Are our marriages on earth meant to be a jubilant foreshadow of the marriage of the Lamb, a joyful celebration? Let’s look at Song of Songs 6.
Acting as narrators, what do the young women of Jerusalem ask the Bride?
Where did your beloved go, most beautiful of women? Where did your beloved turn, so we may look for him with you? (Song 6:1 ISV)
How does the Bride answer the question from the narrators, the women of Jerusalem? Does the Church ask where Jesus has gone?
My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies. I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine: he feedeth among the lilies. (Song 6:2-3 KJV)
What did the groom say to his beautiful bride? Did God love Israel? Does Jesus love His Church?
You are as beautiful as Tirzah, my darling, As lovely as Jerusalem, As majestic as an army with banners. Turn your eyes away from me, For they have overwhelmed me; Your hair is like a flock of goats That have leapt down from Gilead. Your teeth are like a flock of ewes Which have come up from their washing, All of which bear twins, And not one among them has lost her young. Your temples are like a slice of a pomegranate Behind your veil. (Song 6:4-7 LSB)
When a man is truly in love, how does he look upon his bride? How did God look upon Israel? How does Jesus look upon the Church?
There are sixty queens and eighty concubines, And young women without number; But my dove, my perfect one, is unique: She is her mother’s only daughter; She is the pure child of the one who gave birth to her. (Song 6:8-9a NASB)
How did the young friends of the bride describe her?
The young women saw her and called her blessed; the queens and concubines praised her. Who is this that appears like the dawn, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, majestic as the stars in procession? (Song 6:9b-10 NIV)
When love came into his heart, did an ordinary stroll through the garden seem like a royal pageant? Is it like a return to Eden, as Jesus marries His Church?
I went down to the garden of nuts To see the verdure of the valley, To see whether the vine had budded And the pomegranates had bloomed. Before I was even aware, My soul had made me As the chariots of my noble people. (Song 6:11-12 NKJV)
Do the young women want to gaze on the Bride? Did the Groom ask why they look while the Bride dances between two lines?
Return, return to us, O maid of Shulam. Come back, come back, that we may see you again. Why do you stare at this young woman of Shulam, as she moves so gracefully between two lines of dancers? (Song 6:13 NLT)
Is the Church to be married to Christ, as a pure virgin, without sin?
For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you in marriage to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ. (2 Cor 11:2 WEB)
Are our marriages on earth meant to be a jubilant foreshadow of the marriage of the Lamb, a joyful celebration? You decide!
A Knock at the Door (Song of Songs 5)
When Jesus knocks on our door do we hesitate? Let’s look at Song of Songs 5.
What did the Bridegroom and the young women of Jerusalem say to the Bride?
I have entered my garden, my treasure, my bride! I gather myrrh with my spices and eat honeycomb with my honey. I drink wine with my milk. Oh, lover and beloved, eat and drink! Yes, drink deeply of your love! (Song 5:1 NLT)
Why did the Bride delay answering the door? What happened when she searched for him? Do we hesitate when Jesus knocks? Are we beaten up by this world?
I was asleep, but my heart was awake. It is the voice of my beloved who knocks: “Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled; for my head is filled with dew, and my hair with the dampness of the night.” I have taken off my robe. Indeed, must I put it on? I have washed my feet. Indeed, must I soil them? My beloved thrust his hand in through the latch opening. My heart pounded for him. I rose up to open for my beloved. My hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with liquid myrrh, on the handles of the lock. I opened to my beloved; but my beloved left, and had gone away. My heart went out when he spoke. I looked for him, but I didn’t find him. I called him, but he didn’t answer. The watchmen who go about the city found me. They beat me. They bruised me. The keepers of the walls took my cloak away from me. (Song 5:2-7 WEB)
What conversation does the Bride have with the daughters of Jerusalem?
I place you under oath, daughters of Jerusalem: If you find my love, what should you tell him? That I’m weak with love! How is your lover different from any other lover, you who are the most beautiful of women? How is your lover different from any other lover, that you make us swear a solemn pledge? (Song 5:8-9 CEB)
How does the Bride describe the uniqueness of her Groom? Is Jesus unique because of His resurrection?
