SCRIPTURE
“My beloved is mine, and I am His….” Song of Songs 2:16 NIV
“My lover is mine, and I am His….” Song of Songs 2:16 MESSAGE
SPOTLIGHT
I was doing missionary work in Athens, Greece. Before my wife Donna joined me, I had gone ahead a few weeks earlier. As I regularly walked to the ICF Athens church, I often would have to pass by a Greek restaurant waiter who began noticing me and engaging me in conversation. He did not ask me what I did, but he knew I was from the USA and would be soon joined by my wife. Boldly he suggested that until Donna came, I should have a fling with a European woman. Quickly I replied, “Why would I trade a pearl for a stone?” As I walked away, my words challenged him.
Song of Songs, written by Solomon, is one of the most misunderstood books in the Bible. Many Christians have questioned its right to be a part of the Scriptures. Before condemning it, however, it is important to note a few things. Jewish people have held it in high esteem. Robert Lee wrote in, “The Outlined Bible” that, “They reckoned it amongst the holiest of books. They compared Proverbs to the outer court of the Temple, Ecclesiastes to the Holy Place, and the Song of Solomon to the Holiest of all.” In the “Fire Bible,” Editor Donald Stamps wrote, “This book was inspired by the Holy Spirit and incorporated into the Scriptures to underscore the divine origin of the joy and dignity of human love in marriage… Though sin has marred this important area of human experience, God wants us to know that it can be pure, wholesome, and beautiful. Song of Songs, therefore, provides a corrective model….”
WHY TRADE A PEARL FOR A STONE? When you are unconditionally loved by someone, you possess a pearl of unknown value. Consider your spouse your pearl! The love between a man and a woman must be genuine. Both people must be totally convinced that “My lover is mine and I am his.” God instituted marriage to be monogamous. There should be no desire to have a fling. The temptation may come, but pure commitment wins. The eyes of the lover only see beauty beyond any flaw. [Song of Songs 4:7]. His, or her heart, is totally captured—[Song of Songs 4:9]. Thoughts of your lover make your heart pound—[Song of Songs 5:4]. Your love is as strong as death. [Song of Songs 8:6,7]. Donald Stamps wrote, “In marriage, there must be such a love for, and commitment to each other, that faithfulness to each other is of the highest importance in our lives.”
Jesus told the parables of the hidden treasure. Matthew 13:45,46 states, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” The truth that He is teaching concerning the Kingdom of God is also applicable to marriage. Your spouse is your invaluable pearl. He/she is worth giving up everything. Transferring your whole heart to your spouse is God’s way of expressing love. “Be to his/her virtues very kind. Be to his/her faults a little blind.” Proverbs 18:22 states, “He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.”
SOMETHING TO DO
What you say and what you do should go hand in hand. What are 7 things you can say to your spouse over the next 7 days that will communicate to him/her that you consider him/her to be your pearl? What are 12 things you can do over the next 12 months that communicate to your spouse that you consider him/her to be beyond value?
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I want to thank You for blessing me with a spouse who I consider to be priceless. With Your divine help, I will honor and cherish him/her until death. Show me new ways and remind me of old ways to communicate my love to my spouse. AMEN!