SONG OF SOLOMON IV
SONG OF SOLOMON IV
From the Most Holy Place to the Throne Room
Taught by: Carolyn Sissom
November 12, 2007
Song 3:4:”It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found Him whom my soul loves: I held him, and would not let Him go, until I had brought him into my mother’s house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.” (She is speaking).
A word study on “Chamber” means “inner chamber” – same a 1:4 – the principle of the Most Holy Place.
To pick up where we left off last week, the Shulamite had been born again in 1:4, Spirit-Filled in 2:4; and here in 3:4, she enters the Most Holy Place! She passes by the Pentecostal realm and passes through the rent veil.
(Heb. 10:19-22; 6: 19-20)“having therefore brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh:…6:19-20: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into that inside the veil; Where the forerunner is for us entered even Jesus, made a high priest forever after the order of Melchisedec.”
It is in this Third Dimension that she discovers again her Lord, (11 Cor. 3-4) Like Jacob who was changed to Israel; this maiden had become an overcomer and prevailer. He had been drawing her up to this point, now she begins to draw Him! Like Esther, the Shulamite is in the throne room, but not in the Throne. (Rev. 3:21). This story is just beginning. She brings Him into her own home, her own life, into her mother’s chambers; into the place where can be birthed into a higher dimension; she brings Him into the innermost part of her life and being. This is a realm of union, where two become one. (Eph. 5: 17-33) The Banquet of Wine had been their engagement party. It is in this verse that she becomes His bride! The marriage procession is seen in the latter half of this chapter. (3: 6-11). The nuptial chariot is the Ark of the Covenant!
The Shulamite had experienced the 30-fold realm of the Outer Court and the 60-fold realm of the Holy Place. But 60 from 100 leaves 40- she is on the back forty, and the greatest trials and testing’s are yet to come. This is a New Day (the 7ths from Adam and the 3rd from Jesus) (11 Pet. 1:19) Like the prophet Simeon, we stand in one age and hold another in our arms. Let us not identify with those who are content to see it, but let us become part of the New Thing which is the consolation of Israel and the creation! The Inner chamber here is her heart, her Zion. It is the bosom of god, the contents of the Ark of the Covenant (Heb. 9:4)
Story Line – In this place of union, there will be consummation and conception. At this point in the story marks the place of their marriage, but the story is just beginning. But for now, the Shulamite sleeps and he guards.
3:5: ‘charge you, o you daughters of Jerusalem by the roes and by the hinds of the field, that you stir up, nor awake my love, until he pleases I.” (He is speaking)
“The daughters of Jerusalem perform the duties of a chorus in this ancient play. They interact with the actors from time to time. Sometimes they will agree with the players; sometimes they will ask questions on their own, evoking a response from the players and other times they will ask questions on their own… They arbitrate the scene changes. Their place is unique in Biblical literature but not unlike the Angel of Heaven who escorts John from place to place. Revelation 12 uses a similar flashback and flash-forward method to unveil its truth.” (Solomon’s Secret by C. R. Oliver)
The King has many blessings and honors to bestow on His new bride, and in time they leave their simple, secluded home. It is time to go public with this good news! So the King plans His return to Jerusalem to be one of surprise. It will be at Midnight. The “good people” of the city are sound asleep when the trumpet begins to sound. (Matt. 25:6) “”and at midnight there was a cry made. Behold the bridegroom comes; go ye out to meet him.” Far down the dark street is coming the sound of the King’s homecoming parade. The daughters hear the feet of those bearing the litter as they come forth on the cobblestone street. The sound of sixty guards valiantly marching rumbles in the stillness. Burning torches bob and weave as the marriage procession moves nearer. Pillars of smoke ascend from the torches and incense burners as they come before His litter the perfume of myrrh, frankincense, and other powders of the merchant fill the air. But wait a minute in the midst of all this stirring sight, there sits a woman! She is the Bride of Christ. She is sitting beside the King on the royal litter. She is a woman out of obscurity…a woman from the desert wilderness. Whatever did she do to talk the King into lettering her ride in His royal Chariot? The daughters of Jerusalem strain their necks in order to get a better view of all this. The King has found Himself a Bride. But who can she be?
