Friday, November 27, 2009

INTRODUCTION TO SONG OF SOLOMONG 4:16


Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits. (Song of Solomon 4:16)

The setting in this verse is the night of King Solomon and his brides wedding night. The words in verse 16 are spoken by the Shulamite bride which is a poetic form describing the act of love in a marriage relationship. As well, it’s important to note that these words were inspired of the Holy Spirit as a two-fold means:


The first means was to reveal the appropriate and pure love that God desires to be expressed between a husband and wife. The gift of sexual relationship is exactly that; it is a gift from God. Sex between a married man and woman isn’t dirty nor is it perverted, but in God’s eyes is a holy act that unites two beings as one. The physical intimacy that God intended to be expressed between a husband and wife was for the purpose of procreation: where human bodies could be born and His presence be expressed through those individual lives. As well, the physical intimacy between a husband and wife was also created for pleasure. The God given and legitimate needs of a husband (man) and wife (woman) were put there by God’s design and intended to be met in His boundaries of the marriage bed. Married love in the marriage bed is to bring pleasure to the marriage relationship and serve as a means to strengthen the marriage bond.

The second means, in writing of the Song of Solomon, of which all previous chapters and verses before chapter 4 and verse 16 and all that follows, with regards to the Scriptures, needs to be fully understood, were ALL inspired of the Holy Spirit. This may seem difficult for some to swallow due to the perceived “explicit” content. However, the Holy Spirit is a gentleman but isn’t ashamed to address the issues of humanity, no matter how humans perceive them as “prudish” or “perverted.” The Holy Spirit addresses every issue in “black and white” that we need to be aware of that carries eternal consequences. There are no “grey” areas when it comes to eternal matters with God. He is plain, specific, to the point and bold in His commands and intentions. Such is the issue before us in the Song of Solomon 4:16. In the parallel of the relationship with King Solomon as the groom and the Shulamite woman as the bride, the Holy Spirit uses their relationship as an example of the relationship between Jesus (the groom) and the Church (the bride). It serves to help us understand the affection, love and devotion we are to have to Christ in our walk with Him.

I will blog tomorrow on the meaning of verse 16 in more detail and then in the following blogs, share thoughts regarding this verse.

Until my next blog confabulation….God bless!

Posted by Pastor Juno Douglas at 9:16 AM | 0 comments

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Thursday, November 26, 2009

WHY THE BRIDE STIRS THE HEART OF THE GROOM WITH HER LIFE?

I’d like to wish you and your family and HAPPY THANKSGIVING! May the time with family and close friends be blessed with special memories and abundant blessings from the hand of the Lord!
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13 Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard, 14 Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices: (King Solomon continues to praise his wife because she has saved herself for him and him alone. Like choice fruits, namely the “orchard of pomegranates” and the costly perfumes of their day, she has saved herself. The physical intimacy of their wedding night will be as “priceless” as the special perfumes they knew in their day. He mentions seven different kinds of spices or perfumed ingredients that were very popular in their day. Such perfumes were very expensive, yet, in his mind, she having saved herself for him is so valuable to him. The use of the seven particular means of fragrances is important as to the number seven. Seven in Bible typology means perfection and completion. He, as well, admires her for being chaste and pure which is the “completing” of the love for each other. They are complete in their purity and love for each other.) 15 A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon. (like waters from fountains and flowing streams of the mountains give refreshments and satisfaction, King Solomon’s bride brought him satisfaction.)

There is nothing that stirs the heart of the Groom anymore than knowing his Bride-to-be has saved herself “solely” for Him. Her love is pure for Him!

Understanding the physical side of this point, the abstinence before marriage and then faithfulness in marriage is the key to “maintaining purity” in a relationship. A group of students were given paper cups with fresh water poured in the cups. The students were instructed to drink from the cup and then pass it to the person next to them. They were instructed to drink from the cup and then spit in the cup and hand it to the person next to them. Then, they were instructed to drink from the cup handed to them. The response of the children was what you would think….. “they didn’t want to take another sip.” How well does the “dirty water” illustrate what happens when people do not save themselves before marriage and remain faithful in marriage.

The spiritual side of these verses speaks to the devotion, commitment and authenticity of our relationship with Jesus Christ. As the bride of Christ, we are commanded to “keep ourselves pure.” (1 Timothy 5:22) Consider what Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:25-27, “…even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Jesus gave His life so His bride, when presented to Him on that Day, will be glorious! How is she to be glorious? Not having spot, that is sin and not having a wrinkle, that is lazy and any such thing, that is that compares to being spotted garments or wrinkled clothing, which both describes our heart in attitudes and desires.

The cleanness of our lives reveals our love for Jesus! He longs for us to be in a relationship with Him that transparency and genuine love can be expressed without any shame. When we allow sin in our lives it’s like “spit in the paper cup,” that’s been passed from person to person. It doesn’t take twelve eggs that are rotten to corrupt a cake’s taste; all it takes is one egg that rotten of the 12 to taint the taste of the cake. So it is with sin. When we allow sin to “settle in” in our spirit it taints the entirety of our spirit in some facet.

