Born of A Virgin

  The Virgin Birth of Jesus

 Book of Luke Chapter 2

 We should understand that the word virgin means exactly what it says.

 The Lord Jesus Christ was born of the virgin Mary, just as prophecy intended.

 Isa 7:14  Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 

 There is no better way to describe this birth than to say a Virgin Birth.

 Mat 1:22  Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 

Mat 1:23  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

 Mary was a virgin before the birth of Jesus Christ, and Mary was a virgin after she gave birth to the Lord Jesus Christ.

 Many Christians today say Mary died as a virgin, but I trust the Scriptures.

 Mrk_6:3  Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

 I believe these are the sons and daughters of Joseph and half-brothers and half-sisters of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 We should also understand that the Jewish priests all had to marry virgins, and the Lord Jesus can only accept the Church as the Bride of Christ if it is without spot and without blemish.

The Lord Jesus Christ is right now our perfect High Priest!

 This is the reason He died in our place so that the Church to be not just forgiven but "justified".

 Just as if no sin had taken place.

 Rom_5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

 Chapter 2 Verse 1

 *****Luk 2:1  And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

 Prophecy had said the Messiah of God would be born in Bethlehem.

 Mic 5:2  But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. 

 Bethlehem means the "house of bread".

Ephrathah means "fertile".

 Our Messiah is the true food of His people.

 Joh 6:51  I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. 

 Seven hundred years before the birth of the Messiah, the prophet Micah said it would take place.

Mic 5:2  But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. 

 Mary lived in Nazareth with her family, and she was now heavy with child.

 We ask ourselves, does God have powers that we do not understand? It’s called the providence of God.

 God had given His message of the virgin birth through one of the most powerful angels that stood before Him, Gabriel.

 God, in His own power, caused the virgin birth through the power of the Holy Spirit, the greatest power upon this earth today.

 God used the most powerful man in the world at that time, Caesar, to get the Virgin Mary to Bethlehem before the Lord Jesus Christ was born somewhere else, making the Word of God have errors.

 There are no errors in the prophecies, and there are no errors in the Word of God!

 At this time, Caesar Augustus reigned in Israel because there was no throne of God upon this earth.

 God uses all the rulers of all nations to fulfill His own plan for this world.

 Pro 21:1  The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. 

 Joseph also has to go to Bethlehem because King David was from Bethlehem.

Mary did not have to go to Bethlehem, but she was also a descendant of David through his son Nathan.

 *****Luk 2:2  (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

Luk 2:3  And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.  

 When Cyrenius was governor of Syria, Publius Sulpicius Quirinus governed the province of Syria, in which Judea was then included.

Cyrenius was second in command at that time, but he would still be referred to as governor, so this is not a mistake of Scripture as some claim.

 The one thing we know for sure is that the fullness of time that Jehovah had determined had come.

 Gal 4:4  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 

Gal 4:5  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 

Gal 4:6  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 

 Daniel wrote: Dan 9:24  Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. 

Dan 9:25  Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. 

Dan 9:26  And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 

 So, these things took place just as God had said they would, and the priests of Israel should have recognized the hand of God in these things.

The High Priest had for many years been chosen by Rome and was not a descendant of Aaron, and they were more interested in their pocketbooks than the Word of God.

 *****Luk 2:4  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 

Luk 2:5  To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 

Luk 2:6  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 

 Bethlehem Ephratah was only six miles from Jerusalem, and it is the same place that provided the sheep for the sacrifices at the Temple.

 Rachel the second wife of Jacob, had died giving birth to Benjamin there.

The story of Ruth takes place there.

The early years of the life of David were there.

 Today it is called Beit Lahm, which means "house of flesh".

 Today, those men in this place wear the green turban, which shows them to be the undisputed descendants of Mohammed.

 Much of Judah at this time showed signs of war, but the world of that day of Augustus was, for the most part, at peace under this cruel ruler who sat on the throne in Rome.

 In verse five, we see that Mary is still espoused to Joseph because they had not consummated their marriage, and they would not until after the birth of Jesus Christ.

 An espousal was considered sacred, though that marriage had not been consummated.

 We could say that the Church is espoused to the Lord Jesus Christ, waiting on Him to come get His Bride and take us home to show His Father His wife.

 *****Luk 2:7  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 

 The way the family of Jesus was treated in Bethlehem was a prophecy of the way the world has treated Jesus Christ ever since.

 Many disagree, but we see here that the Holy Spirit confirms that Jesus was considered the firstborn of the Virgin Mary.

 If there is a first, then there must be a second.

 The Lord Jesus was not born in pleasant surroundings. We all know the smell of stables.

 He was turned away by people from the very beginning, as He is today.

 If the world had cared, a room would have been provided for this young mother.

 This mother had only herself to bring for this birth, as she herself wrapped this child Jesus in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger.

 The Lord Jesus was born into a corrupt world under the rule of a Roman dictator, with Herod the false king of Judea.

 None of these things stopped Shiloh from coming.

 Gen 49:9  Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? 

Gen 49:10  The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

 It is the simplicity of Luke's Gospel that is a mark of truthfulness.

 We know the Holy Spirit does not allow error in the Word of God.

 Much of the world missed the first coming of Jesus the Messiah, and most of the world will miss the Second Coming of the Messiah.

 Tit 2:11  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 

Tit 2:12  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 

Tit 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 

Tit 2:14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 

 *****Luk 2:8  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 

Luk 2:9  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 

Luk 2:10  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 

Luk 2:11  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 

Luk 2:12  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 

 We could probably say that no one has actually seen a real angel, yet these same shepherds got to see a real angel; in fact, they got to see a Heavenly Host of angels.

 In the time of Christ Jesus, shepherds were seen as the lowest class of people in Judea.

 People just did not see shepherds praising and glorifying God.

 Shepherds just had a bad reputation, and they were snubbed by the religious groups.

 Religious groups have not changed since that time, and they still snub the True Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ.

 The Lord Jesus said Jhn_10:11  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

 The Lord Jesus said Jhn 10:14  I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

 Because of their work, shepherds could not attend the services at the Temple, and they were looked down upon for this.

 All people, but religious people, know that tending animals is a seven-day-a-week job.

 They could not keep the ceremonial laws of washing and cleansing, so they were despised.

 We can see that the Almighty God does not think much of religion, so He gave His first message of salvation to these lowly shepherds that everyone else considered to be dirty, rotten sinners.

