SONG OF SONGS

CHAPTER ONE
Are you ready to enter into the “Holy of Holies”? Be forewarned: Your life will never again be
the same. This Song is your divine destiny. It changes everything: You and how you view
yourself, your relationship with your Bridegroom, your purpose, and your future. As you study
this Song, your passion for Him will be refueled as when one puts logs on a fire. God is
omnipresent, so He is always present (Psalm 139). It is His manifested presence that we seek
and which we can experience when we come to understand this little book called “The Song of
Songs”.

CHAPTER OVERVIEW: This chapter introduces the song and its author, King Solomon.
It begins with a cry for intimacy from the Bride, who represents all true believers who are
seeking a closer relationship with their Bridegroom, Jesus Christ. The remainder of the chapter
focuses on events and interchanges occurring between the Bride and Bridegroom in His chamber
and banqueting house.

1 The song of songs which is Solomon’s.

(1) The song of songs...

The preface to this song in the Jewish Targums reads: “This is the Song Of Songs, the prophet
king of Israel, which he sang before Jehovah the Lord.” It is also called “The Canticles” which
means a series of songs.

These four words serve as an introduction to an exciting adventure in intimacy with God, a call
to fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ. The book is one of over 1,000 songs written by
Solomon--but it is THE song of ALL songs. It is the supreme song.

The Jewish Targum lists ten songs, with the Song Of Songs excelling them all:

-The first: Sung by Adam when his sin was pardoned.

-The second: Sung by Moses and the Israelites at the Red Sea.
-The third: Sung by the Israelites when they drank of the rock in the wilderness.
-The fourth: Sung by Moses prior to his departure from the world.
-The fifth: Sung by Joshua when the sun and moon stood still.
-The sixth: Sung by Deborah and Barak after the defeat of Sisera.
-The seventh: Sung by Hannah when the Lord promised her a son.
-The eighth: Sung by David for all the mercies given him by God.
-The ninth: Sung in the spirit of prophecy by Solomon.
-The tenth: Sung by the children of Israel when restored from captivity.

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 Did you know that God rejoices over you with singing, perhaps with the words of this
Song of Songs?

The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee
with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
(Zephaniah 3:17, KJV)

...For...as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.
(Isaiah 62:5, KJV)

The Song Of Songs is a foretaste of the new songs to be sung in Heaven:

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the
seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every
kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation… (Revelation 5:9)

And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and
the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four
thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. (Revelation 14:3)

And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten
the victory
over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his
name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of
Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are
thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who
shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? For thou only art holy: for all nations
shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest. (Revelation
15:2-4)

For further study on Biblical songs see “Songs And Singing In Scripture” in Appendix One of
this manual

(1) ...which is Solomon’s.

This song was written by Solomon under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. First Kings 4:32
reveals that Solomon wrote 1,005 songs, this one being the greatest. Solomon most likely wrote
this Song before being drawn away from God by his sinful compromises (1 Kings 11:3-4). See
the biographical profile on Solomon in Supplemental Study I-1 in the Introduction.

It is said that on the day that this song was first sung that the Shekinah of God descended and the
priests could not stand to minister because of the glory of God (1 Kings 8:11). Rabbi Akiba
stated: “No day in the history of the world is so precious as the day on which the Song of Songs
was given to Israel; for all other Scriptures are holy, but the Song of Songs is holiest of all.”

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THE BRIDE
The Bride is also called the Shulamite in SOS 6:13. The word for Solomon and Shulamite are
taken from the same Hebrew root word, one being masculine and the other feminine. Solomon’s
name occurs seven times in the book, symbolic of the perfect Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth--

for your love is better than wine.
His name is like ointment poured forth which heals and soothes.
His love is better than wine which revives drooping spirits.

The Song opens with a cry for intimacy from the Bride. She doesn’t want to know about her
Bridegroom, she wants to know Him! She is crying out for relationship with Jesus Christ, not
devotion to a cause or a religion.

Moses cried out, “Show me your glory!” (Exodus 33:18). The Apostle Paul confessed the
desire “…that I might know him” (Philippians 3:10). David expressed it like this:

Here’s one thing I crave from God, the one thing I seek above all else: I want the
privilege of living with him every moment in his house, finding the sweet loveliness of his
face, filled with awe, delighting in his glory and grace. (Psalm 27:4, TPT)

A.W. Tozer notes:

“The simplicity which is in Christ is rarely found among us. In its stead are programs,
methods, organizations, and a world of nervous activities which occupy time and
attention but can never satisfy the longing of the heart.”

The Bride’s cry for intimacy with her Bridegroom will be answered by the Holy Spirit…

…because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given
unto us. (Romans 5:5)

(2) Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth.

The Bride does not ask for a great ministry, but for an intimate relationship. Ministry must be
born of relationship, for it is your passion that will take you through your problems to achieve
your purpose. Your journey into intimacy with the Bridegroom begins with a seeking heart, and
then you must “let Him” do the rest. Intimacy with Him is not a result of self-effort.

Every person alive will kiss the Son of God--in one of two ways:
-A kiss that results in death, like Judas gave to Jesus: Luke 22:47-48.

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 -A kiss that brings a new life of intimacy with God: SOS 1:2.

This request for a kiss is not speaking of light kisses given on the cheek or butterfly kisses that
you give a casual acquaintance. This is a passionate desire for a spiritually intimate kiss from
the Lord. The Bride does not ask for a sermon, a blessing, a miracle, or success. She
desperately desires intimacy with her Bridegroom.

The cry for the kiss is the beginning of intimacy, the starting point of spiritual progress. The
Bride is not satisfied with an ordinary causal relationship. Kisses received only during Sunday
morning church services are not enough. She wants Him to kiss her personally, not just receive
a message from His prophets or teachers or even from an angel.

According to Rabbinic tradition, “kissing” in scriptural context is a prophetic Word from God
that brings spiritual life: “…every man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the
Lord” (Deuteronomy 8:3). The kiss is a metaphor for intimacy with God. Two other
metaphors used for this intimacy is the seal of God (SOS 8:6) and the embrace of God (SOS 2:5;
8:4). The Bride asks for a kiss, and receives much more--she eventually receives the embrace of
God and a seal confirming her union with Him.

Many people seek for a great revelation from God, not realizing that it is intimacy with Him that
leads to such revelations. John, the beloved disciple, had the closest relationship with Jesus of
all of the disciples and to him was given the great prophecy of future events, the book of
Revelation.

Your Bridegroom does not want to just visit with you occasionally. He desires habitation, not
visitation. He doesn’t want your life to be like a motel where you only check Him in when you
are trouble. He wants to abide with you forever, in the good times and the bad. You cannot
preserve your independence and receive this kiss. This spiritual kiss is the union of God’s Spirit
with your spirit. Through the kiss, two become one.

In the natural world, a kiss is the first thing one gives a newborn baby and the last thing one
gives to a loved one at the time of death. In the Bible, kissing is used as an expression of
affection, a pledge of peace, a token of reconciliation, or a sign of acceptance.

In the many cultures, the kiss is a token of sealing a marriage. “You may kiss the Bride,” the
minister says at the end of the ceremony. The same is true for the spiritual kiss:

And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in
righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth
thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the Lord. (Hosea 2:19-20)

The kiss is also a token of intimate friendship as demonstrated by David and Jonathan:

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 And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell
on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another,
and wept one with another… (1 Samuel 20:41)

The spiritual kiss is the union of God’s Spirit with your spirit, a deep and lasting experience that
will sustain you in the difficult circumstances of life. The Hebrew word for “kiss” is nashaq
which also means to equip and arm for battle. So in addition to developing intimacy, you also
need the kisses of His prophetic Word in order to become an effective spiritual warrior.

Once you experience the kiss, nothing else will satisfy. Just as a kiss can spread viruses in the
natural world, the spiritual kiss of intimacy from your Bridegroom will begin a holy epidemic.
A passionate love for Christ that is evident in your life will ignite the desire in others to be
kissed by the Lord. Kisses in the natural world stir emotions and desire, as does a spiritual kiss
from God.

We kiss Him with the dedication of our time, energy, talents, and finances but there is a deeper
level yet. The Bride wants to be touched supernaturally through His Word:

Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me,
Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. (Jeremiah 1:9, KJV)

God spoke to Moses face-to-face (Numbers 12:8). In Hebrew it actually says “mouth-to-
mouth”. The Bible states: “And when you speak my words you are speaking mouth-to-mouth.
Your lips shall speak with my lips” (Proverbs 23:26, TPT). The Bride wants His words flowing
from His mouth to hers as a kiss upon her lips.

