Song of Solomon 5

Song of Solomon 5:2-8

The Maturing Process (Scene 4: The Garden, and the Vineyards) (Maturing in Divine Service [Perseverance]) – Literal Interpretation - Son 5:2 to Son 8:4 describes the maturing process of marriage. The new bride has not yet entered into rest, for in Son 5:2-8 she experiences the final test of true love in which she has to now learn to deny herself and serve her husband. Her love is tested again to prove her devotion to him (Son 5:2-8). The hardship and persecution that results from this test and her desire for him in the midst of this trial serves as a powerful testimony to the daughters of Jerusalem as they ask her why she loves him so dearly and why he is more special than other men (Son 5:9). She then describes her Lover in a way that others have not known, by describing his unique characteristics above all others (Son 5:10-16). This symbolizes the journey of every wife to learn about her husband and to admire his unique characteristics. Her testimony provokes these maidens to seek him with her (Son 6:1), and she tells them how they can find him as well, assuring them of the strong bond love that holds them together (Son 6:2-3). In Son 6:4-10 the husband expresses his love and admiration for the beauty and uniqueness of his wife. Her love has proven genuine. Just as the beloved emphasized her lover’s uniqueness in Son 5:9-16, so does he now express her uniqueness among women. In Son 6:11-13 the Shulamite visits the vineyards for the first time since being brought from her native village to the King’s palace (Son 6:11). This introduction to such a familiar setting seems to stir up a longing in her heart for her people and homeland (Son 6:12). Her people call her back (Son 6:13 a) and the king shows forth his jealousy for the first time with a mild rebuke to them (Son 6:13 b). In Son 7:1-13 we have a description of the husband and wife coming together in the intimacy of the marriage bed. The man is first aroused by her physical beauty and uses his words in foreplay (Son 7:1-5). He then moves into the act of intercourse (Son 7:6-9). The wife responds with words expressing her desire to always yield to him as long as he continues his devotion to her (Son 7:10 to Son 8:4). This is the place of rest that the wife has been seeking in marriage, which is intimacy with her husband. Figurative Interpretation – Figuratively speaking, this fourth song represents man’s discipline to persevere in divine service. The intimacy of the marriage bed is where the wife finds rest as she yields herself totally to her husband. This is figurative of the believer yielding himself entirely to God’s plan and purpose for humanity. A good example of this phase of loving God with all of our heart is seen in the life of Kathryn Kuhlman in her later years of ministry, whose healing minister touched the world during 1960’s and 70’s. Her services were marked by the distinct presence of the Holy Spirit, being manifested by divine healings, people shaking and being slain with the Holy Spirit. She tells of the heavy price she paid to have this anointing, which involved leaving an unscriptural marriage with a man she dearly loved. She came to a place and time when she died to her own will and yielded totally to the will of God. Her “thorn in the flesh” was carrying the pain of walking away from an earthly love affair in order to be in God’s perfect will.[201] She said, “Any of you ministers can have what I have if you’ll only pay the price.” She described the price that she paid as costing her everything. She said about a lifestyle of prayer, “If you find the power, you’ll find heaven’s treasure.”[202] She refers to the day when she made a decision to divorce a man who has been previously married.

She explains how on that day Katherine died.[203] Another good example is seen in the early years of Arthur Blessitt’s call to take the cross around the world. In Central America a group of military police pulled him out of his mobile trailer and stood him up in front of a firing squad. Instead of pleading for his life, he reached into his trailer get these men some bibles. When he turned around to face the firing squad, everyone was on the ground. The power of God manifested and knocked everyone down. The point is that Arthur Blessitt no longer cared for his own life, but rather, his concern was to carry the testimony of Jesus Christ.[204] [201] Benny Hinn, The Anointing (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1992), 63-4. [202] Kathryn Kuhlman, “I Believe in Miracles,” on This is Your Day (Irving, Texas), on Trinity Broadcasting Network (Santa Ana, California, 28 January 2008), television program. [203] Kathryn Kuhlman, “I Believe in Miracles,” on This is Your Day (Irving, Texas), on Trinity Broadcasting Network (Santa Ana, California, 28 January 2008), television program; Benny Hinn, The Anointing (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1992), 63-4. [204] Arthur Blessitt, interviewed by Matthew Crouch, Behind the Scenes, on Trinity Broadcasting Network (Santa Ana, California, 2008), television program.Outline - Note the proposed outline of this section:

1. Scene 1 - Love Is Tested Again — Son 5:2 to Son 6:13a) The Duties of Marriage — — Son 5:2-8b) Becoming Familiar with One Another — Son 5:9 to Son 6:13i) The Uniqueness of the Husband — Son 5:9-16ii) The Beloved’s Commitment to Her Husband — Son 6:1-3iii) The Uniqueness of the Wife — Son 6:4-10iv) The Wife’s Desire to Return Home — Son 6:11-13
2. Scene 2 - The Intimacy of the Marriage Bed — Son 7:1 to Son 8:4a) The Man’s Foreplay — Son 7:1-5b) The Act of Intercourse — Son 7:6-9c) The Woman’s Response to His Intimacy — Son 7:10 to Son 8:4

Song of Solomon 5:9-6

Becoming Familiar with One Another – In Son 5:9 to Son 6:13 the husband and wife become familiar with one another’s characteristics. This passage is important for a maturing marriage in that the spouses focus on the positive unique attributes of one another, rather than on the negative. In Son 5:9 to Son 6:3 we have symbolic language that suggests that the wife has become familiar with her husband. We have the daughters of Jerusalem asking questions to the beloved about her lover and husband. They first ask her why he is more special than other men (Son 5:9) and she responds by describing his unique characteristics (Son 5:10-16). This symbolizes the journey of every wife to learn about her husband and to admire his unique characteristics. The daughters of Jerusalem then ask the wife about the ways and lifestyle and interests of her husband (Son 6:1). She answers by describing the things that he does (Son 6:2-3), which symbolizes her journey of becoming familiar with her husband’s desires and activities.