Read Song of Songs 8:5–7
Questions from the Scripture text: From where is the bride coming (Song of Songs 8:5a)? What is she doing (verse 5b)? What had the bride done to the Bridegroom (verse 5c)? Where? What had His mother done there (verse 5d–e)? What does she need/want Him to do with her (Song of Songs 8:6a–b)? To remind her of what about love (verse 6c)? And of what, about zeal (verse 6d–f)? What cannot quench love (Song of Songs 8:7a)? What cannot drown it (verse 7b)? What might a man offer to give for love (verse 7c–d)? What would the response to that be (verse 7e)?
Who is the bride? Song of Songs 8:5–7 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that she is the glorious origin, display, and beloved of the Bridegroom.
After being charged concerning the bride and Bridegroom (Song of Songs 8:4, cf. Song of Songs 6:8), the daughters of Jerusalem are curious to ask about the one concerning whom they were charged (Song of Songs 8:5a–b, cf. Song of Songs 6:9). They see her coming up from the wilderness; they see her being redeemed out of the fruitless, waterless, nutritional place. They see her Beloved, the One bringing her out of it all. They see her fellowship and intimacy with Him, upon Whom she leans. The question, “who is this?,” is answered by eavesdropping on their conversation, even as she leans upon Him.
Who is this? The one who has the glory of bringing forth the Bridegroom into the world (Song of Songs 8:5c–e, cf. Revelation 12:2–5). We must value the church as her, through whom the Lord brought Christ into the world, according to His flesh (cf. Song of Songs 8:5), and through whom God ordinarily brings His Son into the lives of His elect.
Who is this? The one who has the glory of being the display of Christ’s royalty and status to the world. The seal upon the heart (Song of Songs 8:6a) and upon the arm (verse 6b) refers to a jewel, set in a golden pendant from the neck or bracelet upon the arm, would be the public display of His royalty and status. Just as she has wished that she could express her love to Him openly (Song of Songs 8:1), now she requests that He openly would display her as the emblem of His glory. God has exalted Him and made Him head over all things for the church (cf. Ephesians 1:19–23; Colossians 1:15–18).
Who is this? The one who has the glory of being the object of Christ’s love, and reciprocator of Christ’s love. Love that is stronger than death, and produces in her a love that is also stronger than death. (Song of Songs 8:6c). Zeal/jealousy that is more unyielding than the grave, and that produces in her a love that is more unyielding than the grave (verse 6d). Love that burns from that which is in YHWH (verse 6e–f). Love that is not diminished by circumstances (Song of Songs 8:7a). Love that refuses to be eliminated by wrath (verse 7b). Love so valuable, in and from the Creator, that all creaturely wealth together cannot equal its worth (verse 7c–e).
Such is the glory of the church. Such is who she is. How greatly we should value her—and her communion with Him!
What impresses you about the church? What impresses you about her intimacy with the Lord Jesus? What things threaten to impress you more? What does this tell you about the extent to which you value Christ’s glory and love?
Sample prayer: Lord, we praise You for Your glory, and for Your glorious love to the church. Help us love her and value her, and make us to love You with the love that is from You, and for You, in our own hearts, we ask in Your Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP87 “The LORD’s Foundation” or TPH405 “I Love Thy Kingdom Lord”
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