song of solomon 3-4

Read Song of Solomon 3-4 at Bible Gateway.

Chapter 3 is the song of the Shulamite, the bride of King Solomon, and chapter 4 is the song of King Solomon, the Beloved of the Shulamite. “Shulamite” is found only in this book in Scripture. Its root is the same root as the name “Solomon:”  Strong’s H7999, shalam (also the root of shalom), which means, to be in a covenant of peace, or to be at peace; to be complete or sound. So the bride is not named in this book, other than to indicate that she is the feminine counterpart of Solomon.

However, we know already that Solomon is a type of Messiah Yeshua in His second coming, for greatness, glory, beauty, wisdom, might, and dominion; who is the Prince of Peace (shalom), for the earth will have peace under Yeshua’s reign as Israel did under Solomon’s. So I think it is fair to say that the Shulamite is also a type of the Bride of Messiah, the feminine counterpart of the Prince of Peace. The Bride of Messiah is the new Jerusalem:

Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,  having the glory of God. Rev 21:9-11

They say that the Body of Messiah is the Bride of Messiah. If so, this is what the Bridegroom says of His Bride:

“You are all fair, my love,
And there is no spot in you.” Son 4:7

“You have ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse;
You have ravished my heart with one look of your eyes, with one link of your necklace.
How fair is your love, my sister, my spouse!
How much better than wine is your love,
And the scent of your perfumes than all spices!” Son 4:9-10

The first thing that shocks me about this passage, is, how can Yeshua say of His Bride that she is all fair, without spot? He has washed her of all spots, stains, blemishes, and sins. It is not just that in His eyes,  she appears spotless; she is without spot for He has made her without spot. He is coming to judge the earth with justice, verity, and truth; and His judgment concerning His Bride is also just and true!

The second thing that shocks me, is to realize that as deeply as we are yearning for His coming, He is just as deeply, probably even more deeply, yearning for His coming, not only to bring righteousness and peace on the earth, but He will be united with His Bride, for the day of His wedding is the day of the gladness of His heart (Son 3:11).

In the mean time, as both the Bride and the Bridegroom await that day, let us remember, when we assemble together to worship Him, as we turn our eyes upon Him, that we ravish His heart with one glance of our eyes! Let us dare to believe that what the Scripture reveals is true, and that His love and passion for us truly runs this deeply!