We must stay clean before the Lord. 1 John 1:7 instructs us well on how to stay clean and pure before the Lord, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” As we fellowship with Jesus, we walk in the light, therefore any sin that we may have in our heart is exposed and we are able to ask forgiveness for it and the blood of Jesus will cleanse, (in the Greek writing the word means “continual cleansing”) us from all of our sins. The cleansing comes from “fellowship with Jesus.” In fellowship with Him we are made aware of those things that “hinder, taint and disrupt” an intimate relationship with Him.

Stay pure and our love will stay authentic!

Until my next blog confabulation…God bless!

Posted by Pastor Juno Douglas at 7:43 AM | 1 comments

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Wednesday, November 25, 2009

WHY THE BRIDE STIRS THE HEART OF THE GROOM WITH HER LIPS?


11) Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: (King Solomon draws on the analogy of the honeycomb that was often a source of sustenance and food. It was a food that brought pleasure. To him he says her kisses were like honeycombs.) honey and milk are under thy tongue; (Often in their day, they would bake a cake that was made with goat’s milk, honey and poppy seed and it would serve something similar to what we call a “piece of candy” in our language. Possibly, as some means of “breath mint.” King Solomon states that not only does her kisses bring him pleasure, but so do the words that she speaks. They are pleasant as the “candy” eaten under the tongue.)

Just as the words of the bride of King Solomon were described as being refreshed with the candy made of milk and honey, so should the words or testimonies spoken of God’s children be refreshing to His ears.

“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy.” (Psalms 107:2)

Psalms 19:14 gives us the prayer we should daily pray, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Notice closely these words, “Let the words of my mouth….be ACCEPTABLE IN YOUR SIGHT…” The word “acceptable” means to “be delightful.” Like honey from the honeycomb, our words should bring delight to our Lord.

We often think of what we say just affecting other around us; family, friends, co-workers and strangers, but we seldom pause to consider how our words affect Christ as the Groom.

Isaiah 29:13, stresses the importance of authenticity in our words when we talk of God, “Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me…” Because their heart wasn’t sincere, their words weren’t authentic.

May our words, spoken to our Lord, in prayer and communion, be words that “drop as honey from the honeycomb.”

Next blog we’ll consider “Why the Bride stirs the heart of the Groom with Her life!” So until my next blog confabulation….God bless!

Posted by Pastor Juno Douglas at 8:20 AM | 0 comments

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Tuesday, November 24, 2009

WHY THE BRIDE STIRS THE HEART OF THE GROOM WITH HER LOVE?"

10 How fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse! (the use of the word “fair” describes the “beauty and excellence she has.) how much better is thy love than wine! (he compares her love to be better than wine, the best of wine. In the Bible, often the use of the word “wine” is a reference of two illustrations: (1) great luxury and (2) great refreshment. To King Solomon, his bride’s love is greater than any means of worldly luxury and greater than any means of refreshment that he could afford from the world’s value and standpoint.)

In chapter one of the Song of Solomon, verse 2, the Shulamite Bride declared that King Solomon’s love was better than wine.

In Song of Solomon, chapter 4 and verse 10, King Solomon declares that the Shulamite Brides love is better than wine.

What a compliment paid to his bride. “How much better is your love than wine?”

What was considered to be the best…her love to him was better than the best!

She had no wealth to offer the King….

She had no land to offer the King…..

She had no great noticeable talents to offer the King….

Yet, what she had she gave…she gave him her love!

It’s true that God love us even while we were yet sinners. (Romans 5:8)

It’s true that Jesus loved us enough to lay down His life willingly for us. (John 10:17-18)

It’s true that the love of God is made known through the wonderful working presence of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 5:5)

The awesome trinity loves us: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit!

However, just as King Solomon delighted in the love of his Bride….how much more does Jesus delight in us loving Him with our whole heart?

Consider the following passages of Scripture that reveal our love for Christ:

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me…” (John 14:21)

“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my Words…” (John 14:23)

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God…” (Romans 8:28)

“If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.” (1 Corinthians 16:22) (Anathema is “accursed” and Maranatha is “the coming judgment,” which means the person who doesn’t love Jesus Christ will be accursed at the coming judgment of God.)

“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8)

Do you love Him?

Do you love His appearing?

Do you have a love for Him that motivates you to long to see Him?

King Solomon’s heart was stirred with affection for his bride because of her love for Him.

The heart of our Lord is stirred with affection when we love Him….with all our heart!

Next blog we’ll consider “Why the Bride stirs the heart of the Groom with Her lips!” So until my next blog confabulation….God bless!

Posted by Pastor Juno Douglas at 7:52 AM | 0 comments

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Monday, November 23, 2009

WHY THE BRIDE STIRS THE HEART OF THE GROOM WITH HER LOOKS?"

