Divine Love: Guiding Human Relationships in Christ

Summary

### Summary

Today, we delved into the Song of Solomon, chapter 2, exploring the profound themes of love in the present and love in the future. This passage offers a dual perspective: a heavenly view of God's love for His children and an earthly view of love between a husband and wife. We examined the mutual delight between the Shulamite woman and her groom, King Solomon, and how their love reflects Christ's love for us. The Shulamite's modest self-appraisal contrasts with the groom's high estimation of her worth, symbolizing how Christ elevates us from our sinfulness and bestows upon us His righteousness.

We also discussed the groom's passionate love, which leads the bride to be lovesick, and the importance of patience in love, as emphasized by the Shulamite's caution against premature sexual arousal. This mirrors the need for self-control and the proper timing of love, aligning with God's design for human relationships.

In the second part of the chapter, we saw the groom's return and his invitation to the bride, symbolizing Christ's return for His church. The passage also includes a warning about the "little foxes" that can ruin blossoming love, reminding us of the importance of vigilance and sanctification in our relationships.

From a heavenly perspective, this passage foreshadows the Gospel of Jesus Christ, highlighting the already-present love of Christ and the future consummation of our union with Him. From an earthly perspective, it underscores the need for divine love to condition the proper expression of human love, emphasizing the balance between sexual expression and self-control, and the constant need for sanctification and watchfulness in our relationships.

### Key Takeaways

1. Mutual Delight and Christ's Elevation of Us: The Shulamite woman's modest self-appraisal and the groom's high estimation of her worth reflect how Christ elevates us from our sinfulness and bestows His righteousness upon us. This mutual delight symbolizes the profound love Christ has for us, making us beautiful in His eyes. [37:59]

2. The Importance of Patience in Love: The Shulamite's caution against premature sexual arousal emphasizes the importance of patience and self-control in love. This mirrors the need for proper timing and alignment with God's design for human relationships, ensuring that love is genuine and not prematurely awakened. [44:36]

3. The Groom's Return and Christ's Second Coming: The groom's return and his invitation to the bride symbolize Christ's return for His church. Just as the bride waits patiently for the groom's return, Christians are called to wait patiently for Christ's return, living in anticipation and readiness for the full consummation of our union with Him. [46:12]

4. Vigilance Against the "Little Foxes": The warning about the "little foxes" that can ruin blossoming love serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and sanctification in our relationships. Small issues, if left unchecked, can grow into significant problems, underscoring the need for constant watchfulness and maintenance in our marriages and relationships. [49:14]

5. Divine Love Conditioning Human Love: This passage highlights the need for divine love to condition the proper expression of human love. The balance between sexual expression and self-control, guided by the Holy Spirit, ensures that our relationships reflect God's design and bring glory to Him. This divine conditioning helps us navigate the challenges of love and relationships in a fallen world. [55:15]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[19:36] - Opening Prayer
[25:21] - Introduction to Song of Solomon
[33:46] - Love in the Present
[37:59] - Mutual Delight
[39:20] - Groom's Passion
[44:36] - Bride's Patience
[46:12] - Love in the Future
[49:14] - Groom's Warning
[55:15] - Divine Love and Human Love
[01:00:13] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Song of Solomon 2:1-17
- Matthew 6:33
- 1 Peter 5:8