 I was a dirty rotten sinner myself.

 The Lord Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God!

 What had Abraham said to Isaac? Gen_22:8  And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering:

 John the Baptist, the forerunner for Christ, said: Jhn_1:29  The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

 Again, John 1:36  And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

 John the Apostle wrote: Rev_7:17  For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

 Again, Rev_19:9  And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

 One more: Rev_22:3  And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

 Praise God for His precious Lamb that took away our sin.

 The shekinah glory of God, which symbolized the Divine Presence of God, had not been seen in over four hundred years.

 Isa 40:4  Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: 

Isa 40:5  And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. 

 Hab 2:14  For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. 

 The angel's message was a message of reassurance and "Good News".

 The Messiah was now among His people; it was time to go visit Him.

 The Jews required a sign, so the sign was that they would find Him lying in a manger, the feeding place.

 Angels make a great impression, so these shepherds now had the fear of the Lord.

 The bright light was the Shekinah glory of God and did not come from the angels.

 The Messiah had come for all people and not just the Jews.

 When the Messiah returns in the clouds, He comes for His own people. All those who have accepted His Messiah.

 Rom_9:26  And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.

 The Messiah came as our Savior, not our judge nor a politician.

 The Messiah came for miserable sinners.

 A wise man once said that the only thing we have to offer when we meet our Savior is a "dirty rotten sinner".

 This Savior, the Lamb of God, is the Lord Jesus Christ!

 He is the Anointed One of God and Lord of all creation!

 He is Yahweh, the God of the Covenant.

 On His first night, the Messiah could be found in the "City of David" because He is also the promised Son of David.

 Israel was expecting a Messiah who is a Mighty Warrior, dressed wonderfully and sitting upon a throne, but that Messiah has not yet returned; but He will.

 They would only see a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes who was so poor that He was born in a stable because He had come as a lowly shepherd and not as King.

 *****Luk 2:13  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 

Luk 2:14  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 

 Suddenly, this angel of the Lord was not alone; there was an army of angels with him.

 There are many angels, and all of Heaven could have come down to glorify the God of Heaven.

 Rev_5:11  And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

There are just too many to count!

 Angels do not really understand the salvation plan of God, but they do know who their Creator is.

 These shepherds got to see a little bit of Heaven and Heaven's power.

 They cried out for the glory of the Highest possible Being they knew.

They cried out for the One they know that dwells in the Highest Heaven.

They cried out for peace on earth.

They cried out for the goodwill of all mankind.

They cried out for all mankind to be reconciled to God.

They cried out for the sin problem on earth to be solved.

 Col 1:19  For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 

Col 1:20  And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 

Col 1:21  And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 

 *****Luk 2:15  And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 

Luk 2:16  And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

Luk 2:17  And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 

Luk 2:18  And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 

All these things had excited these shepherds so much that they left their flocks and went with haste to Bethlehem.

If the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ does not get us excited, then we are missing out on the greatest event that happened on this earth.

These simple shepherds felt that the time to act upon that information was right now.

Once we realize we have a Savior, we need to act upon that information immediately!

Once they knew what the angels had said was true, they too began to tell the world about God's Messiah.

They had believed those angels, but they would not be believed.

No one yet knew that God was coming down to earth to live within His people.

Nothing is said about Mary and Joseph except that they were there.

To these shepherds, it was all about that babe wrapped in swaddling clothes.

When these shepherds told others about all the things the angels had said, it did not stir the people because they were still looking for a mighty king.

To them, it would be too shameful for the Messiah to be born in a nasty stable.

They had no faith in the truth of God!

Mary, the Virgin Mother of Jesus, would keep all these things inside her.

This is the sweet view of "Grace", which is silent and waiting upon the Lord.

The perfect gift from our Holy God!

Joh 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 

Amen

John the Baptist is Born

 The Birth of John the Baptist

 Book of Luke Chapter 1 Verses 57 through 80

 Elisabeth's pregnancy goes full term without complications, naturally.

 John's life began to develop in his mother's womb, just as all babies do.

 Elisabeth already knew that she would have a son because the angel Gabriel had said that God had decided.

 God had decided the name for this son would be John and not Zacharias or another name from the family of Zacharias.

 The birth of John the Baptist brought great joy to this family because they had recognized that the birth of John was due to the mercy of God.

 The birth of John the Baptist was a significant event for every generation, including today.

 *****Luk 1:57  Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. 

Luk 1:58  And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. 

 Elisabeth had forgotten her baroness because it had been replaced with joy.

 We too can have joy because we live in a time when the Lord Jesus Christ could return in the clouds at any moment.

 The Lord Jesus Christ said His return could be somewhat compared to the birth of a child.

 Joh 16:21  A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. 

Joh 16:22  And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. 

Because the birth of John was a miraculous birth, many people wondered what manner of child he would be.

 Elisabeth had forgotten all those years she could not have a child.

 She was ready to give her love to this child of God.

 Her friends and family had come by to rejoice with her.

 The birth of John the Baptist was proof again that God will do what He says He will do.

 The birth of John was of God's power over nature.

 The birth of John was evidence that God is the God of life.

 Nothing is impossible for God.

 Luk 1:37  For with God nothing shall be impossible. 

 Psa 115:3  But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. 

 Prophecy was fulfilled.

 Isa 40:3  The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 

 Mal 3:1  Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. 

 The Lord Jesus said that John was the fulfillment of these prophecies: Mat 11:10  For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 

 The birth of every child is an awesome miracle of life.

 The birth of John showed us a merciful God who so loves us.

 The birth of John the Baptist is not much different from our own birth.

 It is our job to prepare those we meet to meet the Lord Jesus Christ.

 John was used in God's plan of salvation, and we have the same job on a smaller scale than John had.

 God allowed John the privilege of being the forerunner for the Messiah.

 1Ti 2:3  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 

1Ti 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 

1Ti 2:5  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 

1Ti 2:6  Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

 All of the family and friends of Elisabeth rejoiced with her.

 The mercy of God was not just for Elisabeth but was for the entire world!

 God always does exactly what He says He will do!

 *****Luk 1:59  And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. 

Luk 1:60  And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. 

Luk 1:61  And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. 

Luk 1:62  And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. 

Luk 1:63  And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. 

 It was on the day of circumcision, the eighth day after the birth, when a Jewish child was named, and most names came in relation to the father and the father's family.

