BACKGROUND
This section of Song of Solomon deals with the issue of indifference in marriage and the resolution. It is a dream. The bridegroom no longer addressed her as his "bride" indicating that they were no longer newlyweds. Time has elapsed since the wedding night (5:1) and indifference has set in. She did not open the door, revealing her apathy toward her husband. After he pounded on the door, she said, "My feelings were aroused for him/my heart began to pound for him." This expression is used elsewhere in the Old Testament to mean pity or compassion (Isaiah 16:11; Jeremiah 31:20) and should not be meant to mean sexual arousal.
Her compassion prompted her to open the door, but it was too late and her lover was gone. She found myrrh on the door handle (5:5). Myrrh was sometimes associated with lovemaking (Proverbs 7:17; Song 4:6; 5:13). She went out to look for him. In her dream in Song of Solomon 3, the watchmen helped her, but this time they beat her because they mistook her for a criminal. Some commentators believe it symbolizes her guilt for being indifferent and selfish in the marriage.
She charged the "daughter of Jerusalem" to help her, and they asked her what made her husband worthy of being sought after. In Song of Solomon 5:10-16, she launched into a soliloquy about his worthiness. This praise led to the reigniting of her feelings of love. I also love that she concluded it by saying "This is my beloved, and this is my friend." Friendship is SO key in a healthy marriage and in our relationship with Jesus.
The emotional distance in their relationship was overcome in Song of Solomon 6 by the woman seeking out the man, and they were reconciled. This led to a soliloquy on his part where he extolled the woman's beauty. He referred to Tirzah. This town's name means "pleasant." Restoration in the marriage was now complete.
REFLECTION from Union and Communion
Section IV: COMMUNION AGAIN BROKEN - RESTORATION
APPLICATION
Relating to Communion with the Lord
According to Taylor, the last time communion was broken was because of worldliness on the bride's part. This time Taylor addresses the issue of broken communion because of "slothful self-indulgence" on her part after the couple had been married for some time. Have you become lazy about your intimacy with the Lord? The bride's cure was to praise her husband's attributes and to move toward him.
Why not spend some time in focused praise upon His attributes by meditating and praying through Psalm 145 and moving towards Him today?
Relating to Communion with a Spouse
In middle age, I am seeing long-term marriages go through deep trouble and some eventually end in divorce. While there are often much deeper issues, sometimes is it because of indifference. It is nice to recall what things you find attractive and "worthy of praise" (Philippians 4:8) in your spouse. Then, it is good to go a step further and verbalize them to him or her. I have been trying to do that this week.
PRAYER through Psalm 145
I will extol You, my God, O King,
And I will bless Your name forever and ever.
Relating to Communion with a Spouse
In middle age, I am seeing long-term marriages go through deep trouble and some eventually end in divorce. While there are often much deeper issues, sometimes is it because of indifference. It is nice to recall what things you find attractive and "worthy of praise" (Philippians 4:8) in your spouse. Then, it is good to go a step further and verbalize them to him or her. I have been trying to do that this week.
PRAYER through Psalm 145
I will extol You, my God, O King,
And I will bless Your name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless You,
And I will praise Your name forever and ever.
Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised,
And His greatness is unsearchable.
One generation shall praise Your works to another,
And shall declare Your mighty acts.
On the glorious splendor of Your majesty
And on Your wonderful works, I will meditate.
Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts,
And I will tell of Your greatness.
They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness
And will shout joyfully of Your righteousness.
The Lord is gracious and merciful;
Slow to anger and great in lovingkindness.
The Lord is good to all,
And His mercies are over all His works.
All Your works shall give thanks to You, O Lord,
And Your godly ones shall bless You.
They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom
And talk of Your power;
To make known to the sons of men Your mighty acts
And the glory of the majesty of Your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
And I will praise Your name forever and ever.
Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised,
And His greatness is unsearchable.
One generation shall praise Your works to another,
And shall declare Your mighty acts.
On the glorious splendor of Your majesty
And on Your wonderful works, I will meditate.
Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts,
And I will tell of Your greatness.
They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness
And will shout joyfully of Your righteousness.
The Lord is gracious and merciful;
Slow to anger and great in lovingkindness.
The Lord is good to all,
And His mercies are over all His works.
All Your works shall give thanks to You, O Lord,
And Your godly ones shall bless You.
They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom
And talk of Your power;
To make known to the sons of men Your mighty acts
And the glory of the majesty of Your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
1 comment:
Yikes! Even more divorces of long-term marriages since I wrote this. Praying.
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