3:6: “Who is this that comes out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with?
Myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?” (The daughters of Jerusalem are speaking, along with all the people)
The Holy Spirit was manifested in the pillar of fire and cloud. (Ex. 13:21-22; Joel 2:28-30) the wilderness is the realm of Pentecost; she had come out of that into the Most Holy Place. She has been purified. (Psa. 107: 1-7) Frankincense speaks of worship (Rev. *; 3-4). The powders of the merchant speak of selling all for the Kingdom! (Matt. 13: 45-46) the Jewish interpretation of this section (3:6-11) sees the chariot of Solomon as the Tabernacle or Moses, a habitation for God through the Spirit. (Jn. 1:14). Compare this whole metaphor with the Ark of the Covenant marching through the wilderness. The principle of the cross and its suffering (myrrh) will release the sweet fragrance of prayer and praise (frankincense). The Lord himself was the merchant who had enriched her. As Elisha had passed on over the Jordan with Elijah, so the maiden has passed on from the watchmen to find a realm of life in her King.
This is indeed a sight to behold. Everyone had expected to see the King in the homecoming parade, but they had not expected to see a woman riding at his side! Their question is answered. There at the King’s side sits the former little goat-keeper! The Shulamite is in the litter! In the royal litter. Surrounded by the royal guard.
3:7-10: “Behold his bed, which is Solomon’s threescore valiant men are about it of the valiant of Israel. They all hold swords, being expert in war: Every man has his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night. King Solomon made Himself a Chariot of the Wood of Lebanon. He made the pillars thereof of silver, the bottom thereof of Gold, the covering of it of purple, the midst thereof being paved with love, for the Daughters of Jerusalem.” (The Daughters are speaking, along with the people.)
These verses are descriptive of Solomon’s nuptial chariot and speaks to us of the Ark of the Covenant in the Most Holy Place! The Shulamite has tasted peace with God; now she is a partaker of the peace of God. It is from this throne that a people will shepherd the nations! There is no end or limitation to this place! (Isa. 9:6-7). The 60-fold company are around this throne, but the Shulamite is in it!
Never had the Shulamite dreamed of such pomp and splendor. Then she remembered the King’s words, “We will make your borders of gold with studs of silver.” (1:11) she had been hurt most of her life. Now she was surrounded by those who allow nothing by any means to hurt her. (Lk. 10:19)
Those who handle the sword describe the ministers of God, in particular those who are his Mighty Men and Overcomers. Or the principle of angels who minister to those who are heirs of salvation (Heb. 1: 7, 14) perhaps each of these 60 men were to protect each of the 60 qu33ns mentioned in 6:8. Madame Guyon likened them to 60 attributes of God through which the soul must go if it is to rest in the King’s bed. This bed reveals the total victory of the Lord Jesus over all enemies. We need not feat the hosts of darkness.
The Shulamite has nothing to fear. No angry stepbrother could get to her now as she rests beside her King. Her eye had not seen, nor had her heart considered all that He was sharing with her now. The House of Wine was good, but this was better! “His love is better than wine!”
The royal chariot has lifted her up in to the royal realm. The gold, the silver, His love, the purple, the timbers of Lebanon …all speak of His Divine Nature. We can compare the seat of Purple with the mercy seat which is the throne of Grace. His sons the bright stones and arrows of the Lord (Zech. 14: 9-17), shall walk on the King’s Highway. What is the intent of all of this? It is for His Bride, the one who will later bear Him a Son and an heir and a deliverer, and that man-child will be for the Daughters of Jerusalem!
3:11 “go forth, o you daughters of Zion, and Behold King Solomon with the Crown wherewith His mother crowned him in the day of his marriage, and in the day of the gladness of his heart.”
The term “Daughters of Zion” occurs only here and Isa. 3: 16-17; 4:4. These Daughters of Jerusalem could have been Daughters of Zion. These have settled for a lesser priesthood. (Ezek. 44) - Silence follows this announcement. The crowd is awed beyond words. The foolish virgins who had let their oil leak out had missed it all, including the passing of the parade. The wedding feast has been prepared for the party at the banqueting hall. Many guests had been invited, but all did not make themselves ready – the good people of the city did not care enough to attend!
