A Glimpse of Glory!

Part 4 of 5

Has your heart been adequately bathed in God's truth? Have you realized His wooing potential? In our brief study, my heart has been broken and bathed by the intense desire that God has for His people! It simply amazes me the great lengths that He goes to in order to ensure the proper response from us. It brings me to tears as I ponder His endless and forceful seeking of our affections! He wants to secure the willingness of His bride, and He goes to such great lengths to lovingly do so.. It's a beautiful thing. This is one reason why Scripture can say, "God is love" (1 Jn 4:8). He is the very epitome of affection!

We've seen Him delicately act in the life of the Shulamite woman as she grows and progresses from refusal to willingness. Early in the book, she asks the Lord to "turn" from her (Song 2:17). For a variety of reasons, she is not willing to "rise up and come away" (Song 2:10). However, some chapters later, she suddenly cries out to God and reveals her true heart: "I will get me to the mountain of myrrh... (Song 4:6)! Myrrh, being a burial spice, speaks of death! The Shulamite will soon be willing to decrease and die, and "put on the Lord Jesus" (Rom 13:14), even that "new man" which was born from above (Eph 2:4). She will soon finally be ready to give Jesus His rightful preeminence (Col 1:18). But what will cause this dramatic transition? Why the change? We've seen it to be because of a variety of divine reasons. In short, God was all the while wooing her! He used such methods as remedial judgment (Song 3:1-4), as well as His trials and dealings (Song 3:6). But what more?

Next, we will see the Lord Jesus wooing her via a glimpse of His glory! Oh how grateful we are for His glorious and divine effulgence: That great and holy presence that so wholly wins us over! Many a hardened man has been brought to tears by a simple breeze of the Holy Ghost. Many a rebellious man has surrendered under the weight of God's presence. And it is no different with the Shulamite, nor with you and I. A true visitation from God will most always be the counsel and cure to drive "Christian complacency" far from our dwellings! "Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered" (Ps 68:1). Perhaps this lack contributes to the current awful state of the world? Perhaps the earth has not been won because they have not seen God's glory adequately evident in His people (Rom 8:18-20)?

We see this further in the life of the prophet Isaiah. Once he gets a glimpse of God's glory and greatness, he can barely find words, much less continue any potential rebelliousness he may have possessed: "In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple... Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts... Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me" (Isa 6:1-8). May any similar complacency flee from our hearts as we get a glimpse of God in His glory, as Isaiah did!

Notice with me the similar instance in our current study, concerning the life of the emerging bride. Friend, we must notice that this occurrence is one of God's methods utilized to birth a bridal response.

"Behold his bed, which is Solomon's; threescore valiant men are about it, of the valiant of Israel. They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night. King Solomon made himself a chariot of the wood of Lebanon. He made the pillars thereof of silver, the bottom thereof of gold, the covering of it of purple, the midst thereof being paved with love, for the daughters of Jerusalem. Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon with the crown wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals, and in the day of the gladness of his heart" (Song 3:7-11).

Here, the Shulamite gets a glimpse of God in His glory, as He rides upon a chariot. The type is found in Solomon, who possessed a "palanquin", or a "bed, couch, or vehicle". As the remainder of the verses display, this chariot was very ornate, and priceless. This demonstrates the greatness of its owner, who was typical of Jesus. We will also see what this chariot is made of, and how it contributes to the glory of God that is now being displayed. We must recognize that as the Shulamite beholds the vessel that the King rides upon, she is seeing a glimpse of the spiritual glories of King Jesus that will propel her onward and upward. God is teaching her these spiritual truths to more fully convince her heart to follow Him. She catches a glimpse of the glories of God, as well as the subsequent comforts and joys of the believer who is pressing on (Phil 3:14)! Observe:

- It was surrounded by the valiant of Israel (vs. 7-8): This glimpse of glory not only revealed the heart of God, but also showed the security that His upward journey possessed. Before, she was very apprehensive, possibly even fearful. But notice the comfort the Lord gives her as He seeks to solicit an opposite response: "Behold his bed, which is Solomon's; threescore valiant men are about it, of the valiant of Israel. They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night" (Song 3:7). In other words, as she chooses to go deeper with God, she will be protected. There is not fear to be had! The many valiant men around Solomon (Jesus) denote the secure greatness of Him and His eternal covenant.

- It was made of the wood of Lebanon (vs. 9): Wood in Scripture signifies humanity; men are constantly likened to trees (Ps 92:12). The cedars from Lebanon were very costly, and here they reference Jesus' humanity: The vigorous growth, utility, fragrance, and beauty of these noble trees, set forth the life, character, and destiny of the Lord of Hosts! Interestingly, the temple of Solomon was made of cedar, whereas the tabernacle of Moses was made of shittim wood. Therefore, the temple trumps the tabernacle in glory! And so it is with this "vessel" as well: It is far more glorious than any other! Thus our response should be one of willing acceptance.

- It had pillars of silver (vs. 10): On this chariot, the pillars are what held the canopy in its place, in order to protect its riders from outside and external influences (such as harsh sunlight, bad weather, etc). Spiritually, it's pillars are of silver, which consistently signifies redemption, or "the price of a soul" (Lev 5:15; 27:3-6; Exod 30:11-16; 1 Cor 3:12-15; 1 Pet 1:18-20; Matt 27:3-9; etc). Therefore, the glory of Jesus' character possesses strong, firm, supportive (Jer 1:18), and pure (Ps 12:6) redemption! What a manifold glimpse this must have been for the Shulamite! What an easy choice this should be! Come up higher!

- It's bottom was of gold (vs. 10): Gold signifies kingship and the divine nature (Rev 14:14; Song 5:11; Matt 2:11; Acts 17:29; 1 Cor 3:12; Mal 3:3; etc). These attributes are the foundation ("bottom") of this chariot, even as Jesus is the golden bottom of the Gospel, the sum and substance of it, and the principal subject in it to be insisted on. He is laid in it as the bottom, ground, and foundation of faith and hope. Only a fool would resist such a glorious wooing!

- A covering of purple (vs. 10): In Scripture, purple signifies royalty and wealth (Lk 16:19; Jdg 8:26; Rev 18:12-16; Jn 19:1-5; Mk 15:17-20; Song 7:5). Such was the "covering" of this chariot. Holy and royal blood is to be our shelter from divine wrath! This was displayed to the Shulamite woman, and is to be ours too. As we partake of this higher calling, our needs will be surely met. There is no reason to neglect God; there is no fear to be had. Follow Him!

- An interior paved with love (vs. 10): This is in contrast to the tables of stone in the "midst" of the ark, covered with the writings of stern command. What a glorious and opposite assurance the Shulamite is receiving here! "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ" (Jn 1:17). She is promised the perfect and graceful love of God, even in the midst of troubles and shortcoming: "he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him" (1 Jn 4:16). If nothing else would draw her nearer, surely this would, right? The exterior silver and gold, cedar, purple, and valiant guards, may not fully capture her heart, but when the bride enters within, she rests on a pavement of love. And this is the icing on the cake!

- It carried a crowned King (vs. 11)! And oh what a beautiful invitation we have here, as we conclude. The crown is significant of utmost dominion and authority! And how awesome that He who is highest and most glorious is wooing us today! The crowned King is asking this reluctant believer to come up higher; come up and ride with me upon this chariot-bed. How could she resist? How could we? How could she say no to the absolute experiential security, peace, purity, and love that this journey will provide her? Only a fool would neglect further (Matt 25:1-13).

Thus we see the many apprehensions that have been conquered by a real and glorious encounter with God. Fear, apathy, carnal reasoning, etc. have been progressively crushed out of the Shulamite's heart; she is even now encouraging others to partake: "Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon..." (Song 3:11)! What a fruitful wooing! And what a marvelous existence that will be hers as this emerging bride chooses to go deeper with King Jesus! As we see such wonders, will we go deeper too?

To be continued...

Deal or No Deal..

