A Love That Lasts Forever

Now why do some translations have the words Lord or divine in them and some do not? It is because in the Hebrew Bible on the word translated "flame" there is a suffix -yah, which could possibly be a shortened form of the divine name Yahweh. If this is correct, and I am inclined to think that it is, then the Lord God Himself, Yahweh, is the source of this mighty, fierce, blazing, passionate love (see also the HCSB marginal reading). The kind of love ignited and fueled by the Lord is a fervent flame, a blazing fire. As we will see in verse 7, nothing can extinguish this love. Like a raging forest fire, it burns with such intensity that no one can control it. It is a passionate, God-given, red-hot flame that will endure any and all efforts to put it out.

Such a passionate love is the kind of love our Shepherd-King, our divine Bridegroom, has for us. His is a "great love that He had for us" (Eph 2:4). Indeed, He "loved me and gave Himself for me" (Gal 2:20). His is truly a passionate love "that surpasses knowledge" (Eph 3:19). As the recipients of such a fervent, passionate love, let us, in passionate 183loving response, "be imitators of God.... And walk in love, as the Messiah also loved us and gave Himself for us" (Eph 5:1-2).

Song of Songs 8:7

God designed marriage to last. Jesus said, "Therefore, what God has joined together, man must not separate" (Matt 19:6). Marriage is not for a season. It is not like leasing a car. It is meant for a lifetime. Solomon says the love that God gives is so passionate and powerful, "Mighty waters cannot extinguish it; rivers cannot sweep it away." Tom Gledhill puts it so well as he describes what he calls "the indestructibility of love":

In Isaiah 43:1-2 the words that our Lord speaks to His people remarkably parallel these words in our Song. It again reminds us that the love we've seen on display between this man and woman mirrors and points to a greater love, the love our redeemer God has for a people He has chosen for Himself. What did our Lord say through His prophet?

Song of Songs 8:7

Real love, true love, cannot be bought. It has no price tag. It is not for sale. Craig Glickman is right: "By its very nature love must be given. Sex can be bought, love must be given" (Song, 101). Solomon tells us, "If a man were to give all his wealth for love, it would be utterly scorned." The ESV says, "He would be utterly despised." Try to buy love, he says, and prepare to be publically ridiculed and mocked. Prepare to become a laughingstock.

What are some clear and practical steps we can take to maintain and nurture this divine treasure deposited in our marital bank account by our lavishly generous heavenly Father? I appreciate the suggestions of a lady named Joanna Weaver. Some of these are a real challenge. All are worth considering.

Song of Songs 8:8-9

Verses 8-12 are not easy to interpret. Good, godly Bible scholars admit their difficulty and also draw different conclusions. This is what I think is going on.16 Verses 8-12 probably should be understood as a flashback to Shulammite's youth and her initial meeting of Solomon. She grew up in a family where her brothers had been hard on her (1:6), but they were also protective. They watched over her and gave attention to her moral development and maturity. Even at a young age when she was "a little sister" (ESV) who had "no breasts" they kept an eye out for her as they considered the time when she would give herself to a man in marriage. "If she is a wall" speaks of moral purity and sexual unavailability. If she demonstrates such character they will honor her as a tower of silver, "a silver parapet." She would be given freedom and responsibility. On the other hand, "if she is a door," indicating moral and sexual vulnerability and weakness, they would enclose her and board her up in order to protect her. If she is irresponsible and reckless in her moral conduct and sexual behavior, they "will enclose [her] with cedar planks." They will wisely, and of necessity, restrict her freedom and opportunities for sexual foolishness and misbehavior.

Saving yourself sexually for marriage and giving yourself as a virgin to your mate may be out of style and old-fashioned in our sex-crazed culture, but it honors the Lord who redeemed you and it will bless the mate you wed. It will not be easy, but it is worth the commitment. How do you reach this lofty goal? A few ideas to consider:

A final and important word on this point: it is never too late to pursue moral purity both before and in marriage. It is never too late to begin doing the right thing. In the gospel there is grace, forgiveness, and power. No sin, including sexual sin, is beyond the Savior's redeeming and healing love.

