Good Morning!
As we've spent the last several weeks on the family and the way in which all of us are blessed in God's ordering of His people there is a common thread we may have missed. Something that has run through each of the passages that Paul never explicitly says, but is present in each part of his letter. In this morning's worship and prayer help I want to unspool that thread a little and help us to see the heart of the apostle's purpose for the Ephesians and for us.
In the book of the Song of Solomon, we read of the bride speaking of the bridegroom saying, "I am my beloved’s, And his desire is toward me." (Songs 7:4).
You hear what is being said there?
It's something that any husband worth his salt should know. Not only is the bride expressing the peace and safety she has in her husband (I am my beloved's) but she also notes that his heart is toward her and her alone. It's something that she knows about the groom. Not something that needs said or explained. This is her lived experience. Now, how has she come to know that this is the case? In the 4th chapter the Beloved spends fifteen verses describing the Shulamite woman (the bride) and in each verse his testimony grows in passion and knowledge. What is this telling us? It shows the reader that the bridegroom has taken the time to learn about his own beloved. There is a deep impulse within his heart to discover more and more about this woman who has so enraptured his soul. She has captivated his heart and his focus has changed completely towards her and her alone. And she knows this.
This is one of many reasons why the Song of Solomon has been such a treasured part of the Bible. It is not just describing love between husband and wife, but it has a deeper message for all Christians no matter their marital state. You see the love that is expressed in these passages is the same love that Christ has for His bride, the Church. He knows the depths or our hearts, He knows our trials, and as is said in 4:7, "You are all fair, my love, and there is no spot in you." When Jesus looks upon us He sees not our sin, but the white garment which He placed on us. Likewise when the Shulamite woman thinks of her beloved she says, "Go forth, O daughters of Zion, and see King Solomon with the crown with which his mother crowned him on the day of his wedding, the day of the gladness of his heart." She wants everyone to know of this wonderful gift she has in her Beloved. It is an infectious desire, not for boasting, but that others might likewise know the love she knows.
One could go on and on with these beautiful expressions of the love Christ has for His Bride and the Bride is to have for Christ and this is why Song of Songs is such a wonderful book to read when the devil is striking down your soul. It is so rich and sweet with love, Biblical sacrificial love.
And here it is we see that common thread I spoke about earlier. In each of these soliloquy's there is a deep desire to know more about your spouse, your children, your parents, your brothers and sisters in Christ so that you can love them more. It is in this we see the power of Christian fellowship and worship. But most of all we see the blessing of learning more and more about our bridegroom, the Redeemer and sustainer of life in our soul. The more and more our hearts are drawn to Christ the more and more our minds will no longer be drawn towards temptations and sin. As we grow in our knowledge of our Savior so to will it naturally follow that in this newfound heart-focus your love for your husband, your wife, your mother, your father, and all your relations in this world will flourish. For no longer will your mind be centered on what is best for your own selfish desires, but will now be focused on desiring that which you have in your beloved.
As the Psalmist says, "Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear," (Psalm 10:17).
Today's reading is from a Ligonier devotion.
https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/loving-one-another/
Blessings in Christ,
Rev. Benjamin Glaser
Pastor, Bethany ARP Church