How to experience the kiss of the Bridegroom:

-Eliminate competition. You cannot kiss two people at the same time. Who will
you kiss spiritually?
-Examine yourself. Are you afraid to kiss Him because you have “bad breath”
affected by the leeks and garlics of Egypt (representing sin)? Ask God to
eliminate everything in your life that would interfere with the kiss of the Bridegroom.
-Explore the deep things of God through the Word, meditation, and prayer.
-Enjoy your relationship with God. It is not all about spiritual warfare. The first
commandment is to love God--not do warfare, intercession, etc.
-Embrace His purposes which, as the SOS reveals, involves going with your
Bridegroom to minister in the world.
-Express your deepest emotions to Him through praise and worship.

Scriptures for further study of kissing.

Types of kisses include:

-A familial kiss: Then his father Isaac said to him, "Come near and kiss me, my son"

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(Genesis 27:26).

-A farewell kiss: And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss
my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for
what have I done to thee? (1 Kings 19:20).

-A kiss of respect and affection: And whenever a man came near to do obeisance to him, he
would put out his hand, and take hold of him, and kiss him (2 Samuel 15:5).

-The kiss of idolatry: And the Lord said to Elijah, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of
Damascus; and when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria; and Jehu the son
of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel; and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah
you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. And him who escapes from the sword of Hazael
shall Jehu slay; and him who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. Yet I will leave
seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not
kissed him" (1 Kings 19:15-19).

-A kiss of submission to God: Kiss his feet, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way; for his
wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him (Psalm 2:12).

-A kiss of an intimate union: Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace
will kiss each other (Psalm 85:10).

-An idolatrous, sinful kiss: And now they sin more and more, and make for themselves molten
images, idols skillfully made of their silver, all of them the work of craftsmen. Sacrifice to these,
they say. Men kiss calves! (Hosea 13:2).

-A kiss of betrayal: Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I shall kiss is the
man; seize him" (Matthew 26:48--See also Mark 14:44 and Luke 22:47-48).

-A kiss from an enemy: Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy
(Proverbs 27:5).

-A kiss of devotion: You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss
my feet (Luke 7:45).

-A kiss of brotherly affection: Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ
greet you (Romans 16:16--See also 1 Cor. 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26;
and 1 Peter 5:14).

-The kiss of a harlot: She seizes him and kisses him, and with impudent face she says to him…
(Proverbs 7:13).

(2) ... for your love is better than wine…

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Wine is the fermented juice of grapes. Wine was a common commodity in Jewish life. It was a
significant trade item; was important in worship; was included as part of offerings; was used to
pay debts; as a medicine; and as a beverage.

Grapes, from which wine is made, grow on vines. In the natural world, it takes a long time to
make good wine: Planting seeds, watering, fertilizing, pruning, maintaining, and harvesting the
grapes. The process takes three to five years for average quality wine grapes. Higher quality
wine requires five to seven years. Like aging wine, spiritual maturity takes time.

The grapevine: Jesus used the grapevine to describe His relationship with believers saying, “I
am the vine, you are the branches” (John 15:1). In John 15, the Father is described as the
gardener or husbandman of the spiritual vineyard of true believers. As such, God watches over
His vineyard so that no one can harm it (Isaiah 27:2-3).

In both the natural and spiritual worlds, it is God who enables growth (1 Corinthians 3:7). He
prunes your spiritual vine so it will bear fruit (John 15:2). He cuts off “suckers” that will sap
the life out of your spiritual vine. He eliminates pests--attitudes, habits, and sins--that would
destroy the fruit of your life.

Harvesting: In Palestine, grape harvesting was accompanied by great celebration. The ripe fruit
was gathered in baskets, carried to the winepresses, and trampled to release the juice. The
treading was done by one or more men, according to the size of the vat, who encouraged one
another with shouts (Isaiah 16:9-10; Jeremiah 25:30; 48:33). As believers harvesting the
spiritual fields of the world, we should continually encourage one another.

The Wine of the Spirit: Wine is symbolic of the infilling of the Spirit:

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to
yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your
heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ… (Ephesians 5:18-20)

The infilling of the Holy Spirit results in joyous emotions and enthusiastic passion similar to
what is experienced by one who has imbibed wine. When the gift of the Holy Spirit was given
on the day of Pentecost, observers actually accused believers of being drunk:

Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. But Peter, standing up with the
eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at
Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken,
as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken
by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out
of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your
young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants

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 and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall
prophesy…(Acts 2:13-18)

Being filled with the Holy Spirit is a key to breaking addictions. Instead of wine, be filled with
the Spirit. Instead of alcohol, be filled with the Spirit. Instead of drugs, gambling, compulsive
shopping, etc.--be filled with the Spirit.

Parables about wine: Jesus told a parable about wine which is recorded in Matthew 9:17;
Mark 2:22; and Luke 5:36-38. Today, wine is put in bottles, but at that time the skins of sheep
and goats were used as containers. New skins were flexible and would expand during
fermentation. An old skin lost its elasticity and if new grape juice was put into it, the skin would
burst during the fermentation process. Jesus used this parable to expose the sinful attitudes of
the Scribes and Pharisees who refused His teachings and stubbornly held to the traditions of the
elders.

The lesson of this parable is that you cannot receive new things from God if you are unwilling to
change. You must be flexible to change based upon the new wine of the Spirit of God and the
Word of God that is poured into your life. If you refuse to change, you will end up like the old
wineskin--broken and unusable.

You are made new when you are born again. The old has passed away (2 Corinthians 5:17).
The Holy Spirit continually regenerates and renews those who are new creatures in Christ
because the new wine cannot be contained in your old vessel of worldly living, rigid traditions,
and religious rituals. You are given a new heart, a new spirit, new moral principles, new faith,
and a new destiny. You are supernaturally equipped to receive the new spiritual wine that the
Bridegroom wants to pour into your life.

Wine in the Song of Songs: The Bride declares:

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. (SOS 1:2)

There comes a time that the comforts of life, possessions, money, prominence, and relationships
are not sufficient. It is then that we become willing to abandon all for intimacy with our Lord.
The wine of this world no longer satisfies.

Whatever you give up, His love is better! In the Hebrew, “His love” is plural: “His loves”. He
loves you in many ways: Forgiving love; providing love; guiding love; comforting, and
sustaining love. Natural wine brings joy, it is a stimulant, and it deadens pain. The same is true
of spiritual wine. It brings joy and comfort spiritually. It stimulates your spirit and deadens
your pain. Once you experience this spiritual wine, you will forget the wine of the world. His
love is better than wine or anything the world has to offer.

(2) His love is better than wine which revives drooping spirits.

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Whatever memories you have--whether good or bad--the wine of the Bridegroom’s love will
replace them. You will remember the wine of His love more than the wine of the world or the
bitter taste left in your mouth by negative circumstances of life. You will remember the wine of
His love even more than the pleasant things you have experienced. Your spirit will be revived!

The Prophet Isaiah admonishes:

Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye,

buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
(Isaiah 55:1)

The wine of the Holy Spirit and the milk of God’s Word are yours for the taking. All you have
to do is come to Jesus, the source, and receive. Misused, wine in the natural world can result in
sinful conduct, drunkenness, shame, and sorrow. So when the Bride says His love is better than
wine, she is also declaring that His love is greater than her sin.

Later on in the Song of Songs, the Bridegroom states that the Bride’s love for Him is better than
wine (SOS 4:10). She has matured to the point that she can return to Him the same love that He
has poured upon her.

Wine is to be savored as it is imbibed, not gulped. Intimacy with God requires time in His
presence. Sip on His Word regularly for when His Word kisses your mouth, your words are like
the best wine because they are His Words. When His Words kiss your lips, your words have
the power to change lives and awaken those who are asleep spiritually:

And the roof of thy mouth like the best wine for my beloved, that goeth down sweetly,
causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak. (SOS 7:9)

The Bride’s words are compared to the best wine. The new wine of the gospel of the Kingdom
was poured out at Pentecost (Acts 2:4,13,17). Wine symbolizes Christ’s blood shed for the sins
of all mankind (Luke 22:20). She is like the best wine because she partakes of His blood shed
for her and drinks deeply of His love which is better than wine (SOS 1:2).

What a compliment to be compared to the best wine. In the natural world, the best wine sells for
hundreds of thousands of dollars. As of the writing of this commentary, the record price was for
a bottle of 1945 French Burgundy which sold for $558,000 in 2018.

