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Many saints of old saw this book as being about the love of Jesus for His people. It is a poem depicting the romance between God and the Church. Certain Jews called this book “the holiest of holies.” They saw it as God’s pursuit of them as His bride and some Jewish traditions read this book in the synagogue on the day that celebrates the holiest of holies and during Passover. Why? In order to celebrate and remember the way we worship and know God is in a love relationship with Him. In the Old Covenant, the holiest of holies was the place of God’s fullest, most intimate presence. The high priest, only once a year, could enter this place to atone for sin (Leviticus 16). The catch here is that the priest went in with a rope tied around his ankle in case he died in the presence of the ark of the covenant because they didn’t know if God would receive their sacrifice. Yes, there was a mercy seat but it wasn’t a perfected, forever mercy seat. In the New Covenant we see that Jesus is our mercy seat (Romans 3:25) and He invites us behind the veil into the presence of God (Hebrews 10:19-22) because He has made a perfect sacrifice that atones for sins once and for all time (Hebrews 10:10). This MOST intimate face to face relationship with Jesus where we have no fear of God’s wrath and get to live in the freedom of being His bride is what this book is about.
William Tindale translated the Bible in 1560. This was the Bible of the Protestant reformation (his translation was the Bible that went into everyone’s hands)...the intro to Song of Songs in his Bible describes the perfect love of Jesus Christ for His church.
Charles Spurgeon: Revival preacher; book of sermons on song of songs on Amazon.. One of his quotes 1859: “Christ’s estimate of his people (title): the fact is that this book has been a puzzle to many men for the simple reason that it wasn’t written for them at all. Learned men and wise men find this a stone on which they are broken to powder. Just because it was not written for them. Men who are disposed to laugh at Scripture find here an opportunity to exercise their profane wit. Just because it was not written for them. This book was called by the Jews the holiest of holies. It was thought to be such a sacred book they didn’t allow anyone to read it until they were 30 years of age. Many a Christian who read it cannot understand it. And as good Joseph Iron says, ‘this dwarfeth age is not likely to esteem this book as it ought to be esteemed. Only those who have lived near Jesus, drunk out of his cup, have eaten his flesh and drunken his blood, only those who know the fullness of the word communion can sit down to this book with delight and pleasure. To such men this book is like wafers made of honey, mana, angels’ food. Every sentence is like gold and every word is like much fine gold.’ The true believer who has lived near his master will find this book to be a mass not merely of gold, for all of God’s word is that, but a mass of diamonds sparkling with brightness and all things you can conceive are not to be compared with it, for its matchless worth. If I must prefer one book above another, I would prefer some books of the bible for doctrine, some for experience, some for example, some for teaching, but let me prefer this book above all others for fellowship and communion. When the Christian is nearest heaven, this is the book he takes with him. There are times he would even leave the Psalms behind, when standing on the borders of Canaan… when he is just crossing the stream he can almost see his beloved through the rifts of a storm cloud, then it is that he can begin to sing Solomon’s song. This is about the only book he could sing in heaven.”
Hudson Taylor: 1914 missionary to China (has his own commentary called Union and Communion on Song of Songs)... this is the man the Lord used to open China and he had a revelation of the Bridegroom…. In the intro he writes, “Well may this book be called the Song of songs. There is no book like it. Read it right and it brings gladness to the heart, which is far beyond the joy of earthly things as heaven is higher than the earth. It has been said well that this is a song which grace alone can teach and experience alone can learn. Our Savior speaking of the union of the branch with the vine adds these things I have spoken unto you that my joy may remain in you and your joy may be full. And the beloved disciple writing of Him who is from the beginning who was with the Father and manifested unto us in order that we might share the fellowship which he enjoyed also says ‘these things we also write unto you that your joy may be full.’ Union with Christ and abiding with Christ, what do they not secure? Peace, perfect peace, rest, constant rest, answers to all our prayers, victory over all our foes, pure, holy living, ever increasing fruitfulness. All of these are the glad outcome of abiding in Christ. To deepen this union to make more constant this abiding is the practical use of this precious book.”
Richard Wurmbrand (Voice of Martyrs: own commentary called the sweetest of songs… he looks at martyrs and how they could go to such lengths; brings the connection of this lifestyle into his commentary)... most quoted verse in the Bible by martyrs in the last moment is “I am my beloved’s and He is mine.” You can only go so far out of the motivation of duty.. Every motivation outside of love is going to fail you. This is the secret: the revelation from the songs of songs will take you further than any other revelation than any other can. It will help you walk farther in your call in this world than any other revelation. The ones you love the most are the ones you wouldn’t hesitate to give your life for in a split second moment… your love is a reaction (think of your children). This is the kind of love Song of Songs is inviting you into… that in any moment love will come out.