Part 3 of 5

What wondrous tools we have seen that are utilized by our Lord in wooing and winning His people to Himself. What a marvellous thing that we can begin this great journey in rebellion, selfishness, and reluctance, yet progress on this journey into real Godly submission, selflessness, and adoration! For those who truly desire the depths of God, real growth will occur. I cannot but marvel at the gracious and fruitful wooing of our Savior! He is so good to us!

We've been discovering the many different methods that the Lord uses in accomplishing this eternal purpose. So far, we've seen that it is our choice; we must be willing to go onward and upward. Forced love is not love at all. Forced submission is not submission at all! Rather, we are to be as Paul, "willing to live honestly" (Heb 13:18). Secondly, we have seen how the Lord's judgments will birth a proper response in His people. This is because His judgments are always remedial, that is, they are given with the intent to teach a lesson and provoke a proper reaction, similar to how a father disciplines (judges) his child. These truths, as we have seen, are birthing a bridal heart in the Shulamite woman; they are provoking her towards a change of mind (Song 4:6) - the opposite of which she once possessed earlier in the book (Song 2:17). Oh how necessary this is! And how grateful we are that God has given us the keys!

Today, let's observe yet another tool that is utilized to this glorious end: the dealings of God. Strangely, though this idea is a constant theme throughout Scripture, pastors and teachers of the Word do not readily speak of it as they should, and consequently, believers are unprepared and ill-equipped for the challenges associated with living as a true and influential Christian.

How do the dealings of God work in the life of the Shulamite woman? How do they influence her decision to go further with Jesus, that is coming in chapter 4? It's a beautiful process. Let's remember, these truths are typical of God's methods with us, as He draws us nearer: "Now ALL THESE THINGS happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for OUR admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come" (1 Cor 10:11).

The Bible clearly gives us the Shulamite's current problem: "Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, TURN, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether" (Song 2:17).

But it also provides us with the solution (one of many, of which we have seen): "Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?" (Song 3:6). One given solution, of which this verse informs us, is the dealings of God. Observe with me how this verse speaks to us of such dealings, that is, the trials of our faith and the personal self-sacrifices that cause us to grow up.. This is the place we find the bride as she is emerging from her refusal.

Of course the fact that she is found with God in the "wilderness" is evidence enough for our current discussion. The wilderness (spiritually) is the place of God's dealings, trials, and tribulations. Of the wilderness, Scripture says, "And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no" (Deut 8:2).

The remainder of this verse lends us toward the same truth: Smoke in Scripture is usually symbolic of the presence of God (Exod 13:21-22; 19:18; Joel 2:29-31; Num 14:14; Deut 1:33; etc). This smoke , however, also may reference that which wafted up from the burning sacrifice (Exod 29:18, 45; Lev 1:9), or in our case, the evidence of a spiritual sacrifice, a spiritual death (Rom 12:1-2; Phil 4:18; Jn 12:3-8). Secondly, Myrrh is a burial spice and references death as well, or in our case, spiritual death: John the Baptizer said, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (Jn 3:30). Myrrh is continually referenced as the "scent" of Jesus, He in whom true death was displayed: "And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour" (Eph 5:2; Ps 45:8; Jer 48:11; Matt 2:11; Heb 6:20). The word myrrh actually means "bitter". Thirdly, frankincense was also a spice that was used at the altar, thus also referencing sacrifice and death (Lev 2:1-2; 6:15; etc). It also references prayerful communion, as we see in the book of Revelation (5:8). Finally, the powders of the merchant were those which composed the differing scents. These spices were crushed, and thus made powders. Can't we see the further symbolic significance here? Such a "crushing" is to be our testimony too: "As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter" (Rom 8:36).

Many are confused with these verses. Readers seem to be divided over who is speaking, and of whom it is speaking. I believe this verse is speaking of Solomon and his lover, who was obviously typical of Jesus (Lk 11:31) and His bride (Eph 5:32). I believe she found the Lord in the wilderness, in the very place where she initially refused to go. As it was in Jesus' day, when you leave the Lord Jesus you must go back to the place you left Him (Lk 2:41-46). In the Shulamite's case, this place was the wilderness: the place of real sacrifice (Exod 3:18); the place of God's dealing (Lk 4:1). Once she obeyed the Lord and repented, she was then thrust back into His presence (smoke), and His presence was apparently in the wilderness: "Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?" (Song 3:6).

You see, the dealings of God are a GOOD thing! As is evident from the activity of the Shulamite, such dealings and trials come our way even when we're right and repentant with God. I dare say that such trials come our way especially when we're right with God! As it was with the Shulamite, He is actually leading us there: "Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her" (Hos 2:14; Ezek 20:10). The "wilderness" has a job to do (Ezek 20:35-36; Rev 12:6). Many will say that if something doesn't feel good then it cannot be beneficial, or from the Lord. But is this entirely true? To be honest, we weren't ever meant to know the difference between good and evil: "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it" (Gen 2:17). Such knowledge has led us to label "tough times" as from Satan, and "good times" as from God. But again, is this entirely true? No. I'm here to tell you that pleasures and abundance do not possess an automatic relation to the blessing of God. The church at Laodicea makes that pretty obvious (Rev 3).

In the case of the Shulamite, we can readily see that the dealings of God are not reserved for those who are evil! These trials were not her punishment! We saw yesterday how her judgment had come and gone. Now, because she had chosen Jesus, trials came her way: "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Tim 3:12). If God is dealing with you, it means you are in a good place. Are you surprised? Wouldn't you rather God deal with you than leave you alone to yourself? I sure would! The Shulamite apparently had repented of her shortcoming, and was found immersed in the glory once again (Song 3:4). So why is she automatically struck with the dealings of God (Song 3:6)? Friend, it's because God's dealings are to perfect us. His dealings are what we NEED! Why are we so afraid of them? Look what they did for the Shulamite! They eventually birthed a proper response! Scripture tells us that such dealings are the road to great glory: "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Cor 4:17). And again Scripture testifies, "For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby" (Heb 12:10-11).

How wonderful that these dealings serve a glorious and fruitful purpose: "Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word" (Ps 119:67).

Let it be so with us, dear Jesus! We welcome your purifying flame!

To be continued...

Remedial Judgment..

Part 2 of 5

The life of the Shulamite woman is surely a typical mine of truth for those who are willing to study. There are several significant events that occur in her story that have dramatic and life-altering results. In chapters 2-4, something happens to her spiritual life that causes her to completely change her course of action and mode of thought. As we saw recently, she went from refusal in chapter 2, to surrender in chapter 4. She went from neglect to embrace, and from avoidance to devotion. Was she then perfect? No, as is evident from the remainder of the book. But the choice had been made; she had decided to give God her all, even though it may be a bumpy ride. Her inward desire was soon to overcome her shallow actions. Her life choices were soon to follow the directions of her heart. How wonderful! But how did this start? And why the dramatic change? If we can answer these questions, what a mine of truth indeed! And how appropriate for our Laodicean church age! These truths give us insight into loving God more! How did it happen to the Shulamite woman? How can it happen to us?

The first event we saw was her refusal of God's longing for greater relation. She asked the Lord to depart. It is indeed possible to avoid this higher calling, as the Shulamite woman, and the daughters of Jerusalem, clearly demonstrate.

The second event that transpires during this journey is a result of the first event. We have previously seen the possibility of neglecting this higher calling, but now we will see the reaction that Jesus has to one who makes such a choice: judgment! Simply said, He departs. Notice what occurs directly after she asks Him to turn: "By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not" (Song 3:1).

God was "divinely absent" from her. Had He altogether left her? No. He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb 13:5). However, He did withdraw His glory from her. Because of her direct disobedience, Jesus withdrew the lovely manifestation that she was before experiencing and accustomed to. As it was said of Hezekiah, "God left him, to try him, that He might know all that was in his heart" (2 Chron 32:31). Truly the absence of Jesus' manifestation will give way to humility, will put an extra edge upon one's spiritual hunger, and will furnish a field for faith to fully put forth itself!