Song of Songs 8:10

Shulammite gives a personal testimony concerning her personal, moral purity and the blessing it was to her husband. She boldly declares, "I am a wall," meaning I was a virgin when we married. Now, as a vibrant, mature, and sensual woman ("my breasts are like towers"), "in his eyes I have become like one who finds peace." The word for "peace" is shalom, meaning completeness, well-being, wholeness. Purity equals peace in the marriage equation. Because of the faithful, pure, holy, and godly woman that she is, her man sees her as shalom, one who brings peace to their relationship. Mutual delight, joy, and well-being are the fruit of what was once a virgin garden, but now it is his garden to enjoy in peace (4:14-5:1).

This woman made this man complete, whole. She was that divinely sent companion, the helper who is his complement (Gen 2:18, 20). In her presence he finds peace; he is set at ease. For him, the wall comes down and her towers fall into his hands. His banner over her is love (2:4), and her banner over him is peace (8:10). O'Donnell says it well: "His victory over her virginity (ironically) brings peace—to her, to him, to them, to everyone around them" (Song, 129). So we see in marriage holiness is a path to happiness. Purity is a path to peace, just another gift ultimately provided by the Prince of Peace, our Lord Jesus Christ (Isa 9:6-7).

Song of Songs 8:11-12

As noted earlier, these are difficult verses to interpret. The precise meaning is vague, and Bible teachers are all over the place in how to understand the text. It seems to me that the main point is to show that Solomon, who was blessed with great wealth, had the right and privilege to administer his possessions in any way that he chose. Shulammite, though limited in her resources, had the same rights and privilege. This is especially true when it comes to giving her body ("my vineyard") to a man in marriage.

Solomon "owned a vineyard at Baal-hamon" (location unknown). The name could be translated "lord of abundance," which is an apt description of Solomon's great wealth. "He leased the vineyard to tenants," with the expectation of a 5-to-1 profit margin. For every 1,000 pieces of silver brought to Solomon, the tenants would receive 200.

Shulammite also had a vineyard: her body (cf. 1:6). She belongs to no one except the one to whom she chooses to give herself. Solomon may own thousands of possessions, but she is given as a gift. Again, we are reminded that love cannot be bought; it can only be given. It is a privilege, not an obligation, to give your body to another, to give yourself to another person. Never lose sight of the truth that you are blessed and privileged to receive the affection and love of your mate. You cannot earn it and you really do not deserve it.

Do you ever look at your mate and think, "God gave her to me?" "God finely crafted this man for me?" You should. True love always has the quality of a gift. After all, God loved the world by giving His only Son (John 3:16).

Song of Songs 8:13-14

These two verses constitute a fitting conclusion to the Song of Songs. Appropriately, both the man and the woman speak, with the woman having the final word! These verses recall the days of spring. Shulammite is in the garden, she who is herself a garden (4:12). Friends or companions are listening for her voice. She is a popular and much loved lady. And yet she belongs to only one man, and he 189is the one who wants above all others to hear her voice. His words express both urgency and passion: "Let me hear you." This is an exclusive request. It is a specific request.

She responds with words we have heard before (cf. 2:8, 17): "Make haste, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or young stag" in mating season. Hurry and enjoy "the mountains of spices," a reference no doubt to her breasts (2:17; 4:6). Only her lover is welcome there, and he is always welcomed there.

The mention of the garden again takes us back to Eden, to a time when the marital relationship had not been damaged or tarnished by the fall. Throughout our Song Genesis 1-2 is in view, not Genesis 3 and all the heartache that followed the first couple's sin. Here at the end, the love this couple shares is still passionate. Indeed, by all indications, it is permanent. It will endure because it has its source in God (8:6). It will endure because it is focused on the other and not on one's self. She dwells in the garden. This is her home. This is where she lives. Her husband is called to join her there and to enjoy all the delights marriage offers. He will not look for female companionship anywhere else. Why would he? In his lovely lady he has found all that he could ever dream or hope for.

Practical Applications from Song of Songs 8:5-14

We began our study contrasting love and infatuation. Let's conclude in the same way. Below is a simple comparison provided by Josh McDowell. It is very applicable to teens and those who think they may have found their life partner, their "soul mate." Read and think through the list very carefully. Don't rush. Really contemplate what is here.

Our song ends with the bride asking her shepherd-king to again come be with her (8:14). Interestingly, the Bible ends in exactly the same way. In Revelation 22 the bride twice asks for the Bridegroom to come to her and for her (22:17, 20). Then and only then will God's great love song and story be complete. Only then will it reach its intended goal. The Song of Songs ends by pointing us to that great day and the climax of history.

191I really cannot improve on the words of Douglas O'Donnell, as he describes so well what the end of our song should engender in our hearts: