September 14, 2022 – Ps 83, Pr 12, Song 8

Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.
Song of Songs 8:4 NIV

Okay 3 times I need to look further.

From Enduring word comentary…

This is the third time that this phrase is used in the Song of Solomon (previously at Song of Solomon 2:7 and Song of Solomon 3:5). As before, this idea can be understood as a plea to leave her sweet romantic dream uninterrupted. Or, it can be understood both in the context of relationship and in passion.

i. In terms of relationship it means, “Let our love progress and grow until it is matured and fruitful, making a genuinely pleasing relationship – don’t let us go too fast.” In terms of passion it means, “Let our love making continue without interruption until we are both fulfilled. Don’t let us start until we can go all the way.”

ii. “What is this warning? That love is so sacred a thing that it must not be trifled with. It is not to be sought. It stirs and awakens of itself. To trifle with the capacity for it, is to destroy that very capacity.” (Morgan)

iii. “The reader having just seen their lovely portrait of marriage might be tempted more than ever to force such a relationship in impatience.” (Glickman)

Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.
Song of Songs 8:6 NIV

A seal over your heart. She is the only one that he will love. Death is permanent so should our love and commitment to each other be. There is a healthy jealousy like how God is a jealous God. That is the kind of jealousy we should have not wanting our love to be given to or received by another. I think that part of this jealousy should motivate us to never stop praising our spouse and never stop looking to please each other. Don’t give each other any reason to stop desiring each other. God never stops doing all He does for us. He never gives us reason to look to other things and turn from Him. So if we do turn it is all our choice. If we give even a fraction of what God gives to us back to Him, we will experience the mighty flame of the Spirit bonding us to Him.

Listening to the song below the chorus brought me to tears. Reminds me of what I just wrote.

Oh, I run into your armsI run into your armsThe riches of your loveWill always be enoughNothing compares to your embraceLight of the worldForever reigns

I imagine running into Jesus arms all the time. And the reason is because of the riches of his love. There is no one and no thing that can compare to His embrace. I long for it. I may try running into Dave’s arms with the same longing.