When you run out of wine. The first miracle Jesus did in His ministry on earth was turning
water into wine:

And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was
there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they
wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto

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 her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith
unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six
waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three
firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them
up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the
feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made
wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the
governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the
beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is
worse: but thou

hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of
Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. (John 2:1-11)

The natural process of making wine takes three to five years for average quality wine. Higher
quality wine requires five to seven years. When Jesus turned water into wine, He accelerated the
process. In the natural world, this wine had no past to be aged properly, but it was excellent
wine. The same One who gave a past where there was no past can remove the painful and sinful
past from your life and give you a future when there seems to be no future.

-Moses, hiding on the backside of the desert because of his failures, was out of wine spiritually.
There he received a divine commission from God at the burning bush. The Lord said: “I will
send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of
Egypt” (Exodus 3:10). In Exodus 15 when Israel was without water in the desert, Moses was
told to get up and act at the Lord’s command.

-Gideon, fearful of the enemy Midianites was directed by God to “Go in this thy might, and
thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?” (Judges 6:14).

-Joshua, whose forces were defeated at Ai, was commanded:

And the Lord said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of
war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and
his people, and his city, and his land. (Joshua 8:1)

-Jehoshaphat, facing a formidable enemy army, was told:

Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation
of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go
out against them: for the Lord will be with you. (2 Chronicles 20:17)

So what do you do when you run out of wine?

-When you feel empty and dry spiritually.
-When you seem to have lost your spiritual passion.

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 -When the joy has run out of your life.

You take Mary’s advice: “Whatsoever He says to you, do it.” Wait for His command, then act.
When you run out of wine spiritually, look to Jesus for the next step, take it, and expect divine
acceleration in your life just as in the miracle of the water turned to wine. Wait for Him to speak
to you and then do exactly what He says. As you step out in obedience to His command, He will
refill your vessel with new wine.

(2) His name is like ointment poured forth which heals and soothes.

Just to speak the name of the Bridegroom is like pouring forth precious ointment, an oil which

heals and soothes. He is the anointed one and whatever you need is found in His name. There
are five “ingredients” in the ointment of His name. His name is:

-Wonderful
-Counsellor
-The Mighty God
-The Everlasting Father
-The Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9:6, KJV)

There is tremendous power in the name of our Bridegroom, Jesus Christ. For additional study
on The Name see Supplemental Study 1.1.

3 Because of the fragrance of your good ointments, your name is ointment

poured forth; therefore the virgins love you.

(3) Because of the fragrance of your good ointments...

According to Jewish tradition, fragrance is related to character. Fragrance announces a person’s

presence. In order to smell someone’s perfume or cologne, you must be close to them. If you
get really close to them, their fragrance will rub off on you.

As believers, we are to have a sweet fragrance emanating spiritually from our lives.

For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that
perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of
life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? (2 Corinthians 2:14-16)

Through us, Christ “diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.”

Throughout the Song, the fragrance of the Bridegroom is infused into the Bride. Finally, in SOS
4:16, the Bride asks for the wind to come and blow upon her garden so that her fragrance can go

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forth to her Bridegroom and to the world.

(3) ...your name is ointment poured forth...

It is a person, not a religion, doctrine, or a denomination that changes lives. It is His name
poured forth. The Passion Translation reads: “For your lovely name is Flowing Oil.” The
Voice states: “The pleasant aroma of your fragrance rises in the air; your name is like precious
perfume poured out.”

The ointment--perfume or fragrance--is representative of the Holy Spirit manifested in your life.
In order to heal and soothe others, it must be poured out to a hurting and lost world. It must not
be horded. There is no fragrance as long as it is shut up in the bottle. Your life is only fragrant
as you pour it forth in loving sacrifice to share the Gospel with others (Mark 14:5).

(3) ...therefore the virgins love you.

Others are drawn to the Bridegroom because they witness the ointment being poured forth.
Virgins, as used in this verse, means "something that is kept out of sight" revealing that these
are believers who have not yet come to the point where they are passionately pursuing the Lord.
As the Song progresses, the intimacy they observe between the Bride and her Beloved draws
them to seek Him also.

4 Draw me, we will run after you: the king hath brought me into his
chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in you, we will remember your
love more than wine: the upright love you.

(4) Draw me...

“Draw me” implies that the Bride was a distance away and desired to be closer to Him. If you
don’t have a desire for intimacy with the Lord, pray this simple prayer: “Draw me.”

You are not driven to Christ, but drawn to Him. The devil drives you like a slave-master, but
God the Father draws you:

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise
him up at the last day. (John 6:44)

The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an
everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. (Jeremiah 31:3)

I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love…(Hosea 11:4)

The Son draws:

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 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. (John 12:32)

The Spirit prepares you to enter the presence of the King:

Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people,
and thy father's house; So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and
worship thou him…The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought
gold. She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her
companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee. With gladness and rejoicing shall
they be brought: they shall enter into the king's palace. (Psalm 45:10-15)

When the Bridegroom draws you, what will be your response?

(4) We will run after you...

When the Lord kisses you spiritually and draws you to Him, then you can "run" after him.
When others observe your relationship with the Bridegroom, they will also want to run after
Him. “Draw me” is singular. “We will run after you” is plural, revealing that as you are drawn
to run after Him others will join you in the pursuit as spiritual running partners.

Engage with those who are running after Him. To run denotes an eagerness of desire, readiness
of affection, vigor of pursuit, and swiftness of motion. Real running after Him occurs after the
drawing. The drawing of the Lord generates the power to pursue Him. We cannot run after Him
if He does not draw us because that would be self-effort.

We are to run after Him--not His blessings, His gifts, material prosperity, or big ministries.
When He draws you and kisses you, then you will be able to do His work His way and you
won’t burn out. If you run without the drawing, you will become tired and frustrated because
running doesn’t recharge you. Intimacy does. He doesn’t want you to shut yourself up in a
monastery, however. Get the order right: Drawing by the Bridegroom, then running after Him.
The drawing generates the power to pursue. Divine drawing results in rapid running which
empowers you for effective ministry. The drawing must precede the running. The Great
Commandment reflects this two fold truth: Love the Lord first, love and serve people second
(Matthew 22:37-39).

The Christian life is compared to a race. The Apostle Paul said that those who run well are
characterized by self-control and discipline like that of a dedicated runner in the natural world:

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run,
that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.
Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run,
not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body,
and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I
myself should be a castaway. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

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Paul encourages you to run so that you may obtain and in run in such a way that it encourages
bystanders who are watching to join you in pursuit of the Bridegroom. He warns against
becoming a castaway, one who should be a successful runner but fails. In order to avoid this,
Paul controlled his body rather than allowing his body to master him.

To run successfully, you must lay aside anything that would weigh you down spiritually:

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us
lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with
patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our
faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and
is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such
contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
(Hebrews 12:1-3)

You gain strength to run when you wait on the Lord:

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with
wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
(Isaiah 40:31)

As runners in the natural world eat healthy foods to empower their run, spiritual runners must
feast on the Word of God to gain strength and endurance for their race.

David proclaimed:

I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
(Psalm 119:32)

For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.
(Psalm 18:29)

Runners have one goal: The finish line. As a spiritual runner, you must keep your eyes on Jesus
so that you do not run in vain:

And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach
among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I
should run, or had run, in vain. (Galatians 2:2)

Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run
in vain, neither laboured in vain. (Philippians 2:16)

Do not let anything hinder your pursuit of your Beloved Bridegroom:

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 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion
cometh not of him that calleth you. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
(Galatians 5;7-9)

The reason for this study on the Song Of Songs is to draw you into an intimate relationship with
Jesus so that you can receive power to run and fulfill your destiny:

And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables,
that he may run that readeth it. (Habakkuk 2:2)

Divine drawing enables rapid running. You cannot look around and be distracted by those on the
sidelines or negative circumstances when you are running. Many people fail because they are
only strolling after the Lord and get distracted by other things. Will you run after Him or remain
where you are? The choice is yours. The Bridegroom is calling you to experience intimacy with
Him that will not only change you but will also affect the lives of others:

Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee
shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he
hath glorified thee. Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is
near:
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return
unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly
pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the
Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your
ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:5-9)

(4) ...the king has brought me into his chambers.

The Bride is brought into His private chambers. Passion for Christ is the pathway to His
chambers and ultimately into His banqueting house. When your Bridegroom sees you crying out
“draw me” and running hard after Him, He opens the doors of His chambers to you. He does
not draw you into the great cathedrals of this world, rather He draws you into the secret place of
His presence. (For further study on how to come into the presence of the King, study the Legacy
Bible outline on the book of Esther.)

In Old Testament times, the people of Israel learned about God and worshipped Him in the
courtyard of the Tabernacle. After the death of Jesus, the way into the inner chamber of the
Most Holy Place was opened. Your Bridegroom invites you to come on in! He opens the doors
and says to you, “Come.”

