Will we endure as the end of the age and the Lord’s return draw near? Let’s look at Isaiah 2.
How will world peace come, from human leadership or from the Lord? Why will mount Zion be exalted above every other mountain?
The vision that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s house will be established at the top of the mountains and will be raised above the hills. All nations will stream to it, and many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us about His ways so that we may walk in His paths.” For instruction will go out of Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will settle disputes among the nations and provide arbitration for many peoples. They will turn their swords into plows and their spears into pruning knives. Nations will not take up the sword against other nations, and they will never again train for war. (Isa 2:1-4 HCSB)
Why did God reject Israel? Will God tolerate eastern religious practices and idolatry?
You house of Jacob! Come! Let’s live in the Lord’s light. For you have rejected your people, the house of Jacob, because they are filled with practices learned from the East and they are fortune-tellers like the Philistines. They cut deals with foreigners. Their land is filled with silver and gold, and there is no end to their treasures; their land is filled with horses, and there is no end to their chariots. Their land is filled with idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their own fingers have made. So mankind is humbled, each human being is brought low, and you won’t forgive. (Isa 2:5-9 ISV)
Who will be exalted on the day of the Lord, and who will be humbled?
Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty. The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. (Isa 2:10-11 KJV)
Will the day of the Lord also be a day of reckoning? For whom and what symbols of human arrogance?
For Yahweh of hosts will have a day of reckoning Against everyone who is proud and high And against everyone who is lifted up, That he may be made low. And it will be against all the cedars of Lebanon that are high and lifted up, Against all the oaks of Bashan, Against all the high mountains, Against all the hills that are lifted up, Against every lofty tower, Against every fortified wall, Against all the ships of Tarshish And against all the desirable craft. (Isa 2:12-16 LSB)
Is there a lot of arrogance in the world and even various religious traditions? Who alone will be exalted on that day?
And the pride of humanity will be humbled And the arrogance of people will be brought low; And the Lord alone will be exalted on that day, And the idols will completely vanish. People will go into caves of the rocks And into holes in the ground Away from the terror of the Lord And the splendor of His majesty, When He arises to terrify the earth. On that day people will throw away to the moles and the bats Their idols of silver and their idols of gold, Which they made for themselves to worship, In order to go into the clefts of the rocks and the crannies of the cliffs Before the terror of the Lord and the splendor of His majesty, When He arises to terrify the earth. Take no account of man, whose breath of life is in his nostrils; For why should he be esteemed? (Isa 2:17-22 NASB)
Does the New Testament also address the day of the Lord? Who will help us endure until the very end?
He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Cor 1:8-9 NIV)
Will we endure as the end of the age and the Lord’s return draw near? You decide!
Apostasy (Isaiah 1)
How does God view a society that relies on religious rituals, but abandons love of God and neighbor? Let’s look at Isaiah 1.
After about 700 years in the land, 400 years under judges and 120 years under three kings, as the northern Tribes were being taken captive by Assyria, Isaiah prophesied. Was this vision during the reign of three good kings of Judah and one evil king, Ahaz?
The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. (Isa 1:1 KJV)
After Solomon, was Israel divided in two, Israel in the north and Judah in the south, partly because they became apostates, forsaking God?
Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; For Yahweh speaks, “Sons I have reared and raised up, But they have transgressed against Me. An ox knows its owner, And a donkey its master’s manger, But Israel does not know; My people do not perceive.” Alas, sinful nation, People heavy with iniquity, Seed of evildoers, Sons who act corruptly! They have forsaken Yahweh; They have spurned the Holy One of Israel; They have become estranged from Him. (Isa 1:2-4 LSB)
Is God sorry for the self-affliction that sin has caused to Judah?
Where will you be stricken again, As you continue in your rebellion? The entire head is sick And the entire heart is faint. From the sole of the foot even to the head There is nothing healthy in it, Only bruises, slashes, and raw wounds; Not pressed out nor bandaged, Nor softened with oil. (Isa 1:5-6 NASB)
Is sin a cause of national destruction? Does this apply to other nations as well?
Your country is desolate, your cities burned with fire; your fields are being stripped by foreigners right before you, laid waste as when overthrown by strangers. Daughter Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a hut in a cucumber field, like a city under siege. Unless the Lord Almighty had left us some survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah. (Isa 1:7-9 NIV)
Why was Israel in such trouble even while keeping feasts that God had commanded? What were their hands full of?
Hear the word of the Lord, You rulers of Sodom; Give ear to the law of our God, You people of Gomorrah: “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?” Says the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, Or of lambs or goats.