 John was named by God Himself, and some of these friends of Elisabeth were confused.

 We should know that it is on the eighth day that the blood of a newborn will clot to stop the bleeding, naturally.

 This is why God chose the eighth day.

 Lev_12:3  And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.

 Circumcision was the sign of the covenant God made with Abraham.

 Gen 17:9  And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. 

Gen 17:10  This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.

 We should also understand that circumcision is also a type of Christ.

 Col 2:9  For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 

Col 2:10  And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 

Col 2:11  In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 

Col 2:12  Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

 Those friends and family of Elisabeth and Zacharias could not grasp that something new was at hand, a New Covenant.

 John was circumcised as a sign of the New Covenant that God was about to make for His people.

 Most of the Jews have not accepted the New Covenant even today, but they will while going through the tribulation period of seven years.

 Rom_11:11  I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

 The Jews did not stumble to be rejected but once they stumbled, God offered His "grace" to the Gentile world with the purpose of provoking Israel to jealousy.

 The fact that this son was named John is enough proof that this whole event was true!

 Zacharias confirmed it by naming the child John.

 Immediately, the chastening of Zacharias ended, and his voice returned to him.

 *****Luk 1:64  And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God. 

Luk 1:65  And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea. 

Luk 1:66  And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

 Zacharias knows that John will be his only son, but he does not give him his own name, which was tradition.

 By doing so, he renounces his rights to John and acknowledges that he is giving him to God.

 He originated from God; he therefore belonged to God!

 Zacharias had a baby dedication by dedicating him to God.

 Unbelief had closed the mouth of Zacharias, but faith had made him free!

 Jhn_8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

 Zacharias had not spoken in nine months, but the first words he had were to praise God.

 All those who were there did not understand what was going on.

 They could not explain it, nor could they deny it.

 They could not understand because they had no faith.

 The one thing they knew was that John was something special because they could tell the hand of the Lord was involved in these things.

 They went about all Judaea telling them what had happened on that day of John's circumcision.

 They would not forget what they had seen and heard but kept them in their hearts.

 After our salvation, we should be praising God continuously.

We should be amazed that the Lord would do such a thing as die for our sins.

We should be spreading this "Good News" everywhere we go.

We should see that our destiny lies in the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 1Pe 1:17  And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 

1Pe 1:18  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; 

1Pe 1:19  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 

1Pe 1:20  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 

 Psa 111:9  He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. 

Psa 111:10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. 

 Psa 89:7  God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him. 

 *****Luk 1:67  And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

 There is one thing we know for sure, and it is that God will never go against His own words.

 God will never break a covenant that He has with us as a group or that He has made with us individually.

 No sooner than when his tongue was loosed, Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit.

 Once Zacharias obeyed God, God removed His chastisement from him, and he was healed of his dumbness, and he could speak again.

 1) Zacharias was forgiven for his sin of unbelief.

 We must be aware that every time we question the Word of God, we are committing the sin of doubt, doubting God, doubting our Lord Jesus Christ.

 Remember, it is by faith we are saved! 

 2) Zacharias being filled with the Holy Spirit is a great picture of what happens to every child of God who accepts the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior.

 We believe and obey God, then and only then, are we filled with God the Holy Spirit.

 Act 2:38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

Act 2:39  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 

 *****Luk 1:68  Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, 

Luk 1:69  And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; 

Luk 1:70  As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: 

Luk 1:71  That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; 

Luk 1:72  To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; 

Luk 1:73  The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, 

Luk 1:74  That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, 

Luk 1:75  In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. 

 The birth of John is the reason for this song of prophecy by Zacharias, but this song is about the yet unborn Jesus Christ.

 This is the fruit of the Holy Spirit at work.

 The Holy Spirit will always, ALWAYS, lead us to the Lord Jesus Christ!

 It is this same God of Israel who is God the Father of Christianity!

 Just as Jehovah will stand up for Israel as He has done many times already, He is now standing up for Christians throughout this world.

 Notice an important thing here: Zacharias is speaking as if these events are already fulfilled, while they are still in the future.

 Why, because God's promises are guaranteed. God will do just as He says He will do!

 It is God Himself who visited this earth in the person of the Messiah.

 God will not neglect this earth until He has taken all His children to our new home on the New Earth.

 Why has the Messiah come first?

 1) He came to redeem His children.

2) He came to rescue His children from sin

3) He came to save His children.

 Though it is wonderful for those who have faith and accept the Gospel, God paid a tremendous price.

 He paid a life for a life!

 Eph 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 

Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 

Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 

Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 

Eph 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Eph 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 

Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 

Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 

Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 

Eph 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 

 Just as promised, the Messiah would come from the House of David.

 Isa 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 

Isa 9:7  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. 

 That word "horn" is always a symbol of strength, power, and might.

 The Lord Jesus, the "Horn," is the Mighty One of salvation because He alone possessed the might, the strength, and the power to save.

 We should also add that He is willing.

 These are acts of "mercy and grace".

 These acts prove that God remembers His covenants.

 Every prophet of the Old Testament is proven to have told the truth, and they were murdered just because they spoke the truth of God, just as many are murdered today just because we believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 God is working on His plan for this world at all times; He never rests from looking out for His children.

 Jesus is the same Messiah named in the Book of Genesis.

 Gen 3:15  And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. 

 The world may have driven a nail through the feet of Jesus, but He still walks through the lives of Christians, and He will walk again upon this earth.

 Satan will not overcome that blow to His head.

 God will remember the promises made to Abraham.

 Gen 26:3  Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; 

Gen 26:4  And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; 

Gen 26:5  Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws. 

 We may think there is turmoil in and around Israel now, but things are going to get worse until the Lord sits upon the throne of David.

 God saves us so that we might serve Him and fulfill the purpose He has for each of us upon this earth.

God saves us so that we can live righteously and serve Him forever.

 We can be at peace knowing that we do not have to fear what the world can do to us because the worst thing the world can do to us is the best thing that can happen to us.

 We must have a clear understanding that we do not need to fear our enemies; we have been saved from them!

We will stand one day in the presence of our Holy God in a new world designed especially for us.

 1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 

1Jn 4:18  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 

1Jn 4:19  We love him, because he first loved us. 

 Now back to John the Baptist.

 *****Luk 1:76  And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; 

Luk 1:77  To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, 

Luk 1:78  Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, 

Luk 1:79  To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. 

Luk 1:80  And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel. 

