Bibledoorajar studies the three main divisions of the book, The Song of the Bride

    This week my minister spoke to our congregation about securing our salvation--realizing the need to be trained and disciplined to fully accept the grace the Lord  so willingly gives us. This idea of training and making progress can be seen in the three main divisions or themes of the Song of the Bride. There is that first stage. The bride is attracted to the King, but still is so into herself. Her position is 'what's in it for me?'  Every Christian is either at this stage or can remember being there. The Spirit woos the believer to pursue Him, to think of Him, but most days are spent not doing so. It is so easy to dismiss Him and there are so many questions not yet settled. Frances Havergal explores this theme in the hymn, "Is it for Me?":
               "Is it for me, dear Savior, Thy glory and Thy rest--For me, so weak and sinful? O shall I be so blest?"
     Entranced, the bride wonders. Like us, she had questions. For her and us, in time, many of them are answered. We find ourselves asking not just what's in it for me, but now, what's in it for Him? Suddenly we realize He thinks of us and has desires that only we can fulfill. E.B. Lorenz wrote:
       "Amid the trials which I meet, Amid the thorns which pierce my feet, One thought remains supremely sweet, Thou thinkest Lord of me!"
     It becomes gratifying to know that He will not be dismissed so easily. The bride's old self did not suit the needs of the king. Like her, the Christian has to be willing to be changed. We begin to see what He wants as His reward and we are willing to pursue just that.
     The third theme is one of the bride's love maturing into a beautifully transformed love. She is ready to be at home with him. Like the bride, Christians must become ready for their eternal home with our King. Now the question is not just, what's in it for me, or what's in it for Him, but rather, what's in it for us? What will we share together? And, we begin to see what our glory will be. As N.H. Lines penned:
       "When in His glory the Savior I see, And in His likeness forever shall be; There from the trials of earth to be free, that will be glory for me, be glory for me."
     There are sub-themes in the book and we will explore them, but these three are the primary themes: learning to love sacrificially, learning to love more dearly, and longing to live forever with Him in His kingdom. Vana Raye expressed it this way:
      "In the kingdom of the Lord there is grace for for every heart; In the kingdom of the Lord blessings come and sins depart. In the kingdom, there alone, are the saved, the good, the blest; Here the Savior knows His own, Here is joy and peace and rest. In the kingdom of the Lord, Christ abides-He is the King! It is ours to love His word, To submit in everything; Oh glorious Kingdom! Bride of the Savior! Living forever, God's purpose to fulfill."
      It is a thrilling and fulfilling journey that the Lord's bride is on. The important thing is to keep on seeking, keep on looking for the One we love, keep on pleasing Him.  The door of the kingdom is fully ajar for such people. God is good!!

Bibledoorajar looks at a Cinderella Story

     The Song of the Bride and her groom is a sacred story. For those of us who wish to be loved by the Lord it is personal. The book is usually referred to in the Bible as the Song of Solomon. Solomon, as you may recall, means "peaceful". He was the son of David, so the song is also referred to as the Song of the Son. Sometimes it is called the Song of the Bride because of its' focus on the bride. The bride is characterized as the "Schulamite" woman which means " peace is hers". From these meanings we learn that the son "Peaceful" desires to give his peace to "peace is hers". The song is also referred to as the Song of Songs because it is felt to be the apex of all love melodies that one could sing. Scholars often compare its focus on love to 1 Cor. 13 in the New Testament. For every sinner who desires love through redemption, it is a Cinderella story come true.
     We know that the song was composed by Solomon, a man who was called to be a lover of God. He wrote the song during his reign of peace and during the time he wanted to be close to God and to share His wisdom with all who came near. The setting of the story takes place in the main in the beautiful palace of Solomon, but there are some flashbacks to previous settings. It is dramatic with dialogue going back and forth between the lovers. But there is definitely a spiritual message for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear. The story announces what is to come for the spiritually minded. The bride is to be the groom's perfect reward. The groom is to be the bride's perfect reward. There is an engagement period and a wedding day. In the song, much happens to the bride as she prepares for the wedding. The message of the song is just the opposite of Solomon's Ecclesiastes. In that book, Solomon writes of a life of wandering and pursuit of things under the sun. He finds no satisfaction in knowledge alone and realizes that often wrong things are sought in wrong ways. The result: MISERY. But in the Song, Solomon writes of a life resting from wandering and of the realization that satisfaction comes only through love. If right things are pursued in right ways the result: BLESSEDNESS.
    The theme of the book is excellent love--a thrilling and fulfilling love relationship. He is the beloved; she is the beloved. Such fragile love requires the delicate handling seen in the story. Who can deny that the Lord deals with us so delicately as He prepares the wedding feast? He is so patient and kind--the perfect manifestation of 1 Cor 13. How He gently woos us. Surely He is worthy of all our praises! How blessed we are to be loved  and pursued by Him. How blessed we are to return His love.

