Bibledoorajar examines "the kiss"

     Bibledoorajar sends all its' readers "love and kisses". That's what we are examining this week. In our love story, the country girl has given her heart to her shepherd, but he then tells her that he must go away but she must know that he will surely return. So the girl waited and the days passed by. Her friends and family ridiculed her, saying that she had been hoodwinked by the shepherd. But she loves him and trusts him. She thinks about him all the time. One night she was sure she smelled his fragrance. She just knew  that he was near by. He had not forgotten her!!! As she was working in her vineyard one day, the girl sees dust flying like smoke. But she is busy and does not pay much attention to just who might be passing by. Perhaps another merchant in a very big hurry. Finally, someone comes and tells her that Solomon, the king, is asking for her. The girl is astonished that the king would be asking for her, a simple country girl. She demurely says, "me, why I have never even met the king. He can't be asking for me!"

But the king was and he said:

     "Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away"--Song 2: 8-10

It was true. The king, himself, wanted to take her to his palace. When the girl gets to the palace she is in no wise ready for marriage to the king. She speaks often with the other ladies of court and tells them of her shepherd and how often he spoke with desire for her. She tells them she is very interested in the shepherd and wants to know him more fully. And, she says she knows that he is interested in her for the long haul, not just some fly by night experience.

     Meanwhile the king continues his plans to marry the girl and he provides her with vital communication and instructions. With these, she can become productive and worthy of marriage to him. The king has riches to share as well as authority. His abundant resources will help the girl. But what the girl is wondering is when can she get back to her shepherd and when will her shepherd KISS her? She longs for the kiss that accompanies a very personal relationship. The kind of kiss that reflects an intense need to be close and to be involved in a very personal pursuit. She wants the kiss NOW, but the suitor is holding off for some reason. She asks why?

In the beginning, we all desire a relationship with the Shepherd and we can honestly say, "I was glad when they said, let us go up to the house of the Lord". We love experiencing the grace and mercy and have an interest in getting to know our bridegroom more fully. And, we soon learn that Jesus, too, has a great desire for us and that his interest in us is for the long haul. He, in His wisdom, knows just what kind of bride he wants. In the long run, she must be mature and so He provides vital communication and instructions in order that we may grow spiritually. He provides many spiritual gifts which become great assets in our lives. We must learn how to rule and reign with Him, and He has sent His Holy Spirit to assist. He is well qualified to bring us into maturity. We are like the girl, wondering when He will kiss us. If we have experienced the kiss on the neck (forgiveness--see the story of the prodigal son) then we long for the kiss of intimacy. Forgiveness, as wonderful as it is, is no longer enough. We must have a personal relationship with Him. But just when does the written word say we will get that kind of kiss? We will take a look at that next week. In the meantime, we ask the Holy Spirit for His help--"Come, Holy Spirit, breathe on us and help us learn the etiquette of the King's court".