Skip to main content

Day 20: The Veiled Ones 2 (SoS 1:3c)

"Because of the fragrance of your good ointments, Your name is ointment poured forth; Therefore the virgins love you." Song of Songs 1:3

In the previous lesson, we likened every believer in Christ to a betrothed woman in ancient Jewish times who was required to have her face veiled from anyone who is not a member of her family including her husband-to-be. It was a symbol of dedication and separation to him alone. A sign to all that though she was not with him yet, she was forbidden to all others.

A few more reasons for veiling the Bride:

1. It was believed by some that veiling during the ceremony also meant that in the process of the wedding when she's presented with a ring by the groom, she won't know its monetary value. The Groom's wealth was not to be the motivation behind her commitment.

2. The Groom was not allowed to lift the veil under any circumstance, even during the wedding ceremony. It was on his part a show of his commitment to marry her regardless of her physical beauty. It was a statement to her that physical qualities are fleeting and are not the reason for his commitment but her heart. It's why Proverbs 31:30 is often quoted in Jewish homes:

"Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised."

To the Jews, once two people are betrothed, it's irreversible. There was only one justified reason for either party not going through with the marriage and opting for divorce. Infidelity.

Now, relating this to us believers, Paul says in 2 Corinthians 11:2:

"For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ."

In His sayings, Christ referred to Himself as the Bridegroom. He told parables like the parable of the ten virgins and the parable of the wedding feast. Christ betrothed us to Himself and veiled us when we accepted Him as our Lord and Savior. It was Him saying that no no matter man's fleeting goodness and often change in behavior and character, His love will remain true. It's as the bible says in 2 Timothy 2:13:

"If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. "

He is forever bound and committed to us despite knowing our weaknesses. No matter what you do, Christ's love remains. His love is not motivated by anything we can do for or give Him. It's not motivated by our 'goodness'.

There is only one thing Christ requires from us His Bride: to remain dedicated and sanctified to Him.  Consecration.

This is why Song of Songs 1:3 says it's the virgins that love Him. The ones who recognize their betrothal to the Bridegroom King Jesus and remain loyal to that commitment. We cannot truly say we love Jesus if we only want Him for that which He can give or if we are not dedicated to Him. Total consecration is the fuel for intimacy with the Lord.

PRAY WITH ME:
Thank you Jesus for your unchanging love and dedication to me. Today, regardless of what you give or don't give, I consecrate myself to you. I commit to being dedicated to You and sanctified for Your purposes alone. Amen.

REFLECT AND ACT:
  • Examine your commitment to Jesus. Regardless you've been faithful or infidel, pray repeatedly throughout your day the prayer of consecration.
  • If you find yourself wavering because you haven't received an answer to prayer, ask the Lord for grace to love Him above that which He can give. 

Comments

Post a Comment

What do you think about today's lesson? Please share something you learnt.

Popular posts from this blog

Day 53: The Unforced Rhythms of Grace (SoS 1:7a)

“ Tell me, O you whom I love, Where you feed your flock, Where you make it rest at noon. For why should I be as one who veils herself by the flocks of your companions? Song of Songs 1:7 Aft er the Bride's experience of being overworked, she didn't seek her Beloved in His chambers, nor did she seek Him in a place of leisure. Rather, she sought Him at His workplace. When we find ourselves in a spiritual crisis, especially when we're overworked or burnt out by activities, we must realize that oftentimes, the problem is not how much or what we're doing but how we are doing it. There is only so much the human flesh and mind can handle when it comes to physical work talk less spiritual. Paul did express in 1 Corinthians 15:58 in the Amplified version that we are to labor in our work for the Lord to the point of exhaustion . I believe it's why Paul in praying for the Ephesian church prayed for them to be strengthened with might by God's Spirit in their inner man . Thin...
Post a Comment
Read more

Day 152: To the Mountain of Myrrh (SoS 4:6)

Until the day breaks and the shadows flee away, I will go my way to the mountain of myrrh and to the hill of frankincense. (Song of Songs 4:6) In the previous lesson, we began to examine the Bride's response to the Beloved's seven-fold compliment. We discussed how she finally gave a positive reply to a request he had previously tendered in SoS 2:17. We examined a part of her response, and now let's explore the next part: ...I will go my way to the mountain of myrrh and to the hill of frankincense. We have mentioned a couple of times in this series that myrrh is a burial spice. Its mention in the Bible often signifies death and sacrifice. It was one of the spices presented to Jesus at His birth and was also used to prepare Him for burial. In the same way that Jesus embraced death on the cross, the Bride goes to the mountain of myrrh embracing death to self. She knows resolute obedience will cost her that. Jesus said in Luke 14:27: ...whoever does not bear his cr...
Post a Comment
Read more

Day 50: Keeping Your Vineyard (SoS 1:6d)

“Do not look upon me, because I am dark, Because the sun has tanned me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; They made me the keeper of the vineyards, But my own vineyard I have not kept. ”    Song of Songs 1:6 In John chapter 15 Jesus gives us the blueprint of a fruitful vineyard. He said He is the True Vine, God is the Vinedresser and we are the branches. Then He proceeds to state the responsibility of each party in keeping the vineyard. Let's look at them. 1. Responsibility of Jesus as the True Vine: Just like a branch cannot exist talk less bear fruit without the vine, we exist in God because of Jesus. He is the source and sustainer of eternal life which we received at salvation and it is this empowers us to bear fruit. 2. The Responsibilities of God as the Vinedresser: The Father is the One working on us to bring forth good works (fruits) for his glory. Jesus lists the responsibilities of God as the Vinedresser in verse 2. First to the branches that don't have fruit and t...
Post a Comment
Read more