Bibledoorajar has sought the "seal"

     I have not been to a church wedding in a while, but it is easy to recall the exchange of rings. This outward sign of a vow to seal the couples love for each other and only for each other is often emphasized by the minister as like unto that of the relationship the church has with its' Christ. Indeed, Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 1 21-22 that it is God Himself who sets believers in firm union with the Christ, putting his seal on us in our hearts as a guarantee of our future.
     In our story the country girl has been under a strong period of instruction with the king. Now it is time to return to Jerusalem. One is struck by the harmony the couple now shows. Our country girl asks the king to seal the relationship on her heart and hand. She desires his pledge to be confirmed and that all the treasures that they have come to share will be protected and secure. She returns still leaning on the king but from a much greater position of trust in his approval of her.
     The church must all work together," O daughters of Jerusalem", to do all things possible to see that our individual positions with our king remain firm. This will assure a happiness of divine proportions. For as Paul said, "however many promises God has made, they all find their 'yes' in connection with Him ( 2 Cor. 1 20). We are returning to the heavenly Jerusalem with a sealed secret relationship that the world cannot understand. Jesus was right. Our treasure is laid up in heaven. Hallelujah!

Bibledoorajar Accepts Two Relationships

"Oh that you were as my brother,...."

Song 8:3

     It is unusual at first thought to think that our bride would desire that her husband be as a brother to her. But she is desperately looking for ways to increase her declarations of love to him and for opportunities to learn more from him. She could do in public with a brother whom she would have come to know so freely over the years what she could not do with a king who demands a certain decorum.  She could give a brother a hug in public and take him home whereas people would wonder what the king was doing in her mother's home. Thus, the bride could explore him as a brother in a freer and more full way, sharing wisdom and pomegranate wine with him.

     In grammar school I greatly admired one older brother in particular. He was so caring and observant of his little sister. I longed for my brother to watch out for me and care for me in the same way. I needed someone who would teach me and show me the right way to go.  Then I would know better how to maneuver in school.

      In Hebrews 2 Jesus is depicted as our elder brother. He is more than willing to be our leader. He set Himself apart to God so that we might be helped to do the same. He became human so that he would not be ashamed to be a brother to us. He knows our nature and knows what we need to know pertaining to God. His maturity is a treasure trove for us. Paul said in the book of Colossians that "in Him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." So, yes, Jesus, my brother, come along side of me and help me in any way you can. If I am being "stupid" and "making a fool of myself" love me enough to point it out. I do not want to embarrass the King! Such kindly feedback as we sip our wine will be intoxicating. Thanks bro for all You do.

Bibledoorajar loves the country girl's adoration of the King

     Our country girl is beginning to see her true destiny and to be able to walk more fully in it. She sees the special fruits that have been laid up at "our doors" probably by her countrymen for her husband and his bride. She wants to give him of her best in the place where the mandrakes (see Gen. 20:14-16) give off a wonderful fragrance. Therefore, it is easy to say she is planning this time of great romance--a time to enter more deeply into what she now so admires in her husband. He is so wise and she wants to show him off again to her mother, but more so, she wants to lie in his arms and be instructed by him.

     Jesus promised that if we loved Him, that we would certainly come to know Him and that He would come and abide in our lives (John 14:23). But He did not say that this would be a "you have arrived" time. No, He made it clear that it would be a tender time of instruction and change, a time to learn how to live together. His abiding in our lives gives us great revelations about how wonderful the Godhead is and just how great is their preparations for the Bride who is mysteriously in Christ. Think about this, we have within us, glory that cab come only from God. We live in a different place where the mandrake fragrances are intense and we cannot help but feel the peace and protection from all that would harm. We are whispering directly into His ear and He into ours. Daily the Spirit shares with us the power found in the name of the King if only we believe. Today, I think I will relax with Him and reread some of His love letters, 1, 2 and 3 John. Have a great week and feel the love.

Bibledoorajar Desires the Stature of a Palm-Tree

The King likens the returning bride's stature to a palm-tree. This is a good thing because in the Bible the palm tree is always associated with spiritual good and with the delight that comes from good. The palm tree is stable, growing deep in desert soil. One might say the bride was a statuesque lady greatly to be admired. The King was ready to climb up and partake of her fruits.

Today, in our Bible class we were attempting to get our students to understand that we cannot work or earn our way to heaven but that our King loves it when we bear fruit. Our good works have a wonderful aroma to Him and fruit that we produce because we are truly His and want to serve Him is the best fruit of all. Its' fragrance cannot be surpassed as far as our King is concerned. And just think, how varied and interesting the fruits are to Him as they come from His bride in whom He is so well pleased!

I'll choose to be a palm tree this week, how about you?

Bibledoorajar exults in the King's praise of the Country girl's returned

     Most people rejoice when estranged marrieds can work things out and "get back together". But only those very close to them know if the return brought great joy to the hearts of the couple. I have heard of some who renew their vows, others take a second honeymoon, etc. When they go among old friends, many who may have taken sides during the "split", may make one or the other feel a bit of discomfort. And so it was with the country girl. Happy together, she and the king returned to some of their favorite places to see the garden of nuts, the budding vines and things in flower. When they meet old friends or the king's subjects, they call out to her to come closer in order that they may observe the king's bride more closely. She feels a bit uncomfortable, like she was just a popular dance of the times. Or, maybe they wanted to dance joyfully with her at her return. I think they, as we Christians should when one is restored, just wanted to experience the joy of once again having her among them---a beloved of the king.

     At any rate, even if she wasn't completely comfortable around the king's subjects, she did rejoice that she was fullly restored to her king. And, my oh my, how he rejoiced in her! As he describes her,
(Song 7:1 ff), there is no doubt that he feels she is perfect in every way. Someone said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and the king is completely gripped by the country girl's beauty.

     Surely when Israel, God's chosen people, heard this story they could not help but be impressed with the way God presented His love for them. Their very Creator was Israel's husband! And in the Church age what a beautiful picture of how Christ sees us, his beloved bride. We may behold each other and smell stinky armpits, but Christ beholds the beauty of every member. If we are feet, then the word declares that the feet of those who bring the gospel are beautiful. Whatever our part in the body, He finds us altogether lovely and is able to enjoy and use us to reflect His glory. All the blemishes we  see in each other, He sees as covered with the flowers and budding vines of His righteousness. We are cautioned that every "body part" is pleasant to the Lord and all are to be esteemed as they work together to be the productive bride the King desires. Have a blessed week!