209th Week, Song of Songs Intro - Chapter 4 (Click on Title for Video Introduction)

Click on Title for Video Intro

Monday, Song of Songs Chapter Intro

Song of Solomon Intro

Jeanie Boldt

THOUGHT

Jewish tradition sees this book picturing God’s love for Israel, and Christians see it illustrating Christ’s love for the church as well as the individual believer. The “plot” centers on King Solomon’s love for a humble maiden. Courtship leads to marriage and then to the joys and trials of married love. The book is indeed a beautiful presentation of the love of husband and wife.  The Jews accepted sexuality as a precious gift from God, a holy expression of true commitment in marriage.  This book is a wedding song honoring marriage.

In reality, it is both - a historical story with two layers of meaning. On one level we learn about love, marriage, and sex; and on the other level we see God’s overwhelming love for his people.

As you read the Song of Solomon, be sure to distinguish the various people speaking. This book is rich in Oriental imagery and must be “felt” as well as read. Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes for the inquiring mind, Proverbs for the obedient will, and the Song of Solomon for the loving heart. It takes all three for a balanced life.

PRAYER

Father God, we honor You and praise You. Thank You for what we have learned, the changes in our lives, the hardships and joys and the opportunity to grow and become closer to You. It is with a grateful heart that I write this prayer on behalf of the Salt Shakers who love You and look to You for direction.  Make our pathways clear and precise. May we not fall behind or get ahead but walk right beside You. Thank You for guiding me to Song of Songs. May the Holy Spirit guide all of us as we read the spiritually written book of Love.  As we do so, may we remember that we are loved by God and commit ourselves to seeing life, sex and marriage from King Solomon’s point of view.  AMEN

Tuesday, Song of Songs Chapter 1

Song of Solomon 1

Verses 2&9

Jeanie Boldt

Verse 2:  GIRL says, “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth - for your love is more delightful than wine.”

Verse 9:  SOLOMON says, “I liken you, my darling, to a mare harnessed to one of the chariots of Pharaoh.”

THOUGHT

I couldn’t help but think how descriptive these lovers were. The girl must have really enjoyed wine as she compared his kiss to something wonderful like that.  Solomon must have known the value of a Chariot with a wonderful mare at the lead being owned by Pharaoh. To us this may seem hard to imagine, but to them the words were special, priceless and would not be forgotten.

Have you ever thought about comparing the love of your mate or the love of Jesus to something very special in your eyes or your mate’s eyes. I couldn’t help but think of some special areas when I thought of the Salt Shakers. Sis could describe something special about Tom comparing him to a helicopter, Matt - deer hunting, Bart - piano playing, Heather - her gift of singing, Jane - her blitz and glimmer, Jeanie - exercise, Mindy - quilts, Gary - woodworking, Linda - painting, Rory - drums, Kristen - photography, David - Delorean, Delores - movies, Tanya - gifts of being a great mom, Alan - camping, fishing and sports. It would be kind of fun to write a few lines of how special your mate is by using descriptive phrases of something special in their life and in their eyes. They could easily understand what you would be conveying.

The words are spoken in such a beautiful and intimate way. May our love relationship never become stagnant because He wants to lead us into a deeper experience. May we become closer to our mates.  May we also become closer to our Lord and never be afraid to follow Him for His love will never lead us astray. Enjoyment and enrichment will be ours as we commune with Him. With Jesus in our hearts, the love we feel for our mate is even that much more intense!!

PRAYER

Father God, give us the right words to speak to our mate and to You so that all will know just how much the love relationship means to us. May we use words and phrases that they would understand just how loved and special they are to us.  Thank You for our jobs and the shelter You have given us this season.  We love You as much as __________________(fill in your own words).  AMEN

Wednesday, Song of Songs Chapter 2

Song of Solomon 2

Verses 2,7b,15

Jeanie Boldt

Several verses were special to me.

Verse 2:  “Like a lily among thorns is my darling among the maidens.”  I so love this verse because Solomon spoke to his lady like she was the most special flower in the fields, and no one could compare to her beauty or the specialness of her being.  When I was single once again, that is one feeling I wanted to experience. I wanted to feel special in the eyes of my someone.  Rory makes me feel that way when I walk in a room, when he sees me at the end of the day or just when we sit and watch TV.  I feel that he is glad to have me in his life.  Jesus makes me feel that way too for He accepts me just as I am and created me to enjoy and love me.