Let's recognize that this "divine absence" was the Lord's judgment for her refusal to go onward and upward. Maybe you have experienced this in your own life? How wonderful to know, however, that (for the people of God) judgment is always remedial! Remedial judgment is judgment that occurs with the purpose of affording a remedy! It's aim is not to punish, but to teach. How merciful! Aren't you grateful? Dear reader, let us understand that judgment is not necessarily a bad thing! It's a shocking thought, I know.

Over and over the Scriptures testify of this truth. Isaiah prophesied, "And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin: And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city" (Isa 1:25-26). God's judgements are always remedial. They are remedial because it is never judgment for judgment's sake. Rather, the judgment of God is to birth a repentant response! This is why Jesus could say, "my judgment is just" (Jn 5:30). Again the Bible says, "...He shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked" (Isa 11:3-4).

Even though it may have been difficult, this "judgment" was very beneficial to the emerging bride. God actually allows such judgment and heartache to birth a change in her. The same is so with you and me! This is called bringing forth "judgment unto TRUTH" (Isa 42:3)! He allowed such divine judgment so that it would birth a deeper response; an obedient response. And it worked!

"The watchmen that go about the city found me: to whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth? It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go..." (Song 3:3-4).

This time, she "would not let Him go"! What a transformation that remedial judgments will produce! She has gone from "separation" to ADORATION! Don't you want that to be your testimony too?

How wonderful that these truths are developing the heart of a bride in her! These truths are slowly giving her the testimony: "his wife hath made herself ready" (Rev 19:7)!

But it isn't over yet!

To be continued...

The Progression of Bridal Passions..

Part 1 of 5

Have you ever considered the vast differing array of passion we have present in the body of Christ? Believers sometimes seem to be polar opposites of one another in terms of love and devotion for their Creator! This schism is more than a difference in maturity levels; it's a difference in response (Jn 7:31-32; Jer 5:3-5; Prov 17:16; Matt 11:16-19; etc); it's a difference in love (Lk 7:47; Matt 10:37; Jn 21:15-17; Phil 1:9; 1 Jn 3:18; etc)! How can that be? Well, if it weren't possible to love God partially, then why are we continually exhorted to love Him with the "WHOLE heart" (Ps 9:1; 86:12; 111:1; Deut 6:5; 10:12; etc)? If such radical and "whole heart" devotion were automatic upon salvation, then Scripture would not say things like "LET US go on unto perfection" (Heb 6:1-3), and the corporate church would not be in the state that it now is. As hard as that may be to receive, it's true. It was true in Jesus' day, and things are no different now. Jesus continually had believers with differing levels of devotion following Him: Jesus had the multitudes (who came to be blessed, and then went home), then He had the 70, then the 12 disciples, then the 3 disciples who were consistently around Him (Peter, James, and John), and then the 1 disciple (John) who laid his head upon Jesus' bosom (representative of real intimacy). How interesting that this disciple (John) received "the Revelation of Jesus Christ". Friend, this is no coincidence.

But WHY are there some believers who are so completely radical and sold out for Jesus, and then some who could seemingly care less? What is the difference? Why the division? I do not believe it is a matter of the saved and the lost, but rather, I believe it's a matter of devotion and lukewarmness (Rev 3). There were 12 disciples, yet a few who were specially devoted. Were the others lost and hell-bound? Of course not. This is a matter of differing devotion. WHY does this exist?

As always, our answer is found in God's great Book!

Thankfully, the Song of Solomon gives us a glimpse (in type) into the progressive emergence of bridal passions that the people of God are to increasingly possess. The Shulamite woman begins her journey reluctantly. She desires God (Song 1:2), but chooses to neglect His wooing to greater intimacy. He asks her to rise up and to come away (Song 2:10-14), but she says no; she asks Him to turn from her: "Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, TURN, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether" (Song 2:17). "Bether" means "separation". However, a couple chapters later we see her changing her tune. She says, "Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I WILL GET ME to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense" (Song 4:6).

This will be the foundation for our brief study. What causes the Shulamite to begin with reluctance, yet end with passion? What transpires between chapter 2 and chapter 4 that births such a dramatic transformation? We will find out. As we consider the many different divine influences God used to win her heart, we can see the beautiful growth progression of bridal passions, which are to be formed in us as well, as we daily respond to the grace of God.

The following outline is what contributes to the Shulamite's passionate declaration in Song of Solomon 4:6:

(1) A conscious choice
(2) Remedial judgment
(3) The dealings of God
(4) A glimpse of God in glory
(5) The revelation of His affection

These 5 truths, as they are experienced in the life of the Shulamite woman, are just the very things that WIN her heart and cause her to be abandoned unto the Lord! How beautiful. How neccessary!

The first thing we must seek to understand is the Shulamite's personal ability to refuse or accept going onward and upward with Jesus. If we do not ever recognize our potential to deviate from such a divine pursuit, we will never be able to recognize the dire need that we are in control of. Our justification of course is free, but subsequent to justification we must press into fullness! This is clearly exhibited by the Shulamite being highlighted out from among the other "daughters of Jerusalem". These daughters did not press in at all, and even questioned the Shulamite's fervency after God, yet they were indeed saved (Song 1:2-3; 4). We each have a personal responsibility to go onward and upward, as is clearly evident from the testimony of Scripture: "My soul is continually in MY hand: yet do I not forget thy law" (Ps 119:109). Again the psalmist said, "Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts" (Ps 119:173).

Notice with me further the testimony that Scripture lends toward this great truth:

- Queen Vashti refused to come at the King's command. Esther, however, was willing. She is a type of the bride of Christ (Est 1:10-12; 2:17). The Bible says that Vashti's royal estate was to be given to another "that is better than she" (1:19).

- When searching for a bride for Isaac (a clear type of Christ - Gen 22:2), the woman had to be willing. If she was not willing, she could not be Isaac's bride: "And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath"(Gen 24:8).

- In the book of Revelation, it tells us that this bride "hath made herself ready" (Rev 19:7). Clearly, a conscious and willing choice was involved in this sanctification process (Jn 3:30; Gal 4:19). Paul said to "LET this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who... became obedient unto death" (Phil 2:5-8). Reader, we are not speaking of a "works Gospel", but rather of a "responsive Gospel". It is a great deception to think that we can live in the grace of God nonchalantly. Rather, His Gospel is one of purposeful forward motion.

As the Shulamite eventually does, let's choose to go onward and upward!

But what was her motivation? How did she change?

To be continued..

Doves' Eyes

"Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes" (Song 1:15).

What a field of divine treasure we would miss if we limited God's Word to it's natural circumstance! What a blessing we would avoid if we neglected His deeper truths! In fact, Scripture itself identifies the complexity and density of meaning that God's Word possesses: "Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge?" (Prov 22:20). The word "excellent" here actually means "threefold; weighty". There is at least a three-fold application of God's Word: it possesses a natural and literal significance, a spiritual significance, and a prophetic significance. Friend, we should seek each and every application, not only those of which we are accustomed to. Why should we neglect God's counsel here? Let's seek His weighty truth! The Psalmist has rightly said, "thy commandment is exceeding broad" (Ps 119:96)! Oh what a wonder!

Such is so regarding the above verse, from the Song of Solomon. So many believers limit the Song of Solomon to a natural love story, and while this is true and beneficial, don't you see more? If Paul likened the union of Christ and His church to that of a husband and wife (Eph 5:25-32), shouldn't we search the Scriptures to see the many aspects of this relationship? Of course. Paul's metaphor was not for a vain reason! It was divinely inspired.

What are doves' eyes, and what do they have to do with the bride who "hath made herself ready" (Rev 19:7)? As always, there is much to be discovered and gleaned for the serious Bible student.

Naturally speaking, the doves of Syria had very large eyes, and many think this to be the meaning of the compliment given by Solomon to his lover, the Shulamite woman. "She must have had such remarkably fine eyes", according to many Bible expositors. But is that all we are to receive from this verse of Scripture? I don't believe so. How does this glorious attribute apply to One "greater than Solomon" (Lk 11:31), and to the bride that He is longing to possess, as is clearly typified by Solomon and his Shulamite lover? Let's see..

