Song of Solomon - Love of the Beloved
In this message, Stephen reflects on the Song of Solomon, emphasizing the profound love between the Virgin and her Beloved, representing the relationship between believers and Christ. He highlights the journey of the Virgin, who, after experiencing forgiveness and love from the Lord, desires a deeper relationship with Him. Despite her longing, she faces misunderstandings and persecution from the world, leading her to feel isolated and introspective. Stephen explains that the Lord calls her to rise above her circumstances, symbolizing the power of His resurrection. He encourages believers to move beyond self-centeredness and embrace the life and love of Christ, which overcomes all obstacles. The message draws parallels with biblical stories, such as Lazarus' resurrection and Ezekiel's vision of dry bones, illustrating God's power to bring life from death. Ultimately, Stephen urges the congregation to look beyond their problems, rise up, and experience the fullness of life in Christ, who is the resurrection and the life.
Outline of Main Points
- Introduction to the Song of Solomon and its themes of love.
- The Virgin's journey from forgiveness to a desire for deeper relationship with Christ.
- Challenges faced by the Virgin, including persecution and misunderstanding.
- The Lord's call to rise above circumstances and experience His resurrection power.
- Biblical examples illustrating God's power over death and obstacles.
- Encouragement to believers to embrace life in Christ and move beyond self-centeredness.
8 The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills. 9 My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice. 10 My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. 11 For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; 12 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; 13 The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.
14 O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely. 15 Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes. 16 My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies. 17 Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether.
Chapter 3
1 By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not. 2 I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not. 3 The watchmen that go about the city found me: to whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth? 4 It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother’s house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me. 5 I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.
