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!
