IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

We Will Praise Your Love

Date: Jul. 7, 2023

Passage

SongofSongs 1:1-2:7

The Song of Solomon

1:1 The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s.

The Bride Confesses Her Love

She

2   Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth!
  For your love is better than wine;
3     your anointing oils are fragrant;
  your name is oil poured out;
    therefore virgins love you.
4   Draw me after you; let us run.
    The king has brought me into his chambers.

Others

  We will exult and rejoice in you;
    we will extol your love more than wine;
    rightly do they love you.

She

5   I am very dark, but lovely,
    O daughters of Jerusalem,
  like the tents of Kedar,
    like the curtains of Solomon.
6   Do not gaze at me because I am dark,
    because the sun has looked upon me.
  My mother’s sons were angry with me;
    they made me keeper of the vineyards,
    but my own vineyard I have not kept!
7   Tell me, you whom my soul loves,
    where you pasture your flock,
    where you make it lie down at noon;
  for why should I be like one who veils herself
    beside the flocks of your companions?

Solomon and His Bride Delight in Each Other

He

8   If you do not know,
    O most beautiful among women,
  follow in the tracks of the flock,
    and pasture your young goats
    beside the shepherds’ tents.
9   I compare you, my love,
    to a mare among Pharaoh’s chariots.
10   Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments,
    your neck with strings of jewels.

Others

11   We will make for you ornaments of gold,
    studded with silver.

She

12   While the king was on his couch,
    my nard gave forth its fragrance.
13   My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh
    that lies between my breasts.
14   My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms
    in the vineyards of Engedi.

He

15   Behold, you are beautiful, my love;
    behold, you are beautiful;
    your eyes are doves.

She

16   Behold, you are beautiful, my beloved, truly delightful.
  Our couch is green;
17     the beams of our house are cedar;
    our rafters are pine.
2:1   I am a rose of Sharon,
    a lily of the valleys.

He

2   As a lily among brambles,
    so is my love among the young women.

She

3   As an apple tree among the trees of the forest,
    so is my beloved among the young men.
  With great delight I sat in his shadow,
    and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
4   He brought me to the banqueting house,
    and his banner over me was love.
5   Sustain me with raisins;
    refresh me with apples,
    for I am sick with love.
6   His left hand is under my head,
    and his right hand embraces me!
7   I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
    by the gazelles or the does of the field,
  that you not stir up or awaken love
    until it pleases.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: SongofSongs 1:1:4b

The Song of Solomon

1:1 The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s.

INTRODUCTION TO SONG OF SONGS
The book is known to be written by Solomon in the earlier days of his rule. Solomon was known to have written many songs and proverbs, and the Song of Songs represents his wisdom and literary talent.
The book’s theme is Solomon’s love story with a Shulamite woman. He writes the songs from the woman’s point of view, with different narrators. Many translations put ‘he,’ ‘she,’ and ‘friends’ as narrators for easier reading.
There are different interpretations for the book, and they do not necessarily conflict with one another. One may read it as a drama script. One may read it as a love poem with either a literal or a metaphorical interpretation to guide young lovers and married couples. And more traditionally, it has been read as Solomon’s confession of faith borrowing the words of a woman who was in love with the king himself.
The next several days of devotion will cover the book using more traditional interpretations. May believing readers recognize themselves as the beautiful bride of Christ who comes with great gladness and glory (Revelation 19:7).

In his love song with the Shulamite maiden (6:13), Solomon describes the feelings between the king and a young woman who have just fallen in love with each other.

The woman expresses her overwhelming love for the king and desire to be with him (4,7,2:4). She was an outcast in the family and was put to labor under the hot sun. She knows she may seem less qualified as the king’s lover than the women of Jerusalem (1:5,6, 2:1), yet feels secure in the king’s love. Trusting in his love, she longs to be protected (2:4) and provided by him (2:5). In the chorus of blessings from the people around them (1:4,8), the couple feels delighted in each other’s presence.

Their relationship is in perfect harmony. We can have such a relationship with Christ when we submit to him fully and recognize his almighty power and protection. Do you want to have that relationship with him? What has been distracting you from having perfect harmony with the Lord? Would you come together in prayer to establish and restore the relationship with the Lord?

Prayer: Prayer: Father, thank you for Jesus, my true love and shepherd. I long to be in your presence and hear your words. Please come into my heart and help me to delight in you.

One Word: One Word: Your love is more delightful…

Daily Bread

God Stills the Conflict

Psalm 76:1-12

Key Verse: 76:6

At your rebuke, O God of Jacob,
both rider and horse lay stunned.

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Intro Daily