Verse 7b:  “Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.”  How wonderful a verse for those single people who would love to find someone to love and to be loved. I think it is saying how important it is to become friends first and not try to develop physical feelings until they come naturally.  We cannot force a relationship.  Let God do the arranging and the timing.  I think that is how we are with our walk with Jesus Christ too. It cannot be forced upon us.  We must find it, grow in it and then experience the deep unconditional love that is beyond human actions.

Verse 15:  “Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom.”  Can’t you just see us ruining a beautiful evening of supper being fixed by our mate by saying, “You should have used the good dishes if you wanted this to be a special evening?”  The night was not about the dishes but the wonderful act of having supper fixed just for you.  Forget about the little menial things.  Praise your special someone for the great things they do.  The same is with Jesus.  Let’s not get hung up on which altar cloth should be on the altar.  Let’s just Praise God for the cross and the life that was given up on that cross for us.

PRAYER

Father God, thank You for another day to love You and our mate.  Help us to live the moments together in kindness, thoughtfulness, love, gentleness, trust, faithfulness and commitment.  May we make known to our mate just how special they are to us and show it daily.  We lift up the single people we know that are so desiring mates.  May they trust in Our Lord for the path and the perfect timing.  Help us to love with affirmation and encouragement and refuse to give the devil his success by dwelling on less important issues. Jesus, our heart overflows with love for You when we think of the gift itself.  Thank You for the present.  AMEN

Thursday, Song of Songs Chapter 3

Song of Solomon 3

Verse 11b

Jeanie Boldt

Verse 11b:  ‘on the day of his wedding, the day his heart rejoiced.’

THOUGHT

Can you think back on your wedding day?  Some of us will have a longer time span than others.  No matter what the time of day or time of year or how old we were or where we were --- it was a great day.  Oh, there might have been some excitement jitters but deep down there was love, anticipation, excitement and the beginning of a world of wonderment and adventure.  I believe the verse speaks for all of us - “OUR HEARTS REJOICED”.  

I hate to have to say that I was blessed with two wedding days but that is the path that my life took.  There was never ever anything that I was so sure about in my life.  I loved being walked down the aisle by my dad in the house of the Lord meeting the man I loved (oh so immature at first and then oh how it grew!!).  How beautiful that our lives were joined in a Godly way for the Lord too.  Then with Rory there was never a doubt in my mind or heart just how true the verse spoke in his actions, his voice and in his being.  ‘HIS HEART REJOICED’ and so did mine.  I pray that you can all look back at your special day and feel the intimacy of each other and the Lord’s present.

 

In a triumphant and beautiful wedding procession, Solomon claims his bride and takes her home.  The church is awaiting the Lord’s glorious coming, but as we wait we experience His love and joy.  Find your delight in Him today, and the joys of heaven will be greater.

PRAYER

Father God, thank You for giving us those very special moments when we can rejoice in You and with each other. Prepare us for the moments in marriage that involve worry, sickness, financial struggles, career changes, relationship changes and even death of a mate.  Help us always to keep our eyes on You.  Thank You for Your Word.  When my heart is the lowest - Your Word ‘raises me up’.  AMEN

Friday, Song of Songs Chapter 4

Song of Solomon 4

Jane Jones

Verse 1

Verse 1:  “How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful!”

THOUGHT

I can still remember how nervous Matt was before his first date with Kristen. But then came the call after the date, and the excitement in his voice was nothing but elation. I can still remember him saying, “Mom, she is really something. I think she is the one for me. Mom, really, Mom, really!”  I thought at the time...one date, and he knows already?? And as it turned out, she was. And he was.

I remember the tape the kids did for their wedding. One of Kristen’s comments of her thoughts after the first date was, “I think this is someone I could marry someday.” (Or similar words) 

The gift of love is from God. He created it for us to enjoy. Our spouses are also gifts from God.  And tonight I will close by stating that I am a benefactor of that love. I have two beautiful daughter-in-laws that are so precious to me. The Lord could not have blessed me with more perfect fits for my sons. So through their love stories, Bart and Mindy and Matt and Kristen, I too, am a recipient of their love.

PRAYER

We give thanks for love and for the creation of man and woman. We love what God had in His plan. We pray that our children will have mates that will love them and that they will cherish each other.  AMEN