He is handsome and healthy, the most outstanding among ten thousand. His head is purest gold; his hair is wavy, black as a raven. His eyes are a pair of doves bathing in a stream flowing with milk. His face is a garden of sweet-smelling spices; his lips are lilies dripping with perfume. (Song 5:10-13 CEV)
How else is the Bridegroom unique? How else is Jesus unique? Is He both 100% divine and 100% human? Is He God’s unique Son?
His arms are rods of gold, set with jewels. His body is polished ivory, bedecked with sapphires. His legs are alabaster columns, set on bases of gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, choice as the cedars. His mouth is most sweet, and he is altogether desirable. This is my beloved and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem. (Song 5:14-16 ESV)
What did Jesus tell the church in Laodicea? What does that say about our choices, our free will?
See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. To the one who conquers I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. (Rev 3:20-21 HCSB)
When Jesus knocks on our door do we hesitate? You decide!
What did the Bridegroom and the young women of Jerusalem say to the Bride?
I have entered my garden, my treasure, my bride! I gather myrrh with my spices and eat honeycomb with my honey. I drink wine with my milk. Oh, lover and beloved, eat and drink! Yes, drink deeply of your love! (Song 5:1 NLT)
Why did the Bride delay answering the door? What happened when she searched for him? Do we hesitate when Jesus knocks? Are we beaten up by this world?
I was asleep, but my heart was awake. It is the voice of my beloved who knocks: “Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled; for my head is filled with dew, and my hair with the dampness of the night.” I have taken off my robe. Indeed, must I put it on? I have washed my feet. Indeed, must I soil them? My beloved thrust his hand in through the latch opening. My heart pounded for him. I rose up to open for my beloved. My hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with liquid myrrh, on the handles of the lock. I opened to my beloved; but my beloved left, and had gone away. My heart went out when he spoke. I looked for him, but I didn’t find him. I called him, but he didn’t answer. The watchmen who go about the city found me. They beat me. They bruised me. The keepers of the walls took my cloak away from me. (Song 5:2-7 WEB)
What conversation does the Bride have with the daughters of Jerusalem?
I place you under oath, daughters of Jerusalem: If you find my love, what should you tell him? That I’m weak with love! How is your lover different from any other lover, you who are the most beautiful of women? How is your lover different from any other lover, that you make us swear a solemn pledge? (Song 5:8-9 CEB)
How does the Bride describe the uniqueness of her Groom? Is Jesus unique because of His resurrection?
He is handsome and healthy, the most outstanding among ten thousand. His head is purest gold; his hair is wavy, black as a raven. His eyes are a pair of doves bathing in a stream flowing with milk. His face is a garden of sweet-smelling spices; his lips are lilies dripping with perfume. (Song 5:10-13 CEV)
How else is the Bridegroom unique? How else is Jesus unique? Is He both 100% divine and 100% human? Is He God’s unique Son?
His arms are rods of gold, set with jewels. His body is polished ivory, bedecked with sapphires. His legs are alabaster columns, set on bases of gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, choice as the cedars. His mouth is most sweet, and he is altogether desirable. This is my beloved and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem. (Song 5:14-16 ESV)
What did Jesus tell the church in Laodicea? What does that say about our choices, our free will?
See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. To the one who conquers I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. (Rev 3:20-21 HCSB)
When Jesus knocks on our door do we hesitate? You decide!
A Groom's Love (Song of Songs 4)
Can the loving faithfulness of a monogamous groom for his one bride help us understand the love of Christ for the Church? Let’s look at Song of Songs 4.
Is this Solomon reevaluating his selfish, polygamous life and contemplating a life of faithfulness to one woman, or is this the shepherd bridegroom of his Shulamite bride speaking? Opinions are divided, so what is important to learn here about faithfulness in marriage and Christ’s love for His Church?
Behold, you are beautiful, my darling, Behold, you are beautiful! Your eyes are like doves behind your veil; Your hair is like a flock of goats That have leapt down from Mount Gilead. Your teeth are like a flock of newly shorn ewes Which have come up from their washing, All of which bear twins, And not one among them has lost her young. Your lips are like a scarlet thread, And your mouth is lovely. Your temples are like a slice of a pomegranate Behind your veil. Your neck is like the tower of David, Built with rows of stones On which are hung one thousand shields, All the small shields of the mighty men. Your two breasts are like two fawns, Twins of a gazelle Which feed among the lilies. Until the day breathes And the shadows flee, I will go my way to the mountain of myrrh And to the hill of frankincense. (Song 4:1-6 LSB)
How is this ideal bridegroom more like a faithful husband and like Christ’s love for the Church than the fickle, regretful polygamy of Solomon?
