The Bride’s First Response to
Her Beloved’s Second Step

“…and my bowels were moved for him.” This, in the spiritual sense, is revealing the effect of Christ putting His hand in by the hole of the door. (The door represents the barrier of her indifference – Christ broke through her indifference and moved in her spirit.) The result of His Action is that her “bowels (or her innermost being) were moved (or stirred, moved to action) for him.” That is, she was compelled to get up; to have a change of mind. She was tired, indifferent; she had quit and gone to bed; she had left the battlefront.

But now, by Christ’s movement in her spirit of His Will and Power to bring her to her spiritual senses of Who He is and who she is (His sister, love, dove, spouse, and undefiled); He changes her decision. He changes her direction from “away from Him” to “toward Him.” It is 180 degree turn-around in her thinking, which is going to lead to action.

The phrase “moved for him,” is such a deep and graphic defining of the complete Work of Christ on and in His Bride in this Recovery Operation. He awakens her to see her indifference and her rebellious condition. Then He convicts her, and brings her to change, which will end in confession and action. This “move” for Him is a definite Sovereign Act of God; it is all of Him and none of the Bride. Praise God for His Eternal Plan to bring us into Himself even in spite of our flesh, sin, and rebellion. Hallelujah! Worthy is the Lamb of God (Revelation 5:12-14).

Looking ahead at Song of Solomon 5:6, the Bride said of her Beloved’s Voice, “…my soul failed when he spake…” The soul (the seat of emotions, even rebellion) had no more defense when Christ spoke to her. She knew her excuses were weak, and could not stand against Christ’s words to her. So her soul failed and gave way to Him.

The Bride’s Second Response

“I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock.” (Song of Solomon 5:5)

Here we see the Bride’s next response, “I rose up to open to my beloved.” Here is proof of Christ’s Power working in His Plan of Recovery; the Bride “rose up” with a definite purpose, “to open (the door) to my beloved.”

This is her first movement in response to His Work in her spirit to “move” her for Him. She “rose up”; that is, she put legs on her change. She got up, which indicates a change of mind. She could no longer resist Christ’s Work in her spirit.

But when she took hold of the door lock, Christ had left His sweet fragrance of communion for her. This was so she would be reminded and drawn to Him more than ever:

“…my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock.”

Not only had Christ moved in her spirit to change her decision; but also, He left some sweet, sweet reminders of their previous sweet communion in the Banqueting House (or the House of God).

The Apostle Peter did the same to his flock:

“Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.” (1 Peter 1:12)

God did a wonderful thing when He created memory. It not only is used to convict, but also to stir the benefits of being “in Christ.” To remember the things of God brings joy and rejoicing. It also causes us to want and desire His Presence more and more.

Thank God for stirring our memory with the Glory of God and of our Eternal Position in Him. Thank God for the wonderful blessings of living His Life in this life (Romans 5:10, 17); as we experience being “overcomers” in this life.

The Bride’s Third Response

“I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.” (Song of Solomon 5:6)

Here the Bride of Christ made a definite move, “I opened to my beloved.” Moved in her spirit, she rose to open to her Beloved. Her action was temporarily halted as she smelled the sweet smelling myrrh on the handles of the door lock; which increased her desire to see Him. But now, she opens the door.

This action indicates that she is ready to face her Beloved; to be still and listen to His Words; and to begin her journey back to full fellowship with her Beloved. She is saying to Him, by Your Grace and Power, I have made the turn back to You. (See Jeremiah 17:14; 31:18-19.)

“…turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God.” (Jeremiah 31:18c-d)

And the Bride proves this by opening the door to her Beloved.

This is a necessary step in manifesting her desire to change and to come back to fellowship with Christ. You can talk a good talk all day; but somewhere you must do as the old saying says, “Put up or shut up.” You must make that decision to face Christ and do whatever is necessary to come back into His full fellowship.