Do not stir up nor awaken love until it pleases. SOS 8:4
This is the last planned blog about my insights from SOS readings. For me, these last two chapters have been the hardest to read. I literally gulp every time I read Chapter 7. I know that God inspired these words and intended for them to be a part of the Bible, but for me, they are extremely difficult to read because of all of the sex and intimacy described. (If you've read down to nearly the bottom of my gianormous blog entitled Darkness Within Exposed to Papa's Light then you have a better understanding of why that is so.)
Okay, here is the first insight. God is very pleased with intimacy between a husband and wife, and He created it for them. Intimacy and sex are different, but both are gifts the Lord wants for a husband and wife to have and give to each other. I like how Paul puts it into perspective in another part of the New Testament.
At the end of Chapter 6, the Beloved calls out for his bride to come to him, and then in Chapter 7, he lavishes his love upon her. It was very easy for me to see how intimately he knows her and her body. The descriptions I leave for you to read if you are ready. Like I said, they are hard for me to read even though I was ready. I believe that only a husband should know and see his wife's body in this manner, and for me, it affects why and how I dress the way that I do and the daily choices I make down to little things like choosing a doctor. I don't know about you, but I believe my body is a very special treasure for one man alone (my future husband) and my God. So, for me to not actively protect this gift is a dishonorable act to both my Lord and my future husband.
The Shulamite's (his bride) response is incredible to me! She is SOOOOOOOOOOOOO not the woman he first married. She has been changed by his love and now seeks to give her love, sex, and intimacy to him. Aside from this, the Shulamite is also very wise and considerate of others. Maybe she is more aware of things because of her lack of love initially within her family and hard upbringing. In any case, she shares her wisdom with her friends, the daughters of Jerusalem. She tells them, "Do not stir up nor awaken love until it pleases." This is still wisdom and applicable for our lives though spoken thousands of years ago. How much foolishness, how much heartache, how much sin could be avoided if we merely let God be king and alone in control of two of mankind's greatest cravings --- love and marriage?
I very much like how in the end, her brothers are changed too. To me, they seem a bit gruff at the beginning. Now in Chapter 8, they seek to stick up for their little sister. That is awesome! May many more guys be like this! The ending continues with the Beloved again calling out for his bride. This time her earlier excuses are laid aside, and she is READY! WOOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!!! She is eager to be with her husband and lover. What a challenge put before us in these last two verses! Will we be ever ready in our lives and hearts to heed Jesus' call and lay aside any excuses that would hinder us from eagerly and quickly coming to him? I pray that it always be so in my life and your life too.
No comments:
Post a Comment