Watchman Nee: His commentary also testifies to this book being about the love relationship of Jesus and His people. He emphasizes this intimate relationship is between an individual believer and Jesus. One way this is seen, he explains, is in the beginning lines of her begging for a kiss. A kiss can only be between one set of lips and another; it is not a corporate experience. Nee points out a couple foundational notes about the Song of Songs in his intro: 1) The central theme of the book is spiritual fellowship. 2) The Song of Songs showcases the individual believer’s personal experience of fellowship with Jesus. 3) This book is a poem all about love. 4) Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes which tells of the ‘vanity of all vanities’ which contrasts this song of all songs. Knowledge apart from love can never satisfy. Love is foundational and highest. 5) We are dutiful servants of the King Most High; this book is about our fellowship as a wife to our Husband.
William Tindale translated the Bible in 1560. This was the Bible of the Protestant reformation (his translation was the Bible that went into everyone’s hands)...the intro to Song of Songs in his Bible describes the perfect love of Jesus Christ for His church.
Charles Spurgeon: Revival preacher; book of sermons on song of songs on Amazon.. One of his quotes 1859: “Christ’s estimate of his people (title): the fact is that this book has been a puzzle to many men for the simple reason that it wasn’t written for them at all. Learned men and wise men find this a stone on which they are broken to powder. Just because it was not written for them. Men who are disposed to laugh at Scripture find here an opportunity to exercise their profane wit. Just because it was not written for them. This book was called by the Jews the holiest of holies. It was thought to be such a sacred book they didn’t allow anyone to read it until they were 30 years of age. Many a Christian who read it cannot understand it. And as good Joseph Iron says, ‘this dwarfeth age is not likely to esteem this book as it ought to be esteemed. Only those who have lived near Jesus, drunk out of his cup, have eaten his flesh and drunken his blood, only those who know the fullness of the word communion can sit down to this book with delight and pleasure. To such men this book is like wafers made of honey, mana, angels’ food. Every sentence is like gold and every word is like much fine gold.’ The true believer who has lived near his master will find this book to be a mass not merely of gold, for all of God’s word is that, but a mass of diamonds sparkling with brightness and all things you can conceive are not to be compared with it, for its matchless worth. If I must prefer one book above another, I would prefer some books of the bible for doctrine, some for experience, some for example, some for teaching, but let me prefer this book above all others for fellowship and communion. When the Christian is nearest heaven, this is the book he takes with him. There are times he would even leave the Psalms behind, when standing on the borders of Canaan… when he is just crossing the stream he can almost see his beloved through the rifts of a storm cloud, then it is that he can begin to sing Solomon’s song. This is about the only book he could sing in heaven.”
Hudson Taylor: 1914 missionary to China (has his own commentary called Union and Communion on Song of Songs)... this is the man the Lord used to open China and he had a revelation of the Bridegroom…. In the intro he writes, “Well may this book be called the Song of songs. There is no book like it. Read it right and it brings gladness to the heart, which is far beyond the joy of earthly things as heaven is higher than the earth. It has been said well that this is a song which grace alone can teach and experience alone can learn. Our Savior speaking of the union of the branch with the vine adds these things I have spoken unto you that my joy may remain in you and your joy may be full. And the beloved disciple writing of Him who is from the beginning who was with the Father and manifested unto us in order that we might share the fellowship which he enjoyed also says ‘these things we also write unto you that your joy may be full.’ Union with Christ and abiding with Christ, what do they not secure? Peace, perfect peace, rest, constant rest, answers to all our prayers, victory over all our foes, pure, holy living, ever increasing fruitfulness. All of these are the glad outcome of abiding in Christ. To deepen this union to make more constant this abiding is the practical use of this precious book.”
Richard Wurmbrand (Voice of Martyrs: own commentary called the sweetest of songs… he looks at martyrs and how they could go to such lengths; brings the connection of this lifestyle into his commentary)... most quoted verse in the Bible by martyrs in the last moment is “I am my beloved’s and He is mine.” You can only go so far out of the motivation of duty.. Every motivation outside of love is going to fail you. This is the secret: the revelation from the songs of songs will take you further than any other revelation than any other can. It will help you walk farther in your call in this world than any other revelation. The ones you love the most are the ones you wouldn’t hesitate to give your life for in a split second moment… your love is a reaction (think of your children). This is the kind of love Song of Songs is inviting you into… that in any moment love will come out.
Watchman Nee: His commentary also testifies to this book being about the love relationship of Jesus and His people. He emphasizes this intimate relationship is between an individual believer and Jesus. One way this is seen, he explains, is in the beginning lines of her begging for a kiss. A kiss can only be between one set of lips and another; it is not a corporate experience. Nee points out a couple foundational notes about the Song of Songs in his intro: 1) The central theme of the book is spiritual fellowship. 2) The Song of Songs showcases the individual believer’s personal experience of fellowship with Jesus. 3) This book is a poem all about love. 4) Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes which tells of the ‘vanity of all vanities’ which contrasts this song of all songs. Knowledge apart from love can never satisfy. Love is foundational and highest. 5) We are dutiful servants of the King Most High; this book is about our fellowship as a wife to our Husband.