 John would be a prophet of God.

 There had been no prophets for four hundred years, and John would be the first prophet since the prophet Malachi.

 Here in this same verse, it is the Lord Jesus Christ who is the Highest.

 Jhn_10:30  I and my Father are one.

 Highest means the Supreme God, just so no one gets confused.

John was to prepare the way for the Lord Jesus.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the "Dayspring from on high". The morning light, the rising sun.

The Messiah, Our Lord Jesus, was sent to give light to those who had been in darkness.

The Messiah was sent to those who are in the shadow of death.

The Messiah was sent to guide our feet through this sinful world.

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 

Joh 14:7  If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. 

The only place in Scripture we see anything about the childhood of John the Baptist is in verse eighty.

He was a boy with a strong heart and commitment.

He had a strong will and decisiveness.

He was strong in his convictions.

He was a servant of the Most High God!

He was committed to follow, obey, and serve God.

He separated himself from the world until it was time for him to preach.

John stayed in the desert till the day of his showing.

John is not told to form a political party.

John is not told to make known God's thoughts to His people.

John is not taught all the fighting methods of his day.

John is not told to form an army.

John is told to trust the Lord!

Our one greatest test is, "do we have faith in the truth of God"?

Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 

Amen

The Promise of John the Baptist

  Book of Luke Chapter 1 Verses 4 through 25

 An Angel Foretold John's Birth 

 Who was Luke, who wrote the Book of Luke and the Book of Acts?

 Luke was a physician, maybe the most educated of all the writers of the Scriptures.

Luke was a Gentile, the only Gentile writer of the Scriptures.

 He was familiar with the Greek and Roman world and the Gospels.

 No doubt he was very familiar with the Apostle Paul.

 He stresses the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the person of Christ, and the ministry to the Gentiles.

 Luke is seen with Paul at Troas, a city in Asia Minor.

 Luke went to Jerusalem with Paul when Paul was arrested.

 Luke was with Paul when he was a prisoner in Caesarea.

 Luke was with Paul when Paul was imprisoned in Rome.

 Paul called Luke the beloved physician: Col 4:14  Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

 Paul called Luke a fellow worker in the spreading of the Gospel: Phm 1:24  Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers. 

 Luke was the last one to remain with Paul in his imprisonment.

 The writing of the Book of Luke and the Book of Acts was probably in the first century 58-62 AD, because Luke did not mention the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD, and he would have.

 Who was this Theophilus? Some believe he was a Gentile convert to Christianity and possibly a high official in the Roman government.

 This is suggested by the use of the words "most excellent".

 Because that name, Theophilus, means "Lover of God".

 We should know that there were many early attempts to narrate the life of Jesus Christ, but the four Gospels give us all that we need to know and preserve everything that was accurate and essential when those others did not.

 We know that the Gospels were led by the Holy Spirit, and only the books that were guided by and approved by the Holy Spirit make up the canon of the Bible we have today.

 Luke gives us an eyewitness account of the life of Jesus Christ. Luke was not an eyewitness, but he chose to get his information from those who were eyewitnesses to the life of Jesus Christ.

 The Book of Luke is the Gospel of salvation. Luke uses the words salvation and Savior many more times than the other Gospels.

 The Book of Luke gives us an orderly view of the whole life of Jesus Christ.

 Luke's Gospel is a record of historical events that are being verified every day!

 We will begin in verse 4

 *****Luk 1:4  That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed. 

 It may be that the purpose of the Book of Luke is to look at the Lord Jesus Christ as Man, the Son of Man.

 Joh 19:5  Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! 

 Pilate realized that "here stands the Man of God, who has fallen into the hands of mere men and our Lord Jesus came willingly.

 The intent of Luke was to establish the truth of Jesus Christ, God's Messiah.

 As Christians we must know that Christianity is based upon the truth of the Almighty God!

 The Gospel is more about God's creating power than His deliverance.

 Believers are "Born Again" a new creation of God!

 Tit_3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

 Col 3:10  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 

 2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

 To become a Christian is to be accepted by the only true God, our Creator.

 Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 

 The greatest feeling we can have as believers is to know we have been accepted by our Creator and chosen to join Him in Heaven in His house.

 Joh 14:2  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 

Joh 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 

Joh 14:4  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 

 Let us look at the birth of John the Baptist.

 *****Luk 1:5  There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. 

Luk 1:6  And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

 The parents of John the Baptist were righteous parents; they were godly parents.

 This is the foundation that every child should have.

 This family was childless because Elisabeth was barren.

 So, John the Baptist was a promised child.

 The name Zacharias means "Remembered of Jehovah".

 That phrase “the course of Abia" has a meaning.

 There were 24 groups assigned to the Temple, of all the descendants of Aaron, and Zacharias was in the eighth group.

 Each group served in the Temple for one week twice every year.

 John's mother was Elisabeth, and her name means "One whose oath is to God".

 Elisabeth was the daughter of a priest.

 She was a pure woman, a virgin at her marriage.

 All priests were required to marry a virgin.

The Bride of Christ must be considered the virgin wife (without sin) of our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ

 Like everyone who has ever lived, they had human problems in their lives.

 They were committed to each other, and they were committed to Jehovah.

 They spent their lives doing the things that pleased God.

 They obeyed the commandments.

They obeyed the ordinances.

They were blameless.

 These things do not mean they were perfect.

 None of us can be perfect until we reach Heaven's gates.

 They were faithful and living in such a way that no one could charge them with open sin.

This should be the same for Christians of today.

 They had now become elderly.

 John was promised to these godly parents right at the end of the reign of Herod the Great.

 This Herod also reigned at the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ and died during the time that Joseph had taken the Lord Jesus to Egypt to keep Him safe, though Herod could never have harmed Him.

 It was the providence of God.

 We know that Herod murdered every child in Bethlehem up to the age of two years old.

 Herod the Great was a wicked man.

 *****Luk 1:7  And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. 

 We should remember that God had promised His Messiah since the time of Moses.

 Deu 18:18  I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.

The Messiah would have a Jewish mother.

 Elisabeth had spent her entire life knowing that she could never be the mother of the Messiah because she was barren.

This was the wish of every Jewish mother. 

Some even considered baroness as a punishment for sin.

  1Sa 1:6  And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb. 

 She felt she was disfavored and displeasing to God.

 God was about to change things for Elisabeth.

