

May 9, 2015  Song of Songs 5:9-16

  

Others

9 What is your beloved more than another beloved,
    O most beautiful among women?
What is your beloved more than another beloved,
    that you thus adjure us?

She

10 My beloved is radiant and ruddy,
    distinguished among ten thousand.
11 His head is the finest gold;
    his locks are wavy,
    black as a raven.
12 His eyes are like doves
    beside streams of water,
bathed in milk,
    sitting beside a full pool.
13 His cheeks are like beds of spices,
    mounds of sweet-smelling herbs.
His lips are lilies,
    dripping liquid myrrh.
14 His arms are rods of gold,
    set with jewels.
His body is polished ivory,
    bedecked with sapphires.
15 His legs are alabaster columns,
    set on bases of gold.
His appearance is like Lebanon,
    choice as the cedars.
16 His mouth is most sweet,
    and he is altogether desirable.
This is my beloved and this is my friend,
    O daughters of Jerusalem.

Commentary:

 She was charging the daughters of Jerusalem to help her find her beloved.  "I adjure you" means "I put you on oath." Now the other women would want her to defend her man. Why is he worthy?

What is your beloved more than another beloved, 

   O most beautiful among women?

Hence, Verses 10-16 are her defense or justification speech of her beloved. She has considered the question. She has paid attention and has taken the time to evaluate her beloved. He is altogether amazingly desirable from head to toe. And he is "my beloved and my friend." His goodness is not just skin deep. He does not come to her only for her physical beauty. He befriends her. This is a quality that is very rare in Ancient Middle Eastern culture where women and children are considered part of the men's property. It is also very rare nowadays. Obviously, she is proud of her beloved. He is "more than" any other man. He is altogether desirable.  

When you love a person, do you love as much as she loves him? This is the question we wish to ask ourselves in relation to our Lord Jesus. If God so loved you that he sent you His Son. And Jesus so loved you that He gave His life for you on the Cross. Then how much do you know Jesus? How much do you know the King whom you are going to marry at the end of times? Have you taken the time to talk to Him? Do you get close enough that you can see like this lady sees? She sees his face and all of his features. She knows his smell and his strength. According to Scripture, Jesus is supposed to be the most desirable of all. He is compared to the priceless pearl and the hidden treasure. In fact, Jesus should be the object of our desires. Are you sitting down to listen to Him like Mary does? 

Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. ... “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)

Are you too busy serving different things that you don't have time for Jesus? Are you too busy talking that you haven't taken the time to listen? Have you chosen "the good portion"? 

Consider how you spend your day. Give Jesus the primary attention of your life. He is worthy. 

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God,

    to receive glory and honor and power,

for you created all things,

    and by your will they existed and were created.” (Rev 4:11)

I adjure you to find Jesus
AMEN