4:1-10 “Behold you are fair, my love; behold you are fair, you have doves’ eyes within your locks: your hair is as a flock of goats that appear from Mount Gilead. You teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn, which came up from the washing; whereof every one bear twins and none is barren among them. You neck is like the tower of David built for an armory, whereon there hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men. Your breast are like two young roes that are twins, which feed among the lilies. Until the day break and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the Mountain of Myrrh, and to the Hill of Frankincense. You are fair, my love; there is no spot in you. Come with me Lebanon my spouse, with me from Lebanon: Look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the Lions’ dens, from the mountains of the leopards. How fair is this love, my sister, my spouse! How much better is your love than wine! And the smell of your ointments than all spices!
Here begins a sevenfold description of His Bride. She is in the process of being that wife spoken of in Ephesians 5:27: “that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be hold and without blemish”.
“There are two themes in this chapter. (1) Her spiritual character. (2) The cause of the transformation. As we study this transformation of the Bride of Christ from a goat keeper to a Queen, let us remind ourselves of Solomon’s intellect which superseded that of any man on earth. 1 Kings 4: 29-31 (amplified Version says:” And God gave Solomon exceptionally much wisdom and understanding, and breadth of mind like the sand of the seashore. Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all other men.” (Solomon’s Secret – C. R. Oliver)
His words are not transitory in order to be changed if they meet with wonder or dismay. Their intent is to position themselves in her heart that she will clearly know and understand her value. Eph. 1:18: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling , and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe according to the working of His might power, Which He wrought in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places.”
Formal churches can never approach this type of interaction. (It is not within their framework) Like death, once this type of intimacy is entered into, there is no retreat. Soon, the death comparison will appear in the story, and we will see this fact expressed.
We are in the Throne Room but not in the Throne! Legally we are one; experimentally, we must climb the mountain of separation. (2:17) this is Mt. Zion whereon are the thrones of the Kings and the tombs of the Kings. The Hill of Frankincense is Calvary. (11 Cor. 3:10). This is total death to self. She is about to see that the most severe dealings have been reserved for the Most Holy Place and a Baptism of Fire! She was talking less, and listening more. She was under far more control of the Holy Spirit, and she could now remain in quietness of spirit at the Lord’s praise of her, without private self-exaltation and the elation of those natural energies which produce pride. But there were still certain shadows, and the perfect light had not yet dawned. (Prov. 4:18). There is a fountain at Calvary open for sin and uncleanness. (Zech. 13:1)
He turns again to climb the Mountains of Bether. Doesn’t He want to stay? The Kings continued to reassure her. He invites her to come with Him to a place she as repeatedly shunned.
In verse 8, this is the first time He calls her his “spouse” or “Bride!” This verse is His call to the Heights of Zion. (Psa. 133)
Phil. 3: 12-14) “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect; but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth to those things which are before.”
He wants to expand her vision of the Kingdom which she shall rule with Him. It will involve danger and a greater dimension of spiritual warfare. Here Lebanon is the starting-point. The lion that roams and the leopard that devours are there! She is invited to see that she is seated with Him far above all principalities and powers (Eph. 1:20-23; 2:1-6; 6:12) this experience in the Heavenly Realm brings us to the enemy’s hiding out (the carnal mind of 11 Thess. 2: 1-8), that we may come to grips with him face to face, in order to break his power! (Psa. 18: 33-42). He desires to share the deep things of his heart with her. In 2:10,13, He had said, “Come Away,” but now he says “Come with me.” We can compare this to the call of Peter, James and John to the Mount of Transfiguration. Lebanon was dangerous (11 Kings 14:9); Hab. 2:17). This is the cruel persecution suffered at the hands of men and devils (wild beasts).