Even when we were dead in sins, he hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye
are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places
in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:5-6)

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 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of
partition between us. (Ephesians 2:14)

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to
say, his flesh. (Hebrews 10:19-20)

Study further on the important “comes” of Scripture:

-Come into the ark of salvation: Genesis 7:1.

-Come now, let us reason together. Your sins may be like scarlet, but they can be white
as snow: Isaiah 1:18.
-Come and return to the Lord when you have been torn or wounded: Hosea 6:1.
-Come now therefore…I will send you: Exodus 3:10.
-Come after me and I will make you fishers of men: Mark 1:17.
-Come for divine revelation: Exodus 24:12.
-Come near and hear the Word of the Lord: Joshua 3:9.
-Come if you are spiritually thirsty: John 7:37; Revelation 22:17.
-Come to the Bread of Life and you will never be hungry: John 6:35.
-Come unto me if you labor and are heavy laden: Matthew 11:28.
-Come apart and rest awhile: Mark 6:31.
-Come and experience the miraculous: Matthew 14:29.
-Come and see where He abides: John 1:39.
-Come so that He can abide with you: Luke 19:5.
-Come and dine with Him: John 21:12.
-Come, that where I am you may be also: John 14:3.
-Come and inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Matthew 25:34.
-Come, even so, come Lord Jesus: Revelation 22:17,20.

The Bridegroom invites you into His private chambers. You are drawn there by Him. You
cannot enter by your own works, but only by His grace. In order to come to know Him as your
Bridegroom, you must come to know Him in the chamber of intimacy. The psalmist said:

One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house
of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his
temple.
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle
shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. (Psalm 27:4-5)

Could you be satisfied to meet a beloved spouse only in public? No! You want to take them
aside in privacy and have them all to yourself to experience intimate relationship. So it is with
your Master. He draws you aside so you can enjoy the sacred intimacies of His wondrous love

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and be empowered to run in service for His Kingdom.

(4) ...we will be glad and rejoice in you.

The first blessings of the inner chamber experience are gladness and joy. Note that gladness and
joy are the result of an act of the will: “We will.” The word “will” is found three times in verse
four: “We will run, we will be glad, we will remember.” These are acts of the will, not of
emotion.

The word “glad” in Hebrew comes from a root word which means to “spin around under the
influence of strong emotion.” Joy is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit and it is continually
connected with the presence of God. “In thy presence, there is fulness of joy” (Psalm 16:11).
The Psalmist proclaimed in Psalm 104:34, “…you are the source of my joy and gladness”
(TPT).
Jesus said:

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy
might be full. (John 15:11)

According to this verse, the things Jesus said bring joy. If you need more joy, get a red-letter
edition of the Bible and study the things that Jesus said which are printed in red.

Note that the joy is in Him, not in fluctuating emotions or circumstances. If you lack joy could
it be that seminars, meetings, and other programs have replaced the chamber experience in your
life? While these things are good and necessary, they should never substitute for time in the
chamber with your Bridegroom. Rejoice in Him alone. Stop following God for what He can
give you or do through you. Follow Him simply for who He is.

As the Bride of Christ, we will use these very words--“let us be glad and rejoice”--on the great
wedding day with the Lord:

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come,
and his wife hath made herself ready. (Revelation 19:7)

(4) We will remember your love more than wine.

The Bride also states that she will remember the love of her Bridegroom. Study further on
things you should remember:

-Remember, repent, and do your first works: Revelation 2:5.

-Remember what you have received and heard, hold it fast and repent: Revelation 3:3.
-Remember to do all God’s commandments: Numbers 15:40.
-Remember what God has done for you in the past: Deuteronomy 8:2; Isaiah 46:9.
-Remember that it is the Lord who gives you power to get wealth: Deuteronomy 8:18.

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-Remember that God redeemed you out of bondage: Deuteronomy 15:15.
-Remember the marvelous works He has done: 1 Chronicles 16:12; Psalm 77:11.
-Remember the name of the Lord: Psalm 20:7.
-Remember how short your time on earth is: Psalm 89:47.
-Remember your creator in the days of your youth: Ecclesiastes 12:1.
-Remember His love more than wine (wine is symbolic of all good things): SOS 1:4.
-Remember that you must not look back to the old life: Luke 17:32.
-Remember that you are no longer alienated from God: Ephesians 2:11-12.
-Remember that the Lord is good and His mercy endures forever: 1 Chronicles 16:34, 41; 2
Chronicles 5:13; 7:3, 6; 20:21; Ezra 3:11; Jeremiah 33:11; Psalm 52:1; 100:5; 106:1; 107:1;
117:2; 118:1-4, 29; 138.

(4) ...rightly do they love you.

Also translated that “the upright love you”. Joshua admonished God’s people to “…fear the
Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth” (Joshua 24:14). “Rightly” speaks of a righteous,
sincere love relationship based on truth.

THE BRIDE

5 I am dark, but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar,

like the curtains of Solomon.
6 Do not look upon me, because I am dark, because the sun has tanned
me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; they made me the keeper of
the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have not kept.

(5) I am dark, but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem…

When you are in the presence of Christ, you will recognize your “darkness”. This does not have
to do with the color of your skin and it is not a discriminatory statement. It refers to the absence
of light. You view yourself as darkened by sin, but He sees you as beautiful because the light of
the Gospel dispels all darkness.

One look at the King in His chambers and the Bride sees the blackness of her own soul. She
recognizes the needs in her personal life (Isaiah 6:1-5). She looks in the mirror of the Word and
sees her own reflection (James 1:22-24). She sees the blackness of the residue of her old nature
instead of the beauty of her new life in Christ. Every new chamber experience results in feelings
of unworthiness. The blackness she senses is from her basic sin nature and her contact with a
sinful world. We must never forget who we are in the flesh apart from God. We are black.

The Bridegroom does not draw you into His chambers to condemn you or shame you for your
blackness, but rather to openly receive and commend you for your loveliness in Him. Darkness
will only be abolished by the impartation of the light of the glorious gospel (Psalm 119:130)

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whereby the Bride will eventually see herself as a perfect reflection of her Bridegroom (SOS
6:10).

(5) … like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon.

In your sin, you are black as the tents of Kedar. "Kedar" was a son of Ishmael, who was a
product of Sarah's scheme to produce a son through a union between her husband Abram and her
maid Hagar. This is symbolic of birthing something through human wisdom and strength
(Genesis 16:1-4; Galatians 4:21-31).

Kedar’s tents symbolize that which is "passing" or "temporary." The Bride is comparing herself
to the black goatskins with which the nomadic Arabs covered their tents. The tents became
blacker as they were exposed to the light, just as the light of the Gospel exposes the darkness of
sin.

You are black in yourself, but comely in Him. Your righteousness is as filthy rags, but you are
clothed in His righteousness. Your blackness is not natural, but contracted. You received it
through the basic sin nature passed down to you and through exposure to the world.

She is also compared to the curtains of Solomon in the temple which blocked the light of God’s
presence in the Most Holy Place. In Old Testament times, people worshipped in the courtyard
and could not access God’s presence. At the time of Christ’s death, this veil was ripped open
and access was granted.

Regardless of your blackness, the Bridegroom views you through His grace and mercy. How do
you view yourself? As the tents of Kedar? As the curtain of Solomon? Don’t remain in the
courtyard when the Lord invites you into His presence. When He says you are fair, don't
contradict Him by focusing on your blackness:

For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born
anew]…(Ephesians 2:10, AMP)

(6) Do not look upon me, because I am dark, because the sun has tanned me. My mother’s
sons were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards, but my own
vineyard I have not kept.

“Do not look on me” is a common response to the presence of the Lord and the truth of His
Word. We don’t want to see negative things in our lives and have them exposed. Neither
should we look at the blackness of other people’s lives, but we should view them as what they
will become when the light of the Gospel illuminates them.

When you enter the presence of the Lord, you see yourself as you really are. Here is the
Prophet Isaiah’s response:

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 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I
dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of
hosts. (Isaiah 6:5)

Here is Job’s response:

Then Job answered the Lord, and said, Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I
will lay mine hand upon my mouth. (Job 40:4-5)

Here is Peter’s response:

When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am
a sinful man, O Lord. (Luke 5:8)

A.W. Tozer notes:

“Theology seeks to reduce what may be known of God to intellectual terms, and as long
as the intellect can comprehend, it can find words to express itself. When God Himself
appears before the mind—awesome, vast, and incomprehensible—then the mind sinks
into silence and the heart cries out ‘O Lord God.’ There is a difference between
theological knowledge and spiritual experience, the difference between knowing God by
hearsay and knowing Him by acquaintance.”

