Song of Solomon 1-8 Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.) What qualities added to the Shulammite s beauty?

Transcription

1 Song of Solomon 1-8 Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.) Ca 2:1 What qualities added to the Shulammite s beauty? (w15 1/15 31 _13) 13 What about the Shulammite girl? Though she was beautiful enough to attract the attention of a king who at the time had 60 queens and 80 concubines and young women without number, she viewed herself as but a saffron of the coastal plain a common flower. The girl was remarkably modest and humble. No wonder she was like a lily among thorns, anything but common to the shepherd! She was faithful to Jehovah. Song of Sol. 2:1, 2; 6:8. Ca 8:6 Why is true love described as the flame of Jah? (w15 1/15 29 _3; w06 11/15 20 _7) *** w15 1/15 p. 29 par. 3 Is Unfailing Love Possible? *** 3 Read Song of Solomon 8:6. The expression the flame of Jah that is used to describe love speaks volumes. True love is the flame of Jah in that Jehovah is the Originator of such love. He created man in his image with the ability to love. (Gen. 1:26, 27) When God presented the first woman, Eve, to the first man, Adam, the words that came out of Adam s mouth were nothing short of poetic. No doubt Eve felt a closeness to Adam, from whom she was taken. (Gen. 2:21-23) Since Jehovah has given humans the capacity for showing love, it is possible for a man and a woman to have unswerving and unfailing love for each other. *** w06 11/15 p. 20 par. 7 Highlights From the Song of Solomon *** True love is the flame of Jah. Why? Because such love originates with Jehovah. He is the One who has put in us the capacity to love. It is a flame whose blazings are inextinguishable. The Song of Solomon beautifully illustrates that love between a man and a woman can be as strong [unfailing] as death is. Song of Solomon 8:6.

2 What does this week s Bible reading teach me about Jehovah? *** w11 12/15 p. 11 pars Is He a Good Example for You or a Warning? *** 16 In the Song of Solomon, the king said admiringly of a certain virgin that she was more beautiful than 60 queens and 80 concubines. (Song of Sol. 6:1, 8-10) If that refers to Solomon s situation, he had acquired that many women at that point in his reign. Even if most or all of them were true worshippers, God s direction through Moses was that a king of Israel should not multiply wives for himself, that his heart may not turn aside. (Deut. 17:17) Again, though, Jehovah did not simply turn away from Solomon. In fact, God still blessed Solomon, using him to compose the Bible book Song of Solomon. 17 Does this suggest that Solomon could ignore God s direction with impunity or that we can do so? No. Rather, it shows that God s forbearance can go on for some time. Yet, that one of God s people can ignore his direction with no immediate negative consequence does not mean that there will be no sad outcome eventually. Recall what Solomon wrote: Because sentence against a bad work has not been executed speedily, that is why the heart of the sons of men has become fully set in them to do bad. He added: I am also aware that it will turn out well with those fearing the true God, because they were in fear of him. Eccl. 8:11, 12. *** w00 11/1 pp pars A Godly View of Moral Cleanness *** 17 A third integrity keeper was a Shulammite maiden. Young and beautiful, she attracted the affections of not only a shepherd boy but also the wealthy king of Israel, Solomon. Throughout the beautiful story told in the Song of Solomon, the Shulammite remained chaste, thus earning the respect of those around her. Solomon, though rejected by her, was inspired to record her story. The shepherd she loved also respected her chaste conduct. At one point he mused that the Shulammite was like a garden barred in. (Song of Solomon 4:12) In ancient Israel, beautiful gardens contained a delightful variety of vegetables, fragrant flowers, and stately trees. Such gardens were typically enclosed by a hedge or a wall and could be entered only through a locked gate. (Isaiah 5:5) To the shepherd, the Shulammite s moral purity and loveliness were like such a garden of rare beauty. She was completely chaste. Her tender affections would be available only to her future husband. 18 In moral integrity, the Shulammite set an excellent example for Christian women today. Jehovah saw and appreciated the virtue of the Shulammite girl and blessed her just as he blessed Joseph and Job. For our guidance, their acts of integrity are recorded in God s Word. While our efforts to keep integrity today are not recorded in the Bible, Jehovah has a book of remembrance for those seeking to do his will. Let us never forget that Jehovah is paying attention and rejoices as we loyally strive to keep morally clean. Malachi 3:16.

