Most of us likely think of our relationship with God as being a bit one-sided. We want to be with Him because of what we receive from Him: Blessings, comfort, love, peace, joy, etc. We tend to think that it is … all about us!
But is it? Is it possible that the God of the universe loves you so much that He, too, benefits from spending time with you?
Check out this verse, spoken by the man: “I have entered my garden, my treasure my bride! I gather myrrh with my spices and eat honeycomb with my honey. I drink wine with my milk.” (Song of Solomon 5:1a NLT).
The concept of Jesus seeing us as His treasure, His bride, is referenced in many places throughout the Bible. Here are just a couple of them: “For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.” (Is. 54:5 ESV); “Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;” (Revelation 19:7 ESV). Although the Bible indicates that the man spoken of in this book is literally Solomon, as indicated in other places in the book, he is representative the Lover of our souls, none other than Jesus Christ!
Notice the next part of the verse: “I gather myrrh with my spices and eat honeycomb with my honey. I drink wine with my milk.” Remember it is the man who is gathering spices, eating honeycomb and honey and drinking wine and milk! In other words, He, too, is benefiting from this meeting of the two in the garden!
This idea is further imMost of us likely think of our relationship with God as being a bit one-sided. We want to be with Him because of what we receive from Him: Blessings, comfort, love, peace, joy, etc. We tend to think that it is … all about us!
But is it? Is it possible that the God of the universe loves you so much that He, too, benefits from spending time with you?
Check out this verse, spoken by the man in the Song of Solomon: “I have entered my garden, my treasure my bride! I gather myrrh with my spices and eat honeycomb with my honey. I drink wine with my milk.” (Song of Solomon 5:1a NLT).
The concept of Jesus seeing us as His treasure, His bride, is referenced in many places throughout the Bible. Here are just a couple of them: “For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.” (Is. 54:5 ESV); “Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;” (Revelation 19:7 ESV). Although the Bible indicates that the man spoken of in this book is literally Solomon, as indicated in other places in the book, he is representative of the Lover of our souls, none other than Jesus Christ!
Notice the next part of the verse: “I gather myrrh with my spices and eat honeycomb with my honey. I drink wine with my milk.” Remember it is the man who is gathering spices, eating honeycomb and honey and drinking wine and milk! In other words, He, too, is benefiting from this meeting of the two in the garden!
This idea is further implied by the second half of the verse. This time it is the young women of Jerusalem, the onlookers, who are speaking: “Oh, lover and beloved, eat and drink! Yes, drink deeply of your love!” (Song of Solomon 5:1b NLT). Thus, they see that the man, the figure of Jesus, is also eating and drinking and enjoying the love shown to Him by His bride!
I believe that in general, most of us don’t spend a lot of time thinking about how our relationship with people make them feel. We are far too focused on how that same relationship makes us feel. But stop to think about it for a moment: When you spend time with your spouse, with your kids or with a good friend, doesn’t it make you feel good to know that they, also, enjoy being with you?
In general, I always feel that my relationship with God is pretty lop-sided. He gives, I take. This realization that Jesus enjoys being with me as much as I want to be with Him (and even more!) makes me feel like I’m able, in some tiny way, to give back to Him!
The next time you sit down to spend some time with God, remember, He benefits from this as well! He truly wants to be with you, and when you take the time to be with Him, you are in essence reciprocating His kindness and love towards you!
In His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart
Moderator, Associate Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries
(To access the entire “Unveiling the Song of Solomon” mini-series, click here!)