(1) Interestingly, doves are able to see a remarkable 300 degrees peripherally. However, they are only able to focus on one thing at a time. Can't we determine the obvious spiritual significance of this truth? "One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple" (Ps 27:4). And again we read concerning Mary's attendance to the Word of God, "But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her" (Lk 10:42). And finally concerning Paul the Bible says, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:13-14). How appropriate then that this attribute is to be applied to the emerging bride of Christ! Such a forward focus is to be her goal.. Such a single-eyed devotion is to be her prize and possession.

(2) The second attribute concerning doves' eyes is related to the first. A dove, once it has begun its focus on its mate, is not easily distracted; doves mate for life! Once they have decided on something to behold, they are able to keep their gaze forever, whereas most other birds are fleeting. How wonderful that God Himself attributes this characteristic to the bride of Christ. She too is continually and steadfastly tending to Jesus, no matter what distractions and "other lovers" may come her way. She simply cannot look away. When other lovers appear to entice her, she remains faithful.. The world may ask "what is thy beloved more than another beloved, O thou fairest among women? what is thy beloved more than another beloved, that thou dost so charge us?" (Song 5:9). But her answer will faithfully be "My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand" (Song 5:10)! Such is the heart of the true bride; she is the personification of faithfulness: "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil" (Prov 31:10-11). Another translation reads, "Her husband trusts her with all his heart, and he does not lack anything good" (Prov 31:11, GWT). How can this bride posses such a marvelous quality? Because her "eyes" have been enlightened! "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints" (Eph 1:17-18).

(3) Our brief study would not be complete without seeing the conflicting eyes that this bride is distinguished from. The bride's "doves' eyes" are in sharp contrast to "a high look" (Ps 101:5), an "evil eye" (Matt 20:15), and "eyes full of adultery" (2 Pet 2:14). What a precious and honorable comparison!

May the Lord delicately work this attribute into all of our lives.

A Channel or a Recipient?

The first time the word "rich" is found in Scripture is concerning Abram. Of him the Bible says, "And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold" (Gen 13:2). Many would say that Abram was blessed of God, and I completely agree. However, it is interesting that this Hebrew word for "rich" also means, "heavy"... "Abram was very heavy in cattle, in silver, and in gold". This Hebrew word is also translated "grievous" 8 times, "sore" 4 times, and "hard" 4 times. It is a known fact that such riches can actually become a "heavy", "grievous" or "sore" burden! Actually, Scripture tells us that they who are "increased" do load themselves up with "thick clay" (Hab 2:6).

Of course, God's blessing, in and of itself, is never to be a burden (Prov 10:22), but the effect of His blessing can indeed become burdensome and "heavy" if we are irresponsible and disobedient with it. A material gain can quickly turn sour if taken down a carnal route. The attitude of the child of God should never be that of a hoarder! The words "me, me, me, mine, my..." should not be so consistent in our vocabularies. Rather, because the love of God courses through our veins, we should be continually willing to disperse God's blessing to those around us in need (Acts 2:44; 4:32). If we ignore such Godly convictions, our material gains will no doubt become as "thick clay" in our greedy hands: heavy, dirty, and burdensome!

I have constantly noticed that God's people are often taught to be the sole recipient of blessing rather than the channel of blessing. Which would you rather be? The "blessee" or the "blesser"? Perhaps we shouldn't answer that question out loud ;) Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive.

I want to briefly look at a story in Scripture, which will show us the reasons why we're to be blessed. Isn't that an important detail? Shouldn't we be concerned with God's motives for increasing us? It may come as a shock to some that God's bountiful blessing is usually for a higher and divine purpose, rather than to simply pad our wallets.

The story is found in Exodus 12. When the Hebrews left the bondage of Egypt, the Bible says they took great spoils with them: "And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians" (Exod 12:35-36).

How awesome that the people of God, who were once bound as slaves to the Egyptians, were now in possession of riches! What a wonderful blessing! However, if we keep reading, we will discover the reason why God caused the Egyptians to hand over their goods. Was it for them to live in the lap of luxury? Was it so that they could possess slaves of their own one day? Not at all. Rather, it was to furnish the building of the coming tabernacle (Exod 35-36)! Notice that in Exodus 12:36, part of the verse reads "so that they lent unto them such things as they required..." These good were required to construct the "church in the wilderness", after the pattern later shown to Moses (Exod 25:40). The people to whom these materials were entrusted to knew they were simply the channels by which provision would come. They were not the sole recipients of the blessing.

When the Lord's people are put into the possession of such riches, it is because the Lord has need of them. How gracious that the Hebrews "offered willingly". And as former slaves, what a temptation it must have been to hide a bit away! But they did not. They knew that they were to be the channel of blessing, not only the recipient! In fact, the Hebrews had to be restrained of their giving, because they were giving too much (Exod 36:6)! Wow! Today, people often must be constrained and begged to give. But then, the people had to be restrained! What a sad contrast.

In my opinion, the body of Christ is in lack today because there are redeemed ones who hoard the blessing. They are not liberal, but real love is ALWAYS liberal (1 Jn 3:17)! This is how the early church functioned. Each of them was a channel to spread God's blessing to the next; they literally had all things common. What a wonderful testimony! And we wonder why we don't possess the qualities the early church did? It seems obvious to me. Extravagant devotion to God and to your neighbor will birth an extravagant response by God (signs and wonders)! We cannot be idle in most areas of Christianity and expect an explosion of favor in another. This is why Paul encourages us toward "ALL the counsel of God" (Acts 20:27).

Dear reader, may we never be a mere recipient of God's blessing, be it His love, glory, favor, mercy, material gain, etc. Such a person does not possess an inner heart after God. But may we be as that bread broken by the Lord Jesus: He took the bread, he blessed it, he broke it, AND THEN HE GAVE IT OUT. What a precious example for us to follow. Such is the only means by which the multitudes of Earth's people will be won and fed (Mk 6:41-42). When they see a people who are willing to lay down their very lives for their neighbor, they will SEE the love of God (1 Jn 3:16)! "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (Jn 13:35).

Grace! Grace!

Friend, never forget that the grace of God is one of the most strong, efficacious and abundant wonders in the universe! Often times, we are so overwhelmed and bombarded by the apparent power of sin in our lives, that we never stop to consider that God's grace is actually stronger than our sin! It's true..

The Bible says, "But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many" (Rom 5:15)..

It goes to say: "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous" (Rom 5:19).

Here is another translation: "There is no comparison between God's gift and Adam's failure. If humanity died as the result of one person's failure, it is certainly true that God's kindness and the gift given through the kindness of one person, Jesus Christ, have been showered on humanity... It is certain that death ruled because of one person's failure. It's even more certain that those who receive God's overflowing kindness and the gift of his approval will rule in life because of one person, Jesus Christ" (Rom 5:15, 17; GWT).

Can you see what is happening here? The grace of God is exponentially stronger than the power of sin! Even though Adam's trespass birthed the entire human race into federal sin and darkness (Ps 51:5; 58:3; Gen 5:3), Jesus, the last Adam, has supplied a new evident power that wonderfully outweighs the first. It's called grace! The grace of God is so effective, in fact, that it's able to completely reverse the effects of sin for all peoples! His grace literally tramples Adam's sin (our sin)! "To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" (Eph 1:6-7). The efficacy is astounding! In Adam many were made sinners, but in Christ Jesus many shall be made righteous! This isn't only a covering over of sin, but rather a complete eradication of sin! This is the power of His cross! Such overwhelming grace is to be our divine possession; We aren't expected to live in defeat. Aren't you grateful? Oh what a wonder He is!

"Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it" (Zech 4:7).

The Foundation..

I love how Old Testament truths convey such deep meaning for New Testament saints. It really makes me marvel at the cohesiveness of Scripture. It truly is a miraculous book! One such case is found concerning the foundation of Moses' tabernacle. Have you ever considered this foundation?

Exodus 30 tells us that every man was asked to give a shekel as an atonement for his soul (vs. 15). What was this shekel for? Well, in Exodus 38, we see that these shekels had a divine purpose. These shekels were to be made into "sockets", in which the boards (walls) of the tabernacle were to stand upon. These sockets were the foundation which held the rest of the tabernacle in place. Do you realize the implications here? It's beautiful!