“When you come to appear before Me, Who has required this from your hand, To trample My courts? Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies—I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. (Isa 1:10-15 NKJV)
What other attributes are more important to God than keeping feast days and rituals?
Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. (Isa 1:16-17 NLT)
How could their sins become white as snow? Was repentance involved? Is Jesus the ultimate answer to our sins?
“Come now, and let’s reason together,” says Yahweh: “Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured with the sword; for Yahweh’s mouth has spoken it.” (Isa 1:18-20 WEB)
Has Jerusalem become unfaithful, like a harlot? What specific sins does God list?
This faithful town has become a prostitute! She was full of justice; righteousness lived in her—but now murderers. Your silver has become impure; your beer is diluted with water. Your princes are rebels, companions of thieves. Everyone loves a bribe and pursues gifts. They don’t defend the orphan, and the widow’s cause never reaches them. Therefore, says the Lord God of heavenly forces, the mighty one of Israel: Doom! I will vent my anger against my foes; I will take it out on my enemies, and I will turn my hand against you. I will refine your impurities as with lye, and remove all your cinders. Then I will restore your judges as in earlier times, and your counselors as at the beginning. After this you will be called Righteous City, Faithful Town. (Isa 1:21-26 CEB)
How important are justice and doing right to God? How vile is idolatry to God?
Jerusalem, you will be saved by showing justice; Zion's people who turn to me will be saved by doing right. But those rebellious sinners who turn against me, the Lord, will all disappear.
You will be made ashamed of those groves of trees where you worshiped idols. You will be like a grove of trees dying in a drought. Your strongest leaders will be like dry wood set on fire by their idols. No one will be able to help, as they all go up in flames. (Isa 1:27-31 CEV)
What will Jesus say to those who did not act in love for their neighbor?
Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Mat 25:44-46 ESV)
How does God view a society that relies on religious rituals, but abandons love of God and neighbor? You decide!
After about 700 years in the land, 400 years under judges and 120 years under three kings, as the northern Tribes were being taken captive by Assyria, Isaiah prophesied. Was this vision during the reign of three good kings of Judah and one evil king, Ahaz?
The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. (Isa 1:1 KJV)
After Solomon, was Israel divided in two, Israel in the north and Judah in the south, partly because they became apostates, forsaking God?
Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; For Yahweh speaks, “Sons I have reared and raised up, But they have transgressed against Me. An ox knows its owner, And a donkey its master’s manger, But Israel does not know; My people do not perceive.” Alas, sinful nation, People heavy with iniquity, Seed of evildoers, Sons who act corruptly! They have forsaken Yahweh; They have spurned the Holy One of Israel; They have become estranged from Him. (Isa 1:2-4 LSB)
Is God sorry for the self-affliction that sin has caused to Judah?
Where will you be stricken again, As you continue in your rebellion? The entire head is sick And the entire heart is faint. From the sole of the foot even to the head There is nothing healthy in it, Only bruises, slashes, and raw wounds; Not pressed out nor bandaged, Nor softened with oil. (Isa 1:5-6 NASB)
Is sin a cause of national destruction? Does this apply to other nations as well?
Your country is desolate, your cities burned with fire; your fields are being stripped by foreigners right before you, laid waste as when overthrown by strangers. Daughter Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a hut in a cucumber field, like a city under siege. Unless the Lord Almighty had left us some survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah. (Isa 1:7-9 NIV)
Why was Israel in such trouble even while keeping feasts that God had commanded? What were their hands full of?
Hear the word of the Lord, You rulers of Sodom; Give ear to the law of our God, You people of Gomorrah: “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?” Says the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, Or of lambs or goats.
“When you come to appear before Me, Who has required this from your hand, To trample My courts? Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies—I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. (Isa 1:10-15 NKJV)
What other attributes are more important to God than keeping feast days and rituals?
Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. (Isa 1:16-17 NLT)
How could their sins become white as snow? Was repentance involved? Is Jesus the ultimate answer to our sins?
“Come now, and let’s reason together,” says Yahweh: “Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured with the sword; for Yahweh’s mouth has spoken it.” (Isa 1:18-20 WEB)
Has Jerusalem become unfaithful, like a harlot? What specific sins does God list?
This faithful town has become a prostitute! She was full of justice; righteousness lived in her—but now murderers. Your silver has become impure; your beer is diluted with water. Your princes are rebels, companions of thieves. Everyone loves a bribe and pursues gifts. They don’t defend the orphan, and the widow’s cause never reaches them. Therefore, says the Lord God of heavenly forces, the mighty one of Israel: Doom! I will vent my anger against my foes; I will take it out on my enemies, and I will turn my hand against you. I will refine your impurities as with lye, and remove all your cinders. Then I will restore your judges as in earlier times, and your counselors as at the beginning. After this you will be called Righteous City, Faithful Town. (Isa 1:21-26 CEB)
How important are justice and doing right to God? How vile is idolatry to God?