You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish on you. Come with me from Lebanon, my bride, You shall come with me from Lebanon. You shall come down from the summit of Amana, From the summit of Senir and Hermon, From the dens of lions, From the mountains of leopards. You have enchanted my heart, my sister, my bride; You have enchanted my heart with a single glance of your eyes, With a single strand of your necklace. How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much sweeter is your love than wine, And the fragrance of your oils Than that of all kinds of balsam oils! Your lips drip honey, my bride; Honey and milk are under your tongue, And the fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon. A locked garden is my sister, my bride, A locked spring, a sealed fountain. Your branches are an orchard of pomegranates With delicious fruits, henna with nard plants, Nard and saffron, spice reed and cinnamon, With all the trees of frankincense, Myrrh, and aloes, along with all the finest balsam oils. You are a garden spring, A well of fresh water, And flowing streams from Lebanon. (Song 4:7-15 NASB)
How does the bride answer her lover, her husband? Do we invite Christ into our churches with such love?
Awake, north wind, and come, south wind! Blow on my garden, that its fragrance may spread everywhere. Let my beloved come into his garden and taste its choice fruits. (Song 4:16 NIV)
How did Jesus set the example for every man, of a loving husband to His Bride, the Church?
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. (Eph 5:25-28 NKJV)
Can the loving faithfulness of a monogamous groom for his one bride help us understand the love of Christ for the Church? You decide!
Is this Solomon reevaluating his selfish, polygamous life and contemplating a life of faithfulness to one woman, or is this the shepherd bridegroom of his Shulamite bride speaking? Opinions are divided, so what is important to learn here about faithfulness in marriage and Christ’s love for His Church?
Behold, you are beautiful, my darling, Behold, you are beautiful! Your eyes are like doves behind your veil; Your hair is like a flock of goats That have leapt down from Mount Gilead. Your teeth are like a flock of newly shorn ewes Which have come up from their washing, All of which bear twins, And not one among them has lost her young. Your lips are like a scarlet thread, And your mouth is lovely. Your temples are like a slice of a pomegranate Behind your veil. Your neck is like the tower of David, Built with rows of stones On which are hung one thousand shields, All the small shields of the mighty men. Your two breasts are like two fawns, Twins of a gazelle Which feed among the lilies. Until the day breathes And the shadows flee, I will go my way to the mountain of myrrh And to the hill of frankincense. (Song 4:1-6 LSB)
How is this ideal bridegroom more like a faithful husband and like Christ’s love for the Church than the fickle, regretful polygamy of Solomon?
You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish on you. Come with me from Lebanon, my bride, You shall come with me from Lebanon. You shall come down from the summit of Amana, From the summit of Senir and Hermon, From the dens of lions, From the mountains of leopards. You have enchanted my heart, my sister, my bride; You have enchanted my heart with a single glance of your eyes, With a single strand of your necklace. How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much sweeter is your love than wine, And the fragrance of your oils Than that of all kinds of balsam oils! Your lips drip honey, my bride; Honey and milk are under your tongue, And the fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon. A locked garden is my sister, my bride, A locked spring, a sealed fountain. Your branches are an orchard of pomegranates With delicious fruits, henna with nard plants, Nard and saffron, spice reed and cinnamon, With all the trees of frankincense, Myrrh, and aloes, along with all the finest balsam oils. You are a garden spring, A well of fresh water, And flowing streams from Lebanon. (Song 4:7-15 NASB)
How does the bride answer her lover, her husband? Do we invite Christ into our churches with such love?
Awake, north wind, and come, south wind! Blow on my garden, that its fragrance may spread everywhere. Let my beloved come into his garden and taste its choice fruits. (Song 4:16 NIV)
How did Jesus set the example for every man, of a loving husband to His Bride, the Church?
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. (Eph 5:25-28 NKJV)
Can the loving faithfulness of a monogamous groom for his one bride help us understand the love of Christ for the Church? You decide!
A Bride's Dream (Song of Songs 3)
Do we dream faithfully of our one spouse on earth? Does monogamous marital loyalty mirror our devotion to Christ? Let’s look at Song of Songs 3.
Did the Bride dream of looking for her Bridegroom? Do we dream of meeting Christ face to face some day?
