King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Saturday, June 01, 2024
Chapters: SONG OF SOLOMON 1-4
Message: Christ And His Beloved
Hello My Friend,
Can you believe it is June 1st? This year is almost half over and I am not at all where I thought I would be. I have had some trying years, but this one has by far been the most challenging since I dedicated my life to Christ. And I am not going to lie, when I realized that today’s Bible reading was from Song of Solomon I was not excited, but at least I am married now and can appreciate it more. There is nothing more exciting than the day you get saved and discover not only that you are saved, but that you and Jesus are one. Once we receive Christ as our Saviour, it is literally a marriage come down from heaven, or it will be.
[Revelation 21:2-4 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.]
It is quite sad really to realize that there will be so many people in hell because they never looked at life beyond the grave. Contrary to what so many believe, life does not end for the soul once someone dies physically. The Bible says this, [Hebrews 9:27-28 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.]
The Book of Song of Solomon contains eight chapters, the author is King Solomon, and it was written to his bride and to all believers. The timeline is approximately 1014 BC. The purpose of the book is to show the intimate relationship between Jesus and the Church as demonstrated by the marriage between a husband and his bride. What we are to learn from the book is that the divine model of love between a man and his wife is the pattern for a relationship between Christ (Man) and the Church (His Bride), [Song of Solomon 2:16 My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies.]
As we begin the reading of Song of Solomon, we have a bride describing her love for her beloved, all she wants to do is run to him and spend some time with him, but she cannot. She is quite somber because she has been working so hard to please family and friends that she has neglected her husband and it has caused some unrest.
[Song of Solomon 1:1-7 The song of songs, which is Solomon’s. 2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. 3 Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee. 4 Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee. 5 I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon. 6 Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother’s children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept. 7 Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?]
[The song of songs, which is Solomon’s.] This prophetic poem is “the Song of songs,” and is excellent above any others, for it is wholly taken up with describing the excellencies of Christ, and the love between Him and His redeemed people. Sinners draw near to the Saviour, fully trusting that His love for them is the greatest love ever to be found, [1 Timothy 1:14-15 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.]
[we will remember thy love more than wine:] Those who find their Saviour and accept Him as such understand that His love for them supersedes any love they had for anything else, especially sin. In fact, His love for them keeps them from wanting to sin. So, naturally when we fail Him we are quite somber because we realize that we have neglected Him in the first place. The temptation to sin only becomes desirable if we take our eyes off Jesus, [James 1:13-14 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.]
Then something incredible happens when we realize that we have neglected Him, His love for us is still the same, He delights in us and welcomes us open arms. As the song continues, the groom, describes his love for his well beloved, [Song of Solomon 1:12-17 While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof. 13 A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts. 14 My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi. 15 Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves’ eyes. 16 Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed is green. 17 The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir.]
[my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.] You see, once we accept Christ as our Saviour, we may mess up a thousand times a day, but we are still His beloved because we are saved by grace. Now, with that said that does not mean that God will allow us to live in sin and not face any consequence while we are here, but it does mean that we are condemned when we leave here. It is His blood that sends up that sweet savor to God that covers up any stink of sin that we had, [2 Corinthians 2:14-15 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:]
The lily of the valley, is known for its tiny pure white, bell-shaped flowers and unforgettable fragrance. Its beauty and fragrance foreshadow Jesus Christ, in this song, special attention is given to the lily of the valley, and also a rose, and if you read the passage carefully you will discover that this is Jesus Himself.
[Song of Solomon 2:1-7 I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. 2 As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters. 3 As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. 4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. 5 Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love. 6 His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me. 7 I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.]
[so is my love among the daughters.] Man or woman, Christ’s love for us is the same, this is a love far beyond anything between spouses, parents and their children, or any loved ones. This is the love of Christ, and His banner of love over us is His blood, [Romans 5:8-10 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.]
[that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.] The love that Christ has for all mankind is undeniable as He gave His life for every soul. However, becoming one with Him is determined by each individuals love for Him in return. If we deny Him, He will deny us, but those who receive Him find rest in Him forever, [2 Timothy 2:11-13 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.]