Bibledoorajar opens for the Song of the Bride

     As we have learned so much about our King via the Queen's visit with King Solomon, I thought it might be fun to spend some time looking at King Solomon's Song of the Bride. God has made it clear that He will rejoice over His people as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride. In Isaiah 62:5, we read:

         "As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you."
      In Revelation we read of Christ returning as a bridegroom for His bride. We read:

         "Let us rejoice and be glad! Let us give Him the glory! For the time has come for the wedding of the Lamb, and His bride has prepared herself---fine linen, bright and clean has been given her to wear"--Revelation 19 ff).

Part of Christ's glory will be His bride dressed in fine linen --the righteous deeds of His people--the ones who are blessed to be invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb. These are God's own words concerning the feast and are the ones that the angel instructed John to write down. The words are a testimony of Jesus--the Spirit of Prophecy and constitute a reassuring promise that will indeed come true. One day the faithful bride will see her faithful bridegroom and, therefore, we must realize the wisdom of our righteous deeds. Since it is in righteousness that He will judge the world, He will surely recognize our efforts. It will be wonderful to be included in this wedding feast and to be with our bridegroom -- the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It is sad to think of those who will not experience the wonderful things of God at the wedding feast. They can expect to experience Him treading the winepress from which flows the wine of the furious rage of God. I, for one, prefer the wedding feast and eternal bliss. How about you? Next week we will begin the story of Solomon and the Schulamite bride. Have a great week!

Bibledoorajar says farewell to the queen.

     Today we say our farewells to the queen and to king Solomon. They have had a great story to tell and we thank them for all the lessons we have learned from this period of Jewish history. But we have come to know, and to know unequivocally, that "a greater than Solomon is here." There is even a greater story to tell! It is about the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Lord Jesus Christ. He reigns. He desires to manifest the fullness of the wisdom of God. In so doing, many of the world will abandon their spiritual ignorance and behold the glory and wisdom and knowledge of God and see Him in the midst of His people. People will become convinced of divine things and choose to love His kingdom as they invest time in seeking Him.

     Are we helping to spread the fame of God abroad? Are we seeking the wisdom of the Lord in our churches so that the principalities and powers in the heavenly places see its' evidence in our lives? Do we desire to be a valued vessel cleansed and dedicated to honorable and noble purposes? The church is hallowed for His Name sake and is to be the pillar and bulwark of the truth, each member sharing a heavenly calling to esteem Jesus as the builder of the most honorable house, the one that is over all others. We strive to have good food on our church tables and to lead others in tasting the heavenly gifts. All over the world, churches are positioned to show forth the resources of His grace and to show how great is His kindness. We stand in His presence befitting the King. We are clothed in appropriate dress--the beautiful white linen of His righteousness. So dressed, we can confidently "go up to the house of the Lord". May all our visitors see the wisdom of the Lord in His church. Jesus, what a wonder you are!
                   "For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything"
                                                                                                         Hebrews 3:4

Bibledoorajar agrees with the queen that the king's wisdom was excellent and that its' source was Divine.