 *****Luk 1:8  And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, 

Luk 1:9  According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

 For Zacharias, burning incense in the Temple was a great honor.

 A priest would probably only get one chance for this duty their whole lifetime.

 This duty was chosen by lot, and the lot was cast to choose one of those who had never had this opportunity, and finally, near the end of his life, Zacharias had been chosen.

 The incense was burned upon the altar by a priest before the morning service and after the evening service.

 The aroma of the incense was just like a prayer, as it enveloped the sacrifice and that aroma before the throne room of God.

 We should understand that the golden incense altar represents Jesus Christ as our Mediator.

 1Ti 2:5  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 

1Ti 2:6  Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 

 The golden altar of incense stood squarely in front of the Mercy Seat, depicting Jesus Christ interceding at God's right hand.

 Having a son to be born into any family at that time was also considered one of the greatest blessings from God.

 Both Zacharias and Elisabeth had remained faithful even though they were childless.

 Jas 5:11  Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. 

 *****Luk 1:10  And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

Zacharias and Elisabeth had many friends, and those friends were praying for Zacharias while he performed this great honor, and he also was praying.

 We should be praying for our pastor the whole time he is preaching and giving us the Word of God.

 1Ch 16:11  Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually. 

 If we do not see anything else, we should be able to see that we must patiently serve the Lord continuously all our days because He knows what we are going through, and remaining faithful is the only path to great blessings.

 Things were about to change for this godly family.

 *****Luk 1:11  And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 

Luk 1:12  And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 

Luk 1:13  But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. 

Luk 1:14  And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. 

Luk 1:15  For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. 

Luk 1:16  And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 

Luk 1:17  And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. 

 No doubt that Zacharias and Elisabeth were people who prayed, and they may have seen prayers answered for others, but they dearly wanted a child and preferred a son.

 We must realize a son was more apt to help them in their old age than a daughter in that day.

 Zacharias was even praying while he was performing his duties in the Temple.

 Zacharias was in God's House and working near the Holy of Holies on the right side of the Golden Altar of Incense.

 It seems that the right side is always the right side of the Lord to be on.

 Mat 25:33  And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 

Mat 25:34  Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 

 This was the place for prayer, and the angel of the Lord said Zacharia's prayer had been heard in Heaven.

 In the Book of Luke, we see more about angels than any other of the preachers in his day.

 Notice the first words of the angel were "fear not".

 Zacharias had nothing to fear, for he was a godly man, but not a perfect man, because we see that doubt entered into him.

 The Hebrew name for John is Johanna and is the name of four other Israelites.

 John the Baptist

John the Apostle

John Mark, who traveled with Apostle Paul for a short time.

John, the Kindred of Caiaphas

John, the father of Simon Peter

John, the son of Zacharias and Elisabeth, would be a great man of God.

John would cause his parents to be proud of him.

John would be great in the sight of God.

John would be like one of the prophets of old, Elijah.

John would take the vow of the Nazarene.

John would be filled with the Holy Spirit from his birth.

John would cause many to rejoice.

 There had been 400 years of silence of the time between the Old Testament and the New Testament, during which God did not speak to His people, and no Scripture was written. 

The 400 years of silence began with the warning that closed the Old Testament: “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD. 

He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse," and this period ended with the coming of John the Baptist, the Messiah’s forerunner.

 Mal 4:5  Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: 

Mal 4:6  And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

 The thing we can see is the fact that God does reward those who are faithful to Him.

 Next, we should understand that there is no good time to quit on God, especially in our older years.

 1Jn 3:22  And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 

1Jn 3:23  And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 

1Jn 3:24  And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. 

 John the Baptist was the prophet of the New Testament and turned many to the Lord.

 John the Baptist was the forerunner of the promised Messiah, and John preached and lived a whole lot like the Prophet Elijah from the Old Testament.

 Mat 17:10  And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? 

Mat 17:11  And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. 

Mat 17:12  But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. 

Mat 17:13  Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist. 

 *****Luk 1:18  And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. 

Luk 1:19  And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. 

 We should understand that it is never too late for God to answer a prayer, so we must never quit praying.

 Zacharias had lost confidence in himself, and he and his wife had a hard time believing this angel.

 Zacharias had forgotten that he was a child of God and not a child of the world.

 There is nothing too hard for God to accomplish at any time in our lives if we do not give up.

 Jer_32:17  Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:

 Jer_32:27  Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

 We either believe in God or we don't, at our own peril.

 It is only our Heavenly Father who can overrule the laws of nature!

 The angel Gabriel is one of those angels who stand in the presence of God, awaiting God's commands.

 Isa 63:9  In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. 

 Mat 18:10  Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

 We know that Michael is the most powerful angel, but we should not believe that there is any weakness in the angel Gabriel.

 The name Gabriel means "Hero of God".

 Gabriel always brings "Good News”, but Zacharias also got some bad news because of his doubts.

 *****Luk 1:20  And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. 

Luk 1:21  And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. 

Luk 1:22  And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. 

 We should understand that angels have no spirit. They speak straight up and do not show emotion.

 They speak the message that God has given to them just as He spoke it.

 To not believe what an angel tells you is to not believe in God the Father who gave him that message!

 We should understand that God's angels are very powerful and they speak reality.

 Because of that moment of doubt, Zacharias would spend the next nine months not being able to speak at all.

 The Jews still have a problem with the truth of God that they need to change.

 They expect God to show them a sign so they can know the truth.

 1Co_1:22  For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

 Gabriel was not offended by what Zacharias said, but the reaction of Zacharias was an offence to God.

 We need to be careful how we respond to the Word of God.

 The Bible is more about commandments than it is about suggestions.

 If we reject any part of the Word of God, we will certainly not have the ability to share the Word of God with others.

 God will not allow us to speak words of distrust or unbelief to those who need to hear the truth of the Gospel.

 We should understand that the chastening of the Lord can sometimes be painful.

 Rev 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 

 We should be more like Jeremiah when we have made such a mistake.

 Jer 10:24  O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing. 

 We need to ask for God's mercy in His chastisement.

 When the Lord sits as King of this world from Jerusalem, He will put a stop to all unbelief and distrust, just as He did to Zacharias.

 One of the major problems in our prayer life is that we do not believe that God will do what we ask of Him.

 Why pray at all if we do not have enough faith that God will answer our prayers?

 Can God change the course of nature? At any time, He so chooses to do it!

