July 17 - Song of Solomon 5-8
It is very strange to me that God used Solomon for this love song, since he had so many wives and concubines. It seems to be a contradiction to the intimate relationship, but maybe it is the reason God used Solomon to teach these truths. Look at chapter 6 and verse 8. It says, "There are sixty queens and eighty concubines and virgins without number." It sounds like this is fairly early in the reign of Solomon, because he ended up with more wives and concubines than this. Could it be that from the beginning he knew that he had a special relationship with the Shulamite? Could it be that God was convicting him that it was wrong to have so many wives? I think that is one of the points of this book.
As they both exchange their compliments, they show that they are "soul mates." He calls her his "sister" and his spouse. (5:1) She calls him my beloved and "my friend." (5:16) Then, there is the famous declaration, "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine." (6:3) I believe that all of these things point to the fact that they had a special relationship, and that there was the knowledge that they should have an exclusive relationship. The passages that speak about her seeking him and longing for him could be referring to the times he was with other wives. God never said it was right for Solomon to have multiple wives. It brought his downfall. He was just doing the right thing in the world's eyes and in the politics of the day. He was ignoring what God was telling him. He missed out on God's best.
Take some time to think about your marriage. Is it what God intends it to be? Don't settle for less than His best. It will be your downfall, too. It is too easy to go the way of the world. Don't listen to the world. Go God's way, and He will richly bless you.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 1-4.
As they both exchange their compliments, they show that they are "soul mates." He calls her his "sister" and his spouse. (5:1) She calls him my beloved and "my friend." (5:16) Then, there is the famous declaration, "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine." (6:3) I believe that all of these things point to the fact that they had a special relationship, and that there was the knowledge that they should have an exclusive relationship. The passages that speak about her seeking him and longing for him could be referring to the times he was with other wives. God never said it was right for Solomon to have multiple wives. It brought his downfall. He was just doing the right thing in the world's eyes and in the politics of the day. He was ignoring what God was telling him. He missed out on God's best.
Take some time to think about your marriage. Is it what God intends it to be? Don't settle for less than His best. It will be your downfall, too. It is too easy to go the way of the world. Don't listen to the world. Go God's way, and He will richly bless you.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 1-4.