  The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel; To know wisdom and instruction to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgement, and equity; To give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. The fear of the Lord is beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.   Proverbs 1: 1-7

     Think of it. A gentile queen is so impressed with the wisdom of the Jewish king that she acknowledges the true God who alone could have so gifted Solomon with wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Through this wisdom a great house was built (Proverbs 24:3). The queen ended her visit by giving Solomon gifts and she went back home with a great story of all that she had experienced.
     On the one hand we have the beautiful temple that Solomon built with the wisdom God gave him. The plan for the temple was given to David of Judah: a shepherd, a king and a priest. It was built by Solomon through the Spirit of God according to His pattern. It was built by wisdom and many wise builders and skilled craftsmen from many nations contributed to its structure and beauty. On the other hand, we have the beautiful temple that Jesus is building with the wisdom from above. The plan was given given to Christ in eternity: a Shepherd, a King and a Priest, born to the tribe of Judah. The temple is being built by Jesus through the Spirit of God according to His pattern. It is being built by wisdom and many wise and skillful Jews and Gentiles are helping to build it.
     On the one hand we have King Solomon whose name means peaceful and beloved. He was anointed king before David and before Israel. He ruled over Israel and there was none to compare to his earthly throne. He conquered enemies and his kingdom was the greatest on earth. His government was administered by twelve officers and his wisdom was unsurpassed on earth. On the other hand we have King Jesus. He is the Prince of Peace, the beloved Son. He was anointed King before John the Baptist and before all heaven. He is the King of the Jews, King of Israel, King of Saints and King of Kings. His heavenly throne is one to which none can compare. He has conquered and has His enemies under His feet. His kingdom is the greatest in the universe. Twelve apostles are the foundation of His government. Jesus is God's wisdom personified.
     Both Solomon and Jesus had a royal mission and a good name. Both had wisdom about God that could not be measured. Solomon glorified God in his temple. The believer's body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. According to Paul in 1 Cor. 6: 19-20, believers are to glorify God in our spirit and body because we are God's. In Ephesians (2:19 ff.),  Paul says that together we are growing into a habitation of God through the Spirit. And then there's Peter's comments that we are lively stones being built up together so we can offer spiritual sacrifices to God (2:4-9). Praise God for His glorious creativity which shows us in the natural how He through His eternal ability  built up a house in Israel for His honor and glory. Their experience in the natural is our "schoolmaster" in the spiritual realm. In Ephesians 3:10, Paul says that the eternal intent of God is that the church will make known the manifold wisdom of God to the principalities and powers in heavenly places. Our challenge is to maintain our focus and not faint. This will be our glory and will bring honor to God.

Bibledoorajar rejoices with saints who are happy this week

     Have you ever thought about happiness being excellent?  The Queen of Sheba did.When she observed how happily Solomon's servants served him, she found their happiness excellent. They served him with joy and their joy was an undisputed sign that they were daily drawing strength by being in the presence of the king and by being in a blessed environment. Solomon's servants were happy because the king had been able to greatly improve their living conditions. Through him, they too, attained wisdom and understanding. How happy to live at a time when there was no war, no protests in the city, and when prosperity reigned. How happy are people who live in such conditions. Their children prosper and grow into fine servants suitable to serve the king (See Psalm 144 in which David envisioned such an environment after God would give victory and also Proverbs 3:13 which attests to the happiness of those who find wisdom and its' gain).
     God had instructed Israel to "rejoice before the Lord your God in everything you undertake to do" (Deut. 12:18). As long as they lived on their property they were not to abandon spiritual matters that would bring them joy. Strength and gladness were to be found in His presence (1 Chron. 16:27). This is simply what God thinks---the righteous should be glad and His wisdom and understanding can make it happen in spite of life's circumstances. If we realize we are not happy, then, we can appeal to God for revival. However, during the period in which the queen visited King Solomon, the servants were at perfect peace and full of joy thinking of all that God had done through their king.
     Jesus said that every time a sinner repents there is great joy among God's servants in heaven. This set against the revelation that there are many who do not think they need repentance and these bring heaven no joy (the 99). Jesus had some advice for his disciples as to how to maintain joy in their service to God. According to John 15:12, He told them to stay in His love and follow His commands and, then, their joy would be complete. Is this not when we usually lose our joy? Something happens in our "world" and we respond poorly. We lose our desire to serve the King and our love wanes. We wonder why our environment is not blessed and happy. But Jesus had to walk out terrible suffering in order to follow the commands of His Father. The apostles and disciples of the New Testament attest that sometimes tribulation will be a part of the picture until the King returns. Our responses to tribulation will be critical if we wish to maintain our joy. Paul said it is possible to be "sorrowing yet always rejoicing, poor yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things" (2 Cor. 6:10). One way he said we could attain this state when we have lost our joy is to be filled anew with the Spirit. This happens by renewing our minds (repenting) and speaking to ourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in our hearts to the Lord. Humbling ourselves in the sight of the Lord leads to Him being able to lift us up. In our weakness we become strong and though our environment be filled with tribulation, our hearts can know happiness and can look with great joy to a time coming when all servants of the King will serve Him happily. According to the king whom the queen was visiting, this viewpoint is that of those who have wisdom (Prov. 15:21) and, it too, is the wisdom of that One greater than Solomon. Praise Him for all He has done, is doing, and will do for those who love Him and wish to be His servants.