 Zacharias was to lead these people waiting on him in prayer after his work was complete, but he could not because God had taken away his voice until the time that John was born.

 *****Luk 1:23  And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. 

Luk 1:24  And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, 

Luk 1:25  Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

Zacharias had lost the use of his voice, but he still fulfilled his duties despite being chastised for unbelief.

He did not quit on God! 

He finished his course, and he returned home.

Elisabeth, after conceiving, hid herself for five months.

We have to think that she needed time alone with God to absorb all that was happening to her and to prepare herself for the job of being a godly parent even in her elder years.

Zacharias and Elisabeth lived to see God fulfill His promise.

When God makes a promise, He will keep that promise!

Elisabeth is conscious of the fact that God has shown His favor to her, and she is thankful.

She had wanted a child all her days of marriage, but it had not happened.

She had been barren, but by a miracle of God, her barrenness was over.

She did all the things she could do to have a healthy baby because she knew John would be used mightily by God.

This child, John the Baptist, would represent the end of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New Testament as he would preach to the world the soon coming of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.

When we answer God's calling, we become a part of God's salvation plan and the providence of God!

Amen

We Need to Celebrate God's Gift of Love

 Wisdom Celebrates God's Gift of Love

 Song of Solomon 1 through 8

 

The Song of Solomon is written about the love of a husband and a wife for each other.

 Most scholars believe this book was written by King Solomon.

 We know that Solomon wrote many songs, but this song is the only one approved by the Holy Spirit to be included in the canon of the Bible.

 1Ki 4:32  And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five. 

 This book is probably written to the Jews, but we know that every book of the Bible was also written to the Church.

 There are several ways that could be used to interpret the words of this book, but it is always best to use a literal view of the Scriptures.

 2Pe 1:19  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 

2Pe 1:20  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 

2Pe 1:21  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Wisdom Celebrates God's Gift of Love.

 We should interpret this book and its text naturally and plainly.

 It is a song about human, married love as God intended it to be.

 The marriage between one male and one female is the only approved marriage in the Scriptures.

 Everything else is an abomination to God and living in sin.

 We should be able to see an actual, historical relationship of King Solomon and his most loved first wife, a Shulamite woman.

 We can also see in typology that this marriage could be used as a type of the relationship of our Lord Jesus Christ to His Church.

It should also represent our own love for our Savior.

 The one thing we must do as we study the Bible is not to make this story fit some cultural mold.

 Almost every king in the day of King Solomon had a harem, and it was expected of them largely for the purpose of expanding their seed.

 Many of the king's marriages were for political purposes to build alliances with kings of other nations to provide security, but also prosperity for his nation.

 The Bible in no way defends the practice of polygamy!

 Deu 17:17  Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold. 

 God uses the leaders that he puts in place in every nation.

 King Solomon was living in sin!

 Neh 13:26  Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless, even him did outlandish women cause to sin.

 We can also understand that none of Solomon's marriages to this harem were romantic or loving.

 Many of these wives were considered possessions.

 Most of these wives lived with this and accepted it.

 These things remained this way until the coming of Jesus Christ, as he brought changes even to the Jews.

 Jesus Christ elevated the status of women at that time and still does today.

 A relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ is the best relationship that any of us can achieve, male or female.

 It is the epistles of the New Testament that reveal God's intention in every marriage of a male and a female.

 There are no other God approved marriages other than a male born a male and a female born a female to each other.

 The marriage of King Solomon to this Shulamite woman was not political.

 We can see the beauty of marital love and God's approval of the sexual relationship within a godly marriage.

 We can also see a type of Spiritual relationship between Jesus Christ and His Church (The Bride of Christ).

 *****Son 1:1  The song of songs, which is Solomon's. 

Son 1:2  Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. 

Son 1:3  Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee. 

Son 1:4  Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee. 

 If we love the Lord Jesus Christ, then we should love the Word of God.

 We know from the Book of Genesis to the Book of Revelation that the Word of God is all about the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.

 We also know that every word, every phrase, every passage in the Word of God is inspired by God Himself, and it is profitable for teaching, for reproving, for correction, and for training in righteousness so that we can be equipped for the good work of the Gospel.

 2Ti 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 

2Ti 3:17  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 

 This Song of Solomon is no different; it is the inspired Word of God!

 This is not a song about Solomon; it is a song about love!

 It is a song about human love, romantic love between a man and a woman.

 These are the words of the bride as she states her passionate love for her bridegroom.

 She does not name him. It was needless because all who know her know who her Bridegroom is and is the only One in her thoughts.

 If we put in the name of Jesus Christ, then those kisses of Jesus are meant to imply everything in Christ, and with Christ, Jesus in his person, and Jesus in his fulness, suitableness, and all-sufficiency, so on our part the kiss of grace implies everything that can denote love, adoration, faith, dependance, homage, subjection, and praise.

 If we apply this action to ourselves, it should mean that we cast ourselves on the Lord Jesus as a poor, dying sinner in need of salvation, saved by His blood.

 We can see that His kisses had an intoxicating effect on this wife, His bride.

 In most cases, this ointment is the oil of the olive, which many times is often perfumed.

 Oil in the Bible many times refers to the Holy Spirit.

 1Sa 16:13  Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

 This wife could only imagine the scent of her husband, whose ointment was just right for her senses.

 In the same way, His fragrance filled the air around Him; his good name, His character, and His reputation had saturated the community of those who had made themselves pure through the blood of Christ.

 Remember, a good name is better than precious ointment.

 She loved the way He smelled, but most of all she loved who He was.

 No wonder those who were pure loved Him.

 He was the most sought-after man in the Kingdom.

 She was now the envy of all the other maidens just as the Church is the envy of flase religion today.

*****Son 2:1  I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. 

Son 2:2  As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters. 

Son 2:3  As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. 

Son 2:4  He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. 

Son 2:5  Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love. 

Son 2:6  His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me. 

Son 2:7  I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.

 The term "the Rose of Sharon" is often associated with our Lord Jesus Christ, symbolizing His beauty, His perfection, and the love He offers to all who believe in Him.

 Many see "the Rose of Sharon" as the Church or as the Believers who are cherished as the people of God.

 Many see "the Rose of Sharon" as it describes the intimate relationship between our Lord Jesus and all those who love Him, and the love God has for His creations.

 Nowhere in the New Testament is our Lord Jesus actually referred to as the Rose of Sharon.

 He is referred to by many as the Rose of Sharon because many see the Rose as the most beautiful of all flowers.

