kluane.org

Written by drk

Sunday, 08 March 2009 15:12

The Schulamite

By Dr. Kluane Spake

The lonely and unhappy 17 year old King was very board with his life. Everything in his palace was made of gold. He may have yawned and said, “There’s no silver, or bronze -- just gold.” Everywhere he looked was the same ol’ thing -- gold walls, gold tables, and boring gold dishes. Yet, he was alone.

Everyone wanted young King Solomon’s favor. But, he had no real relationship in his whole life. In fact, he later had 300 wives and 700 concubines and he found no happiness from them. How would he know if anyone cared for him, or if they were after his money? Insincere associations were doubtlessly a way of life. Yet, this day he rode over the meadow fields and found new meaning in his life.

The First Encounter:
Let’s imagine the story… Once upon a time, this young, barefooted girl worked out in the fields. Her brown skin glistened as she worked in the garden sun. Her skirt was probably tied up into her belt so she could move easily. She had her own garden to tend and care for (just like we have our own spiritual garden). This was a gorgeous day. She touched the fresh leaves and smelled the fragrances of the air. The breeze billowed grain sheaves into waves upon the hillside. Suddenly she noticed a young stranger riding by on a white horse… hummm, who could that cute guy be? The white horse reared up to a quick stop beside her and the rider said, “Hey there, how ya’ doing?” The Schulamite turned away to blush and sigh. But inside herself, she thought, “I’m in love!”

She stands in wonder, just wanting to melt in his eyes. He walks over to her and it’s love at first sight. She whispers shyly of sweet nothings. She doesn’t know that he has a kingdom of gold -- she loves him for who he is. She loves the fact that he loves her. And, he responds.

We can imagine them skipping around the meadows, playing tag, and picking daisies, “He loves me, he loves me not.” Garlands of flowers spring back from under their feet. Not knowing his identity, she sighs, “Your name is like ointment poured forth.” Maybe she looks in his face and coyly says, “I tell you what, you are the cutest thing I ever saw.” And when they kissed, she said, “Your kisses, they’re sweeter than wine.”

God looks for us to not adore the power He has, nor the power He gives, but rather who He is. Out of righteous coupling emerges Godly passion. Our worship isn’t supposed to be an out-of-control frenzy of but rather a passionate response from our transformed nature. Passion has been defined as “a feeling by which the mind is powerfully effected or moved.” Passion moves the mind and the will to action. It’s not a war-hoop of clamoring, gonging noises, but an interchange of fellowship, and communion. It’s a two-way connection, when we long for Him and He longs for us. He says, “I’m drawing you,” and then we run to Him. Through this exchange of giving and taking we continue to serve and please Him with our lives. This concept again is “koininea,” the reciprocation and reply to worship. God calls us to know Him in “Koininea” which is Godly fellowship and intercourse.

By understanding their passion, we can continue our story. The Shulamite frolics across the mountain taunting “I bet you can’t catch me,” so he chases her all the more. Then, she accidentally runs right into the palace. She stops cold and stares at the columns of gold, chairs of gold, and rafters of gold encircling above and sobs, “Are you the king? I’m so dirty and brown, and my clothes are filthy... I didn’t know who you were.” Have you noticed that when we see who God is, then we see who we are? (Woe is me, I am undone.)

Then Solomon strokes her raven hair and says, “O my dove, in the clefts of the rock.” Are we there in that cleft? Moses hid in the cleft of the rock when the glory passed by, just like we hide in Jesus. Solomon says, “O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, In the secret places of the cliff (stairs KJV), Let me see your countenance, Let me hear your voice; For your voice is sweet, And your countenance is lovely.”

You may answer, “God, don’t look at me, my dress is all dirty, sin has made me filthy. I have stains on me,” He says, “I just want to see your face. Just let me hear you talk.” Imagine, He wants to know all about you and everything you think about. He knows every hair on your head and says, “Don’t pull back from me. I think you’re beautiful. You’re my chosen one.”

As he caresses her, she blurts, “Oh, Solomon, I’m a nobody, a nothing. Why you would even chase me around the field? What do you see in me?” Then she buries her head in his shoulder, “I want to love you. I don’t care if you’re king or not. I don’t want things. I want Who You are.” I want who You are!

Her response could have been, “Oh goody, I’m going to get ten million drachma and drive a shiny new Mercedes chariot! And, just think of the presents!” But only His presence, (not presents) mattered. That’s why Solomon wanted to give her everything He had; shelter, security and safety. That’s the picture of being “In Christ.” If we’re not within this cleft of the Rock, then we’re not in the presence of those gathered unto Him -- the church.

