Sunday 11.00am
Wednesday 7.00pm
(childcare provided)
Overview
Within one verse of honeymoon bliss, we find Solomon and his new wife in conflict as she rebuffs his advances. Who says the bible doesn’t accurately reflect real life?
This conflict covers almost two entire chapters, 5 and 6, of this inspired poem. In 5:2-9, we see the basic elements of reconciliation revealed.
Requirements for Reconciliation
King Solomon responds to rejection in a loving way by living liquid myrrh on the latch to his wife’s bedchamber (verse 5). Romans 12:17-21 exhorts us not to be vengeful when injured, but instead to respond to evil with love. By doing this, we relinquish the role of changing our spouse and entrust that task to the one who does it best, the Holy Spirit.
Once Solomon’s bride is convicted of her wrong, she experiences a soul change that moves her to action (verses 6-8). She is unable to find him, is shamefully beaten by the watchmen and requests help from the daughters of Jerusalem. Her repentant heart moves her towards active reconciliation.
In verse 9, the daughters of Jerusalem seek to understand the motive of Solomon’s wife. They ask her reflective questions that will result in recounting the love she has for her husband. God has given us His covenant community (the local church) to challenge us in loving our spouses and checking in on the health of our marriages.
Application Questions
1) Are you responding in love when you experience rejection from your spouse?
2) Are you repentant of your sin against your spouse? Does your repentance spring you into acts of reconciliation?
3) Are you a part of a community that will help you remember the covenant between you and your spouse?
4) Read Revelation 3:20. Are you responsive to Jesus’ initiative of fellowship?
Resources
Love That Lasts: When a Marriage Meets Grace, by Gary and Betsy Ricucci, Chapter 6, “The Heart of Conflict”.