Rekindled love… vs. 1-9

• 1^st – Restoration…
  • Post-fight…
    • Because the SHULAMITE humbled herself and submitted to SOLOMON – Ephesians 5:22
    • Thereby convicting SOLOMON so he also HUMBLED himself and loved her – Ephesians 5:25
    • Rather than going to WAR – it brought PEACE [Shulamite] to their relationship…
    • And with PEACE came the opportunity to restore the INTIMACY…
    • It began with SOLOMON describing the BEAUTY of his WIFE!
  • Three to one…
    • The SHULAMITE only describes SOLOMON once in the book…
    • During their fight when she realized he was better than TEN thousand – Song of Songs 5:10
    • But SOLOMON described the SHULAMITE three times [three to one ratio]
    • FIRST time he described her on their wedding night – Song of songs 4:1-5
    • SECOND – was after their fight [she became beautiful again] – Song of songs 6:5-7
    • Now a THIRD time – he describes her AFTER their fight – Song of songs 7:1-5
    • Jen has a tendency to put on an outfit – then ask what I think…
    • My natural reaction is to say – it looks the same as the last time you put it on…
    • But I get that she is NOT asking how the OUTFIT looks – how does SHE look!
    • Men – our wives need CONSTANT reassurance of our LOVE…
    • They NEED to be told on REGULAR basis how BEAUTIFUL they are…
    • It gives them the confidence in our love – that they are the ONLY one for us…
    • We need to be wise and give our wives the ATTENTION they deserve!
  • Ten things…
    • FIRST time – SOLOMON noticed SEVEN things [from her head to her chest]
    • SECOND time – he noticed THREE things [trying to get over a fight]
    • But this final time he sees TEN things – her WHOLE body – he does NOT miss a thing!
    • When Jen and I have a fight – it affects HOW we see each other…
    • It is HARD to see the GOOD things – when we are focused on the BAD!
    • We need to remember that when we have a FIGHT…
    • We are partially blinded – and CANNOT see the best in our spouse…
    • Our perspective is tainted by our emotion – and that effects our outlook…
    • The only solution is to HUMBLE ourselves – that will clear things up…
    • And in the end – our SPOUSE will look better than they ever had before!
  • Reverse order…
    • When SOLOMON described the SHULAMITE on their wedding night…
    • He BEGAN with her head – and worked his way down [seeking the physical]
    • But here he STARTS with her feet – works his way up to her head [seeking the relational]
    • Because although the PHYSICAL can bring two people together – it will NOT sustain them…
    • There has to be MORE to the relationship – there has to be a FRIENDSHIP!
    • This is why the worlds definition of love is BROKEN…
    • They focus on the PHYSICAL – and then wonder why marriages do NOT last!
    • We are made in the image of God – we are THREE in one – I Thessalonians 5:23
    • We can be attracted to someone physically [body] – but that is just a THIRD of who we are…
    • We also need to have a FRIENDSHIP with them [soul]
    • And also have a common FAITH in Jesus Christ [spirit] – II Corinthians 6:14
• 2^nd – Her Dance… vs. 1-5
  • Her feet… vs. 1
    • The Beloved: How beautiful are your feet in sandals – O princes daughter!
    • Which brings us to the DESCRIPTION given by SOLOMON of his WIFE…
    • FIRST – he tells her how beautiful her FEET are…
    • FEET [פַּעַם] – means the beat or rhythm – not the typical word for FEET [רֶגֶל]
    • Leading many believe SOLOMON is talking about her DANCING…
    • He goes on to wisely COMPLIMENT her shoes [some things do not change]
    • As he tells her the DANCE is INVITING [נָדִיב] – the word can mean WILLING…
    • The idea would seem to suggest she was being intentionally PROVOCATIVE!
    • There is some debate over if they was a PUBLIC or PRIVATE dance…
    • But considering the INTIMATE nature of the descriptions that follow…
    • It seems unlikely this was a DANCE that the SHULAMITE would have done PUBLICLY!
  • Her legs… vs. 1
    • The curves of your thighs are like jewels. The work of the hands of a skillful workman!
    • SECOND – as the eyes of SOLOMON moved up from her FEET…
    • He noted the CURVE of her THIGH – and it made him WEAK – from the root word [חָלָה]
    • He acknowledged that God [craftsman] had done a GREAT job in forming her!
    • When Jesus was teaching the Sermon on the Mount…
    • He repeated the command that we should NOT commit adultery – Matthew 5:27
    • But He went on to say anyone who LOOKS at a woman and lusts is GUILTY!
