Song of Solomon 8:8–14
- Western stories – beg – mid – end
- Eastern stories – beg – mid – beg (Gen 1-2, Judges, Bible)
- Beginning determines the end
- Bad beginning? Need new beginning (born again)
Brothers
8:8-9 We have a little sister, and her breasts are not yet grown. What shall we do for our sister on the day she is spoken for? If she is a wall, we will build towers of silver on her. If she is a door, we will enclose her with panels of cedar.
She
8:10-12 I am a wall, and my breasts are like towers. Thus I have become in his eyes like one bringing contentment. Solomon had a vineyard in Baal Hamon; he let out his vineyard to tenants. Each was to bring for its fruit a thousand shekels of silver. But my own vineyard is mine to give; the thousand shekels are for you, Solomon, and two hundred are for those who tend its fruit.
He
8:13 You who dwell in the gardens with friends in attendance, let me hear your voice!
She
8:14 Come away, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or like a young stag on the spice-laden mountains.
Her childhood – family perspective
- Mom & brothers mentioned, not dad
- Wall = reinforce
- Door = stand guard
Her childhood – her perspective
- Solomon had rich vineyards
- “my own vineyard” – she took responsibility for her chastity & character
- She prepared herself to be a godly wife
- She looked forward to growing up, falling in love, marrying, & moving from home
Sometimes we need to go back to go forward – bow & arrow
- Most helpful & harmful experiences in childhood & teen years
- Our talk that revealed new insight to know one another
Discussion Question:
Spend some hours alone explaining in detail the most helpful and harmful experiences of your childhood and teen years and see if there is anything unhealed that needs to get professional or pastor help to work through for the best version of you in your marriage.