The foundation of the tabernacle was "atonement"! That which was given as "atonement money" was later used as the foundation for "the church in the wilderness" (Acts 7:38)! This Old Testament "church" literally stood upon atonement. Just as the tabernacle had no standing or support of its own, but relied upon these atoning sockets, so does the church today have no true foundation apart from the atoning blood.

It has been said that this may have been the viewpoint Peter was speaking from when he said, "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you" (1 Pet 1:18-20).

Oh how much more secure is this "foundation of atonement" now in our New Covenant era! To deny this foundation is most unwise! To deny our Lord's atoning blood is to refuse the ONLY true foundation laid upon which true worship and acceptable service are built: "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Cor 3:11). His is the ONLY sure foundation; a tried and precious cornerstone (Isa 28:16)!

How grateful we are today that no matter where we may find ourselves, this atoning-blood foundation always "standeth sure" (2 Tim 2:19)!

The Standard of Righteousness..

Many today seem to possess a sort of "watered-down" approach to the Gospel and to the righteousness that it speaks of. Friend, let's recognize this is no casual righteousness. The holiness that Jesus continually accredited during His earthly ministry is to be taken very seriously. True Gospel righteousness is never to be tainted with purposeful and outright lasciviousness; it is never to be a perverted form of abused grace. May we gag on such greasy grace! Many misinterpret God's grace as a substitute for holiness, when, in actuality, grace is the avenue towards holiness. The word "grace" means, "the divine influence upon the heart; divine enablement". May we never casually declare "Well, God paid it all, so let us eat, drink and be merry!" The fruit of genuine justification is never to be a going backward or a remaining stagnant. On the contrary, the fruit of real salvation is to be the birthing of a forward hope! Paul has said, "Therefore being justified by faith, we ...rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Rom 5:1-2).

The hope we have is eternal, substantial and real (Heb 6:18-19), as opposed to the passing hopes of the unregenerate: "For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?" (Job 27:8; Isa 45:16).

We must understand, however, that such a forward and hopeful progression is easily halted when we, as believers, decide to abuse the grace of God and consciously live in sin. Jude references this type of person in his epistle: "These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots" (Jd 12).

Jesus also spoke of this type of person, and the result of such negligent behavior: "And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection" (Lk 8:14).

So just what is the measure of righteousness the Bible tells us to pursue? You may be surprised:

"...for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness" (Rom 6:19).

In other words, let the surrender of your members to holiness be as abandoned, radical, sincere and unrestrained as your surrender to sin once was! Looking back upon the heartiness with which you served sin, and the gross lengths you went through to be stimulated, now should we possess similar zeal and similar exuberance in the service of a better Master! WOW! Can we even imagine such a radically obedient life? Can we comprehend the implications of being fully given over to righteousness? Thank God that His grace is our empowerment.

Paul goes on to say, "For when you were the servants of of sin, ye were free from righteousness" (Rom 6:20).

In other words, when we were in the world, our minds were wholly set upon worldly things. We were "free from righteousness" because we were fully given over to sin and carnality, even as a slave to sin. BUT NOW, let it be just the opposite. As we inhabit our new kingdom, let us be servants to righteousness. As a servant, we will (by definition) give all of our attendance to righteousness, even to the same extent as we previously gave attendance to sin.

The Bible encourages such radical obedience, and for good reason! As we choose to obey, real fruit is formed. As we choose to devote ourelves wholly to Jesus, real and evident holiness comes forth: "now being made free from sin, and become SERVANTS to God, ye have your fruit unto HOLINESS and everlasting life" (Rom 6:22).

Do you want to be holy? Real personal holiness is simply the fruit that is birthed from a position of sincere devotion (see Ps 92:12-14). As we obey the Word of God, we bear "fruit unto holiness". In other words, as we willingly and lovingly turn our faces to Jesus, His grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts (Tit 2:11-12). All He asks of us is our surrender!

The Tabernacle of Witness..

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

"Ye are my witnesses..." (Isa 43:10).

What does it mean to be a "witness"? What do we automatically think about when we read these verses of Scripture? Do we think about roaming from house to house, passing out Gospel tracks, hoping to make a difference in someones life? For the most part, we have been taught that this is what encompasses being "a witness" for the Lord Jesus; this "witnessing" is the accepted exercise that "witnesses" perform... But is this accurate?

Proponents of this idea often quote Matthew 28:19: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost". Again, is this verse a "witnessing" method that infers how to win souls? I do not believe so. This word "teach" means, "to make disciples". Therefore, this verse does not necessarily instruct us HOW to win souls, but rather, our course of action AFTER they have come into the kingdom.

So what does it mean to be a "witness"?

In the Old Testament, the tabernacle was called the "tabernacle of witness". The Bible says, "Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen" (Acts 7:44; Num 17:7-8; 18:2; 2 Chron 24:6). How could a single, lone-standing & voiceless structure be a "witness"? Because being a "witness" really has nothing to do with our carnal efforts! It doesn't necessarily have much to do with going door to door to invite people to become Christians. Are you surprised? While this exercise of course is noble, it isn't necessarily what the Lord Jesus had in mind when He spoke these words in Acts 1:8: "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me..."

So what defines a true witness? As we look to the tabernacle, we can easily determine why it was divinely given such a label, "the tabernacle of witness". In fact, Jesus' words (in Acts, the Gospels, and elsewhere) were most likely borrowed from this label, which had been assigned to the tabernacle thousands of years before. Let's observe just a few qualities of this "witness":

- First of all, the tabernacle of witness contained the revealed presence of God (Exod 40:33-35; Lev 16:2; etc). In my humble opinion, this was the greatest attribute of all. What a powerful testimony this must have been to the surrounding foes of Israel! Even so, now WE are to possess and display this same revealed glory. Such an attribute will surely draw all men to the Jesus within us (Jn 12:32). Such a displayed and genuine glory is what the earth is crying out for (Rom 8:18-20)! House to house? When this level of glory is revealed, the earth will swarm to us!

- The tabernacle of witness also contained the articles of furniture that were necessary for the ministry of the priesthood to properly operate. This tells me that as believers function in their respective roles (Eph 4), that the earth will look and see a beautiful spiritual organism, as opposed to a contradictory mess that has been seen in ages passed. Real and genuine fellowship can be achieved at the table of shewbread, the altar of incense, etc. As this occurs, the love that is evident will be a witness and testimony to the unifying and sanctifying power of God! Furthermore, as this priesthood ministers to Jesus, the world is watching. Our pure worship of God is a genuine witness to the earth around us (Song 5:9-16; 6:1).

- The tabernacle of witness contained the golden pot of manna within the ark (Heb 9:4; Exod 16:33-34). How can manna act as a witness for the tabernacle of witness? Well, in the manna, we are directed to God the Son: He who came down from above and condescended as the bread of life. He, as the eternal Bread, is our sustenance during our earthly wilderness wandering, even as the natural manna was sustenance to the Israelites during their time in the desert. As men look upon us and see the miraculous, real, physical, emotional and spiritual provision that Jesus gives, we truly will be a witness! Real "witnesses", therefore, are those who partake of such abundantly provided glories, as the earth looks on.

- The tabernacle of witness is the place where Aaron's rod budded (Num 17:8-10), and the place where his rod was kept as a memorial (Heb 9:4). In Aaron's rod, life came out of death; fruitfulness sprang from drought. This is to be typical of the believer too, as a witness of the Lord Jesus. The new creation man is to be so dramatically different than the old man, that it can be likened to life coming out of death. Such a wonderful display is surely a witness to those around us: "For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy. There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish" (Ps 132:13-18).

- The tabernacle of witness contained the two tablets of stone, upon which were inscribed the Law of God (Exod 40:20-21). These too were found in the ark. This occurrence is symbolic of the power and authority that the believer is to confidently possess, via the law (Word) of God. Power over demonic influences and personal carnality will surely bare witness to the peoples of the earth that Jesus is indeed Lord over all!

