O that Thou wert as my brother, literally, "as a brother to me," THAT SUCKED THE BREASTS OF MY MOTHER! WHEN I SHOULD FIND THEE WITHOUT, out in the open country, the far reaches of the world, I WOULD KISS THEE; YEA, I SHOULD NOT BE DESPISED, or, "yet none would despise me. ... [ Continue Reading ]
THE JOYS OF THE HEAVENLY MARRIAGE. The Longing Cry of the Church... [ Continue Reading ]
I would lead Thee and bring Thee into my mother's house, who would instruct me, rather, "Thou wouldest instruct me"; I WOULD CAUSE THEE, in return for such instruction, TO DRINK OF SPICED WINE OF THE JUICE OF MY POMEGRANATE, the full and true love of her heart.... [ Continue Reading ]
His left hand should be under my head, and His right hand should embrace me, 2:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
I charge you, so the Bridegroom calls out once more, O DAUGHTERS OF JERUSALEM, THAT YE STIR NOT UP NOR AWAKE MY LOVE, UNTIL HE PLEASE, rather, "until it please," 2:7. Although the work of the Church is done willingly and faithfully, yet it is done under difficulties. And therefore she cries out to H... [ Continue Reading ]
Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her Beloved? supported by Him as they, united in love, approach their home above. I RAISED THEE UP UNDER THE APPLE-TREE, stimulating His jealous zeal; THERE THY MOTHER BROUGHT THEE FORTH; THERE SHE BROUGHT THEE FORTH THAT BARE THEE, namely... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BLISSFUL UNION IN HEAVEN... [ Continue Reading ]
Set me as a seal upon Thine heart, like a signet-ring worn on a cord over the heart, AS A SEAL UPON THINE ARM; FOR LOVE, in its essence, in the absoluteness of its perfection, IS STRONG AS DEATH; JEALOUSY IS CRUEL AS THE GRAVE, hard and unyielding in persistence; THE COALS THEREOF ARE COALS OF FIRE,... [ Continue Reading ]
Many waters cannot quench love, as found in Jehovah, NEITHER CAN THE FLOODS DROWN IT, the rivers washing it away. IF A MAN WOULD GIVE ALL THE SUBSTANCE OF HIS HOUSE FOR LOVE, hoping to buy or gain it with such a price, IT WOULD UTTERLY BE CONDEMNED, for all the riches of this world are insufficient... [ Continue Reading ]
We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts; what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for? when suitors for her hand would appear.... [ Continue Reading ]
If she be a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver; and if she be a door, we will enclose her with boards of cedar, to prevent access.... [ Continue Reading ]
I am a wall, so Shulamith answers, AND MY BREASTS LIKE TOWERS; THEN WAS I IN HIS EYES AS ONE THAT FOUND FAVOR; because she had kept her charms intact, she found peace in the love of the King.... [ Continue Reading ]
Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon, the "city of tumult "; HE LET OUT THE VINEYARD UNTO KEEPERS, placing it in the charge of several at once; EVERY ONE FOR THE FRUIT THEREOF WAS TO BRING A THOUSAND PIECES OF SILVER, the full product of the vineyard. Answering this statement of the bride, the King... [ Continue Reading ]
My vineyard, which is Mine, is before Me, in the person of the bride. That is as it should be, the bride says: THOU, O SOLOMON, MUST HAVE A THOUSAND, AND THOSE THAT KEEP THE FRUIT THEREOF TWO HUNDRED, as a payment for their faithful work. In conclusion the Bridegroom once more issues His kind invita... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou that dwellest in the gardens, the companions hearken to thy voice; cause Me to hear it. And the bride answers in the eagerness of her love:... [ Continue Reading ]
Make haste, my Beloved, and be Thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices, those known for the scent of their balsam. It is the last fond cry of the Church as she looks forward to the delights of heaven. We have here both a climax and a summary. The Church, accompanied by Chr... [ Continue Reading ]