When you come into the presence of the Lord, you will see yourself as dark because of your
prolonged exposure to the world. The Amplified Version translates SOS 1:6 as: “It has left its
mark upon me.” The world will leave its mark on you. But your Bridegroom sees you
differently than you see yourself. You are lovely because of the light of the Lord that dispels
darkness. You cannot remain focused on your sinfulness, but you must focus on who Christ says
you are. You can only come to view yourself as Christ sees you through divine revelation.

Your identity is how you see yourself and it affects the decisions you make which determine
your destiny. You live out what you believe. You may view yourself as unworthy, sinful, etc.,
but your Bridegroom says differently:

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath
before ordained that we should walk in them. Wherefore remember, that ye being in time
past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the
Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being
aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise,
having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who
sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:10-13)

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of
light. (Ephesians 5:8-11)

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Your identity can change in a moment in the natural world. For example, by giving birth you
become a parent. With a vow of “I do” you are no longer single but you are married. A death
occurs, and you are a widow or widower. The same is true in the spiritual world. The moment
you accept Christ as Savior, you become a new creature in Christ.

Jacob lied about his identity. This is why in Genesis 32:26-28 the angel asked his name. He
finally admitted that his name was Jacob. As soon as he confessed his identity, he was given a
new one. Satan will target your identity as He did Christ’s by challenging, “If you are the Son of
God…” There is no “if” about your spiritual identity. You are a child of God and part of the
Bride of Christ.

The Bridegroom found His Bride at the place of her suffering in the vineyard of the world.
The first use of the word “vineyard” is plural: Vineyards represent that which is organized by
man. The second use of the word is singular: Vineyard represents God’s plan for her. The
Bride was busy doing things that were entrusted to her by man, but neglecting what God had
destined her to do. Do not come burdened down under the yoke of religious responsibilities
imposed on you by others. Do not let your productivity for God replace your passion for Him.

“My mother’s sons” were children of the same mother (the church), but not the same father
(God). As Ishmael (representing the flesh) persecuted Isaac (who was born of the sprit), that
which is born after the flesh persecutes what is born after the spirit (Galatians 4:28-29). Sadly,
opposition often arises from your own friends, family, or other believers (Matthew 10:36). True
believers are not just the sons of the mother (church), they are the sons of the Father (true sons
of God). Instead of being “my mother’s sons”, these men are angry brothers. The Bride pleads:

Please don’t stare in scorn because of my dark and sinful ways. My angry brothers
quarreled with me and appointed me guardian of their ministry vineyards, yet I’ve not
tended my vineyard within.” (SOS 1:6, TPT)

Her own mother’s sons had arbitrarily assigned her to tending their vineyards. Such intense
activity leads to zeal in service to the neglect of personal communion with the Bridegroom. The
very thing that the brethren make you responsible for may be the snare which causes you to
neglect your destiny. You have a vineyard for which you are responsible. Spiritual poverty
results when you do not keep your own vineyard:

I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the
stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it,
and received instruction. (Proverbs 24:30-32)

The vineyard in the Song refers to your place of ministry. The garden refers to your fellowship
with the Lord. You must experience intimacy in the garden in order to be effective in the work
of the vineyard. As you mature spiritually, you must learn not only what you should do but also

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what you should not do. As A.W. Tozer notes:

“What good is all our busy religion if God isn’t in it? What good is it if we’ve lost
majesty, reverence, worship—an awareness of the divine? What good is it if we’ve lost a
sense of the Presence and the ability to retreat within our own hearts and meet God in
the garden?”

The vineyards of the mother’s sons refers to work organized by the hand of man. The vineyard
of the Lord refers to the ministry which the Lord wants to do in you and through you. In which
vineyard will you labor? Will you be faithful to that entrusted to you by man while being
negligent of that entrusted to you by God? Do you want your ministry to be man-directed or
God-directed? It will be one or the other. If you are weary of keeping the vineyard of others,
return to your own vineyard. Do not let the angry brothers hold you back!

Let everyone be devoted to fulfill the work God has given them to do with excellence and
their joy will be in doing what is right and being themselves, and not in being affirmed by
others. (Galatians 5:4, TPT)

Each day you have a choice: To sit at Jesus’ feet like Mary or to be consumed by many things
like Martha (Luke 10:38-42).

The “mother’s kids”--members of the Church--are often your most severe critics. When you lay
aside outward busyness to pursue inward intimacy with your Bridegroom, don’t be surprised if
some people are angry with you. They will urge you to resume your active life and your work in
their vineyards, but the Lord has drawn you aside for an intimate experience that will prepare
you for greater service for Him.

The heavy yoke of religious responsibilities will distract you from your divine purpose which is
the passionate pursuit of your Bridegroom. You must find your spiritual identity in intimacy
with the Lord rather than in what you do for Him in good works, ministry, or meeting the
demands of others.

THE BRIDE TO HER BRIDEGROOM

7 Tell me, O you whom I love, where you feed your flock, where you make
it rest at noon. For why should I be as one who veils herself by the
flocks of your companions?

(7) Tell me, O you whom I love, where you feed your flock, where you make it rest at
noon.

The Bride appeals to her Bridegroom to tell her where He feeds His flock. The Message Version
translates this as “Tell me where you are working.” Jacob was the first person in the Bible to
use the shepherd metaphor for God (Genesis 48:15). From that time on, the Holy Spirit

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repeatedly uses the image of a shepherd as exemplified by this prophetic word about the coming
Messiah:

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry
them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. (Isaiah 40:11)

Jesus identified Himself as that Shepherd (John 10:11-16). He is also called the Great Shepherd
(Hebrews 13:20) and the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4).

We need a shepherd because we easily become lost. Like sheep in the natural world, we have a
herd instinct to follow the crowd. Isaiah says that we all, like sheep, have gone astray and turned
to our own sinful ways (Isaiah 53:6). Jesus warned:

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to
destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult
is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:13-14, NKJV)

Wide is the gate for the untamed herds of this world. Narrow is the pathway traveled by the
Shepherd and His sheep. There is only one Shepherd and one door to His fold (John 10:1-2).
This is why you must follow in the footsteps of the Shepherd and His flock (SOS 1:7). You
have a book that provides divine direction to enable you to find the Shepherd and His flock. That
book is the Bible. You also have a guide, the Holy Spirit, who will lead you to the Bridegroom
and His flock.

Noon represents the heat of the day, a difficult time representing the pressures of this life. God
can make you rest at noon despite the difficulties. Lord, teach us to rest at noon! At midday.
During the most difficult time before the job is done.

For additional studies on the Shepherd metaphor of the Bridegroom, obtain the free devotional
study on Psalm 23 at http://www.harvestime.org

(7) For why should I be as one who veils herself by the flocks of your companions?

The Bride does not want to be distracted by other flocks, other so-called ways to God, or formal
religion. She wants to feed with His flock. She does not want to be a spiritual harlot like the
veiled women who wandered as prostitutes among the shepherds (Genesis 38:14-15). She wants
the veil removed between her and her Bridegroom. And it was. Once and for all. At Calvary.

For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle
wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of
commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the
two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body
through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace
to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have

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 access by one Spirit to the Father. (Ephesians 2:14-18, NKJV)

Note that in the previous passage, the Bride describes five aspects of her spiritual condition:
She is ashamed because of her failures; she feels rejected by her angry brothers; she is exhausted
from overwork in the vineyards; she has ignored her own vineyard; and she has served her
Bridegroom only from a distance. That is why her opening appeal to her Bridegroom is “draw
me”. If you are struggling with any of these five things, make your cry that of the Bride; “Draw
me.”

THE BRIDEGROOM
8 If you do not know, O fairest among women, follow in the footsteps of
the flock, and feed your little goats beside the shepherds’ tents.

(8) If you do not know…

“If you do not know” means that she should have known. You should also know where to find
your Bridegroom. There should be no aimless wandering because Jesus said:

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27)

Paul describes His passion for knowing God in Philippians 3:3-11. We must come to know Him
in the power of His resurrection, the fellowship of His suffering, be conformed into His image,
and die to the flesh.

(8) O fairest among women…

The Bridegroom calls the Bride the fairest among women because she is no longer blackened by
sin.

(8) follow in the footsteps of the flock and feed your little goats beside the shepherds’
tents.

The Bridegroom answers the Bride’s question about finding the flock.

