The Incomparable Christ – Song of Solomon 1:12-14

Fifth lesson in a devotional series through the Song of Solomon. This series interprets the Song as being a picture of the relationship between Christ and the believer.

Interpretation: Key N.T. Verses

1. Eph. 5:32 “This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”
2. 2 Cor 11:2 “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”
3. Luke 24:44 “And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.”

Theme: The Song presents the language of spiritual intimacy. It speaks to us of the affections of the heart.

C.H. Spurgeon: “The Song is a golden casket, of which love is the key rather than learning. Those who have not attained unto heights of affection, those who have not been educated by familiar intercourse with Jesus, cannot come near to this mine of treasure.” Pg. 104

The Presence of Christ (Vs. 12)

The Place of His presence (12a)

1. ‘king’ – Refer Vs. 4. Speaks of His exalted position as ruler and sovereign; His Lordship.
2. ‘table’
   1. Provision: Scripture speaks of the bounty of Solomon’s table. 1 Kings 4:22-23 “And Solomon’s provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal, Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl.” Everything we need for the Christian life is found in Christ.
   2. Position: The table reminds us of the privilege we have as believer’s to be a part of the King’s royal family.
   3. Person: It is the privilege of being in the King’s company at the table that is relished by the bride. This is what is most strongly in view.
   4. Application: As we celebrate the ordinance of the Lord’s Table, we are reminded of the Provision of salvation that was made by the body and blood of Christ at Calvary. We also enjoy communion (fellowship) with Christ as a gathered company of believers (1 Cor 10:16).

The Response to His presence (12b)

1. ‘spikenard’ = a precious perfume made from a plant that grows in the Himalaya Mountains. Represents our worshipful response to His Person & Provision. His presence produces spiritual sweetness in my life.
2. N.T. Illustration: John 12:1-3 – The Fragrance of Mary’s demonstration of sacrificial love.
3. Hudson Taylor: “It is in His presence and through His grace that whatever of fragrance or beauty may be found in us comes forth. Of Him as its source, through Him as its instrument, and to Him at its end, is all that is gracious and divine.” Pg. 21

The Preciousness of Christ (Vs. 13-14)

The Symbol of Myrrh (Vs. 13a)

1. The Value of Christ: Myrrh is spoken off in Scripture as a rich, rare and costly substance.
   1. A gift of Jacob’s to Joseph in Egypt (Gen 37:25)
   2. An ingredient in the anointing oil for the tabernacle worship (Ex. 30:23-25)
   3. It is mentioned 8 times in the Song
2. The Sacrifice of Christ: Myrrh is sweet to smell but bitter to taste. The sufferings of the cross were a bitter cup our Lord drunk but how sweet they are to the nostrils of the repentant sinner.
   1. Myrrh was offered to Christ as a gift by the wise men (Matt. 2:11)
   2. Christ was offered a wine/myrrh mixture at the cross (Mark 15:23)
   3. Christ’s body was embalmed in myrrh and aloes by Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus.
3. Other applications from Spurgeon’s Sermon: Myrrh also represents pleasantness, preserving qualities, a disinfectant, a cure and a beautifier.

The Title of well-beloved (13b)

1. First time title used in the Song. Used 33 times in the Song.
2. Refers to one who is greatly & dearly loved. It’s the Title used by God the Father of His Son (e.g. Matt. 3:17)
3. Challenge: How precious is Christ to you? What place does He have in your deepest affections?

The Picture of Communion (13c)

1. Christ is cherished
2. Spurgeon: “She desires to have him where she can see him, and near to her heart.” Pg. 114
3. Illustration: The Apostle John (Jn 13:23)

The Peculiarity of Christ (Vs. 14)

The Symbol of Camphire

The Plant (14a)

1. ‘cluster’ = Hebrew word ‘Eshkol’ (Refer Num 13:23)
2. ‘camphire’ = A Henna flower that grows in this area. The shrub is from four to 6 feet high and produces highly fragrant, white flowers that grow in clusters.

The Place (14b)

1. ‘vineyards’ = place of grapevines
2. ‘Engedi’ = Located in the wilderness of Judea on the western shore of the Dead Sea. A flourishing oasis in the midst of desert conditions. It was a place full of rocks and caves. David hid here from Saul (1 Samuel 23:29)

The Principles

1. Christ is our oasis in the dry, barren wilderness of this world. He is found in a place of refreshment and rest. “Living in the wilderness of the world her Beloved is sweetness to her, a sweetness unknown in the moral desert all around her.” Flanigan
2. Christ is unique, He stands out to the spiritual eye. “The bouquet of henna-flowers in a place where flowers were not generally seen symbolizes the uniqueness of the Lord Jesus.” NeeChrist is sweet/fragrant. He satisfies the longing heart. Interestingly the word ‘camphire’ is translated elsewhere ‘ransom’ and ‘satisfaction’

Conclusion

1. Is your life fragrant for the Saviour?
2. How much do you value your Saviour? Is He precious to you?

Sermon 5 of 22 in Song of Solomon Series

Sermon Audio Id: 92516648591