Song of Solomon

I'm really enjoying Rob's teachings through this book!  In case you're unfamiliar The Song of Solomon (or The Song of Songs) it's an Old Testament love story between Solomon and his bride.  Their story includes all the aspects of a relationship:  attraction & falling in love, struggles to stay pure, waiting for love, proposal, engagement, marriage, physical intimacy, struggles in love, and growing in love as a married couple.  The book teaches a practical example of how love between a man and woman should be and how physical intimacy in marriage is a beautiful gift from God.  As awesome as all of that is, the thing that touches my soul is the deeper picture within the text.  There is another love relationship being demonstrated.  The ultimate love story- that is of Christ and His bride... the church... us... me!

I am love how God desires a deep, rich love relationship with His people.  Rob shared that "the prince of preachers", Charles Spurgeon, wrote 59 sermons on this book; the majority of which were on the love relationship between Christ and His church.  There are even 10 volume commentaries on this stuff!  Wow!

Look at these descriptions of the Shulamite bride and King Solomon, but think of it in context to the church and of Christ:

The Shulamite bride:
Ch. 1
She's beautiful to him.
She's drawn, chosen and loved by him.
She is unashamedly in love with her groom to be.
She's a virgin.
She's aware of her darkness when in his presence.
She unnecessarily makes excuses for being dark and un-kept.
She comes from harsh and angry past.
She is extremely valuable &
She is desirable to him.
She is allowed to dine at his banqueting table, and when she's at his table a lovely fragrance rises to him.
In a relationship with him, she is flourishing and strong.

ch.2
She sees herself as common, but he sees her as priceless.
She is protected by him.
She is greatly delighted in him.
She is a partaker in the sweetness of his tree.
She is publicly loved by him.
She is sustained and refreshed by him.
She is captivated by him.
She struggled with passion yet she's pure with him.
She charges others to be pure.
She's a dove, and hides in the cleft of the rock.
Her voice is sweet to the beloved.
She is warned of little foxes that spoil fruit.
She belongs to shepherd and he belongs to her.
She awaits for her king, her lover.

The GROOM- the beloved, the shepherd, the king.
Ch. 1
He's the king of kings in his day.
He's a son of David.
He has great wealth.
He is known for wisdom.
He is artistic and creative.
He sings over his bride.
He's the beloved.
His love is better than wine- deep and lasting.
He is fragrant perfumed with myrrh- a burial spice.
His name is ointment.
He is a shepherd that feeds his flock.
His table is an abundant table.
He repeatedly comments on her beauty.
He only has good things to say to her who is so aware of her flaws.
He is like a cluster of henna blooms- white flower when crushed becomes red like blood.
He is beautiful.
He is pleasant.

Ch.2
He is an apple tree among other trees in the woods- rare.
He persistently calls her to come to him.
He only sees her beauty.
He is delighted to have her at his table.
He displays a banner of love over her.
He returned home and will come again for her.

I hope you enjoyed this as much as I do!