Song of Solomon 3:5

(5) I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or by the does of the field, do not stir up nor awaken [My] love until it pleases [Me].

Today's verse is actually a repeat of the same verse we find in Song of Solomon 2:7. Before our journey in the Song is over, we will see this repeated once more in v. 4 of chapter 8. Because this is repeated three times in the Song, it deserves our special attention. The bridegroom King is speaking, and His instruction to the daughters of Jerusalem (the immature believers in Christ) is of utmost importance. How many know if the Lord is repeating something more than once, we had better take notice?

For the explanation of this verse, please go to the previous post on Song of Solomon 2:7 dated November 3, 2016. The meaning is the same in these two verses. You can find that post on the blog page of my website www.JourneysOfHisLove.com.

While the meaning of this verse is the same in all three places, there is one major difference in the bride's journey at this point. You see, in Song of Solomon 2:7 the new bride is enjoying the fullness of being in the resting place with her beloved bridegroom. They are enjoying each other's company, secluded in the secret place; she is being strengthened and wooed by His unconditional love. She is continually feeding on His character and His goodness, all the while understanding He loves her even in her weakness. This experience with Him is one of pure & holy pleasure.

By the time we get to Song 3:5, the bride has experienced 'life' as we all know it. She has gone from the resting place, being loved & wooed even in her immaturity, to a place of being drawn out by Him, challenged to come out with Him. This coming out has required an examination of her own heart to ready herself to work in the fields of His Father's kingdom. She has had to examine herself, see where she was 'lacking', and make a choice to lay some things down in order to go further with Him. Can you relate? It's a choice we all have to make, numerous times in our lives, to go further with Him.

So even though the meaning is the same in 2:7 as in 3:5, the bride has grown much in her relationship with Him. I believe she has just touched on the place that Paul talks about in Philippians 3:10, "that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection; and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death." Selah (pause calmly and think about this). And now the journey goes on...