    • There is ONE exception – husbands we are ALLOWED to look at our wives…
    • It is NOT just allowed – it is ENCOURAGED – marvel at how amazing they are…
    • Like SOLOMON we should be noting God did a GREAT job when He made them!
  • Her navel… vs. 2
    • Your navel is a rounded goblet. It lacks no blended beverage!
    • THIRD – SOLOMON went on to describe her NAVEL [שֹׁרֶר] – only here OT
    • He likened it to a round CUP that WANTED [jussive] to be filled!
    • There is a common fashion trend today for women to EXPOSE their mid-section…
    • To be clear the reason that is ATTRACTIVE to men…
    • It because it is a way of saying I am NOT pregnant!
    • Ladies – there are some things that are NOT meant to be seen…
    • The last thing you want to do is ADVERTISE to strangers – you are NOT pregnant…
    • The SHULAMITE was exposing her belly to her HUSBAND to ENTICE him!
    • I Timothy 2:9 – “[Women] should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves.” [NLT]
  • Her waist… vs. 2
    • Your waist is a heap of wheat set about with lilies!
    • FOURTH – her WAIST was like a bunch of WHEAT…
    • The imagery suggest she is FERTILE – will bring a good HARVEST…
    • That is was set about by LILIES – emphasizes that SOLOMON found that BEAUTIFUL!
    • We live in a world where men are pictured as NOT wanting children…
    • But that is a LIE of satan – meant to focus men only on the PHYSICAL…
    • While missing out on the greater blessings of being a DAD…
    • When a HUSBAND is in a LOVING marriage – it is NATURAL for him to desire to have KIDS!
    • Psalm 127:3 – “Children [plural] are a gift from the LORD. They are a reward from him.”
  • Her breasts… vs. 3
    • Your two breasts are like two fawns. Twins of a gazelle!
    • FIFTH – He likens her BREAST to TWO fawns – TWINS [identical] of a DEAR [gazelle]
    • It is possible Solomon was referring to their COLOR [tan]
    • As we were previously told that the Shulamite was DARK skinned – Song of Songs 1:6
    • He will have more to say about these later!
  • Her neck… vs. 4
    • Your neck is like an ivory tower!
    • SIXTH – the NECK of the SHULAMITE was tall – like [כְּ] a TOWER [מִגְדָּל]
    • He described it on their wedding night as being covered with SHIELDS [necklace]
    • But here she is wearing NOTHING – it is smooth like IVORY!
    • I Peter 3:3 – “Do not let your adornment be outward arranging the hair – wearing gold – or putting on fine apparel!”
    • Do not [imperative] let your ADORNMENT be OUTWARD…
    • ADORNMENT [κόσμος] – where we get the word cosmetics!
    • Not that there is a problem with makeup – women can make themselves look nice…
    • But if ALL that we focus on is the OUTWARD appearance…
    • Then there is a PROBLEM – because the OUTWARD things do not strengthen a MARRIAGE!
  • Her eyes… vs. 4
    • Your eyes like the pools in Heshbon by the gate of Bath Rabbim!
    • SEVENTH – when SOLOMON looked into her eyes…
    • They were like DEEP pools of water – reflecting her DEEP thoughts [חֶשְׁבּוֹן]
    • They were the DOOR that showed MANY [רַבִּים] daughters [בַּת]
    • In other words when he looked into her EYES – he did NOT just see his WIFE…
    • He saw a MOTHER – who could love and nurture MANY children!
    • If you ever want to make someone uncomfortable – STARE into their eyes…
    • It almost seems like an intrusion – like they are trying to READ your mind…
    • That is because our EYES are the MOST expressive part of our face…
    • Cover them up [sunglasses] and it is HARD to tell what someone is THINKING or FEELING!
    • That is also why if we want to tell someone something IMPORTANT…
    • If we want them to KNOW what we are saying is the TRUTH – look at them in the EYE…
    • Take the time to look at your spouse – in the EYE – and tell them you LOVE them!
  • Her nose… vs. 4
    • Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon which looks toward Damascus!
    • EIGHTH – the NOSE [אַף] of the SHULAMITE…
    • NOSE [אַף] – the word is most often translated as ANGER [flaring nose]
    • Was TALL – like the TOWER [מִגְדָּל] of LEBANON [white]
    • So apparently the SHULAMITE had both a TALL [not dapat] and WHITE nose!
    • The reason why FILIPINOS want a TALL nose – is because they do NOT have them…
    • They reason they want to be WHITE – is because they are NOT…
    • So they spend LOTS of money to make their nose TALL and skin WHITE…
    • But who made the definition of BEAUTY is the OPPOSITE of what we are!