- Finally, the tabernacle of witness was in the center of the camp (Num 2:17). In other words, it was continually and perpetually looked upon as a witness, not only on certain days of the week, and in certain "religious conditions", but everyday, and at all times. Mere "Sunday morning Christians" have done more damage to the "witness" of true Christianity than can be accurately expressed! We should take heed to the witness that was perpetually exhibited by the tabernacle. (Ps 34:1; Acts 16:25; etc).

Though there is much more that can be said, this will be sufficient. Such glorious attributes of this tabernacle are some of the reasons WHY it was labeled as a "witness"! Though it was located in the wilderness, this "witness" accurately expressed (and bore witness to) the reality, power, provision, mercy, love and holiness of the Lord! The Shekinah glory that abode in that place was the divine seal and accreditation of it being a witness: Until God possessed it, it was no witness at all. Can you see the wonderful relation here? True witnesses are only those who have their fill with God, even as the tabernacle was God's abode! The only manner by which we, as believers, can be a similar fruitful witness is to increasingly possess these same qualities in our own personal temples (Eph 2:19-22). To go about "witnessing" without proper regard for these Scriptural qualities is to be a vain witness, and is to ignore the enabling shade that Calvary's Cross supplies! And what a fruitless disaster that would be! One writer has said, "If the Holy Ghost is not filling us, our testimony (witness) is but empty prattle". I could not agree more.

Let's seek to be God-ordained "witnesses", and become effective! Such as the world has never seen! May the earth be drawn to the revealed glory of God that protrudes from our personal temples and "tabernacles of witness"!

"A true witness delivereth souls..." (Prov 14:25).

God's Portion?

When discussing salvation, it's easy to become captivated with this end of eternity, and this end of salvation's benefits. We often only think about why we have been saved, and we fail to consider what God will get out of it! We are running towards a prize (Phil 3;14), but what will God receive? We are expecting an inheritance (1 Pet 1:4), but what about Jesus? What is God's portion from human existence? Well, Scripture clues us in: "For the LORD'S portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance" (Deut 32:9). Simply said, we are the prize Jesus is seeking! We are His purchased treasure (Exod 15:16; Ps 135:4); believers are to be His inheritance (1 Sam 10:1; Ps 78:71); We have been formed FOR HIM (Isa 43:21)! John tells us that we have actually been given to Jesus by the Father: "those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost" (Jn 17:12)! Personally, this thought ravishes my heart! It makes me want to please Him all the more!

It's fascinating that in Scripture, it was only worshippers who were really concerned about God's portion (Mk 14:3-9; Song 4:16). Most others seemed to be preoccupied with themselves and their own portion. Such a true concern for Jesus' inheritance is the sign of a lover (Jn 4:23-24).

Interestingly enough, the apostle Paul prayed for his sheep to be overtaken with this glorious and heart-wrenching understanding: "Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints" (Eph 1:15-18). How wonderful that He sees such a treasure in you and I!

Another example of this thought is found in the tabernacle of Moses. Here, God said: "Let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them" (Exod 25:8). Can we notice the cry of God coming forth from this verse? He truly wants to dwell with His creation! He's always wanted to!

Notice that this proposal originated within God Himself.. it wasn't a casual whim of humanity that lead God to respond. Rather, it was God's idea. His "deep" beckons the deepest part in us (Ps 42:7)! And those who respond will never be ashamed.

As one writer so aptly put it, "the great craving of the divine heart is to get an abode with man!" I agree completely. He has reached out to us! And He yet is reaching! We see this manifested all throughout time and Scripture. God first dwelt with man in the garden, then in the tabernacle, then in the temple, then in the Person of His Son Jesus, now in believers (1 Cor 3:16)! Believers are now the antitypical fulfillment of all that God had longed for since the beginning. Though it was manifested in a tabernacle and temple, these pointed to the living temples that would soon be washed in blood, and therefore able to house the Holy Spirit, and abide with God Himself (Gal 3:13-14)! And one day this longing mutual relation will reach it's glorious and sovereign fulfillment; It will indeed come to an expected end (Jer 29:11). We will be seated at the very right hand of Jesus, as His wedded one, as His bride (Ps 45:9; Song 4:8-11; Rev 21:2)! And oh What a relation that will be! Hallelujah!

Total Security..

Interestingly, there are only three "arks" spoken of in all of Scripture, and ALL of them were a place of shelter and safety. Is this a coincidence? Of course not. The ark of Noah secured those within it from the out poured wrath of God; the ark of bulrushes (Exod 2:3) protected the young Moses from the murderous schemes of Pharaoh, who was a type of Satan - seeking the death of the manchild; And the ark of the covenant sheltered the two tablets of stone on which were inscribed the commandments of God. Each ark points us to Jesus, and as we combine the three we can see that, in Christ Jesus, the believer is sheltered from the wrath of God, the assault of Satan, and the condemnation of the Law.

For now, I want to observe the first ark recorded: Noah's ark. There are many things that can be said of this ark: it is a type of Christ Jesus, it is a type of salvation, it possesses eschatological significance (which we have seen a few days ago), etc. But for now I want to see it's aspect of total security, as a type of our salvation. Just as the ark was watertight and secure from the rains of God's judgement, even so our salvation is similarly secure. Just as it was the ark itself that bore the harsh weather of wrath, even so Jesus Himself bore wrath in our stead, keeping us sheltered and hidden in His wounded side! How glorious! How merciful of Him!

But we have not entered this ark only to flippantly exit. Rather, we are secure here, until the indignation be passed! This ark is totally secure; our salvation too, is totally secure, even "eternal" in Him, its Author (Heb 5:9). Observe it's totality of security with me..

- It was pitched "within and without with pitch" (Gen 6:14).

This was to act as a sealant; therefore, the ark would be watertight. No harsh rains above, nor any ferocious floods beneath could succeed in overcoming the strength and security of this pitch. The inhabitants were to be dry, until the indignation be over. They were secure. They were hid inside the ark of God, just as we are "hid with Christ in God" (Col 3:3).

Ironically, one of the Hebrew words used here for "pitch" is "kopher", which means, "a cover, a coating; a redemptive price"! This word is translated "ransom" 8 times in the Old Testament. Similarly, the "pitch" of our salvation has ransomed us from the wrath to come! The blood of Jesus is our ransom and covering! "Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many" (Matt 20:28). Aren't you grateful!

- God shut them in: "And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in" (Gen 7:16).

This is interesting. Even if the ark's inhabitants wanted to escape the safety of God's provision from wrath, they wouldn't be able to. Their care was no longer their burden or concern! Noah and his family did not have to take care of themselves, or continue to add pitch to the door. Rather, having entered the ark by the sovereignty of God, He was now 100% responsible for their preservation! And so it is with those of us who have fled to the Lord Jesus for refuge. We are "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Pet 1:5).

- The inhabitants were preserved: "And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him: Every beast, every creeping thing, and every fowl, and whatsoever creepeth upon the earth, after their kinds, went forth out of the ark" (Gen 8:18-19).

Such is the fruit of God's deliverance from His wrath. Noah and his family, as well as the animals, were thrust out of the ark one year later. All who had entered the ark had been miraculously preserved, none had perished by the flood! The ark's inhabitants were simply onlookers to a destruction-swept earth. They themselves were hidden and preserved the whole time. Thank you Jesus!

What a wonderful God we serve! He truly has shut us in! Only He can rightly say, "Of them which thou gavest Me have I lost none" (Jn 18:9).

Sanctify You Wholly..

"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly" (1 Thess 5:23-24)

Do we pray to be sanctified? And if so, when we pray to be sanctified, are we prepared to face the great standard of these verses? Are we prepared to say - "Lord, make me as holy as You can make a sinner saved by grace, and by any means necessary"? For the most part, we seem to take the term sanctification much too lightly. Are we prepared for what sanctification will cost? As one author has said, sanctification will cost an intense narrowing of all our interests on earth, and an immense broadening of all our interests in God. One strong characteristic of a Holy Ghost filled believer should be a strong familial likeness to the person of Jesus, and a conscious striving toward the removal of anything unlike Him.

