INTRODUCTION - THIS IS THE LOVE SONG OF THE SAINTS, THE UNREGENERATE MIND FINDS IT MYSTIFYING

• Controversial- a Sword Dancer's song? Vulgar, to be banned- Jews restricted it till 30 years of age
• But the beauty of the Canticles- beyond argument that it is love poetry of the highest-purest
• It is a spiritual allegory- Holy affections between God & his people- Christ & the church

And if you share a love for Christ- you will not be offended at its words

I. THE STORY OF THE BRIDE & GROOM

Nothing can match the picturesque language of the Orient in the expression of love

A.  THE MESSAGE OF THE BOOK CENTERS ON THE GENDER OF THE WORDS, CANNOT UNDERSTAND IT WITHOUT IT

1. This is a drama- played by a man, a woman, and a choir of the "Daughters of Jerusalem"
2. If you do not have this marked- quickly do so- F-Female, M-Male, D-Daughters of Jerusalem
3. No doubt this was experienced by Solomon & his bride then Recorded and acted in court

B.  NOTE WELL THE SPIRITUAL ALLEGORY IN THE SACRED RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GOD AND ISRAEL

1. In the Old Testament God the Father is the husband of the nation of Israel- type & symbol
2. Isa 54:5-6 God reminds Israel that Her maker -(creator) is her Husband- & to be true to Him
3. Jer 3:14, & Hos 2:19,20 God reminds Israel that she is betrothed even though unfaithful

C.  IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, ONE OF THE GREATEST THEMES IS THAT OF THE BRIDE OF CHRIST

1. Eph 5:25 likens the human marriage relationship to that of Christ and his Church- important
2. 1 Cor 11:1-4 brings in the waiting period- godly jealousy-- Many parables on Marriage
3. Rev. 19:7-9 places the date of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb- a very sacred thing-literal?

And as sacred and intimate as this relationship is- much of it is left in mystery-

II.  THE STORY OF THE ADVENTS OF CHRIST

There is no time to develop these completely- but note the 3 little parables of Christ & Church

A.   THE STORY OF THE BRIDE AND GROOM SEEKING EACH OTHER, AND FINDING EACH OTHER - 3:1-5

1. The Soul seeking the bridegroom- 1) as every soul seeks for love, appreciation, affection 2) The watchmen did not help much- 3) the soul had to seek alone- but Christ was found! 3) I held him- 4) will you lay hold on Christ-and not let him go- Joy of Salvation (not complete)

B.  THE STORY OF THE GROOM SOUGHT AND NOT FOUND, A PERIOD OF LONELINESS, AND LONGING - 5:2-9

1. The bride is asleep-v.2 like so much of the church today- Christ knocks-fellowship -but
2. The bride is concerned about the wrong things- 3,5 slow, worried about robe & feet-eyes off Jesus
3. When door opens-He is gone- 6, & a search in desperation- Today-unkind watchmen, lonely

C.  THE WONDERFUL STORY OF THE RETURN OF THE BRIDEGROOM TO CLAIM HIS CHOSEN BRIDE- 6:4-

1. In the description of the groom-5:10-16 do you love Jesus Christ this much- declare it!
2. The bride remembers- 6:2,3- the backslider finally remembers where she left her groom
3. The return of the Groom- 6:4-- and the unbroken love -Today is shadowland- tomorrow, real

As Solomon dealt with his bride- so Christ with us- Today we wait His coming- are we faithful?

III.  THE STORY OF THE MATURE MARITAL LOVE

Primary application-expression of pure love ordained of God-vindication anti-lust or asceticism

A.  THE EXPRESSION OF PHYSICAL LOVE BY THE BRIDEGROOM, THE HUSBAND, THE MATURE MAN

1. Two great songs of love- 4:1-16, and 6:4-7:9 clean, holy, pure do not be offended, - (Illustration -woman feeding baby in church) .
2. There is a great need for romantic love today-glorious emotion-exciting, strong, But BLIND!
3. But we need the mature, married love- Agape lived out-, expressed, tender 25 years later.

B.  THE EXPRESSION OF PHYSICAL LOVE BY THE BRIDE, CONFUSED, FRIGHTENED, BUT FAITHFUL

1. Two great songs here too- 2:8-13, & 5:10-16- but today the foxes spoil the vines-2:15
2. There is nothing unclean in pure, married love- Heb 13:4, I Cor 7:1-5- the Bride submission
3. We need the complete submission 7:10- and as you read you understand only as you really love

C.   THE TENDERNESS OF THE UNSPOKEN MYSTERY SHARED TOGETHER BY TWO SOULS IN PERFECT FELLOWSHIP

1. The knowledge of terms of love-whether scientific or vulgar- do not add to the adventure, joy
2. But the couple sharing God's sacred mysteries, knowing yet loving,- spiritual experience!  - Rationalize a kiss = foolish - physical only = lust & deadly
3. Who can deny the beauty of a tiny baby in his mother's arms, & proud father-loveliness

So with all counselling, books, advice,-remove this from sacred altar of God = confusion.
The Song closes with a heart cry- 8:14, like Rev 22:20- Come quickly Lord Jesus

CONCLUSION - WILL YOU LEARN THE LESSONS OF LOVE, AND BE WAITING THE COMING OF JESUS CHRIST?

1. The Parable of the 10 virgins- Matt 25 only half of them invited made it- What of you?
2. It involved being faithful- possessing the 0il- (Holy Spirit) and being ready
3. Are you ready?  You are not unless you learn the sacredness of love!

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