    • Rather than buying into the LIE – and trying to be something we are NOT…
    • Wisdom is to recognize God made us – therefore we are BEAUTIFUL just as we are…
    • And the person God has for us – will see and embrace that BEAUTY!
  • Her head… vs. 5
    • Your head crowns you like Mount Carmel!
    • NINETH – her HEAD was like [כַּ] Mount Carmel [כַּרְמֶל]
    • This could simply be a reference to her HEIGHT – she was taller than others…
    • Mount Carmel is one of the HIGHER mountains on the coast of Israel [546 meters]!
  • Her hair… vs. 5
    • And the hair of your head is like purple. A king is held captive by your tresses!
    • TENTH – finally SOLOMON describes the HAIR of the SHULAMITE…
    • It was PURPLE – likely not the actual color [doubtful she dyed her hair]
    • More likely he is referring to the fact is was REGAL [purple was a royal color]
    • And he – the KING [מֶלֶךְ] – was CAPTIVATED [אָסַר] by the LINES [רַהַט] of it!
    • Personally I can attest to loving the long hair of Jen…
    • Part of the reason is probably just jealousy – I cannot grow ANY hair anymore!
    • But what I like the most is that SOLOMON did not START with the head – he ended there…
    • Because what makes a marriage GREAT – is NOT just the physical [wedding night]
    • It is when we take the time to have a RELATIONSHIP with our spouse…
    • Which will NOT happen by accident – it is something we need to INVEST in…
    • We choose to spend time with them – get to know them – make them our BEST friend!
• 3^rd – His desire… vs. 6-9
  • Conclusion… vs. 6
    • How fair and how pleasant you are O love – with your delights!
    • Having giving his most DETAILED description of his WIFE…
    • SOLOMON stood back and gave his CONCLUSION…
    • HOW [מָה] beautiful – and HOW [מָה] sweet was his LOVE [אַהַב]
    • He was DELIGHTED to spend time with her!
    • SOLOMON went from SEVEN ways of describing her on the wedding night…
    • To only THREE ways when they had a FIGHT…
    • To now seeing TEN ways in which she was GORGEOUS [physically] and SWEET [personally]
    • Not because she had CHANGED – but because he had [his perspective]!
  • Taking hold… vs. 7-8
    • This stature of yours is like a palm tree – and your breasts like its clusters.
    • I said: I will go up to the palm tree – I will take hold of its branches.
    • Let now your breasts be like clusters of the vine!
    • The SHULAMITE was as TALL as a DATE palm…
    • And her BREASTS were like clusters of FRUIT that hung from the tree…
    • So SOLOMON said [perfect] – I will go up to the DATE palm…
    • Because he REALLY [cohortative] wanted [jussive] to grab ahold of the FRUIT…
    • The suggestion is the DANCE was over – he was excited to hold his BRIDE!
    • When we spend time in our SPOUSE – invest in them – we will want to with them…
    • We will be attracted to them – and find them irresistible [physically]
    • It will NOT be a burden to have a conversation with them [emotionally]
    • We will want to strengthen each other in our walks with Jesus [spiritually]
  • Kisses… vs. 8-9
    • The fragrance of your breath like apples – and the roof of your mouth like the best wine!
    • And [וְ] – as SOLOMON got close to the SHULAMITE…
    • The scent of her NOSE [אַף] was like APPLES…
    • And as he kissed her mouth – it was like [כְּ] the BEST [טוֹב] wine!
    • Proverbs 5:18-19 – “Let your fountain be blessed – and rejoice with the wife of your youth. As a loving deer and a graceful doe – let her breasts satisfy you at all times. And always be enraptured with her love!”
    • The BEST [blessed] sex [fountain] – will always be in marriage…
    • Therefore – we MUST [imperative] choose to be HAPPY [rejoice] in our SPOUSE [wife]
    • A husband should [jussive] only quench his THIRST [satisfy] with his wife [breasts]
    • He should ALWAYS [כָּל] be FULFILLED [שָׁגָה] by his love for her!
    • We live with our SPOUSE – meaning we see the GOOD and the BAD…
    • There are going to be days when we FIGHT – get our feelings HURT…
    • The danger comes when we believe the LIE…
    • The secretary at work – the trainer at the gym – the friend who seems to always care…
    • People – who are NOT our spouse – who we spend TIME with…
    • We start to think maybe they could make us HAPPIER!
    • God has created marriage to last for a LIFETIME…
    • That does NOT mean it will always be EASY – but it is always the BEST!

• 2^nd – Enjoying love… vs. 9-13
  • 1^st – Her humility…vs. 9-10
    • Much easier… vs. 9
      • The Shulamite: The wine goes down smoothly for my beloved.