9 …thou hast ravished my heart (that is stirred my heart with affection.) with one of thine eyes, with one chain of thy neck. (notice the emphasis…“with one of thine eyes.”)

One is singular. This is important in regards to the word of Jesus in Matthew 6:22, “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.”

When the eyes of an individual are normal, both are directed toward a given object at the same time, which means that the eye is “single/one.” Which means it is seeing but one object.

The heart of the bride “stirs the heart of the groom” because her focus is on him. Her attention is on him as her sole lover not others.

C.H. Spurgeon wrote, “Where the eyes look the feet soon follow!” Such is the case with the eye of the bride. Her focus is on her groom and her feet will follow.

Hebrews 12:2, we’re commanded to “look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…” Looking to any other will lead to disappointment, discouragement and ultimately defeat.

The discipline of a faithful bride will be to “focus entirely” on her groom. Such is the spiritual requirement for the bride of Christ. We must focus on our groom, “Jesus Christ!”

When our focus is centered on Him, His heart is stirred with affection towards us greatly!

Next blog we’ll consider “Why the Bride stirs the heart of the Groom with Her love!” So until my next blog confabulation….God bless!

Posted by Pastor Juno Douglas at 8:25 AM | 1 comments

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Saturday, November 21, 2009

WHY THE BRIDE STIRS THE HEART OF THE GROOM WITH HIS CALL ... "COME WITH ME"

Song of Solomon chapter 4, verses 8 through 15, give the setting of the Bride and Grooms love for each other and describes in intimate detail by King Solomon as to what she was in “capturing and stirring” his heart.

Such pure love is demonstrated in their relationship and is perfect in describing the love the church, which is the bride of Christ, is to have for the Groom, which is Jesus Christ.

Solomon starts by calling for his bride to “come with me.” (Song of Solomon 4:8)

This is the call of Jesus to those who are willing to become a part of His bride, the church. Jesus calls for people, individually, to “come with me.”

The King wanted his bride to leave those things behind that brought her pleasure as well as fear, so Jesus wants His Bride to not let the things of this life; the deceitful pleasures and the unfulfilling enticements of this world, to stop us from following Him. He doesn’t want us to let the uncertainty of the unfamiliar to stop us from pursuing this life of commitment to Him and with Him.

Jesus bids us to come to Him: "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

We are told to come with Him and walk so as to please Him: “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing…” (Colossians 1:10, NLT)

We are bid to come with him and talk with Him: “You haven't done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.” (John 16:24, NLT)

We are bid to come with Him and work with Him: “For we are labourers together with God…” (1 Corinthians 3:9, KJV)

We are bid to come to with Him and make Him a priority in our lives: “Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters — yes, even one's own self! — can't be my disciple. Anyone who won't shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can't be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26-27, MSG)

Just as the King called for the Shulamite Bride to “come with me” so Jesus Christ is calling me and you to come to Him, surrender our lives, wills, dreams, hopes, past failures, present struggles and future aspirations; we are to yield them all to Him and follow Him.

Why does Jesus want anything at all to do with me and you? We’re nothing but “earthen vessels.” Vessels marred because of sinful choices, cracked by foolish behavior and broken because of selfish desires; yet, He calls for us to “come with Him.”

The reason is NOT what we are by our sinful nature, but because of WHAT WE CAN BECOME, when we have a sincere and authentic relationship with Him.

What is His motive for wanting us to “come with Him?” Song of Solomon 4:9 gives the answer, as a matter of fact, repeats the motive twice, “You have ravished my heart!”

Remember the word “ravished” means “you have stirred with affection!”

Next blog we’ll consider “Why the Bride stirs the heart of the Groom with Her looks!” So until my next blog confabulation….God bless!

Posted by Pastor Juno Douglas at 7:15 AM | 0 comments

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Friday, November 20, 2009

WHY THE BRIDE STIRS THE HEART OF THE GROOM, vs13-15

13)Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard, 14) Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices: (King Solomon continues to praise his wife because she has saved herself for him and him alone. Like choice fruits, namely the “orchard of pomegranates” and the costly perfumes of their day, she has saved herself. The physical intimacy of their wedding night will be as “priceless” as the special perfumes they knew in their day. He mentions seven different kinds of spices or perfumed ingredients that was very popular in their day. Such perfumes were very expensive, yet, in his mind, she having saved herself for him, is so valuable to him. The use of the seven particular means of fragrances is important as to the number seven. Seven in Bible typology means perfection and completion. He, as well, admires her for being chaste and pure which is the “completing” of the love for each other. They are complete in their purity and love for each other.)

15) A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon. (like waters from fountains and flowing streams of the mountains give refreshments and satisfaction, King Solomon’s bride brought him satisfaction.

With the various verses of Song of Solomon chapter 4 and verses 13-15 being broken down in an way we could understand more fully, over the next few days I will be sharing thoughts regarding “Why the Bride Stirs the Heart of the Groom?”

Until my next blog confabulation…God bless!

Posted by Pastor Juno Douglas at 9:43 AM | 0 comments

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