 Sharon is a place, and it is one of the largest valley plains in all of Israel.

 In the time of King Solomon, it was considered a wild and fertile plain and had many beautiful flowers that grew wildly.

 Sharon was known for its beauty and majesty.

 Almost all Bible scholars say this Shulamite woman was the person who is described as the Rose of Sharon, as King Solomon's bride.

 Many say she is described as a black woman, and she could have been, and there would have been no problems if she were.

 What she was saying was that she was not like all those other women who were spoiled with riches, but that she worked out in the elements of the seasons, including the sun, and the sun had darkened her skin compared to the fair maidens of Israel. 

 This young shulamite was saying that she was not one of those dainty spoiled children of royalty.

She was not afraid of hard work. 

 To us who love Him, this passage refers to Jesus as being the Bridegroom and the Church as His Bride.

If the Church is not a hard working church it is not the Bride of Christ.

 The Holy Spirit is using the "lover" analogy to describe the personal relationship that He wants us to have with God's Son.

 Our Scripture says that she is the Rose of Sharon, a type of country flower, and is indeed a type of the Church.

 In type, the Church is the Rose of Sharon and the Lily among the thorns.

The Church is the Lily among the thorns of worldly people.

 It is Solomon who speaks up to his bride, saying she is as a lily compared to the thorns of other women, as the Church is in this world.

 As far as Solomon was concerned, there was not another woman in the world like his Shulamite bride.

 She may have seen herself as pretty, but she did not see herself as something special, she confessed she was just an average, everyday wildflower.

 She was not seeking compliments, nor a false sense of modesty; she was just being sincere.

 She said that Solomon was like an apple tree in a forest of other trees.

 Apple trees did not grow in the forest of Israel at that time, and if one was found, it was because someone had dropped a seed from an apple they had brought from somewhere else or a passing bird.

 Solomon had snatched her away from hard labor, and she was comfortable in his shade. Solomon had actually rescued her from her previous life.

 His fruit was sweeter than anything she had ever known.

 We can see that this apple tree is in type as the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Church now lies in His shadow His safety.

 In verse four, we see this bride give her testimony to her friends of how her life had changed, as if they were all in the banquet house where she is the honored guest.

 In type, we see that the Born-Again child of God, as they have entered into that Heavenly House of the Lord, and sitting at the table of the Lord Jesus Christ, no longer the Bride but now the wife.

 Rev 19:7  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 19:8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 

Rev 19:9  And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. 

 This young bride had to admit she was lovesick and overwhelmed by the love shown to her by her husband, the King.

 In type, this is the Church sitting at the feet of Jesus, amazed at the love He has shown to us.

 She does not talk so much of her love as she does of His love for her.

 Isa 54:5  For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.

 As he embraces her, she feels that moment of rest and security that she has never had in life.

 She wishes to remain in His arms forever.

 The left arm is the arm that comes as it was from His heart; the right arm is the arm of His power.

 The fact that his left hand is under her head also means that he lifts her head to look at him.

 The fact that his right arm embraces her means that he keeps it protective around her.

 Deu 33:27  The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.

 Love cannot be forced upon anyone, or they will lose their security.

 Those female gazelles and female deer are shy animals and will flee at the first sign of danger.

 This Shulamite had a great desire to consummate the marriage, but she knew she must remain chaste until that time came, and she warned all those around her.

 She made her friends promise her that they would also wait for the right person.

 In type, we see that we must make a strong commitment to the Lord and stick with our convictions.

 Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 

Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

 *****Son 3:6  Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant? 

Son 3:7  Behold his bed, which is Solomon's; threescore valiant men are about it, of the valiant of Israel. 

Son 3:8  They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night. 

Son 3:9  King Solomon made himself a chariot of the wood of Lebanon. 

Son 3:10  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. 

Son 3:11  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. 

 The wedding custom of that day in Israel was that weddings did not take place at the Temple nor at any Synagogue, but rather in the couple's homes.

 There would be a procession to the bride's home led by the Groom, who would then escort her back to their own new residence.

 Next, a wedding feast was given, which could last up to a week or longer.

 Though the wedding feast was prolonged, that couple would consummate their marriage on the first night.

 Verse 6 tells us that King Solomon and the Shulamite began their procession back to Jerusalem.

 This verse tells us what the onlookers saw.

 King Solomon, the richest man in the world, would have provided for an extravagant ceremony.

 That pillar of smoke reminds us of the time that the Lord Jesus led the Jews out of Egypt.

 The bride is perfumed, which tells us of her excellent virtues and service, which are acceptable to God and the Grace of Jesus Christ, which are a sweet savor to our Heavenly Father.

 He makes His Bride enriched and beautiful with the perfume and powders. The spices of Arabia were famous at that time.

 Rev 5:8  And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 

 2Co 2:14  Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 

2Co 2:15  For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 

 That wilderness was a place of bondage and misery, sin and humiliation, but Jerusalem was the mountain of the Lord.

 Psa 68:8  The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel. 

 Today the Church is passing through the wilderness, and the Church must follow the Lord Jesus, King of Kings, Lord of lords to New Jerusalem.

 We must leave the wilderness of sin and unbelief to have an everlasting union with our Savior.

 As the Church has been recognized, then the Bridegroom must be recognized.

 Those sixty valiant men were twice the number of men who usually traveled with the King, but He wants the bride to feel safe.

 We can see that the bed is a type of the Church, which is beautiful through the beauty of Jesus Christ.

 Which is also safe by the protection of Jesus Christ.

 In which Jesus Christ is glorified, and all believers enjoy sweet fellowship with Him throughout eternity.

 We should understand that God will use whatever it takes to protect His Church from the wiles of the Devil.

 Every valiant man was prepared to fight to prevent danger to the Church.

 That darkness is the world of Satan, the Devil.

 1Th 5:5  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 

1Th 5:6  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 

1Th 5:7  For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 

1Th 5:8  But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 

1Th 5:9  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 

1Th 5:10  Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 

1Th 5:11  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. 

 No matter how bright the Church shines, it cannot shine like our Savior.

 That chariot is where the Bride and the Bridegroom ride together is in typeology the Gospel, where our Savior was triumphant, and the Church rides into Glory.

 1Pe 1:25  But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. 

 Heaven is going to be the most beautiful place we have ever laid eyes on, and we do not have the words to describe how Heaven will be.