Bibledoorajar walks the Royal Bridge with the Queen

     The time for the royal retinue to move from the palace of Solomon to the temple in order to worship God and give offerings had come. And the foreign enquirer, the queen, was being allowed to go with the king. God had made it plain. There was to be a place made for foreign enquirers who seriously sought the God of Israel. It was necessary to ascend from the new palace up to the inner court of the temple, also called the royal porch.
     In artistic renderings one can see the huge bridge built on arches that spanned the valley between the palace and the temple. Scholars tell us that the royal bridge was 250 feet long and 62  feet wide. Single spanning stones in this bridge measured 24 feet wide! As the royal entourage made its way up the bridge, the view of the valley below was breathtaking. The city of Jerusalem with all its buildings and gardens lay down below about 225 feet. Not only could the entourage look down on all the city's splendor, but the people could also look up and observe the royal splendor. I can almost feel the excitement of the queen as she traversed the bridge knowing that she was going to a temple whose God claimed to be the one and only true God. The splendor of the ascent was magnificent, an astounding work of architecture. Psalms 127, was one of the psalms of ascent. Solomon possibly conceived the psalm as he approached the temple via this route. In the psalm, Solomon declares that unless the Lord build a house, it is built in vain. We build but, if in our building we do not realize that we must humbly ask that God help us build, we have built in a lessor fashion that will be in vain. Solomon points out that it is God that helps the watchman watch and protect His people. And, lastly, he cites that God helps his people build families by giving them children. All our security in all our efforts comes from Him. So, no matter how wonderful the ascent was in the natural, the thought of ascending to worship our God and all that He secures for His people was even more lofty.
    Inside the temple, the queen was impressed with the burnt offerings that Solomon brought. In Solomon's temple the size of the altar increased by 4 times in length and 3 and 1/3 times in height to that of the wilderness tabernacle. Here, all animal nature would be totally consumed and the smoke would rise as incense before God. The amount of sacrifices that Solomon had offered to God time after time was staggering, showing his complete devotion to his God. In this effort he, of course, needed the assistance of priests who served voluntarily in their capacity. The priest would slaughter and burn the animals whose lives would be given in the people's stead. Such was the divine order and Solomon wanted God to know how sincerely he believed and trusted his God. Such a relationship between a worshipper and his God greatly impressed the queen.
    Scholars tell us that years later Jerusalem looked up at that royal bridge and saw one greater than Solomon being led to meet with the Sanhedrin and to the judgement of Pilate. How great was His ascent and how great would be His offering. Thank you Lord, perfect Lamb, perfect High Priest, perfect Redeemer! So great was your ascent that Christians everywhere repeatedly worship and offer the praises You so richly deserve. May our offerings be as abundant as those of Solomon!