-Step One: Follow in the footsteps of the flock. Commit to life with God’s people. Get in step
with those who know the voice of the Lord and move on with them. Communion with the
Bridegroom in private must accompany a public following of the King. Associate with other
true believers determined to inherit God’s promises so that…”you may walk in the way of good
men, and keep the paths of the righteous” (Proverbs 2:20). The Bible advocates that “…you be
not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises”
(Hebrews 6:12).

-Step Two: Feed the little goats. Commit to ministry. Take responsibility for the ministry

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God has given you instead of doing what others ask of you. Recommit to service for your
Bridegroom, but don’t try to do everything. Work in the vineyard to which you have been
assigned by God.

-Step Three: Remain by the shepherds’ tents. The “shepherds” (plural) refers to the under-
shepherds that lead the Bridegroom’s flock. Follow the shepherds who are following God (1
Corinthians 11:1), Satan wants to isolate you because then you become easy prey. Put yourself
under a godly spiritual shepherd. You cannot withdraw from the Shepherd’s flock just because
you have been mistreated by one of the watchmen.

Listen, my radiant one—

if you ever lose sight of me,
just follow in my footsteps where I lead my lovers.
Come with your burdens and cares.
Come to the place near the sanctuary of my shepherds. (SOS 1:8)

THE BRIDEGROOM
9 I have compared you, my love, to my filly among Pharaoh’s chariots.
10 Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments, your neck with chains of gold.
11 We will make you ornaments of gold with studs of silver.

(9) I have compared you, my love, to my filly among Pharaoh’s chariots.

No modern woman would want to be compared to a filly (a horse), but this is not a derogatory
remark because the horse was greatly admired and highly valued in the culture at that time. The
war horse was the most effective vehicle at that time for battle. The horses of Pharaoh’s chariots
were celebrated for their beauty, swiftness, strength, and ardor. These horses were bought at a
high price by Solomon and brought out of Egypt:

And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt…and they fetched up, and brought forth
out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and
fifty: and so brought they out horses for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of
Syria, by their means. (2 Chronicles 1:16-17)

Just as these horses of Egypt were purchased at a great price, so the Bride is redeemed by the
Bridegroom out of spiritual Egypt (symbolic of sin) at a great price:

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and
gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the
precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
(1 Peter 1:18-19)

The horse carried the King, whether he was mounted on one or a team pulled his chariot. As

25
believers, we are to carry the presence of the King individually and corporately. These horses
were hardy, of superior endurance, and spirited, yet responsive to discipline, as we should be
also. The King James Version says a company of horses, indicating they were bound together in
purpose and direction. It was not a wild stampede. God wants you to be part of that company!

(10) Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments, your neck with chains of gold.

Her cheeks are lovely with ornaments. You cannot ornament yourself with spiritual beauty. It
is the work of the Holy Spirit. The cheeks reflect your inner life as expressed by your
countenance which reflects your emotions. For example, people are often flushed when they are
embarrassed.

Her neck symbolizes her will. Christ is the Head, the church is the Body, and the Bride’s neck
connects the head with the body. Elsewhere in the Song her neck is described as being strong
like the tower of David (SOS 4:4), and beautiful like an ivory tower (SOS 7:4)

The Bible repeatedly warns about being “stiff necked”, which means becoming stubborn and
self-willed (Nehemiah 9:16-17; 29; Proverbs 29:1; Isaiah 48:4; Jeremiah 7:26; 17:23; 19:15).
If you are self-willed, the Bible admonishes you to shake those chains from your neck:

Shake yourself from the dust, arise, O captive Jerusalem; loose the bonds from
your neck…(Isaiah 52:2)

If you will rid yourself of your stiff-necked attitudes, God will break every yoke of bondage
from you. The yoke will be broken because of the anointing (Isaiah 10:27; Jeremiah 30:8).

The Bible repeatedly admonishes you to bind God’s Word around your neck, meaning to make
wise choices based on the Word:

Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the
table

of thine heart…So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
(Proverbs 3:3,22)

My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind
them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall
lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk
with thee. (Proverbs 6:20-22)

Chains of fine gold. Chains represent authority (Daniel 5:29; Genesis 41:42). The same word
used for “jewels” here also means weapons or armor. Taken together, this is a picture of a
warrior Bride, adorned with spiritual weapons.

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The Bridegroom is describing virtues of His Bride that may not be fully developed yet. He
defines her by the cry of her heart, as He does you. That is why fearful Gideon is called a
mighty man of valor and deserting Peter is called a rock. He does not see you are you are, but as
you will be when you come into intimate relationship with Him.

11 We will make you ornaments of gold with studs of silver.

We will make you. The promise indicates the work of the Trinity by use of the word “we”.
“We will make you” is a promise to finish the work begun in you:

… being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to
completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6, NIV)

Ornaments of gold indicate the mark of God's ownership and His Deity.

Studs of silver, like those that secure earrings, are symbolic of redemption and represent its
secure holding power (Malachi 3:3).

We will enhance our beauty, encircling you with our golden reins of love You will be
marked with our redeeming grace. (SOS 1:11, TPT)

Jewels have value, beauty, and durability. As His special jewel, you have spiritual value, worth,
and durability.

THE BRIDE
12 While the king is at his table, my spikenard sends forth its fragrance.
13 A bundle of myrrh is my beloved to me, that lies all night between my
breasts.
14 My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blooms in the vineyards of En
Gedi.

(12) While the king is at his table, my spikenard sends forth its fragrance.

The king’s table in the natural world is described as lavishly abundant (1 Kings 4:22-27). In the
spiritual world, there is also abundant provision. Every spiritual blessing has been provided at
this table (Ephesians 1:3) where you will be fed right in the presence of your enemies (Psalm
23:5).

There, at the king’s table, spices send forth their fragrance. Matthew 26:7-13 records the story
of a woman with an alabaster box filled with precious ointment made from spices who broke the
container and anointed Jesus. The fragrance of the spices went forth when the box was broken,
just as brokenness in your life sends forth fragrance.

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 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that
perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of
life unto life. (2 Corinthians 2:15-16)

Spikenard, also referred to as “nard”, is the root of an Indian plant that grew in the Himalaya
mountains which was distinguished by its many hairy spikes shooting out from one root. It was
a very costly spice. According to Jesus, when Mary used spikenard to anoint Jesus it was to
prepare His body for the day of His burial (John 12:7). Thus, spikenard symbolizes the death of
Jesus Christ. Mary’s extravagant gift also illustrates how you should give your best in worship
of your Lord (SOS 4:13-14). (See Appendix A-10 on the spiritual significance of spices.)

(13) A bundle of myrrh is my beloved to me, that lies all night between my breasts.

Myrrh is a sweet-smelling substance that was used as part of the sacred anointing oil and was in
the enclosed garden mentioned in SOS 4:14. It symbolizes the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The
mountains of myrrh mentioned in SOS 4:6 indicate total immersion in sweet fellowship with the
Bridegroom. Myrrh was presented to Jesus at His birth to prophetically confirm His destiny and
it was used along with aloes to anoint Him at His burial. It was the scent of myrrh and aloes that
rose from an empty tomb, so both spices speak of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Myrrh also symbolizes suffering and death to the ways of the flesh (SOS 3:6; 4:6; 5:1,5,13).
The death of Jesus, symbolized by the bundle of myrrh, touched the Bride’s heart as confirmed
by the phrase that it “lies between my breasts”.

(14) My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blooms in the vineyards of En Gedi.

“My beloved is to me” states the Bride. The Bride is not focused on what others think of Him,
but she expresses what He is to her. What is Jesus to you? Jesus asked Peter, “Who do you say
I am?” (Matthew 16:14-16).

A cluster of henna blooms: Camphire, also known as henna, comes from a tree and, when
made into a powder and mixed with water, it yields a blood-red substance which was used for
fingernail polish. The word “camphire” also means “ransom”, so the fragrance symbolizes the
ransom of blood which atoned for sin. The beautiful flowers of the henna plant represent the
resurrection (SOS 1:14; 4:13).

In the vineyards of Engedi: The Bride expresses the beauty of her Bridegroom by the image of
a lush oasis in a dry desert. Engedi is an oasis in the Judean desert with refreshing water that
runs from the wilderness of Judea down to the Dead Sea. It is a popular wilderness preserve and
is famous for its fragrant shrubs. Engedi is representative of beauty in the barren places of life.

THE BRIDEGROOM
15 Behold, you are fair, my love! Behold, you are fair! You have doves'
eyes.

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The Bridegroom describes the Bride.

(15) Behold, you are fair, my love! Behold, you are fair! .