Upon my bed, night after night, I looked for the one whom I love with all my heart. I looked for him but couldn’t find him. “I will rise now and go all around the city, through the streets and the squares. I will look for the one whom I love with all my heart.” I looked for him but couldn’t find him. (Song 3:1-2 CEB)
Did she finally find him after asking the night security guards? Is Jesus the cornerstone of our faith?
I even asked the guards patrolling the town, “Have you seen the one I love so much?” Right after that, I found him. I held him and would not let go until I had taken him to the home of my mother. (Song 3:3-4 CEV)
Does the Bride warn other women not to allow love to awaken in their hearts too early, but to wait for that one right person?
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases. (Song 3:5 ESV)
Did that warning include Solomon, carried on a royal sedan chair, guarded by 60 warriors, an extremely wise but equally selfish man, not satisfied with one faithful wife?
What is this coming up from the wilderness like columns of smoke, scented with myrrh and frankincense from every fragrant powder of the merchant? It is Solomon’s royal litter surrounded by 60 warriors from the mighty of Israel. All of them are skilled with swords and trained in warfare. Each has his sword at his side to guard against the terror of the night. (Song 3:6-8 HCSB)
Would a thousand fancy wedding days to Solomon distract our Bride from her one true love? Would the impressive riches of this world distract us from the love of Christ?
King Solomon made the sedan chair for himself from the trees of Lebanon. He made its posts of silver, its back of gold. Its seat was purple, and its interior was lovingly inlaid by the young women of Jerusalem. Come out, young women of Zion, and see King Solomon with the crown with which his mother crowned him on his wedding day—his day of great delight. (Song 3:9-11 ISV)
Will we allow temptation to make us unfaithful to just one earthly spouse? Does God’s creation reveal a glory greater than any short-lived grandeur tempting us away from our loyalty to Christ?
Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (Luke 12:27 KJV)
Do we dream faithfully of our one spouse on earth? Does monogamous marital loyalty mirror our devotion to Christ? You decide!
Did the Bride dream of looking for her Bridegroom? Do we dream of meeting Christ face to face some day?
Upon my bed, night after night, I looked for the one whom I love with all my heart. I looked for him but couldn’t find him. “I will rise now and go all around the city, through the streets and the squares. I will look for the one whom I love with all my heart.” I looked for him but couldn’t find him. (Song 3:1-2 CEB)
Did she finally find him after asking the night security guards? Is Jesus the cornerstone of our faith?
I even asked the guards patrolling the town, “Have you seen the one I love so much?” Right after that, I found him. I held him and would not let go until I had taken him to the home of my mother. (Song 3:3-4 CEV)
Does the Bride warn other women not to allow love to awaken in their hearts too early, but to wait for that one right person?
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases. (Song 3:5 ESV)
Did that warning include Solomon, carried on a royal sedan chair, guarded by 60 warriors, an extremely wise but equally selfish man, not satisfied with one faithful wife?
What is this coming up from the wilderness like columns of smoke, scented with myrrh and frankincense from every fragrant powder of the merchant? It is Solomon’s royal litter surrounded by 60 warriors from the mighty of Israel. All of them are skilled with swords and trained in warfare. Each has his sword at his side to guard against the terror of the night. (Song 3:6-8 HCSB)
Would a thousand fancy wedding days to Solomon distract our Bride from her one true love? Would the impressive riches of this world distract us from the love of Christ?
King Solomon made the sedan chair for himself from the trees of Lebanon. He made its posts of silver, its back of gold. Its seat was purple, and its interior was lovingly inlaid by the young women of Jerusalem. Come out, young women of Zion, and see King Solomon with the crown with which his mother crowned him on his wedding day—his day of great delight. (Song 3:9-11 ISV)
Will we allow temptation to make us unfaithful to just one earthly spouse? Does God’s creation reveal a glory greater than any short-lived grandeur tempting us away from our loyalty to Christ?
Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (Luke 12:27 KJV)
Do we dream faithfully of our one spouse on earth? Does monogamous marital loyalty mirror our devotion to Christ? You decide!
A Bride's Praise (Song of Songs 2)
How much do we love our spouse? How much do we love Jesus? Let’s look at Song of Songs 2.
How does the Bride describe the love of her husband for her?
I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. (Song 2:1 KJV)
How does the husband respond to His Bride’s description of His love for her?
