Song of Solomon 1:3

In last week’s part of this devotion series, as we looked at Song of Solomon 1:2, we saw the Why of the Bride’s request, “…thy love is better than wine.” Now we consider that not only is His Love better than wine or better than anything of this world; but we also note the second reason of the request:

“Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee” (verse 3)

These words indicate the sweet fragrance of “thy good ointments.” Solomon illustrated how sweet and precious was the fragrance of Christ’s ointments by saying “thy name is as ointment poured forth.” The only one the woman would ask to be kissed by is her husband. The woman wore the name of her husband. She said to him “thy name,” and all that it has given me, is like “ointment poured forth” (or poured out). When an ointment is poured out, the full fragrance is realized.

Therefore, those (the virgins) that wear His name are set apart from all others. As an ointment, the fragrance sets you apart from any other fragrance. It has its own distinct scent, or fragrance, and is identified by that special fragrance.

When a person is Born of the Spirit of God; he becomes, in experience, a Child of God; whereby he cries “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:14-16). He is then called a son of God.

When a person is married to Christ; that is when he confesses Christ by mouth and by deeds (beginning with water baptism). He is set on a course of Progressive Sanctification. As he matures in Sanctification, he comes to be identified as a Christian (a follower of Christ; a disciple of Christ). He bears the name of Jesus Christ in his attitude, actions, and attire. All know that he belongs to Christ.

But within the person who not only is born again, but also desires Philippians 3:7-14 (those who want to know Him); then Christ’s Name, or His indwelling Presence, is as a sweet, sweet fragrance in his life. He is lifted up. He knows he is special to Christ. He knows that he is loved by Christ. And he enjoys all the benefits of being married to Christ, as a wife does in the physical marriage.

Those who are married to Christ (those who are in His Body, the Church) have been baptized by the Holy Spirit into Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13); that is, those regenerated (born from above; Romans 8:14-16; John 3:3-8) reap the benefits of His Name. These benefits include:

1. Perception of adoption (Romans 8:14-16);
2. The ability to see and enter into His Kingdom (John 3:3-8);
3. His Power dwelling within them (Romans 8:11-13; Philippians 4:13);
4. His Protection, Provision, and Peace (Philippians 4:19; Hebrews 13:5; Romans 5:1-2; Philippians 4:6-7);
5. Being elevated to His Position and Status (1 Peter 2:9);
6. A Position of Unity, of Oneness in Christ, which allows them to “Behold His Glory” (John 17:20-24; 1 John 3:2);
7. An eternal assurance of His Love forever (Romans 8:29-39);
8. To wear His Robe (of Righteousness, Holiness, Perfection, Power, Peace, etc.);
9. To hold the position of His Wife, His Body, the Church (Ephesians 1:22; 2:19-22; 3:1-21); therefore are a joint-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17);
10. Knowing that He dwells in them;
11. Knowing that they were chosen, called to this position (Ephesians 1:3-11), and to bear fruit (His Fruit; Galatians 5:22-23), and that this fruit remain (John 15:16);
12. Knowing that they will spend eternity with Him, ruling and reigning on His Throne (Revelation 5, 21, 22).

This list is as endless as God’s Love is infinite. His Name and the wearing His Name is to have all that God has purposed for us in Christ Jesus, King of kings and Lord of Lords.

In the next part of this verse, “therefore do the virgins love thee,” the word “virgin” is used both physically and spiritually. Physically, it means a woman who has never “known” a man (has never had sexual intercourse with a man). In the Scriptures, the virgins stayed with their father until married. (See Exodus 22:17; Judges 21:12; 2 Samuel 13:18; Esther 2:2, 17; Acts 21:9; 1 Corinthians 7:25.) Spiritually, it means those who are pure unto God (both male and female). (See Matthew 25:1, 7, 11; Revelation 14:4.)

“These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.” (Revelation 14:4)

Of course, Revelation 14:4 is speaking of the “…hundred forty and four thousand (the born-again Jews), having his (the Lamb’s) Father’s name written in their foreheads” (verse 1); and verse 5 says they were before the Throne of God. However, the purpose of this devotion is not to study Revelation, but to show in Song of Solomon 1:3 that the virgins love God because “thy love is better than wine” and because of the name and the fragrance, or blessing, poured upon them that love Him.

Reader, are you married to Christ? Are you a member of His Body, the Church? Is your desire and focus upon Him and His Love? Even upon the significance of wearing His Name and the benefits of the same? Are you enjoying Christ and His Love? Why not? It is for His Bride.