She is fair because of the indwelling presence of her Lord and the imputed righteousness of
Jesus Christ. The Bridegroom repeats the phrase twice for emphasis, because the Bride
previously viewed herself as blackened by sin.

Our faith in Jesus transfers God’s righteousness to us and he now declares us flawless in
his eyes…(Romans 5:1, TPT)

(15) You have dove’s eyes.

Eyes speak of the ability to see spiritual truths. Doves have no peripheral vision. They can only
see straight ahead and focus on one thing at a time. Your eyes should be continually focused on
your Bridegroom and not distracted by peripheral issues:

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us
lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with
patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our
faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and
is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Doves mate only once in life and when separated from their mate are always looking for their
return. Likewise, we should join ourselves with Christ once and for all and be constantly
watching for His return (Luke 12:37).

…you are my Lord and my God; I only have eyes for you! (Psalm 141:8, TPT)

In the Bible, the dove is connected with Noah’s ark, symbolizing salvation, and the olive branch
which symbolizes peace. In Old Testament times, doves were used as sacrifices in the Levitical
offerings, symbolic of Christ Himself being offered as the eternal sacrifice for sin. The dove is
also symbolic of the Holy Spirit, as confirmed at the baptism of Jesus (John 1:32).

Because the Bride is developing an intimate relationship with her Bridegroom, her eyes reflect
His. In SOS 5:12 it states that He has eyes like those of a dove.

THE BRIDE
16 Behold, you are handsome, my beloved! Yes, pleasant! Also our bed is
green.
17 The beams of our houses are cedar, and our rafters of fir.

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The Bride describes her Bridegroom, their bed, and their dwelling. She is experiencing the rest
of forgiveness of her sins and of intimacy with her Lord.

(16) Behold, you are handsome, my beloved! Yes, pleasant!

She views her Beloved as handsome and pleasant.

(16) Also our bed is green.

The greenness of the couch, made from freshly-gathered boughs and branches signifies a new
(or a renewed) relationship. Green means it is fresh and flourishing:

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; he makes me lie down in green pastures. He
leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul...(Psalm 23:1-3)

The visual image of green pastures is of tender green grass and lush vegetation. The word for
“pasture” comes from a root word which means “at home, pleasant, beautiful”, giving the idea of
a pleasant place. That is where the Shepherd--your Bridegroom--makes you lie down
spiritually: In lush, green pastures. There, you will find peace.

The Good Shepherd wants you to experience peace with God through forgiveness of sin:

Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Romans 5:1, KJV)

After you have made peace with God, you will have the peace of God in your life:

And the peace of God which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7, KJV)

Even the final resting place of death in a coffin is “green”, as it is actually your entrance into
eternal life with your Bridegroom

For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a
building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
(2 Corinthians 5:1).

(17) The beams of our houses are cedar, and our rafters of fir (cypress).

Wood symbolizes humanity. The Lord dwells in human vessels:

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to
give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we
have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and

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 not of us. (2 Corinthians 4:6-7)

Cedar is hard, of superior quality, and is resistant to pests and decay. A cedar tree casts a
refreshing shadow. As it grows high, it proportionately takes root downward making the root
system strong and as tall as the tree. It is a durable product for building. The spiritual parallels
are evident. Believers are to grow like a cedar, cast their shadows on a spiritually dry world,
grow firmly rooted in their faith, and resist spiritual pests and decay. “The righteous shall
flourish….like a cedar in Lebanon” (Psalm 92:12).

Cypress trees are frequently found in graveyards in Israel and they are symbolic of death.
The two most used woods in Solomon’s temple were cedar and cypress. By using both woods in
the Temple, it symbolized that the Lord dwells between what is represented by cedars (life) and
cypress (death). His life and death are the beams of your spiritual shelter and they are strong
enough to shelter you in both life and death.

PRAYING THE SONG OF SONGS

CHAPTER ONE

(This is the first of eight prayers correlating with the eight chapters of the Song Of Songs. These
are not intended to be used as rote recitations, but are designed to lead you into personal,
passionate prayer. You may choose to pray an entire chapter, part of a chapter, or a single
verse. You are also encouraged to personalize each prayer by adding your own thoughts.)

1 Thank you Lord for the Song of Songs which is also my spiritual song.

2 Lord, kiss me with Your kisses, for Your love is better than wine. Your love is better than
anything this world has to offer: Possessions, relationships, power, or position. I drink in Your
presence like the sweetest wine. I chose the kisses of your presence above all else.

3 Your name is like ointment poured forth in my life. I claim the power of Your name in my
life today:

You are Jehovah-tsidkenu My

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 Righteousness

Jeremiah 23:6
You are Jehovah-m'kaddesh My Sanctifier
Exodus
31:13
You are Jehovah-shalom My Peace
Judges
6:24
You are Jehovah-shammah My God Who Is There Ezekiel 48:35
You are Jehovah-rophe My Healer
Exodus 15:26
You are Jehovah-jireh My
Provider

Genesis 22:14
You are Jehovah-nissi My
Banner
Exodus
17:15
You are Jehovah-rohi My Shepherd

Psalms 23:1

4 Lord, draw me, and I will run quickly after You. I thank You that right now You are bringing
me into Your chambers. I am glad and rejoice in You! I embrace Your love more than wine,
more than everything that is precious to me, and more than all this world has to offer. I praise
You because I am righteous through Your blood.

5 I remember my sins and mistakes and see myself as spiritually dark and sinful. But You, Oh
Lord, view me as beautiful, desirable, and lovely. You hear the cry of my heart for intimacy
with You.

6 In the past, I kept the vineyards of this world, wasting my life in sin, selfish pursuits, and the
works of the flesh. I struggled to meet the expectation of others. But now, Lord, make me the
keeper of Your vineyard. Make Your priorities my priorities, Your heart my heart. Let Your
Kingdom come and Your will be done.

7 Lord, I love You with all of my soul. I want to feed and rest with Your flock, even in the heat
of the noontime of the many pressing duties and the tremendous challenges of this day.

8 I go forth today in the footsteps of Your flock with You as my Divine Shepherd. I thank You
that You will feed me and strengthen me along the way.

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9 You view me as mighty and powerful, as the strong and greatly valued horses of war that drew
Pharaoh's chariots.

10 You crown me with the jewels of Your presence and Your anointing.

11 Thank You that You have established my spiritual borders to be as strong and enduring as
gold and silver which represent Your deity and redemption.

12 While I sit at Your table, the fragrance of Your love fills the room and envelops me. Help me
to spread this divine fragrance as I go forth into the world today.

13 As a bundle of myrrh, which represents suffering, I embrace the negative circumstances of

my life so that, like Paul, I might know You in the power of Your resurrection and the
fellowship of Your suffering.

14 You are like a cluster of camphor in the vineyards of En-gedi, sending forth a sweet-
smelling, restful, renewing, healing scent. You are my oasis in the midst of the desert of this
world.

15 Your eyes are like those of a dove, with singleness of purpose. Give me spiritual eyes like
Yours so that I can remain focused on You regardless of the distracting circumstances I may face
today.

16 I thank You that You are renewing my strength as I rest in Your green pastures. Thank You
for new life that is flowing into me right now.

17 I declare that my spiritual house will stand firm, because my life is built upon Your Word. I
know that I need not fear the storms of life because my spiritual house has beams like cedar and
fir, durable and everlasting. Thank you that all destructive forces are repelled because my life is
built upon You and Your Word instead of the shifting sands of this world.

Amen

CHAPTER ONE STUDY QUESTIONS

1. According to the outline notes and verse 1:

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 -What is the name of this book?
-Who is the author?
-In what format is this book written?
2. Using the outline notes and verses 2-4, answer the following questions.
-What does the Bride request as this passage opens?
-Using the outline notes, summarize what you learn about the spiritual kiss.
-Explain how you can experience the Bridegroom’s kiss.
-To what does the Bride compare the love of her Bridegroom? Apply this
spiritually.
-How does the Bride describe her Bridegroom’s name?
-Why does the Bride say that the Bridegroom is loved by the virgins?
-What request does the Bride make in verse 4? What does she pledge to do if her
request is granted?
-Discuss the spiritual analogies of running after the Bridegroom.
-According to verse 4,where does the Bridegroom bring the Bride?
-In what does the Bride say she will rejoice?
-What does the Bride say she will remember?
-Using the list in the notes on verse 4, what are some things the Bible says
believers are to remember?
-According to John 15:11, what is guaranteed to result in joy?
3. Using the outline notes and verses 5-6, answer the following questions.
-Who is speaking in this passage?
-How does the Bride describe herself in verse 5?
-Who are the mother’s sons?
-What was the attitude of the angry brothers towards the Bride?
-What had the Bride been required to keep?
-What had she not kept?
-What is the difference between the vineyards of the brothers and your vineyard?
-How is the Bride viewed by the Bridegroom?
4. Using the outline notes and verse 7, answer the following questions.
-Who is speaking?
-To whom is she speaking?
-What questions does she ask?
-What analogy is used in this verse to describe the Bridegroom and His
followers?
-What spiritual resources do believers have to enable them to find the true
Shepherd’s flock?

