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a lifelong commitment

Song of Songs 8:1-7 (JDV)

Song of Songs 8:1 If only I could treat you like my brother, one who nursed at my mother’s breasts, I would find you in public and kiss you, and no one would scorn me.
Song of Songs 8:2 I would lead you, I would take you, to the house of my mother who taught me. I would give you spiced wine to drink from the juice of my pomegranate.
Song of Songs 8:3 May his left hand be under my head, and his right arm embrace me.
Song of Songs 8:4 Young women of Jerusalem, I charge you, do not stir up or awaken love until the appropriate time.
Song of Songs 8:5 Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning on the one she loves? I awakened you under the apricot tree. There your mother conceived you; there she conceived and gave you birth.
Song of Songs 8:6 Set me as a seal on your heart, as a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death; jealousy is as unrelenting as Sheol. Love’s flames are fiery flames– an almighty flame!
Song of Songs 8:7 A huge torrent cannot extinguish love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If a man were to give all his wealth for love, it would be flatly rejected.

a lifelong commitment

The seal of ownership. Love, sealed by marriage becomes a lifetime of security and belonging. It becomes familial. That is as it should be. Love should not be awakened until it has become that lifetime commitment.

LORD, teach us to be cautious with love until it is ready to be a lifelong commitment.