#### Observation Questions
1. In Song of Solomon 2:1-3, how does the Shulamite woman describe herself, and how does the groom respond to her self-appraisal? ([37:07])
2. What does the Shulamite woman mean when she says, "I am lovesick" in Song of Solomon 2:5? ([41:18])
3. What is the significance of the "little foxes" mentioned in Song of Solomon 2:15? ([49:14])
4. How does the groom's return in Song of Solomon 2:8-9 symbolize Christ's second coming? ([46:12])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the mutual delight between the Shulamite woman and her groom reflect Christ's love for us? ([37:59])
2. Why is patience and self-control in love emphasized by the Shulamite woman, and how does this relate to God's design for human relationships? ([44:36])
3. What does the warning about the "little foxes" teach us about vigilance and sanctification in our relationships? ([49:14])
4. How does the passage in Song of Solomon 2 foreshadow the Gospel of Jesus Christ from a heavenly perspective? ([50:50])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the Shulamite woman's modest self-appraisal and the groom's high estimation of her worth. How can you see yourself through Christ's eyes, recognizing your worth and beauty in His love? ([37:59])
2. The Shulamite woman cautions against premature sexual arousal. How can you practice patience and self-control in your relationships, ensuring they align with God's design? ([44:36])
3. The groom's return symbolizes Christ's second coming. How can you live in anticipation and readiness for Christ's return in your daily life? ([46:12])
4. The "little foxes" can ruin blossoming love. What are some "little foxes" in your relationships that you need to address to prevent them from becoming significant problems? ([49:14])
5. Divine love conditions the proper expression of human love. How can you ensure that your relationships reflect God's design and bring glory to Him, balancing sexual expression and self-control? ([55:15])
6. How can you cultivate a constant need for sanctification and watchfulness in your relationships, ensuring they remain healthy and God-honoring? ([58:42])
7. Think about a specific distraction in your life that prevents you from focusing on Jesus. How can you minimize that distraction this week to deepen your relationship with Him? ([52:27])

Devotional

Day 1: Christ Elevates Us from Sinfulness
The Shulamite woman's modest self-appraisal and the groom's high estimation of her worth reflect how Christ elevates us from our sinfulness and bestows His righteousness upon us. This mutual delight symbolizes the profound love Christ has for us, making us beautiful in His eyes. Just as the groom sees the Shulamite as precious and valuable, Christ sees us through the lens of His sacrificial love, transforming our brokenness into beauty. This elevation from sin to righteousness is a testament to the transformative power of Christ's love, which redeems and restores us to our intended glory.

In our daily lives, we often struggle with feelings of unworthiness and inadequacy. However, Christ's love assures us that we are valued and cherished beyond measure. His righteousness covers our imperfections, and His love elevates us to a place of honor and dignity. Embracing this truth can profoundly impact our self-perception and our relationships with others, as we begin to see ourselves and others through the eyes of Christ's love. [37:59]

Isaiah 61:10 (ESV): "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."

Reflection: How can you remind yourself daily of Christ's love that elevates you from sinfulness to righteousness? What practical steps can you take to see yourself and others through the eyes of Christ's love?

Day 2: Patience and Self-Control in Love
The Shulamite's caution against premature sexual arousal emphasizes the importance of patience and self-control in love. This mirrors the need for proper timing and alignment with God's design for human relationships, ensuring that love is genuine and not prematurely awakened. In a world that often promotes instant gratification, the call to patience and self-control is countercultural but essential for healthy and God-honoring relationships.

Patience in love allows for the growth of deep, meaningful connections that are not solely based on physical attraction but are rooted in mutual respect and understanding. Self-control helps us to honor God's timing and design for love, ensuring that our relationships are built on a solid foundation. By exercising patience and self-control, we align ourselves with God's will and create space for His blessings to manifest in our relationships. [44:36]

1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 (ESV): "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor."

Reflection: In what areas of your relationships do you need to exercise more patience and self-control? How can you seek God's guidance to align your love life with His design?

Day 3: Anticipating Christ's Return
The groom's return and his invitation to the bride symbolize Christ's return for His church. Just as the bride waits patiently for the groom's return, Christians are called to wait patiently for Christ's return, living in anticipation and readiness for the full consummation of our union with Him. This anticipation shapes our daily lives, encouraging us to live in a manner that reflects our hope and readiness for Christ's return.

Living in anticipation of Christ's return means prioritizing our spiritual growth and maintaining a close relationship with Him. It involves being vigilant and prepared, knowing that our ultimate hope and fulfillment lie in our union with Christ. This perspective helps us navigate the challenges of life with a sense of purpose and direction, as we look forward to the day when we will be fully united with our Savior. [46:12]

Titus 2:13-14 (ESV): "Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works."