Sanctification means intense concentration on God's point of view. It means every power of body, soul and spirit is chained and kept for God's purpose only. Isn't this what we are to conclude from the word "wholly" (1 Thess 5:23)? Surely such radical obedience is what we see in the Shulamite woman: "Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits" (Song 4:16). Her production of fruit for her Beloved is her chief concern. Her pleasing Him is top priority, even to the extent that she invites the dealings of God (north winds)! Are we really prepared to ask for such a thing? Are we prepared for God to do in us all that He separated us for? And then after His work is done in us, are we prepared to separate ourselves to God even as Jesus did, for an eternal purpose? He said, "For their sakes I sanctify Myself" (Jn 17:19). The reason some of us have not entered into the experience of sanctification is that we have not realized the meaning and purpose of sanctification from God's standpoint. Sanctification means being made one with Jesus so that the disposition that ruled Him will rule us. This fruitful disposition is for a divine purpose, even as the Shulamite displayed towards the end of her maturation: "Come, my beloved, LET US GO FORTH into the field; let us lodge in the villages" (Song 7:11). How funny that all the Lord did IN her, was to be, in the future, done THROUGH her! Are we prepared for what that will cost? It will cost everything that is not of God in us: "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Cor 3:18). Friend, are we really prepared to set ourselves apart for the Holy Spirit's ministrations in and through us? "As thou hast sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world" (Jn 17:18). How else can the world see Jesus?

A Godly Theme..

"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready" (Rev 19:7).

Friend, it is no coincidence that these words are found at the close of God's holy Book. For these words, in a nutshell, encompass God's whole plan and desire with mankind! These words tell of the great Godly crescendo that will soon culminate in His people. These words speak of redemption's purpose, redemption's aim, and redemption's goal! It is no coincidence that John concluded his vision with a beautiful description of the New Jerusalem, "prepared as a bride adorned for her husband" (Rev 21:2-22:5). Because this is the crowning moment in human history! This is the ultimate of what God has said. Notice that immediately after this bride is revealed, the Scriptures testify that "It is done" (Rev 21:6). At this event, our salvific culmination will have been achieved. Our "expected end" will have occurred (Jer 29:11). Everything and anything that has happened in the past, is happening in the present, or will happen in the future is pointing toward this great and joyous conclusion: The marriage of the Lamb!

Interestingly, the Song of Solomon has also been called "The Song of all Songs" (1:1). This excites me considering the great theme that plays out in this small book of the Bible. The theme of the Song of Solomon is the bridal call of God, and the aim of the Song of Solomon is utter devotion to Jesus and radical intimacy with Him. This theme is the Song of all Songs; the story of all stories, the theme of all themes. In other words, out of everything that could be said about Jesus, creation, the Godhead, etc, the one thing that is at the pinnacle of our faith is this theme of bridal redemption. God is looking for a bride for His precious Son; He is seeking those who sincerely desire a monogamous relationship (2 Co 11:2)! He is seeking bonsdervants! Again, this is the very purpose, aim and goal of our salvation (Eph 5:25-27, 32). How wonderful that Solomon asked God for wisdom, and he, in turn, ends up beautifully writing about the greatest truth ever to unfold to the human heart!

How appropriate then, that concerning this bridal purpose, the Psalmist writes "...My heart overflows with a pleasing THEME... at your right hand stands the QUEEN in gold of Ophir" (Ps 45:1, 9; ESV). This bridal purpose, aim and goal of redemption is the very THEME of all of Scripture!

Considering that this is indeed the theme of Christianity, I wonder why we don't hear about it more often? With this knowledge in mind, shouldn't we devote our time and energy to what encompasses the latter part of our opening verse? "...AND His wife hath made herself ready".

Effected? Or Infected?

I find it very solemn how the Bible continually presents us with the effects of righteousness versus the effects of conscious and willing sin. How scary that a man's simple "yes" or "no" to indulge in the momentary pleasures of the flesh can have such devastating effects. Bible characters were often defined by such things. If they were repentant, then their legacy continued, but if they did not repent, they seem to fall off the scene! Basically, a conscious choice towards righteousness will yield great Godly effects. But a conscious choice towards sin will yield an ungodly infection! Which would you prefer? A Godly EFFECT, or a sinful INFECTION? Do you want to be EFFECTED, or virally INFECTED?

A stern example of this idea is found in the life of Noah. He was a man greatly used by God; He built the ark; Him and his family were the only people saved by the flood. He was even called "a just man and perfect in his generations" (Gen 6:9). Yet, soon after, we find Noah planting a vineyard, and becoming drunk. Great sin then ensued, perpetrated by Noah's son, Ham (Gen 9:21-22). Such ungodly behavior probably never would have ensued had Noah been sober-minded. Sadly, after this incident, nothing further is recorded of Noah! The last 350 years of his life are a blank! Then he dies! Surely, Paul's words are appropriate in this case: "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway" (1 Cor 9:27). May God help us all! No experience of God's mercies in the past will deliver us from exposure to new temptations in the future. As Paul said, we must die daily.

A final example of this principle is evident in Noah's sons. By this example we see the great effect of righteous choices, and the sad infection caused by unrighteous choices, which virally spreads to all of like character. Perhaps if we really knew and believed the dramatic effects of our choices, the leaning towards righteousness wouldn't be so difficult?

The believer should take due heed to these examples, as they were written "aforetime... for our learning" (Rom 15:4).

The ungodly infection of sinful choices:
Scripture says, "And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him. And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren" (Gen 9:24-25). Some scholars believe Canaan (Ham's 4th son) to be the actual culprit, and others believe it was indeed Ham. Some believe that because Ham sinned as a son, that he was then punished in his son. Some believe otherwise. Whatever your opinion may be, the result of such willing sin is devastating nonetheless. He looked upon his father's nakedness; he chose not to honor his father; he lacked filial love. Some scholars believe that the Hebrew rendering of this phrase "looked upon" actually gives the idea of a homosexual pleasure that was involved. Such action proves the state of his heart. What awful fruit can be birthed from such a corrupt tree? What sort of bitter stream can flow from such a perverted fountain?

Sadly, generations of corporate history were virally effected by such awful choices. It seems that the character of the initial sinner was passed down from generation to generation. There obviously was no corporate repentance, and thus, the infectious seed was spread! It cannot be said that every individual descendent of Ham was cursed (as many racist commentators have tried to teach), because Moses married a Cushite (Ethiopian) woman (Numb 12:1). Surely this woman, Zipporah, was blessed by God, and was a significant part of His covenant people. But this viral infection did indeed infect those of the same ill character of Ham; those from whom true repentance was hid. First of all, Nimrod, the founder of the Babylonian empire, sprang from Ham through Cush (Gen 10:6-8). Secondly, Mizraim, the father of the Egyptians, was another of Ham's children (Gen 10:6; Ps 78:51; 105:23, 27; 106:22). The perversity of Ham's seed spread like a cancer. The awful fruit of stagnant ungodliness is obvious. Babylon and Egypt were blatant enemies of the Hebrews, and haters of the God of Israel. Furthermore, the spread of such an awful infection is evidenced by the fact that the Gibeonites (Ham's seed) became "hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation" (Josh 9:27). Concerning Ham's seed, the Scripture also records "when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute..." (Jdgs 1:28). "Tribute" here means, "a burden; forced labor". Lastly, the Bible says "And all the people that were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which were not of the children of Israel, their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel also were not able utterly to destroy, upon those did Solomon levy a tribute of bondservice unto this day" (1 Kgs 9:20-21). Sin is likened to a maddening virus in Scripture (Eccl 9:3). Such awful bondage is the result of a spreading, viral and sinful seed that clearly was not properly dealt with.

Who can fail to recognize the awful result of a conscious decision toward sin?! Infection, once begun, is difficult to mend. We are utterly dependent upon the blood of Jesus, which thankfully, makes all things new (2 Cor 5:17)!