Jerusalem, you will be saved by showing justice; Zion's people who turn to me will be saved by doing right. But those rebellious sinners who turn against me, the Lord, will all disappear.
You will be made ashamed of those groves of trees where you worshiped idols. You will be like a grove of trees dying in a drought. Your strongest leaders will be like dry wood set on fire by their idols. No one will be able to help, as they all go up in flames. (Isa 1:27-31 CEV)
What will Jesus say to those who did not act in love for their neighbor?
Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Mat 25:44-46 ESV)
How does God view a society that relies on religious rituals, but abandons love of God and neighbor? You decide!
The Groom Arrives (Song of Songs 8)
Does the bride long for her groom to come? Do we long for Christ to come? Let’s look at Song of Songs 8.
Does the bride wish her groom was a brother, so she could kiss him publicly without shame? Does she dream of his hand under her head in intimate embrace?
If only I could treat you like my brother, one who nursed at my mother’s breasts, I would find you in public and kiss you, and no one would scorn me. I would lead you, I would take you, to the house of my mother who taught me. I would give you spiced wine to drink from my pomegranate juice. His left hand is under my head, and his right arm embraces me. Young women of Jerusalem, I charge you: do not stir up or awaken love until the appropriate time. (Song 8:1-4 HCSB)
How intense is the love of the bride for her groom? How intense is the love of the Church for Christ?
Who is this coming up from the desert, leaning on her beloved? Under the apple tree I awakened you. There your mother had gone into labor with you; there she went into labor and gave birth to you. Set me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, passion as intense as Sheol. The flames of love are flames of fire, a blaze that comes from the Lord. Mighty bodies of water cannot extinguish love, rivers cannot put it out. If a man were to give all the wealth of his house for love, he would surely be viewed with contempt. (Song 8:5-7 ISV)
Do the bride’s brothers reminisce about her childhood with gratitude for what she has become? If she was a wall of purity would they honor her highly? Did they guard the door to promiscuity and protect her virginity? Who is protecting our spiritual purity?
We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts: what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for? If she be a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver: and if she be a door, we will inclose her with boards of cedar. (Song 8:8-9 KJV)
Does the bride openly declare her purity, like a wall that cannot be breached, as she rejects Solomon’s vineyard and wealth?
I was a wall, and my breasts were like towers; Then I became in his eyes as one who finds peace. Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon; He gave the vineyard to caretakers. Each one was to bring one thousand shekels of silver for its fruit. My very own vineyard is before me; The thousand shekels are for you, Solomon, And two hundred are for those who take care of its fruit. (Song 8:10-12 LSB)
What do the bride and groom say to each other in conclusion? Do we also wait for Christ hoping He will come soon?
“You who sit in the gardens: My companions are listening for your voice—Let me hear it!” “Hurry, my beloved, And be like a gazelle or a young stag On the mountains of balsam trees!” (Song 8:13-14 NASB)
Though we may fall asleep waiting for the bridegroom to come, have we prepared by putting oil in our lamps?
The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ (Mat 25:4-6 NIV)
Does the bride long for her groom to come? Do we long for Christ to come? You decide!
Does the bride wish her groom was a brother, so she could kiss him publicly without shame? Does she dream of his hand under her head in intimate embrace?
If only I could treat you like my brother, one who nursed at my mother’s breasts, I would find you in public and kiss you, and no one would scorn me. I would lead you, I would take you, to the house of my mother who taught me. I would give you spiced wine to drink from my pomegranate juice. His left hand is under my head, and his right arm embraces me. Young women of Jerusalem, I charge you: do not stir up or awaken love until the appropriate time. (Song 8:1-4 HCSB)
How intense is the love of the bride for her groom? How intense is the love of the Church for Christ?
Who is this coming up from the desert, leaning on her beloved? Under the apple tree I awakened you. There your mother had gone into labor with you; there she went into labor and gave birth to you. Set me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, passion as intense as Sheol. The flames of love are flames of fire, a blaze that comes from the Lord. Mighty bodies of water cannot extinguish love, rivers cannot put it out. If a man were to give all the wealth of his house for love, he would surely be viewed with contempt. (Song 8:5-7 ISV)
Do the bride’s brothers reminisce about her childhood with gratitude for what she has become? If she was a wall of purity would they honor her highly? Did they guard the door to promiscuity and protect her virginity? Who is protecting our spiritual purity?