If it weren’t for the lions’ dens and leopards, she would love to go to the snow-capped mountains of Lebanon. Aman’s peaks seemed to shout faithfulness and truth. Shenir’s peaks were the apex of all these lofty ideals. She remembers the Mt. of Bether where she lost sight of Him. Could she make it? Could she face down those powers of darkness that she knew lurked on the mountains or would she fall in the midst of the battle?
In Verse 9, the Lord see upon her neck the single strand of the necklace which speaks of keeping the Word of God. (Prov. 1: 8-9; Matt. 7:24-27) “When Christ who is our life, shall appear, then shall you also appear with Him in glory.”
In verse 10, He is telling her that she now has the capacity to minister to Him! Her love has gone beyond the Pentecostal realm of wine and she is now living in the realm of the Fruit of the Spirit. She has begun to wear the garments of royal ministry. It is the unction (anointing) of the Holy Ghost that releases this fragrance unto Him.
4: 11- “Your lips, o my spouse, drop as the honeycomb, honey and milk are under your tongue; and the smell of your garments is like the smell of Lebanon. A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits, camphire, with spikenard. Spikenard and Saffron; Calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of Frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices. A fountain of Gardens, a well of living waters and streams from Lebanon” (He is speaking to her)
These verses are descriptive of her ministry. The lips and tongue are the channel of that ministry, and her garments speak of the Office of her ministry. The milk and honey is indicative of Canaan or the Kingdom. This Kingdom Word is spontaneous from her; it flows freely without being forced. Honey takes time to make; so this word is not on (impulsively) but under (wisely) her tongue. Lebanon was known for its fragrance because of the variety of aromatic shrubs dotting its slopes. Her garments speak of all that has to do with outward attitudes, behavior and all that has to do with external appearance. Her speech has been changed to a Kingdom vocabulary. She had eaten the Word from her apple tree (2:3)
Christ is in her. This anointed one is a prophet, priest and King. This anointing is to release the Kingdom (the life of the King) from within. That Kingdom according to Rom 14:17 is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost! A prophetic anointing to produce righteousness, a priestly anointing to produce peace, and a kingly anointing to bring forth joy! Fear and condemnation have stifled her.
All of the fruits mentioned in Verse 13 had to be imported from another country with the exception of the Pomegranate. She is called to an apostolic vision for the nations. She is a veritable paradise. The pomegranate is a symbol for pure and gold thoughts (open heart to the Lord). By dwelling on the Word, she has cultivated a Godly lifestyle. (Phil. 4:8). The fruitful life is costly. The pomegranate also speaks to us of the priesthood as well as righteous (Heb. 12:11) The camphire (or cypress) points to the Cross and all its workings. That will release the flow of God.
Talking about gardens is much nicer than those terrible mountains of suffering. But she senses that He is speaking in an allegory. He is still trying to tell her something. His word-picture, spoken with words of tender love, is vivid in her mind. More and More the attributes of the King can be seen in the Shulamite. His anointing, His nature, His life and death; all this and more is become a reality in her. He had seen this potential in her years ago. Now is the time for the release of all that is within. The Bride knows that someone needed to open her seals and let the water flow, to the ankles, to the knees, to the loins, waters to swim in, even a river that cannot be passed over. A river of life from the Shulamite.
She is the sanctuary out of which this River of Life is flowing. Out of her belly is to flow faith filled words. The King is the fountain of the Shulamite who is His garden! He is her source of life. (Heb. 7: 1-16). The deeper the well, the purer the water.
The artesian well below the level of the hardest rock never needs pumping; it is under pressure! (Jn. 4:11) the New Jerusalem is a garden city. Jesus knows how to bring us into contact with the overflow of His Life, which breaks forth spontaneously from His hidden ones as they remain restful in His keeping.
The Shulamite is now convinced that she can offer the fruit of her life to the world.
She says: 4:16: “Awake O north wind; and come, you south, blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden and eat his pleasant fruit” (She is speaking)
To be continued next week
Carolyn Sissom, Pastor
Eastgate Ministries, Inc.
Scripture quotes from King James Bible unless otherwise noted.’
Story line and text is gleaned from Principles of Present Truth by: K.V. and Solomon’s Secrets by C. R. Oliver as noted.