The Strength of Love
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May 6, 2007)
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May 6, 2007 - 1 Corinthians 12.31-13.7a. It is said that love bears all things. This is the power of love that is reflected in Song of Songs 8:5-14 on which this study guide is based.
Open It
What do you consider to be the most powerful emotion? Why?
Why does sex sell?
Who has most helped or inspired you to stay true to God's plan for marriage?
Explore It
What question did the Friends ask? (8:5)
What events happened under the apple tree? (8:5)
What did the Beloved ask the Lover to do? (8:6)
How did the Beloved describe love? (8:6-7)
What question did the Friends ask about their sister? (8:8-9)
Who helped the Beloved prepare for the day of her marriage? (8:8-9)
What had the Beloved become like to Solomon? (8:10)
What did the Beloved say that Solomon had? (8:11)
What did the Beloved say she had? (8:12)
What did the Lover say he wanted to hear? (8:13)
What did the Beloved invite her Lover to do? (8:14)
Get It
In what way is love strong and unyielding?
How is love like a blazing fire?
In what way is love unquenchable?
How does the Beloved reflect upon her childhood and her courtship?
What do the words of the Lover and Beloved in 8:13-14 recall about their relationship?
What do the verses and this book say about physical love between a husband and his wife?
In what ways do we take love for granted?
How can we keep the passion and commitment in our marriage?
Apply It
What can you do this week to rekindle the flame of romantic love in your marriage?
What commitment will you make to honor love and sex within marriage and not to abuse it?
Notes
Song 8:6-7: In this final description of their love, the girl includes some of its significant characteristics (see also 1 Cor. 13). Love is as strong as death; it cannot be killed by time or disaster; and it cannot be bought for any price because it is freely given. Love is priceless, and even the richest king cannot buy it. Love must be accepted as a gift from God and then shared within the guidelines God provides. Accept the love of your spouse as God's gift, and strive to make your love a reflection of the perfect love that comes from God himself.
Song 8:8-9: The girl was reflecting on the days when she was younger and under the care of her brothers, who wondered how to help her prepare for marriage. They decided that if she was like a wall, standing firm against sexual temptation, they would praise her. But if she was like a door, open to immorality, they would take steps to guard her from doing something foolish. In Song 8:10, she testifies that she has been persistent in her morality and thus has found favor in Solomon's eyes.
Song 8:11-12: Solomon could demand rent from the tenants for his vineyard, but the girl had her own vineyard and it was her right to assign it. But she willingly gave Solomon its fruit. In a good marriage, there is no private property, for everything is shared between the partners. Note: Baal Hamon is mentioned only here in the Bible, and its location is unknown.
Song 8:14: The love between Solomon and his bride did not diminish in intensity after their wedding night. The lovers relied on each other and kept no secrets from each other. Devotion and commitment were the keys to their relationship, just as they are in our relationships to our spouses and to God. The faithfulness of our marital love should reflect God's perfect faithfulness to us.
Paul shows how marriage represents Christ's relationship to his church (Ephes. 5:22-33), and John pictures the second coming as a great marriage feast for Christ and his bride, his faithful followers (Rev. 19:7-8; Rev. 21:1-2). Many theologians have thought that Song of Songs is an allegory showing Christ's love for his church. It makes even better sense to say that it is a love poem about a real human love relationship, and that all loving, committed marriages reflect God's love.
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May 6, 2007)
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