3 *** cl chap. 27 pp pars. 8-9 O How Great His Goodness Is! *** Have you ever felt your spirits lift when enjoying a delightful meal? Were it not for Jehovah s goodness in designing this earth with its ever-recycling fresh water supply and fruitful seasons to produce an abundance of food, there would be no meals. Jehovah has directed such goodness not just to those who love him but to everyone. Jesus said: He makes his sun rise upon wicked people and good and makes it rain upon righteous people and unrighteous. Matthew 5:45. 9 Many take for granted the sheer generosity that is heaped upon mankind because of the continued action of the sun, the rain, and the fruitful seasons. For example, consider the apple. Throughout the temperate regions of the earth, it is a common fruit. Yet, it is beautiful, delicious to eat, and full of refreshing water and vital nutrients. Did you know that worldwide there are some 7,500 different varieties of apples, ranging in color from red to gold to yellow to green and in size from slightly larger than a cherry to the size of a grapefruit? If you hold a tiny apple seed in your hand, it looks insignificant. But from it grows one of the loveliest of trees. (Song of Solomon 2:3) Every spring the apple tree is crowned with a glorious halo of blossoms; every autumn it produces fruit. Each year for up to 75 years the average apple tree will yield enough fruit to fill 20 cartons to a weight of 42 pounds (19 kg) each!

4 What points from this week s Bible reading can I use in the field ministry? *** w13 3/15 pp par. 9 Having Come to Know God What Now? *** 9 We can compare our spiritual growth to the physical growth of a tree. A tree may grow to an amazing size, especially when its root system is deep or extensive. For example, some of the majestic cedars of Lebanon can reach the height of a 12-story building and have strong, penetrating roots and a trunk circumference of up to 40 feet (12 m). (Song of Sol. 5:15) After the initial growth spurt of such a tree stops, the tree still grows but not as noticeably. Year after year, the trunk widens and the roots go deeper and spread farther, producing a more stable tree. The same can be said of a Christian s spiritual growth. During our initial period of Bible study, we may quickly grow spiritually and then get baptized. Those in the congregation happily notice our progress. We may even qualify as a pioneer or receive other privileges. In the following years, our continued spiritual growth may not be as noticeable. Nevertheless, we still need to grow in faith and knowledge to a full-grown man, to the measure of stature that belongs to the fullness of the Christ. (Eph. 4:13) Thus, we progress, as it were, from a tiny sprout to a mature Christian, a sturdy and well-developed tree. *** w13 5/15 p. 18 par. 17 Strengthen Your Marriage Through Good Communication *** 17 No doubt you want your marriage to be like that of Abraham and Sarah or Isaac and Rebekah truly happy, long-lasting, and a cause for praise to Jehovah. If so, cleave to God s view of marriage. Look to his Word for insight and wisdom. Cultivate true love the flame of Jah by thinking appreciatively about your mate. (Song of Sol. 8:6) Work hard to develop humility. Treat your mate with respect. If you do these things, your marriage will bring joy to you and to your heavenly Father. (Prov. 27:11) Indeed, your feelings may well reflect those of a husband of 27 years, who wrote: I cannot imagine life without my wife. Our marriage continues to grow stronger every day. This is because of our love for Jehovah and our regular communication with each other.

