Running After

Song of Solomon 1:1-4

The song of songs, which is Solomon's.

After so many failed relationships, I almost consider myself to be sort of an expert by now. There have been some who claim the Song is entirely about finding someone and having sex. While that is certainly a good thing, the Scripture commends the one that finds a wife. That one finds favor from the Lord as in Proverbs 18:22. It is important to see that finding a wife is commended – not sex, a body, and a one-night stand. I once knew a man that gave good sex but disappeared after several weeks of the connection we were building. Some of you know what I am talking about. I am pretty sure the Lord did not intend that to happen either. But look what comes when you put the focus on the wrong things. Had Eve of Genesis 3:1-3 focused on the snake, the apple, and what God said, we would never be where we are today. She had been put in a wonderful place; however, like many who are tempted, she found no content. Then came darkness and all the bad things which followed.

I would like to go visit the churches with Jesus in Revelation 1:13, but I feel like there are some households he would not enjoy visiting. Some of them sound like a Daniel in the lions' den experience. But how many of you know he can shut even those lions' mouths too as in Daniel 6:22. I think we should get some things straight in the house and then enjoy our visit, do you not agree? It is interesting to note the authorship of the book has been ascribed to King Solomon. However, please indulge me here. Either the Song of songs is his wife or else he is claiming he is the Song of songs, and this is his story. Neither alternative is pleasant in this very woke era we live in. However, it makes for quite an intriguing story. I am adding this to my list of things to ask the Lord about what Solomon meant to say. Now, while we are looking to Solomon for marital, sexual, and spiritual advice, remember he had hundreds of wives. 1 Kings 11:2-3 tells of the love Solomon had for these many women which led him astray. Ahabah is the Hebrew word for love; it is also by which we cry "abba Father" in Romans 8:15. Without boring you, I will simply note that this same word is used often to signify the relationship God has with his people.

How many of you know that when you marry you become one flesh according to Genesis 2:24. This is why you cannot lay down with every Tom, Dick, and Harry because you will soon be a part of them. I am not saying these are not nice. But this is why 1 Corinthians 6:16 points out that when you sleep with the prostitute you become joined. Here, there is another Hebrew word, dod, which means sexual love. There is a story told of the man who went to open his Scripture and instead found PornHub. Do not laugh now, that is not funny. How many of you know the Lord is better than all the hubs of this world: Pornhub, Grubhub, and even your own wheel-hub. Now this appears as the main one as did the queen to King Belshazzar of the time in Daniel 5:2, 10. The wisest man in the world found there was only one woman for him; this one was the fairest of them all. Now you might be wondering how long it took him to find this out and why. I may remind you that when I like Paul, of 1 Corinthians 13:11-12, was a child I acted like one. It takes some time for maturity of understanding and behavior to come. Some of us understand such basically; see, we have never really been taken to God's school to grow up.

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.

New love, young love is wonderful. So also, is love that has known many others but now finds itself the only one. Is it any wonder that love cannot be quenched by many waters, nor can it be drowned in the floods as seen in later texts. This man and woman have drunken of some strong cups at the hand of the Lord. Some of what they have both been through is recorded here and in the texts to come. There is a letting go of these things to be seen in the kiss and in each other. This is how people like those in 2 Samuel 12:24 could have something tragic happen; but then they consoled themselves with their mate and the Lord. Some of you really ought to let God do his work. Is it little wonder then that the virgins and those who knew not this man love him for his position, his smells, and his name. Solomon is a name like ointment poured forth. The Song and her Solomon found their peace and healing from their wounds in each other. Speaking of names, Philippians 2:10-11 speaks of the name of Jesus above any other; then shall every knee bow and tongue confess to the glory of God the Father. There might be some virgins among them at that time also which do not know him just as there were some wise and some foolish. These were spoken of in Matthew 25:1-2 during the times of Jesus as well. At the same time, this ointment can heal or hurt just as did wine. I can guarantee you when you are pleasing the virgins you are hurting the love of your own heart. But when you are as ointment poured out, you allow the Lord to use you. This is why you must submit those cups you drank to the Lord so he can straighten some things out.

Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.

There is spoken here a drawing that is of man and a drawing that is of the Lord. The wise man leads his house and his family well so that they might serve the Lord as in Joshua 24:15. For no one can come unless the Father draws him in John 6:44. Some of you love the thrill of the chase and others flirt with everyone. But then you want to complain when you cannot figure out why you have stalkers. The drawing of the Lord is different from that of man for it is to a holy purpose. We will run also because Solomon and his Song have run after the one that did the calling. There is a quickness to respond seen here with no delay. It is as my pastor says, 'you never know what day might be your last.' I am scared every day that I am missing out on something. Running after the one that is leading, calling, and chasing you will prevent that. This becomes then the threefold cord spoken of in Ecclesiastes 4:12; this is not easily broken no matter what might happen. When your feet are rooted in Christ it does not matter what height from which you fall. He is your rope, your climbing gear, and your lifeline. In response we see the high places mentioned here. The king has brought us into his chambers. There is no I, me, or mine to be seen here. Lest you forget, Solomon was king of Israel at the time but even he bowed before King Jesus.

There is an outer and an inner to be seen here in the house of God. We are not outside chasing through the wilderness like lost lambs nor waiting in the courts like the beggars of favor. But now we are in the inner chambers as sons and heirs of the mighty powerful King. We know him of 1 John 4:19 "because he first loved us." Even so King Solomon brought his Song into his chambers with him. As a true rib, she supported his side and had his back and he hers. Genesis 2:22 tells how woman was made as a rib from man. It has come to my attention that some of you geniuses would now like to count Adam's ribs because as we know women love to take things. Thus, there is joy to be found in the presence of God. If he is not in his rightful position nothing else will fall into place. This business of worshipping each other is idolism and frankly nonsense. When he said in Exodus 20:3 that he wanted no other gods before him, that included yourself and your significant other. Now the two rejoice for they have been loved more than the wine that both drank. They are like Mary of Luke 1:28, blessed and highly favored. There was no reason for either to be where they were but for the Lord. Now this is why those that are upright love the Lord. Has he not heard them as in Psalm 40:1-2 and delivered them from their mess and distress. Some places you find yourself in, only the Lord can bring you out. There are some places you are in that only he can bring you from into the large palace of blessing.