Read the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 28, Song of Solomon 3-4
I’ll be using David Guzik’s commentary to better understand the book of “Song of Solomon.” Read chapter 3 here and chapter 4 here or download the “Enduring Word Commentary” free from the Apple Store or the Google Store or read Mr. Guzik’s commentary in the Blue Letter Bible app, also available from the Apple Store or Google Store.
Additionally, he has sermons available for you to watch or listen to on his Enduring Word website, chapter 3 here and chapter 4 here.
Here is one of my favorite parts.
A garden locked is my sister, my bride, a spring locked, a fountain sealed.
Song of Songs 4:12 ESV
Guzik writes,
“Seeing the high value of virginity also helps us to understand the Biblical commands against pre-marital sex. It is helpful to refute many myths about pre-marital sex:
· Myth: “The Bible says nothing against premarital sex.”
Fact: The high value placed on virginity, seen here and in other passages such as Deuteronomy 22:13-29 shows premarital sex is wrong. But it also clearly found in the passages that speak against the sexual sin known in the New Testament as porneia, and commonly translated “fornication” (1 Corinthians 6:13 and 6:18; Ephesians 5:3 and 5:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3. Porneia broadly refers to all types of sexual activity outside of marriage (including homosexuality); it encompasses practically all sexual behavior outside of that which is practiced between a husband and a wife in the bonds of their marriage.
· Myth: “He wants to have sex with me because he loves me.”
Fact: His love for you will be proved by his willingness to wait for marriage. The desire for sex does not prove love in a man. In one survey, 55% of men said “yes” to the following question: “If you could be certain that your wife or girlfriend would never know, would you have sex with any of her friends?” And to the question, “Have you ever had sex with a woman you have actively disliked?” 58% of men said “yes”. You are foolish if you think a boy loves you – or even likes you – because he wants to have sex with you.
· Myth: “My boyfriend is a Christian and loves the Lord. I don’t have to worry about that.”
Fact: Christian men face the same challenges as non-Christians when it comes to sexual desires and lusts. They have the ability to overcome those lusts by the power of the Holy Spirit, but it isn’t easy and many who thought they were strong enough have fallen to these sins.
· Myth: “We are going to get married, so it doesn’t matter.”
Fact: It does matter. First, you are setting a value on your own sexuality; there is a sense in which a woman then gives her future husband the right to treat her as an object. Second, you are setting a pattern; you are agreeing that in some circumstances, sex outside of marriage is acceptable, and this is something you don’t want in your mind or in the mind of your marriage partner; especially because one of the most important aspects of a long lasting, fulfilling sexual relationship is trust. Third, you are only taking away from the blessing God intends for your sexual relationship when married.
· Myth: “We can be married before God.”
Fact: If you were on a desert island without any intuitions of government or society, this might be an argument. But marriage in both the Biblical and cultural sense is being joined together in a public ceremony that is recognized as legal and legitimate by the law and the culture. You aren’t on a desert island
Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your gifts of marriage and of forgiveness. Thank You for the cleansing blood of Jesus that washes white as snow. I lift up all the single women and men. Please help them to be strong and patient as they wait for their spouse and their wedding day. Help us to trust You and turn to You, believing the truth and casting out the lies. For Your glory and our good. Amen.
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