An Overcoming

Song of Solomon 6:5-8

Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me: thy hair is as a flock of goats that appear from Gilead.

I have a feeling this is all the sort of speech that we have heard before from Solomon regarding his Song. Here he has much to say about her and all of it is nice. See, he might have changed, but to him she has not changed at all. Within her is still found the rough comfort and familiarity of before. How many of you know that even if we change, with the Lord there is not. In fact, Malachi 3:6 says, "I am the Lord I change not." Solomon really loves his Song. He says it time and time again. This is not because he has forgotten what he is saying as he has grown older but because she needs to hear it again. You know sometimes when you go through a rough time it is nice to hear about the same old things. It is nice to know there are still chicken and biscuits waiting in the Father's house for dinner after a long hard day. It is nice to know even after all this there is still the Savior. This is how the little Song's eyes have overcome her Solomon. When their eyes meet, it sends electricity to every part of their body. According to Solomon he feels quite overcome.

So also, this is how you know it is the same whether in this life or in the one to come. You can meet your lover again after a long absence and they are still spouting the same nonsense as when you first met. Sometimes when your eyes meet, it feels like you have known them for eternity. There is little doubt in my mind that Solomon is still the same before he went into that valley as afterwards. We see here in this picture the Lord. Some of you like to argue with me, saying 'this life is all there is of that I am certain.' It is like the disciples meeting a stranger on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:13-35. They walked and talked together while he explained to them the Scripture; they should have known this by Spirit and in truth. But they did not; their hearts started burning and yearning inside as though they had known him for a while. Is it any wonder when all they had to do was look for the nail prints in his hands and see where the sword had pierced him in John 20:27. Surely that was the Lord. Now, I am not calling Solomon the Lord. However, it is good to know your spouse from all the others without question in case of mistaken identity. So here, the Song will know her Solomon whether beaten, battered, or whole by what he says to her and does.

Thy teeth are as a flock of sheep which go up from the washing, whereof every one beareth twins, and there is not one barren among them.

Now we see how Christ has changed the situation. Solomon might be feeding among the lilies, but he is not living among them. Like the doves of the tree and the rose of Sharon, his place is by his Song. Just as there are lilies in that valley so also there are sheep. See now, some pastures have bees, cows, and Songs while others have lilies, sheep, and Solomon. God has these mighty big pastures as you can see here. This is how he can lead me to green pastures according to Psalm 23:2 and by still waters at the same time. For it is there that he restores my soul. I love this scene here. There is spiritual fruit to be born and it is far better than the blood of Abel or all the jackfruit emojis in this world. The spiritual acts are borne out of the Song's mouth as an offering unto the Lord. Here the sacrifices of praise in Hebrews 13:5 are being offered unto his goodness. This is how you can be in a situation among the flocks of the field; yet at the same time you can have joy deep down inside. Every so often I come across some who have not a kind word for anyone that does not fit their point of view. Yet they proclaim themselves to be most holy. My friends, if you said hello to some of these people their day would dissolve into a fit. I on the other hand could be perfectly content. Philippians 4:5 gives me peace knowing I have the Lord at hand and in my heart. When you have your spouse, that is one person who ought to be for you, on your side, and in your corner. So also, is the Lord.

As a piece of a pomegranate are thy temples within thy locks.

Here Solomon and his Song worship at different temples. Talk about some strange gods known by the people. Yet here we are. Some of you worship at the temple of the body daily. However, Solomon is not worshipping his little Song's beauty, brains, and brawn as some do. This is not a Prince Charming, Orange is the New Black, or a twenty Duggars and counting competition. Such things would be silly in the house of God. No, this is as spiritual fruit born into the house of our God. Others of you might be wondering what locks, temples, and pomegranates have to do with one another. I confess I did not think of this image before. That is until a large bee flew inside. See, it settled straight to where I was writing you this. The pieces of pomegranates are like the outer gates of the temple. 1 Corinthians 6:19 speaks of our bodies being the "temples of the Holy Spirit" within. Just as an unlocked and unguarded house would be silly, so also have the Song's temples locks without.

These might simply be the locks of her hair. But there is anointing on this head as even the oil upon Aaron, the high priest of Psalm 133:1. No, I know it speaks of the anointing oil running down Aaron's beard even from upon his head. Yes, I am sure the Song has not grown a beard like some of the ladies do. So also, there is keeping on her head because of the angels in 1 Corinthians 11:10-12. These locks function for her as the peace of God from Philippians 4:7 guarding her heart and mind. These are indeed precious temples to worship God and commune with each other inside that pretty head of hers. Nor should they be left unlocked and unguarded for the thief to sneak in and steal. This we will soon see as the scene develops. I know it sounds silly to some of you to trust in God and in your spouse. I suppose we may need to seek the therapist's office further on this matter. But then again some of you by your faith and by your God just know that everything will work out just fine. For the Song and Solomon that is amazing grace; indeed, I did not even see such a result coming from the many pastures and much creatures.

There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number.

Oh my, now you can see why there is some faith needed for this situation. But this is nothing new. There were over eight hundred wives and two hundred concubines to begin with. Now there are threescore queens, more concubines, and countless other virgins. See, did I not tell you that God needed some time to work this thing out. There are many queens and concubines because of Solomon's mission, ministry, and position. You might not believe it, but he grazes among the lilies. That speaks of time and effort well spent to bring many results into the kingdom of God. Here we see whom all these lilies belong to; the lilies are between the daughters of Jerusalem and of Zion. Many are virgins having never known a man. This proves an earlier point that Solomon had only one Song out of all the ones he could have been singing. For him there was only one tune and melody in his heart unto the Lord as in Ephesians 5:19. The queens and concubines are as those which have known a man but have also fallen into some situations. How many of you know that whether virgin, concubine, or queen God can still use you. He can use you even if the story is messed up for that is what he specializes in. There are no perfect people in the house of God. There is only a perfect God and those he has rescued from some bad places. To the virgins, even when you have not known love, yet he has still loved you. To the concubines, the devil may have knocked you up and down, but God will protect you. To those queens to whom has fallen large responsibilities and burdens, God will help you shoulder them. How many of you know that he is the best therapist and marriage counselor in all the world. For indeed, God has been working in this situation. Even here the Song no longer responds as she did before to all these other women. God is changing some things around for her good and for his glory.