5 *** w07 2/15 p. 22 par. 18 Wives Deeply Respect Your Husbands *** 18 Another fine example for wives is that of a young Shulammite woman who remained loyal to the humble shepherd to whom she was promised in marriage. Her love for him remained strong despite the amorous attentions of a wealthy potentate. Moved to express her feelings for the young shepherd, she said: Place me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; because love is as strong as death is... Many waters themselves are not able to extinguish love, nor can rivers themselves wash it away. (Song of Solomon 8:6, 7) May it also be the resolve of all those who accept a marriage proposal to remain loyal to their husbands and deeply respect them. *** w06 3/1 pp par. 8 Keep Your Senses Completely *** 8 In the Song of Solomon, a simple country girl called the Shulammite attracts the attention of the king. He woos her with an impressive display of wealth, prestige, and charm, although she is already in love with a young man. (Song of Solomon 1:9-11; 3:7-10; 6:8-10, 13) If you are a Christian woman, you too may find yourself the object of someone s unwanted attention. A person at your place of employment, perhaps someone in a position of authority, may begin to pay you compliments, do you favors, and seek opportunities to be with you. Be wary of such flattering attention. Although such a person s intentions are not always romantic or immoral, oftentimes they are. Like the Shulammite maiden, be a wall. (Song of Solomon 8:4, 10) Firmly reject unwanted advances. Make it known to your workmates from the very start that you are one of Jehovah s Witnesses, and take every opportunity to witness to them. That will serve as a protection for you. *** w06 11/15 p. 18 par. 5-p. 19 par. 1 Highlights From the Song of Solomon *** 1:2; 2:6. Clean expressions of endearment may be appropriate during courtship. However, a couple should take care that these are manifestations of genuine affection and not of unclean passion, which may pave the way for sexual immorality. Galatians 5:19. 1:6; 2: The Shulammite s brothers did not allow their sister to go with her beloved to an isolated place in the mountains but not because she was immoral or did not have proper motives. Rather, they took a precautionary measure intended to prevent her from getting into a situation that might lead to temptation. The lesson for courting couples is that they should avoid secluded places.

6 2:1-3, 8, 9. Though beautiful, the Shulammite maiden modestly viewed herself as a mere saffron [a common flower] of the coastal plain. Because of her beauty and faithfulness to Jehovah, the shepherd boy thought of her as a lily among thorny weeds. And what can be said about him? Because he was handsome, to her he resembled a gazelle. He must also have been spiritually inclined and devoted to Jehovah. Like an apple tree [that provides shade and fruit] among the trees of the forest, she says, so is my dear one among the sons. Are not faith and devotion to God desirable qualities to look for in a prospective marriage mate? 2:7; 3:5. The country girl felt no romantic attraction to Solomon. She also put the court ladies under oath not to try to arouse in her love for anyone other than the shepherd boy. It is neither possible nor proper to feel romantic love for just anyone. A single Christian desiring to marry should consider only a loyal servant of Jehovah. 1 Corinthians 7:39. *** w06 11/15 p. 20 pars. 4-5 Highlights From the Song of Solomon *** 4:7. By resisting Solomon s enticements, the Shulammite, though imperfect, proved herself to be without moral defect. Her moral strength thus enhanced her physical beauty. That should also be true of Christian women. 4:12. Like a beautiful garden enclosed by a hedge or a wall, which could be accessed only through a locked gate, the Shulammite maiden made her tender affections available only to her future husband. What a fine example for unmarried Christian women and men! *** w99 2/15 p. 8 What Is Needed for a Successful Marriage? *** Emotions Can Be Deceptive The Shulammite girl of Bible times was evidently well aware of the deceptive power of romantic feelings. When being wooed by powerful King Solomon, she told her girl companions not to awaken or arouse love in me until it feels inclined. (Song of Solomon 2:7) This wise young woman did not want her friends to pressure her into being ruled by her emotions. This is practical, too, for those considering marriage today. Keep a strong grip on your feelings. If you marry, it should be because you are in love with a person, not merely with the concept of being married.