Reflection: How does the anticipation of Christ's return influence your daily decisions and actions? What steps can you take to live in a state of readiness and hope for His return?

Day 4: Vigilance in Relationships
The warning about the "little foxes" that can ruin blossoming love serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and sanctification in our relationships. Small issues, if left unchecked, can grow into significant problems, underscoring the need for constant watchfulness and maintenance in our marriages and relationships. Being vigilant means addressing issues promptly and seeking God's guidance to navigate challenges.

In relationships, it is often the small, seemingly insignificant issues that can cause the most damage if not addressed. By being vigilant and proactive, we can prevent these "little foxes" from ruining the love and harmony in our relationships. This requires open communication, humility, and a willingness to seek forgiveness and reconciliation. Through vigilance and sanctification, we can nurture healthy, thriving relationships that honor God. [49:14]

Song of Solomon 2:15 (ESV): "Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom."

Reflection: What "little foxes" in your relationships need to be addressed? How can you practice vigilance and sanctification to maintain healthy and God-honoring relationships?

Day 5: Divine Love Conditioning Human Love
This passage highlights the need for divine love to condition the proper expression of human love. The balance between sexual expression and self-control, guided by the Holy Spirit, ensures that our relationships reflect God's design and bring glory to Him. This divine conditioning helps us navigate the challenges of love and relationships in a fallen world.

Divine love serves as the foundation for all human relationships, providing the guidance and strength needed to love others as God intends. By allowing God's love to shape our actions and attitudes, we can express love in a way that is pure, selfless, and honoring to Him. This involves seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance and relying on His power to overcome the challenges and temptations we face in our relationships. [55:15]

1 John 4:7-8 (ESV): "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love."

Reflection: How can you allow God's divine love to condition your human relationships? What practical steps can you take to ensure that your love reflects God's design and brings glory to Him?

Quotes

### Quotes for outreach

1. "You know, as believers, we are the object of Christ's unfailing love. And we are beautiful in His eyes. We'll talk about that a little more coming up. But there is something beautiful here as the king's estimation of the Shulamite woman raises her up. It dignifies her and her beauty and sets her apart." [37:59] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "In other words, look at the love of God in Christ Jesus, and you'll feel a great sense of peace and contentment when you trust in Him alone, because you will be clothed in the righteousness of Christ. And that's the only righteousness that will stand the judgment of Almighty God." [51:30] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "As the Apostle John states, we love because He first loves us. And that rock was cleft for us so that we might find ourselves in the cleft of the rock. At every turn, this passage foreshadows the gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ." [53:00] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "And the beauty of the dualism of this book is that we can drink deeply, just as much as anyone else, of the love of God for us in Christ Jesus, because it's all over the book. And so from a heavenly perspective, this passage foreshadows the gospel of Jesus Christ." [53:30] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "And the beauty of this passage is God's determined, relentless love for lowly sinners, as portrayed in the love of the groom for the bride. And I go back to the apparent interruptions in this passage. Verses 7 and 15." [54:50] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for members

1. "Marriage is hard. It takes work and a sober spirit. Otherwise, a couple would just go their own way. It's much easier to give up. It's much easier not to see the reality of the fact that we need each other, and God put us together for a reason." [58:42] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "And the charge that she's giving to herself as well as all the other young women in the court is that you should not allow yourself to be aroused sexually until the proper time and the person arrives for you. Very important." [44:36] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The beauty of this passage is God's determined, relentless love for lowly sinners, as portrayed in the love of the groom for the bride. And I go back to the apparent interruptions in this passage. Verses 7 and 15." [54:50] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "And one other thing that it teaches, I believe, is our constant need for sanctification and watchfulness. I think verse 15 says that, the Lord would say to us, catch the little foxes that ruin the vineyards. Don't wait." [57:01] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "And the beauty of the dualism of this book is that we can drink deeply, just as much as anyone else, of the love of God for us in Christ Jesus, because it's all over the book. And so from a heavenly perspective, this passage foreshadows the gospel of Jesus Christ." [53:30] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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