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Day 88: House of Wine (SoS 2:4)

 He brought me to the banqueting house, And his banner over me was love. Song of Songs 2:4  

The word translated as banqueting here is used over a hundred and thirty more times in the scriptures as wine. It is the same in SoS 1:2 where the Bride says the king's love is better than wine. It's why many versions use wine instead of banqueting. It also means to effervesce which is to be in high spirits (joy) and implies being intoxicated.

It is said that banquets differed from feasts in those days. Feasts were characterized by an abundance of food but banquets involved more drinking. So banqueting could either be right after a feast or an independent event on its own. It was a time of great celebration. It is even said that the banquet room was sometimes different from the feasting room. Esther 5 tells us that the feasts Esther prepared for King Ahasuerus were banquets of wine.

Considering all we've said so far, there are two schools of thought in interpreting this scripture and both are equally important.

       1. The Beloved brought her to a place of celebration with His friends to show her off.

In Esther 1, King Ahasuerus held a feast for all the officials, servants, princes, and nobles in his kingdom. For one hundred and eighty days, he showed off his wealth and splendor. Then had another seven-day feast at the end of those days, this time involving everyone in the kingdom capital. During the seven-day feast, he requested for Vashti, his queen, to appear so he might show off her beauty.

Just like we often save the best for last, I believe Queen Vashti was his proudest, greatest possession (permit that for lack of a better word). She was to be the crown of all the many days of showoff. Unfortunately, Esther 1:12 tells us that Queen Vashti refused to appear before the King.

In verse 2 of SoS 2, the beloved spoke about his bride. He said she was a lily among thorns meaning her beauty was unrivaled. This time, he showed off her beauty for others to see.

As we progress in our walk with Jesus, fellowshipping with Him and feasting on His word, His work in us will start to become visible for all to see. The beauty He sees in us becomes undeniably obvious to those around us. We come into the company of His friends (men and women who walk with Him too) and they appreciate His work in us and celebrate our love for Jesus with us. 

Paul in Galatians 1:23 wrote that after three years of being saved and preaching the word of God, the churches of Judea heard: 

...He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God in me.

They celebrated God's work in His life and His love for Jesus.

        2. A celebration of an all-consuming love that is as intoxicating as wine:

At the beginning of this lesson, we said the word banqueting also means wine. A house of wine may refer to a place where wine is produced or stored. So it refers to a place of abundant wine.

Drunkenness is often condemned in the scriptures but wine also represents joy, abundance, prosperity, and the Holy Spirit.

In Lessons 10 & 11, we compared Christ's love to wine and found out what that meant. Romans 5:5 says God's love is shed abroad in our hearts. So as we spend time with Jesus in His shade, partaking of His word, and growing in love for Him, we get to a place of wine. A place of intoxication and drunk-like love. 

A place of joy that its closest yet unworthy substitute can only be found in a banqueting house. A place where we love Him so strongly that we cannot help but celebrate and rejoice in our union with Him.

David describes this joy in Psalm 4:7:

You have put more joy and rejoicing in my heart than [they know] when their wheat and new wine have yielded abundantly. (Amplified version).

PRAY WITH ME:

My Beloved Jesus, thank You for Your work in me. Thank You for this love that is better than wine that I get to enjoy each day. Let Your Holy Spirit shed more of Your love in my heart each day. Till I am constantly joyful: rejoicing in and celebrating my union with you.

REFLECT & ACT:

  • Are there times in your walk with the Lord fellow believers have celebrated Jesus' work in you and your love for Him? Thank and give glory to Him for those moments.
  • What does Philippians 4:4 mean to you?

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!  

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