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Song of Songs 8:6, 7 - Love Is A Principle, Not A Feeling.

Song of Songs 8:6, 7 (NKJV) The Shulamite To Her Beloved Set me as a seal upon your heart, As a seal upon your arm; For love is as strong as death, Jealousy as cruel as the grave; Its flames are flames of fire, A most vehement flame. 7 Many waters cannot quench love, Nor can the floods drown it. If a man would give for love All the wealth of his house, It would be utterly despised.

Song of Songs 8:6, 7 (NLT) Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, its jealousy as enduring as the grave. Love flashes like fire, the brightest kind of flame. 7 Many waters cannot quench love, nor can rivers drown it. If a man tried to buy love with all his wealth, his offer would be utterly scorned.

WORD STUDY

H160
In Hebrew a feminine noun meaning love. The word often signifies a powerful, intimate love between a man and a woman (Gen. 29:20; Song 2:4, 5, 7); love between friends (2 Sam. 1:26); God's love for His people (Isa. 63:9; Hos. 3:1). Frequently, it is associated with forming a covenant, which enjoins loyalty (Deut. 7:8). When used in an abstract way, the word designates a desirable personal quality, which connotes affection and faithfulness (Prov. 15:17; 17:9). [Complete Word Study Dictionary, Old Testament.]

INTRODUCTION

In this final description of their love, the girl includes some of its significant characteristics (see also 1 Corinthians 13). Love is as strong as death; it cannot be killed by time or disaster and cannot be bought for any price because it is freely given. Love is priceless, and even the richest king cannot buy it. Love must be accepted as a gift from God and then shared within the guidelines God provides. Accept the love of your spouse as God's gift, and strive to make your love a reflection of the perfect love that comes from God himself. [Life Application SB]

COMMENTARY

Love Is A Principle, Not A Feeling. Love is a precious gift, which we receive from Jesus. Pure and holy affection is not a feeling, but a principle. Those who are actuated by true love are neither unreasonable nor blind. Taught by the Holy Spirit, they love God supremely, and their neighbor as themselves.  MH 358 [Remnant SB]

Unquenchable Jealousy
   Unlike most states that have no legal punishment for adultery, North Carolina has an "alienation of affection" law that allows a person to sue their spouse's paramour for emotional and tangible damages. One man learned this the hard way after pursuing another man's wife. As evidence of a 16-month affair, the husband provided to the court call logs, hotel receipts, and social media posts. The judge ordered the perpetrator to pay the husband .8 million!
   In ancient cultures, once something was sealed, it could "not be changed" (Daniel 6:17). This was as true for a marriage vow as it was for a king's signature (v. 12). Thus, when the Shulamite asks to be sealed upon her beloved's heart and arm, she is entering a covenant that "is as strong as death," a relationship in which eros is shared exclusively between themselves till death do them part.
   In metaphor, today's promise describes God's love for His bride, the church, more than the church's love for Him. His "vehement flame" of love cannot be quenched nor drowned, even while His bride commits harlotry with other gods (1 Chronicles 5:25). Unlike the husband whose jealousy was satiated with .8 million, any such price offered for God's bride "would be utterly despised."
   Any such price offered for you would also be rejected, for He gave "all the wealth of [His] house" to redeem you.
   Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me with a love that cannot be quenched. Help me to be faithful to You, as You have been to me. [The Most Amazing Bible Promises by Amazing Facts]

The Test of Time
   If you're single, I believe that God has someone picked out for you. In fact, you can start praying for your future spouse today, even though you don't know yet who he or she is. Then again, maybe you already do. Either way, you can start praying for your future husband or wife now.
   When you're looking at potential candidates to spend the rest of your life with and considering who could be the parent of your children and the grandparent of your grandchildren, start here: Look for a godly person. Even better, find someone who is godlier than you. But don't marry someone who isn't a Christian because the Bible says, "Don't team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14 NLT).
   Marriage is challenging enough. Don't make it even more challenging by marrying a nonbeliever. You and your spouse need to be able to pray together and commit things to the Lord together. You need someone with whom you can look to God for strength. Once you make the commitment of marriage, it should be a lifelong commitment. Wedlock should be a padlock--in the best way. If you're unwilling to make that kind of commitment, if you want to experiment with marriage and then maybe get divorced if it doesn't work out, then do everyone a favor and stay single.
   Pray about marriage, and take your time. The Bible says that love is patient (see 1 Corinthians 13:4). Some couples want to rush into marriage. Don't do that. Get to know each other. The Bible says, "Many waters cannot quench love, nor can rivers drown it" (Song of Solomon 8:7 NLT). If the love that you and your beloved have for each other is real love, it will stand the test of time.
   Make the right decision and marry the right person. [Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com]

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

Deuteronomy 4:24 - Is God Jealous or Zealous.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2009/20090811-0957.html

John 3:16 - LOVE SUPREME!
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20211206-0816.html

John 15:12 - Love As Jesus Loved You.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20241201-1544.html

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/