We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts: what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for? If she be a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver: and if she be a door, we will inclose her with boards of cedar. (Song 8:8-9 KJV)
Does the bride openly declare her purity, like a wall that cannot be breached, as she rejects Solomon’s vineyard and wealth?
I was a wall, and my breasts were like towers; Then I became in his eyes as one who finds peace. Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon; He gave the vineyard to caretakers. Each one was to bring one thousand shekels of silver for its fruit. My very own vineyard is before me; The thousand shekels are for you, Solomon, And two hundred are for those who take care of its fruit. (Song 8:10-12 LSB)
What do the bride and groom say to each other in conclusion? Do we also wait for Christ hoping He will come soon?
“You who sit in the gardens: My companions are listening for your voice—Let me hear it!” “Hurry, my beloved, And be like a gazelle or a young stag On the mountains of balsam trees!” (Song 8:13-14 NASB)
Though we may fall asleep waiting for the bridegroom to come, have we prepared by putting oil in our lamps?
The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ (Mat 25:4-6 NIV)
Does the bride long for her groom to come? Do we long for Christ to come? You decide!
Intimacy (Song of Songs 7)
Can we see past the sins of this world to the purity of intimacy in a faithful marriage and how it pictures Christ’s love for the Church? Let’s look at Song of Songs 7.
As we examine this unashamedly intimate passage of a man’s love for his bride, can we see the intimate love of Christ for His Church?
How graceful are your sandaled feet, willing woman! The smooth curves of your thighs—like fine jewelry, the work of an artist’s hands! Your navel, cupped like the full moon—may it never lack spiced wine! Your belly is a mound of winnowed wheat edged with lilies. Your two breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle doe; your neck, like a tower of ivory; your eyes, pools in Heshbon, by the gate of that lordly city. Your profile is like the tower of Lebanon, looking out toward Damascus. Your head crowns you like Mount Carmel, and your hair, braided in royal purple—a king is bound by the tresses! You are so beautiful, so lovely—my love, delightful one! Your stately form resembles a date palm, and your breasts are like clustered fruit. I say, “I will climb the palm tree; I will hold its fruit!” May your breasts be now like grape clusters, and the scent of your breath like apples! Your palate is like excellent wine flowing smoothly for my love, gliding through the lips and teeth. (Song 7:1-9 CEB)
As we examine the bride’s perspective in this unashamedly intimate passage, can we appreciate the Church’s love for Christ?
My darling, I am yours, and you desire me. Let's stroll through the fields and sleep in the villages. At dawn let's slip out and see if grapevines and fruit trees are covered with blossoms. When we are there, I will give you my love. Perfume from the magic flower fills the air, my darling. Right at our doorstep I have stored up for you all kinds of tasty fruits. (Song 7:10-13 CEV)
How important is physical intimacy in a godly marriage?
The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. (1 Cor 7:3-5 ESV)
Can we see past the sins of this world to the purity of intimacy in a faithful marriage and how it pictures Christ’s love for the Church? You decide!
As we examine this unashamedly intimate passage of a man’s love for his bride, can we see the intimate love of Christ for His Church?
How graceful are your sandaled feet, willing woman! The smooth curves of your thighs—like fine jewelry, the work of an artist’s hands! Your navel, cupped like the full moon—may it never lack spiced wine! Your belly is a mound of winnowed wheat edged with lilies. Your two breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle doe; your neck, like a tower of ivory; your eyes, pools in Heshbon, by the gate of that lordly city. Your profile is like the tower of Lebanon, looking out toward Damascus. Your head crowns you like Mount Carmel, and your hair, braided in royal purple—a king is bound by the tresses! You are so beautiful, so lovely—my love, delightful one! Your stately form resembles a date palm, and your breasts are like clustered fruit. I say, “I will climb the palm tree; I will hold its fruit!” May your breasts be now like grape clusters, and the scent of your breath like apples! Your palate is like excellent wine flowing smoothly for my love, gliding through the lips and teeth. (Song 7:1-9 CEB)
As we examine the bride’s perspective in this unashamedly intimate passage, can we appreciate the Church’s love for Christ?
My darling, I am yours, and you desire me. Let's stroll through the fields and sleep in the villages. At dawn let's slip out and see if grapevines and fruit trees are covered with blossoms. When we are there, I will give you my love. Perfume from the magic flower fills the air, my darling. Right at our doorstep I have stored up for you all kinds of tasty fruits. (Song 7:10-13 CEV)
How important is physical intimacy in a godly marriage?
The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. (1 Cor 7:3-5 ESV)
Can we see past the sins of this world to the purity of intimacy in a faithful marriage and how it pictures Christ’s love for the Church? You decide!
In the Garden (Song of Songs 6)
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!
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!
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