5. Using the outline notes and verse 8, answer the following questions.
-Who is speaking in this passage?
-What phrase does the Bridegroom use to describe the Bride?

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 -What does the Bridegroom tell the Bride to do in order to find Him?
-List the steps that will enable you to find the flock of the Bridegroom.
6. Using the outline notes and verses 9-11, answer the following questions:
-Who is speaking?
-To what is the Bride compared? Explain why this was not a derogatory
comparison.
-Using verse 10, describe the Bride’s cheeks, neck, and the chains. Explain the
spiritual significance of each.
-What does the Bridegroom promise in verse 11? Explain the spiritual
symbolism.
7. Using the outline notes and verses 12-14, answer the following questions.
-Who is speaking in this passage?
-Where is the king seated?
-What sends forth its fragrance? Apply this spiritually.
-How is the Bridegroom described symbolically in this passage? Apply this
spiritually.
8. Using the outline notes and verse 15, answer the following questions:
-Who is speaking?
-How does the Bridegroom describe the eyes of the Bride? Apply this spiritually.
9. Using the outline notes and verses 16-17, answer the following questions.
-Who is speaking?
-How is the Bridegroom described?
-Describe the bed and its spiritual symbolism.
-How does the Bride describe the beams and rafters of their house? Apply
this spiritually.
-Explain the spiritual significance of cedar and cypress (fir).

SUPPLEMENTAL STUDY 1.1

THE NAME

The Bride declared of the Bridegroom: “Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name

35
is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee” (SOS 1:3).

It is a person, not a religion, doctrine, or denomination that changes lives. It is His name poured
forth. The Passion Translation reads: “For your lovely name is Flowing Oil.” The Voice states:
“The pleasant aroma of your fragrance rises in the air; your name is like precious perfume
poured out.”

The ointment--perfume or fragrance--is representative of the Holy Spirit manifested in your life.
In order to heal and soothe others, it must not be horded. It must be poured out to a hurting and
lost world. There is no fragrance as long as it is shut up in the bottle. Your life is only fragrant
as you pour it forth in loving sacrifice to share the Gospel with others (Mark 14:5).

Just to speak the name of the Bridegroom is like pouring forth a precious ointment, an oil which
heals and soothes. He is the anointed one and whatever you need is found in His name. There
are five “ingredients” in the ointment of His name. His name is:
-Wonderful
-Counsellor
-The Mighty God
-The Everlasting Father
-The Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9:6, KJV)

What is the “good ointment” of His name that is poured forth? It is…

Redemption: His name assures your eternal destiny as well as that of those to whom you
minister. It is impossible for you to be saved or someone to whom you minister to be saved
apart from the name:

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given
among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)

Revelation: The names of the Godhead reveal much about the character, position, and functions
of each member of the Trinity. Our concept of God is often too shallow. He challenges us
saying: "To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal?" (Isaiah 40:25). To expand our
concept of God, He revealed Himself by giving us His names. It is a progressive revelation, as
Exodus 6:3 indicates that God revealed Himself as "God Almighty" to Abraham, but he did not
receive the revelation of the name "Lord." That name was revealed later in the Biblical record,
along with many others.

Relationship: Imagine two people becoming intimate without knowing each other’s names!
You develop an intimate relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as you study their
names. Our names and titles define us so that others can know us better and the same is true
with God. Each of The names permits you to know the Trinity of God more intimately.

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Relevancy: God is the solution to the challenges of life. Knowing the meaning of His names
helps you face specific problems. Here are some examples:

-Moses learned the name Jehovah Rophe, meaning the God who heals, when healing was
needed (Exodus 15:26).
-Gideon learned the name Jehovah Shalom--meaning God of peace--which was
important to a young man fearful of fulfilling his spiritual destiny (Judges 6:24).
-When Israel fought Amalek, they learned the name Jehovah Nissi, the Lord our Banner,
meaning that God would protect them in battle (Exodus 17:15).
-Moses learned the name I AM when preparing to deliver Israel.

Release: Knowing the names of the Godhead enables you to release supernatural power when
you minister because there is tremendous inherent power in the names. The name of Jesus is the
only one by which the lost can be saved (Acts 4:12). The Bible assures that what you ask in the
name of Jesus and according to God's will, you will receive (John 16:24). Signs and wonders
are done through The name (Acts 4:29-30) . Preaching, teaching, and baptizing are to be done
in the name (Luke 24:46-47). You can cast out demons (Mark 16:17) and healing comes
through the name (James 5:14; Mark 16:17-18). Knowing the names and their meanings and
praying specifically using those names releases God's manifested power in your life and
ministry.

Power In The Name

The “good ointment” of His name endues you with spiritual power. Jesus left His followers with
the great mission of reaching the world with the Gospel message. He also left them with a
special power to enable them to fulfill the mission. He gave them authority to use His name:

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in Heaven and
in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of
the world.
(Matthew 28:18-20)

When a person gave his own name to another, it meant that the two of them were joined together
in close unity. An example is when God gave His name to Israel:

The Lord shall establish thee an holy people unto Himself, as He hath sworn unto thee, if
thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in His ways. And all
people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they shall
be afraid of thee. (Deuteronomy 28:9-10)

To be sent or speak in someone's name is to have his authority:

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 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name
of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and
lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping
up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and
praising God. (Acts 3:6-8)

In the name of Jesus there is…

Power for salvation: The greatest power in the name of Jesus is the power of salvation from
sin. It is only through His name that salvation comes:

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save
His people from their sins... (Matthew 1:21)

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under Heaven given
among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)

He that believeth on Him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned
already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
(John 3:18)

But as many as received Him (Jesus), to them gave He power to become the sons of God,
even to them that believe on His name. (John 1:12)

Power for sanctification: Not only are you cleansed from sin and justified through the name of
Jesus, you are also sanctified. Sanctification continues to work in you after salvation to enable
you to live a holy life. In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul speaks of the evils of sin. He says...

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified
in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11)

Previously, these Corinthians lived in sinful practices. Now they could live a holy life through
sanctification which came through the name of Jesus.

Power in prayer: When God revealed Himself to Moses by the name I AM, He was saying “I
am________”--and you fill in the blank with the name that is relevant to the current need in your
life (Exodus 3:14). Knowing the names enables you to pray using the specific name that is
relevant to your circumstances or needs.

Whatever you ask in His name you will receive.

Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name; ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may
be full. (John 16:24)

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"Hitherto" means "up until now." Up until the time Jesus spoke these words, His followers had
asked nothing in His name. At this point He established a new relation with them. He told them
to ask God for things in His name:

...Verily, verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, He will
give it you. (John 16:23)

What a powerful promise! Whatever you ask In His name, you will receive. A word of caution:
This promise must be taken along with the other principles of prayer taught in the Bible. You
should never isolate one verse without considering all that is taught on a subject in the Word of
God. The Bible teaches you cannot ask selfishly:

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
(James 4:3)

The Bible teaches that it is the prayers of righteous men and women that avail with God:

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The
effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16)

You cannot continue to live in sin and think that just because you ask in the name of Jesus you
will be granted your requests. You must abide in Christ, walk in His will and live by His Word:

If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be
done unto you. (John 15:7)

Power in ministry: The name of Jesus is effective in ministry:

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in Heaven and
in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of
the world. (Matthew 28:18-20)

And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they
shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly
thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
(Mark 16:17-18)

According to these verses, the following ministries are to be done in the name of Jesus:
Miraculous signs, preaching, teaching, baptizing, casting out demons, speaking in tongues, and
healing. Divine accompaniment and protection is promised to those who respond to this
mandate.

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Power for everything: The Bible says that everything you do is to be done in the name of
Jesus:

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving
thanks to God and the Father by Him. (Colossians 3:17)

When you do everything in the name of Jesus, even a simple task of serving is transformed into
a powerful spiritual experience. You can sweep the church floors in the name of Jesus. You can
prepare food for your family in the name of Jesus. What you do is not as important as how you
do it: Is it done in the name of Jesus?

For an in-depth study of the names of the Trinity of God, obtain “Hallowed Be Thy Name”, free
from Harvestime at: http://www.harvestime.org

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