The Godly effects of righteous choices:
While Ham (or Canaan?) sinfully looked upon his father's nakedness, the Bible records Shem and Japheth's righteous choice: "Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness" (Gen 9:23). Reader, let's understand that such a righteous decision yielded AMAZING fruit! Their actions too proved the state of their hearts! Of these sons Noah says "Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant. God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant" (Gen 9:26-27).

So great were these effects, that Noah's words were actually a prophetic outline sketch of the history of the coming nations! Wow! Who can fail to recognize the obvious effect of a simple righteous choice?! What must be the harvest that is reaped from such a righteous sowing? Observe:

These brothers were rewarded in the sphere of religious privileges. Their offspring were to be the recipients of a covenant relationship with God! Shem became the "father of all the children of Eber", that is, the Hebrews (Gen 10:21). Thus, in the family of Shem, the knowledge and worship of God was preserved: "And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God " (Exod 29:45). Can we think of any greater fruit? No wonder Noah broke forth into thanksgiving at the realization of this truth. He said, "Blessed be the Lord God of Shem" (Gen 9:26). Japheth too was to be blessed. He was to be enlarged (Gen 9:27), and was to receive a blessing from Shem. Surely Japheth has been enlarged; his seed were composed of the Greeks and Romans, who in their time dominated practically all of the then known world! Furthermore, Japheth also received spiritual blessing. In Romans 11, the apostle Paul, writing of the Gentiles, says "And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree" (11:17).

What startling fruit (both good and bad) is evident from a simple choice! Will we allow our lusts to conceive, and bring forth death (Jas 1:15)? Or will we consciously choose to decrease in the presence of One greater (Jn 3:30)? Ask yourself today, will I strive to be righteously EFFECTED, or unrighteously INFECTED?

The Fruit of Sweet Victory!

Have you ever considered the closing verses of Isaiah 53? Many will agree that this chapter speaks of Jesus, the Messiah, who was "wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed" (Isa 53:5). But does the reference stop there? Perhaps we should consider the rest of this chapter too...

"He (Jesus) shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall DIVIDE THE SPOIL with the strong..." (Isa 53:11-12).

Do we see what is happening here? Jesus was victorious on our behalf! We may have heard this before, but do we really believe it? The Lord Jesus, in conquering Satan and all of his hosts, has made complete victory available for every believer. He is Lord over all principalities and powers. He is the "Strong Man" who has overcome. Satan has been stripped of his authority and now Christ Jesus is dividing the spoil with His church (Lk 11:20-22; Ps 19:5; Col 2:15).

Friend, Jesus has not won such an almighty victory in vain! Rather, He has done so TO SHARE THE SPOILS! Jesus said, "But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils" (Lk 11:20-22).

The spoils are ours! In other words, we too can have such a complete victory! Do you really believe that?

Interestingly, Jesus (being fully man) was tempted in all three areas of man's being: spirit, soul and body, in the three areas of sin: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (Matt 4:1-11; Lk 4:1-13; 1 Thess 5:23; 1 Jn 2:15-16). Satan had tempted the first Adam in these same arenas, but he fell (Gen 3:1-6). However, the last Adam proved victorious! And on our behalf!

- He overcame the temptation in His body: the lust of the flesh:
Lk 4:2-4 "Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God."

- He overcame the temptation in His soul: the lust of the eyes:
Lk 4:5-8 "And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve."

- He overcame the temptation in His spirit: the pride of life:
Lk 4:9-12 "And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."

These personal victories are what paved the way for His corporate victory on the cross. Being the Head of the new creation race, Jesus personally conquered Satan in His life. Having conquered the devil for Himself, He could now conquer him for His people. No demon spirit could resist His perfect life and power. How marvelous that He was able to say "for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me" (Jn 14:30). Don't you want that same testimony?

It's possible! We have the victorious life of our Lord inherent within us; we are one Spirit (1 Cor 6:17). We are "members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones" (Eph 5:30). As we personally overcome in our individual lives, the corporate power and force of the Body of Christ will only grow stronger! "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren" (Lk 22:31-32).

This is what the world has been loking for: a real and genuine display of God's glory, from a people that really believe Him! The earth is waiting, even standing on tip-toes (Rom 8:18-21)!

Can we believe Him for the seemingly impossible? Can we believe Him for the spoils? "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible" (Matt 19:26).

The Blood of the Covenant..

Part 3 of 3

Do you realize that the shed blood of Jesus signifies the covenant that He has made? It's true. In Scripture, every covenant that was EVER instituted was done so on the basis of shed blood; sacrificial blood. No covenant was valid without the shedding of blood. As we have seen, the life is in the blood, and therefore shed blood speaks of a life that has been poured out for another. In the Old Testament, the blood on the Mercy Seat of the Ark of the Covenant was the evidence that death had occurred - An animal had given its life for an Israelite.

Notice the differing covenants that were solidified based on the shedding of blood:
- The Edenic Covenant: this covenant was made with Adam before the entrance of sin. It involved him giving of his own blood, when the Lord opened his side and took out his bride (shed blood). Adam's recognition of this sacrifice is found in his statement that Eve was "bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh" (Gen 2:18-25).
- The Adamic Covenant: this was made with Adam after he fell, expressing God's purpose in redemption. The Lord shed the blood of the animal that covered Adam and Eve in their coats of skin (Gen 3:21)
- The Noahic Covenant: this was made with Noah after the flood, and involved all creatures and future generations of mankind. Noah shed the blood of clean animals before the Lord (Gen 8:20)
- The Abrahamic Covenant: this was made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob after the Tower of Babel and the scattering of Noah's descendants. It involves National Israel, the Seed Messiah, and all believers of all nations. Abraham too was asked to shed blood and present an offering (Gen 15:7-17)
- The Mosaic Covenant: this was made with Israel after the Exodus, at Mt. Sinai. This covenant contained multiple sacrifices, signifying and pointing to the manifold atoning work of Jesus. There were voluntary and compulsory offerings (Lev 1-7), daily sacrifices (Numb 28:1-8), Sabbath day sacrifices (Numb 28:9-10), festival sacrifices (Lev 16:23; Numb 28-29), etc. This is a wonderful illustration that NO AMOUNT of continual animal sacrifices could EVER effectively remove sin. It could cover, but not remove. The necessity for Jesus' perfect and complete sacrifice is obvious.
- The Davidic Covenant: this was made with David and his house, both naturally and spiritually, ultimately pointing to the everlasting throne and kingdom of the Lord Jesus, David's greatest Son (the Son of man). David made several blood sacrifices (2 Sam 6:17-18; 1 Chron 16:1-3; etc), but also offered spiritual sacrifices, pointing to the coming New Covenant (Ps 27:6; 141:1; 116:17-19; Heb 13:15-16; 1 Pet 2:5).

The New Covenant is no different. The blood of Jesus is the blood of the New and everlasting Covenant (1 Pet 1:18-20). His is the very blood of God (Acts 20:28)! The epistle to the Hebrews says, "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will..." (Heb 13:20-21). Because the covenant is everlasting, the blood of this covenant will also be everlasting. This blood will forever be upon God's throne in heaven, and will be the eternal evidence and reminder that Jesus shed His blood for the remission of our sins! What a memorial that will be!

Each time we partake of the Lord's body and blood at the communion table, we are, in fact, partaking of the covenant promises! Just what are these promises, you ask, that have been given to us by the blood of One greater, even the eternal and spotless Lamb of God? Observe:

The blood of Jesus:
- cleanses us from all sin (1 Jn 1:7)
- makes us white (clean) (Isa 1:18; Rev 7:14)
- sanctifies us (Heb 10:10)
- gives us access to the presence of the Father (Heb 10:19)
- makes us one body (1 Cor 10:17)
- is our faith (Rom 3:25)
- is our justification (Rom 5:9)
- overcomes Satan (Rev 12:11)

What glorious benefits!

As we partake of the elements, the bread and the wine, we partake of God's everlasting covenant; we eat and drink at the covenant table, eating His flesh and drinking His blood, partaking of His divine life! The blood of Jesus binds us together, to Him, and to one another. May He minister the benefits of this blood to us today, by the power of the Spirit and in the power of an endless life! Amen.