      • Moving gently the lips of sleepers!
      • At this point the SHULAMITE speaks for the FIRST time…
      • This would appear to be after they had re-consummated their marriage [post sex]
      • As they lie together – speaking quietly to each other before falling asleep…
      • She noted how much EASIER [smooth] this was compared to their FIGHT…
      • It was BETTER to have a RESTORED relationship rather than a BROKEN one!
    • I am my beloveds… vs. 10
      • I am my beloveds – and his desire is toward me!
      • She repeats again the KEY phrase that began the HEALING – Song of Songs 6:3
      • I [אֲנִי] am my BELOVEDS [לְדוֹדִי] – she HUMBLED herself and put him FIRST…
      • And the RESULT of her HUMILITY – was he now DESIRED [תְּשׁוּקָה] her!
      • Ladies – if you feel like you husband is ignoring you…
      • The solution is NOT to be PRETTIER – put on more MAKEUP – a SEXIER outfit…
      • It is to be HUMBLE – chose to obey the command God gave you [submit]
      • Because that is what is what will make you irresistible to him!
  • 2^nd – Her love… vs. 11-12
    • Vacation… vs. 11-12
      • Come my beloved. Let us go forth to the field. Let us lodge in the villages.
      • Let us get up early to the vineyards. Let us see if the vine has budded. 
      • Whether the grape blossoms are open and the pomegranates are in bloom!
      • Do NOT think that it was only SOLOMON who was enjoying the restoration…
      • The SHULAMITE turned to her husband and commanded [imperative]
      • COME – lets go into the field – and find [cohortative] a house in the village…
      • She wanted to go and find a BED and Breakfast – get away with SOLOMON…
      • And she wanted to do it NOW – get up early [hiphil] – and go out to the VINEYARDS…
      • She really [cohortative] wanted to see if the grapes and pomegranates were blooming!
      • The church we came from in Temecula is located in Wine Country…
      • It is famous for its Bed and Breakfasts – because the scenery is BEAUTIFUL…
      • It makes for a peaceful place for couples to get away to!
    • Freely given… vs. 12
      • There I will give you my love!
      • Their VACATION was not about the LOCATION – or the pretty flowers…
      • What the SHULAMITE wanted was to spend time ALONE with SOLOMON…
      • Away from the distractions of his POSITION [the king]
      • Just the TWO of them – and there she would give [imperfect] him her LOVES [plural]!
      • I Corinthians 7:3-5 – “Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her – and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body – but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body – but the wife does. Do not deprive one another… so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control!”
      • It has been said that marriage is a 50/50 relationship…
      • But that is NOT true – when we get married – we give up our rights…
      • We NO longer live for ourselves – we are both to live 100 percent for the other person!
      • Unfortunately – husbands and wives can NEGLECT each other…
      • A Husband can IGNORE his wife when he is frustrated with her…
      • A wife can REFUSE intimacy as a way to get back at her husband…
      • And satan would love to take advantage of our little SPATS…
      • He knows that marriage is the cornerstone of our understanding of God – Ephesians 5:32
      • Therefore do NOT give satan the opportunity – be selfless in marriage!
      • II Corinthians 2:11 – “Lest Satan should take advantage… we are not ignorant of his devices.”
  • 3^rd – Result of love… 13
    • Mandrakes…
      • The mandrakes give off a fragrance and at our gates are pleasant fruits!
      • The SHULAMITE then gave a HINT at what she wanted…
      • MANDRAKES [דּוּדַי] – a fruit that is thought to be an aphrodisiac…
      • She liked the idea of its SMELL coming though their door…
      • Because it would bring EXCELLENT things – talking about having CHILDREN!
      • The first time MANDRAKES are mentioned in the Bible is with Jacob – Genesis 30:14
      • Rueben – the son of Leah – had found some in the field…
      • Rachel – who had NO children – demanded they be given to her…
      • The reason she wanted them is she believed it would help her get PREGNANT…
      • And the Lord heard her prayer – and she gave birth to Joseph – Genesis 30:22
    • Old and new…
      • All manner – new and old – which I have laid up for you my beloved!
      • If SOLOMON was willing to take the SHULAMITE away – give her kids…
      • She had ALL [כֹּל] kind of things planned for them – some NEW – some OLD!
      • I love that the story of the Song of Songs – does NOT present a PERFECT marriage…
      • It shows us VERY flawed people – who made MISTAKES…
      • They reacted in the FLESH – they had FIGHTS…
      • But in the end they chose to be HUMBLE – and OBEY the command of God…
      • And the results was – they saw the RESTORATION of their marriage…
      • Presumably one that was blessed with MANY children!