Like a lily among the thorns, So is my darling among the daughters. (Song 2:2 LSB)
How does the Bride describe her love for her lover, her husband? Is our marriage like this?
Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest, So is my beloved among the young men. In his shade I took great delight and sat down, And his fruit was sweet to my taste. He has brought me to his banquet hall, And his banner over me is love. Refresh me with raisin cakes, Sustain me with apples, Because I am lovesick. His left hand is under my head, And his right hand embraces me. (Song 2:3-6 NASB)
How considerate are we in our marriage? Is the Bride quiet while her young husband sleeps, not wanting to disturb Him?
Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires. (Song 2:7 NIV)
How does the Bride picture her husband coming to her?
Ah, I hear my lover coming! He is leaping over the mountains, bounding over the hills. My lover is like a swift gazelle or a young stag. Look, there he is behind the wall, looking through the window, peering into the room. (Song 2:8-9 NLT)
What did her beloved Husband suggest to His dear wife?
My beloved spoke, and said to me, “Rise up, my love, my beautiful one, and come away. For behold, the winter is past. The rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth. The time of the singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree ripens her green figs. The vines are in blossom. They give out their fragrance. Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away.” (Song 2:10-13 WEB)
Does the Bride request of her Husband to see Him, to have Him perform a small task?
My dove—in the rock crevices, hidden in the cliff face—let me catch sight of you; let me hear your voice! The sound of your voice is sweet, and the sight of you is lovely.” Catch foxes for us—those little foxes that spoil vineyards, now that our vineyards are in bloom! (Song 2:14-15 CEB)
Does the young Bride desire to watch like seeing a deer as her Husband returns to her?
My lover is mine, and I am his. He browses among the lilies. Before the dawn breezes blow and the night shadows flee, return to me, my love, like a gazelle or a young stag on the rugged mountains. (Song 2:16-17 NLT)
How much ought we, as members of the Church that Jesus will marry, love Jesus?
If you love your father or mother or even your sons and daughters more than me, you are not fit to be my disciples. (Mat 10:37)
How much do we love our spouse? How much do we love Jesus? You decide!
How does the Bride describe the love of her husband for her?
I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. (Song 2:1 KJV)
How does the husband respond to His Bride’s description of His love for her?
Like a lily among the thorns, So is my darling among the daughters. (Song 2:2 LSB)
How does the Bride describe her love for her lover, her husband? Is our marriage like this?
Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest, So is my beloved among the young men. In his shade I took great delight and sat down, And his fruit was sweet to my taste. He has brought me to his banquet hall, And his banner over me is love. Refresh me with raisin cakes, Sustain me with apples, Because I am lovesick. His left hand is under my head, And his right hand embraces me. (Song 2:3-6 NASB)
How considerate are we in our marriage? Is the Bride quiet while her young husband sleeps, not wanting to disturb Him?
Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires. (Song 2:7 NIV)
How does the Bride picture her husband coming to her?
Ah, I hear my lover coming! He is leaping over the mountains, bounding over the hills. My lover is like a swift gazelle or a young stag. Look, there he is behind the wall, looking through the window, peering into the room. (Song 2:8-9 NLT)
What did her beloved Husband suggest to His dear wife?
My beloved spoke, and said to me, “Rise up, my love, my beautiful one, and come away. For behold, the winter is past. The rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth. The time of the singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree ripens her green figs. The vines are in blossom. They give out their fragrance. Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away.” (Song 2:10-13 WEB)
Does the Bride request of her Husband to see Him, to have Him perform a small task?
My dove—in the rock crevices, hidden in the cliff face—let me catch sight of you; let me hear your voice! The sound of your voice is sweet, and the sight of you is lovely.” Catch foxes for us—those little foxes that spoil vineyards, now that our vineyards are in bloom! (Song 2:14-15 CEB)
Does the young Bride desire to watch like seeing a deer as her Husband returns to her?
My lover is mine, and I am his. He browses among the lilies. Before the dawn breezes blow and the night shadows flee, return to me, my love, like a gazelle or a young stag on the rugged mountains. (Song 2:16-17 NLT)
How much ought we, as members of the Church that Jesus will marry, love Jesus?
If you love your father or mother or even your sons and daughters more than me, you are not fit to be my disciples. (Mat 10:37)
How much do we love our spouse? How much do we love Jesus? You decide!
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