It does not matter how long it has been since Christ has been received, we will never fully comprehend what He has done and His love for us until we see Him face to face. Those whom have received Him are beautiful in His eyes, clothed in His righteousness, adorned with His graces and thrive only in the bosom of their Saviour. Those whose hearts are filled with the love of Christ and the hope of heaven are rejoicing in Him and longing for the day He calls them for the wedding feast. The bride goes on to rejoice in hearing her beloved calling for her.
[Song of Solomon 2:8-12,16-17 The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills. 9 My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice. 10 My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. 11 For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; 12 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; 16 My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies. 17 Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether.]
[Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe] The Christian life may not be easy at times, but it is the most fulfilling life that we could ever live. One day all of our sorrows will flee, but until then we have our beloved Saviour coming to our refuge. As long as we feed on Him, we can endure the most trying of times, [Hebrews 6:17-19 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;]
That veil was a partition placed between the holy place and most holy place in the Tabernacle and Temple and separated the high priest from God so that he would not die accidentally by looking directly at the Holy Spirit, [Exodus 26:33-34 And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy. 34 And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place.]
Well, that veil was split from the top down when Jesus died on the cross and all that changed, [Matthew 27:50-53 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.]
Thanks to Jesus, death, burial, and resurrection, those whom have received Him can stand before God and not die because they are covered under His blood. Christ’s invitation and appeal is clothed in the gentlest and most appealing words, irresistible to the heart filled with true faith. And all this is done in the certainty of the Lord’s final return to lead His bride to the eternal marriage-feast in heaven. As the song continues, the bride recalls how her soul longs for her beloved and searches for him.
[Song of Solomon 3:1-4 By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not. 2 I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not. 3 The watchmen that go about the city found me: to whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth? 4 It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother’s house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.]
[The watchmen that go about the city found me:] This is an incredible picture of soul winning, in which Jesus commands His people to go out and preach the Gospel, [Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.]
The Church itself, which is the entire body and bride of Christ, responds by calling upon its own members, especially its pastors and teachers, to stop the destructive work of false prophets, who make use of every new awakening in the Church to do damage to Christ’s testimony. At the same time the Church affirms her loyalty to Christ and her trust in His love and power, knowing that His merciful presence is in the midst of His believers. As the song continues, what how the king delights in his bride.
[Song of Solomon 4:1,6-7,9,16 Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves’ eyes within thy locks: thy hair is as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead. 6 Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense. 7 Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee. 9 Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse; thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes, with one chain of thy neck. 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.]
[Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse;] This is proof that all saved, born again Christians are spiritual brothers and sisters in Christ, one body united through their faith in Him, [Romans 8:14-15 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.]
[Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.] Jesus, gives all the opportunity to receive Him, He is the one who stands at the door of the sincere hearts of those ready to receive Him and waits for them to call on Him, [Revelation 3:20-21 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [Song of Solomon 1:4 Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee. Song of Solomon 2:1 I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. Song of Solomon 3:10 He made the pillars thereof of silver, the bottom thereof of gold, the covering of it of purple, the midst thereof being paved with love, for the daughters of Jerusalem. Song of Solomon 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.]
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, You long to have a one on one relationship with us, one that is full of faith, trust, and honor, just as a husband and wife do when they vow to be one. While nothing is sure in life, one thing is sure, nothing can separate us from Your love once we receive You as our Saviour. It can be so easy to neglect You when we take our eyes off You, forgive us where we have neglected You. Thank You for never leaving, nor forsaking, and always being there with open arms to welcome us when we hear Your voice. Lord, Lead us and guide us, give us Your power to know You and love You with all our soul, heart, and mind, and fill us with Your grace, and mercy to suffice the day until we feast with You. I ask this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure You Are Going To Heaven?: https://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/ready-to-follow-jesus/
Receive The KJB Daily Devotions In Your Email: http://eepurl.com/2WMzT
Read Previous Devotions: https://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/
Read The Bible: http://kingjamesbible.imfollowingjesus.com/
Visit I’m Following Jesus: http://imfollowingjesus.com/index.html
Like I’m Following Jesus On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byhisstrength
Copyright © 2024 I’m Following Jesus, All rights reserved.