Song of Solomon II: Catch the Foxes © 2012-15 WF Cobb Truthbase.net DailyTruthbase.Blogspot.com
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I. God cares about our pleasure and has plans for its fulfillment (Joy Results from Choosing what's best -Philippians)
SOS 1:4 We will be glad and rejoice in you. We will remember your love more than wine 2:4; 5:1 Jonathan and David 2Sam 1:26
Loyalty: Obedience; Valuing; Exclusive 1st to God. Then 2nd othersLoyalty; Other-centered; Valuing; Edification; Sharing/Serving
II. Pure passion arises from purity: Don't waken. Don't defraud. 1) Leave, 2) Cleave, 3) One Flesh?Unity Gen 2:24
III. Foxes: inadequacy [affirmation], insecurity [trust], insensitivity [repentant seeking], ingratitude [appreciation], infidelity [commitment]
SOS 2:15 Catch us the foxes, The little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes. (no enduring grapes, no wine)
A. Inadequacy - a focus on self (and problems) rather than on God's purposes and promises (and other's needs)
SOS 1:6 Do not look upon me, because I am dark, the sun has tanned me...but my own vineyard I have not kept
SOS 4:7 You are all fair, my love, and there is no spot in you. 9 My sister, my spouse; You have ravished my heart with one look of your eyes
2Cor 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, (Jn 15 abide)
2Cor 9:8 God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
B. Insecurity- a lack of confidence that one is following God's will and that He will bring about the best possible results as we obey His revealed will. SOS 3:1 I sought the one I love; I sought him, but I did not find him. 5 Don't stir up nor waken love until it will please
Ps 138:3 when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul 8 The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your hesed, O LORD, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.
Pr 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and rely/lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil.
1Thess 5:22 Abstain from every form of evil. 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
C. Insensitivity – a failure to embrace God's objectives & plan (love others), cutting us off from Him meeting our needs. resulting in a focus on our needs/pain, rendering us unaware/insensitive to the needs and pain of others.
SOS 2:16 My beloved is mine, and I am his 6:3 I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine. 6:10 I am my beloved's
SOS 5:6...my beloved had turned away and was gone...I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.
SOS 5:16 His mouth is most sweet; Yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend
SOS 6:10 I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me. 12 I will give you my love 13 All manner, new and old, which I have laid up for you.
Phil 2:1 1Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any incentive RWP from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion NIV 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Other-centeredness/Reciprocity 1Cor 7:35 your own profit...what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.
D. Ingratitude -a failure to find pleasure in God's sovereign provision, because we think we know better than God about what's best for us.
SOS 6:1 Where has your beloved gone, O fairest among women? Where has your beloved turned aside [appreciation] (cf Col 3:19)
Ps 103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Dt. 29:5 led you..clothes have not worn out on you...9 Therefore keep the words of this covenant, and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do...18...heart turns away today from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations, and that there may not be among you a root bearing bitterness or wormwood; 19...hears the words of this curse, that he blesses himself in his heart, saying, 'I shall have peace, even though I follow the dictates of my heart'
Eph 4:31 all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking, malice put away 32 kind tenderhearted, forgiving...Christ forgave you.
Heb 12:15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; root of bitterness spring up, cause trouble, any become defiled;
E. Infidelity – a disloyalty to others and God's commands, because we are deceived into thinking that short term gain outweighs eternal pain (and that God will not judge His people). No fear of the Lord, nor wisdom.
SOS 6:8 There are sixty queens and eighty concubines, and virgins without number. CU Legacy Project commit to institution
SOS 8:6 Set me as a seal upon your heart...for love is as strong as death, ardor/zeal as stubborn as the grave; Its flames are flames of fire, 7 Many waters/floods cannot quench love...If a man would give for love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly despised.
Heb 10:30 For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The LORD will judge His people."
Pr 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
IV. “Friend or Foe” Truthbase Friendship: commonality (values/interests); self-denial (skill set), serving needs, other-centeredness;
First be a Friend of God; Repair, Maintenance and Cultivation (Rutherford 15 minutes); Investment in Each other and in a Common Cause (All things to all men 1Cor 9:22); Empathy & Encouragement; Need Solving; Defend Life and Reputation.
Questions for Refection/Discussion/Response:
5. How can you develop and deepen God-glorifying relationships with those around you? What would they say you need to improve in? |