He doesn’t care how soiled our past has been, He says we’re acceptable. He knows the mistakes we’ve made and that we’re going to make. We don’t surprise Him. He loves us anyway. The amazing thing is, He accepted us before we changed, and that’s why we’re able to embrace future change. His acceptance is more precious than diamonds, more costly than fine gold. He pours His presence into you right now, imparting the gifts of His Spirit.

The world eagerly waits to see if you really have a relationship with God. Learn to hide in that secret place until others can receive from you. There will be the time when you can say, “I have something to tell you. I’ve seen with the eyes of my heart, and I know Jesus can make your life different.”

King Solomon wrote 1005 songs; only one of which remains for us to study. Only the Shulamite pleased him and lingered in his memory. Solomon writes of the only true love of his life, a story that vividly portrays the dynamic church in these final hours. Their names, Solomon and the Schulamite both mean peace. He describes her beauty as awesome as an army with banners. Together, we comprise that bride who’s face is like Mt. Carmel (7:5). The bride shows herself as the ultimate revelation of creation, the beautiful, multi-ethnic integration of redeemed believers from every country, people, and nation. Paul says that even our uncomely parts are vital to this complex wonder. In that wholeness and togetherness, we’re integrated into the great mystery of the body functioning as one.

We are intermingled with one another as our individual rivers stream into the heavenly city. Suddenly the eminent conclusion of the Gospel age breaks to reveal the Bride-maturing from adolescence at last, with no restrictions as to race, class, or gender. Having been lodged in the womb of the morning (Ps. 110), we’re the candidates for the breaking of a new day. With unveiled eyes we stand breathlessly before Jesus, who glorified the Father by finishing His work. In an ongoing process, He shares with us the glory that He had, and He glorifies Himself IN us (Jn. 17). The glory once lost returns, the ark becomes reestablished and contained within us.

The ecstasy of His nearness brings wholeness. He gives us hidden manna, and we become concealed in the cleft of the rock -- sealed within the secret places of the stairs (Song of Songs 2:14). We’re children of God's old age, of the last days, clothed in the splendor of His might. The taste of the kisses of His lips evoke our internal passion of unabashed praise -- because He transcends all others. He releases us to be the redeemed remnant, arrows of destiny, firepots and spearheads of God. We destroy the evil kingdom and our feet are upon the footstool of His enemies. There we worship, at the finished defeat of all evil. Surely, we’re the threshing machine, the battle-ax, and the children of the Third day. We’re the expression of His character on this earth that proclaims the finished work of the cross.

Song of Solomon asks who this is that comes out of the wilderness as pillars of smoke (6). Why, it’s you, it’s me! We’re in His likeness. The “Light of the world” calls us lights -- a city set on the hill. Clothed with a dazzling armor of light, the sons of the Light-Giver exhibit His character and illuminate the lightlessness. Deep calls unto deep as we draw out of the heavenlies to receive a Salvation that completes our purpose, and perfects that which concerns us. We, the shimmering city, stand as a fortress of protection that illuminates the way for others. We arise to dispel the ignorance of the darkened past and display (manifest) His grandeur.

“Come closer,” He calls, “let me show you who I Am.” “Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken... But thou shalt be called Hepzibah” (Is.62:4). I will adorn you with honor and clothe you with heavenly light. You shall be called “Hepzibah,” meaning, “My delight is in you.” Certainly, this illustration restores the pre-fallen Eden-paradise (Eden also means place of “delight”) relationship with God. Delight yourself in Him and He rejoices (vs. 5). Stand in totality, trusting only in Him -- without excuse, without reaction or anger, and without looking for acceptance from others.

We accomplish His purposes - becoming a new race that stewards this earth -- in Love. A Glorious church, not of ourselves, but because of Him. Winter ends. We find our Lover no longer hiding behind the lattice - because nothing separates us anymore. His superior, unchanging and eternal priesthood seals up inside us, and we become enveloped in Him. Because of His poured out blood, we are fused together into Him, flesh of His flesh and bone of His bone (having united with one another as one with Him, being In Him and He in us, Eph. 5:30).

It’s time to rouse up into the time for love. We awaken to taste His lips that drip with myrrh. Fresh oil gushes from our understanding. We, the comparable helpmeet, are bound to Him eternally with a covenant of LOVE. We’re the epitome of God's desire, faint with love, and unified by the Spirit of God. Jesus is our all in all.

Adapted from author’s book, “From Enmity to Equality”