 We are still to be busy with the work the Lord has given us to do, even while we know the Trumpet could sound at any moment.

 John the Baptist said John 3:29  He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. 

 Rev 19:6  And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. 

Rev 19:7  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 19:8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 

Rev 19:9  And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

 Weddings just do not seem to be important in today's world.

Many couples just move in together to see if they are compatible and most of them separate because they forgot relationships take commitment.

 *****Son 4:12  A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. 

Son 4:13  Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard, 

Son 4:14  Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices: 

Son 4:15  A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon. 

 In that day, many gardens were enclosed to keep animals and strangers from having access to them.

 Solomon was saying that his bride was like an enclosed garden that only he had access to.

 The Lord Jesus feels this way about the Church as He strives to keep the Church pure, if the Church looks to Him only as the Head of the Church.

 The true Church is defended by the providence of Almighty God and reserved for His use.

 Whosoever loves the Lord Jesus Christ and shares their love with Him alone will shut themselves off from other objects of love.

 Mrk_12:30  And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

 Solomon was praising this Shulamite for her purity until the marriage ceremony was completed.

 The Shulamite was bringing to her husband a precious gift, a gift that could only be given once.

 This speaks to all the fair maidens in the Church.

 It is a gift for that one special person on the wedding day. The same one who has that endless love for them.

 Heb 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

 Solomon continues to describe how lovely his bride is to him.

 She was the greatest orchard.

She was the most pleasant of all fruits.

She was the most fragrant flower.

She was the most aromatic herb.

She was like the best of all perfumes.

She was the sweetest of all sugar canes.

She was the most fragrant of all the oils.

She was the most divine of all females.

She was the most anointed of all oils.

She was a living fountain of water.

 She was now ready and available to refresh the life of her husband.

 Psa 46:4  There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. 

Psa 46:5  God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. 

 *****Son 5:1  I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved. 

 Solomon knew it was this Shulamite who made him complete.

 Gen 2:24  Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

 Nine times in this one Scripture, Solomon uses the word “my”.

 His bride had given all she had to him.

 This is exactly what the Lord Jesus expects from His Church.

 Joh 14:23  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

 1Jn 3:18  My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 

1Jn 3:19  And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 

1Jn 3:20  For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 

1Jn 3:21  Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 

1Jn 3:22  And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 

1Jn 3:23  And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 

1Jn 3:24  And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. 

 No doubt that our young people should take a good look at the Song of Solomon once they know what it means.

 *****Son 5:2  I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night. 

Son 5:3  I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them? 

Son 5:4  My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him. 

Son 5:5  I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock. 

Son 5:6  I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer. 

There comes a time when the honeymoon is over and reality sets in.

 Before we get to this passage, let's just keep in mind how much of the Church has left the Lord Jesus, and He is outside the door of the Church wanting to get back in.

 Rev 3:15  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 

Rev 3:16  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 

Rev 3:17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 

Rev 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 

Rev 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 

Rev 3:21  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 

Rev 3:22  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. 

 This is the Church Age we are in today.

 In Chapter 5, Verse 2, we begin to see that the newness of marriage has passed, and life has set in. Life can be harsh even for those who have such great love.

 This Shulamite was no longer "my bride", but she was "my darling".

His darling wife locked the door on him and did not let him in.

It is possible this new bride of Solomon was dreaming and had two dreams, but maybe one was a dream and the other was reality.

Either way, she was alone in the bedroom, and we do not know why.

As a believer, there may be times when we think that we are so armored up that we have lost our focus on the Lord.

If we ever lose our focus on the Lord, we are treading in dangerous waters.

This change in love is noted in the Scriptures.

Rev 2:1  Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 

Rev 2:2  I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 

Rev 2:3  And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 

Rev 2:4  Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 

Rev 2:5  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 

Solomon knew she was unhappy with him, and we may not know the real reason, but He is King, and He has a large harem, and as king, he had many obligations.

He explains that he has been working as his head was filled with dew and his hair with the drops of his sweat.

She refused his advances. She was already washed, disrobed, and was in bed. Why should she dirty her feet she said to herself.

She refused to unlock the door. It is possible that she was just too tired.

We do not have to think that Solomon was trying to force the door open, probably because he could certainly have had the door opened if he chose to do so.

Husbands must realize that their wives could get tired with all the homework they have to do and many work outside the home.

It seems she was angry with Solomon for some reason.

We have to wonder how a husband with over one thousand women could ever have a true husband-to-wife relationship.

This Shulamite began to realize that she was not the queen in her household.

Solomon did not really understand God.

Eph 5:23  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 

Eph 5:24  Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 

Eph 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 

Eph 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 

Eph 5:27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 

Eph 5:28  So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 

Solomon's bride was hurt, angry, and resentful, but her heart began to soften, and she repented of her anger, and her desire for him returned.

She notices his hands as he reaches for her.

The Lord Jesus said: Luk 24:39  Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 

Psa 45:8  All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.

When she reached the door to let her husband in, she could smell the myrrh that he had left behind upon the lock.

The Shulamite paid a high price for not letting her husband into the bedchamber.

We will pay a high price when we reject the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Jhn_3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Solomon had not rejected her.

Solomon had remembered the place where they had first met and had not forgotten the love he had for her.

*****Son 8:6  Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. 

Son 8:7  Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned. 

A seal was a piece of metal, usually round or oval, which meant it was a sign of belonging to the king.

Seals are sometimes worn on the finger as a ring or upon a string or chain around the neck.

It would be applied to softened wax to seal some document or other government papers.

Every Christian wears the seal of the Lord: 2Ti_2:19  Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

That seal is the Holy Spirit: Eph_1:13  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

We are sealed until the day the Lord Jesus returns to take us home: Eph_4:30  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

The Shulamite bride of King Solomon wanted such a seal on Solomon's heart so he could not give his heart to another.

She said to Solomon, "Place me as the seal as a signet ring upon thy heart".

Love is as strong as death.

She wishes to be united in the closest way with her lover and valued as his most precious possession.

She knows that jealousy is like the fires of hell, unquenchable.

She knows that no amount of water could put out such fervent love as she has for Solomon.

It is a fact that love is life itself.

We need the Lord Jesus Christ because we need His love and lest we forget, He is the Light of Life.

Jhn_13:34  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another

Eph_3:17  That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

Eph_3:19  And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Joh 6:28  Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 

Joh 6:29  Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. 

Amen