Song of Solomon 5:1 I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.
Today is the third day of this year’s Hanukkah celebrations. Already in this short time, several targeted attacks against Jews have taken place. The worst thus far is the one that took place in Australia. The attack at Brown University also has ties to the Jews. The professor of the department that was targeted is a Jew. In another attack, a Jewish nuclear physics professor was killed and there was an attack against Orthodox Jews on a subway in New York. These are just a few of several others that all happened in the past three days. There is a concerted effort to scare and harm Jews across the world, but Canada and the U.S. claim to be more civilized and more concerned about freedom. Yet Canada has admitted that a terrorist attack is very possible in our country at this time. You cannot have open borders and allow people who hate God to come in and expect things to go well. Many of the immigrants coming in at this time, are not interested in looking for a better homeland. They are ideologues who want to strengthen their organizations and spread their hatred across the world. The socialistic philosophies being practiced and taught in our country are destroying us. This garbage has been going on for all of my lifetime and many older people as well as younger people are fully engulfed in these ungodly philosophies. They cannot see the forest for the trees.
The voice of reason is small and easily drowned out. Our government wants to silence it completely. The antichrist will be the most successful at this of anyone who will ever live on this earth. However, he too will fail at his efforts. The reason being that there is a God of love Who does not want any to perish. He wants all to come to repentance. He knows that most will not heed His efforts to draw them to Himself. However, none will have occasion to accuse Him of being unjust. I pray that each one reading this devotional will be one who either believes in the true God now, or will come to believe in Him soon. There is no other hope for you.
As we continue our study of the book of the Song of Solomon, we are reminded that God directed King Solomon to write of a time he did not fully know. The Bible tells us that Solomon had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines. You cannot know true love when you try to spread yourself over many lives in this manner.
True saints have the love of God in them and they express that love toward those they meet. However, the intimacy God spoke of in the book of the Song of Solomon is reserved for that one man/one woman relationship that is designed by God. No amount of money or power can duplicate that relationship.
Just because Solomon did not know that relationship does not mean he could not write about it. He was directed by God to write the words we are studying. God describes the blessing that can be had in a God-fearing marriage. He did this to describe the blessing there is in our time between the Lord Jesus Christ and His bride — the true local church.
We have thousands of churches across the world. There are many in Canada. Most have no idea what God is talking about in the Song of Solomon. They come together and they cherry pick a few verses from a perversion and then they spin a yarn they hope the people will appreciate. The people gather together and they might get a little “high” from the pep talk they are given, but not long after, that is all forgotten and they are looking for that beer or that wine or other strong drink to try to settle their troubled soul. They cannot find it but they keep trying.
The truth is not far away.
Romans 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
God directed Solomon to write of this beautiful garden where the north wind blows, where the sweet smell of myrrh is found, and the taste of that sweet honeycomb is tasted in such an intimate manner. He spoke of the wine and the milk that was so satisfying to the taste but to the body as well. He invited others to come and partake of the blessings of this garden.
That is what Jesus is doing right now. He is inviting all to come and enjoy the blessings of His salvation and the life that He alone can provide. God’s salvation is not a two second or whatever, experience. It is the beginning of a life of blessing that God alone can provide and He does provide for those who truly know Him.
You and I can know that blessing today. It is not complicated. It is a matter of submitting to His authority and trusting in Him with your heart, soul, and mind. He promises to bless all those who come to Him in faith. God does not lie. Trust in Him and enjoy His blessings today!
Pastor Bartel
