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 cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

And also in John 12:25 (Amplified Classic Version) said:

Anyone who loves his life loses it, but anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. [Whoever has no love for, no concern for, no regard for his life here on earth, but despises it, preserves his life forever and ever.]

In the subsequent verses, Jesus spoke about counting the cost before embarking on a journey and that is exactly what the Bride did here. Everyone who will follow Jesus must die to self, their desires, wills, and plans. They must be ready to suffer for Jesus. Paul prayed in Philippians 3:7-8:

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.

True intimacy with Jesus demands we know not just His glory but experience His sufferings and death. Without these, our growth in grace will be stunted. We must embrace a life of sacrifice. We must embrace a life of sacrifice because until we die, we cannot truly experience His life. It's why Paul said in Philippians 3:10-11 (Good News Translation):

All I want is to know Christ and to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings and become like him in his death, in the hope that I myself will be raised from death to life.

Myrrh is bitter tasting but very fragrant. Just like Christ's sufferings were not pleasant but now elicit a sweet fragrance that draws all men to eternal life, a life laid down for Jesus produces a sweet aroma to God and eventually to many generations of men.

In Luke 18:28, Peter said to Jesus:

...“See, we have left all and followed You.”

And He replied in verses 29-30:

...“Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.” 

When we look through the scriptures and read the stories of men of faith both alive and dead, they all sacrificed their lives as men knew it to do the impossible for God. To carry out His plans. Many faced and are still facing rejection, persecution, and ridicule. Many gave up family, material possessions, positions of honor and prestige. Many were imprisoned, beaten, and even killed in their service to God. Abraham, Moses, Nehemiah, Stephen, Paul, Jesus our Lord Himself and so many others who lived and are living after the Bible is long written.

Every man on earth will face difficulties, but choose to go the path God has ordained for You. Choose to scale your mountain of myrrh and watch God make your life fragrant for generations to come. According to Revelations 12:11, only those who are willing to give up their lives and die will overcome the evil one. Only those who are acquainted with the sufferings of Christ will experience His resurrection and share His glory.

PRAY WITH ME:

Dear Lord, today I lay down my life, plans, will, and desires to take up Yours. Help me to stay on Your course for me no matter what comes. Amen.

REFLECT & ACT:

• Do you know God's plan for your life and are you following it?
• Are you willing to sacrifice your life to God and die to yourself?
• Meditate on Paul's words in Philippians 3:7-10 as you read them in different Bible versions.