Let Nothing Hinder You

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  1. His love note passed secretly to you in class: ❤️

    Every part of you is so beautiful, my darling.
    Perfect is your beauty, without flaw within.
    8Now you are ready, my bride,
    to come with me as we climb the highest peaks together.
    Come with me through the archway of trust. 4:8 This phrase is translated from the Septuagint. The Hebrew is “the crest of Amana.” Amana comes from a Hebrew root word from which we get the English word “amen.” This is also one of the Hebrew words for “faith.” The crest of Amana is the realm where all God’s promises are kept and realized. Amana can also be translated “a place of settled security.” (Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names by J. B. Jackson.)
    We will look 4:8 The meaning of the word for “look” includes “survey, inspect, look all around, observe.” The bride of Christ is seated on high with Jesus and is encouraged to survey all the blessings heaven contains—it is a picture of our co-exaltation with Christ. down
    from the crest of the glistening mounts
    and from the summit of our sublime sanctuary,
    from the lion’s den and the leopard’s lair.
    9For you reach into my heart.
    With one flash of your eyes I am undone by your love,
    my beloved, my equal, 4:9 Or “sister.” my bride.
    You leave me breathless—
    I am overcome
    by merely a glance from your worshiping eyes,
    for you have stolen my heart. 4:9 Or “you have ravished my heart.” This is the Hebrew word libabethini, which is taken from a Semitic root word that means “to tear bark off of a tree.” He is saying that your loving eyes of worship have uncovered his heart and laid it bare, making him vulnerable to you. What a description of what happens to Jesus when he looks into your eyes. Your worship brings to him such an ecstasy and delight that it becomes hard to even imagine. Yet God has placed inside of you the ability to ravish the vulnerable heart of your King—not someday in heaven, but now, even when you feel incomplete and weak.
    I am held hostage by your love
    and by the graces of righteousness shining upon you. 4:9 Or “the jewels of your neck [necklace].” These divine jewels are the beautifying graces that the Holy Spirit gives to us. They are the “graces of righteousness” given to the redeemed bride of Christ.
    10How satisfying to me, my equal, my bride.
    Your love is my finest wine—intoxicating and thrilling.
    And your sweet, perfumed praises—so exotic, so pleasing.
    11Your loving words are like the honeycomb to me;
    your tongue releases milk and honey,
    for I find the promised land flowing within you. 4:11 Both the promised land and your heart flow with milk and honey. You have become the promised land of Jesus Christ.
    The fragrance of your worshiping love
    surrounds you with scented robes of white. 4:11 Or “like the scent of Lebanon.”
    12My darling bride, my private paradise,
    fastened to my heart.
    A secret spring that no one else can have are you—
    my bubbling fountain hidden from public view.
    What a perfect partner to me now that I have you.
    13-14Your inward life is now sprouting, bringing forth fruit.
    What a beautiful paradise unfolds within you. 4:13–14 Or “Your shoots are a paradise of pomegranates.”
    When I’m near you, I smell aromas of the finest spice,
    for many clusters of my exquisite fruit
    now grow within your inner garden.
    Here are the nine:
    pomegranates 4:13–14 “Pomegranate” is taken from a word that means “exalted.” The temple pillars and the robe of the high priest were adorned with pomegranates. of passion,
    henna 4:13–14 “Henna” comes from a root word for “ransom price” or “redemption.” The fruit of mercy is seen in his maturing bride. from heaven,
    spikenard 4:13–14 The Hebrew root word for “spikenard” means “light.” She (the bride) is walking in the light as he (Christ) is the Light. so sweet,
    saffron 4:13–14 “Saffron” is the crocus, the lover’s perfume, costly and fragrant. shining,
    fragrant calamus 4:13–14 “Calamus” is taken from a marsh plant known as sweet flag, which produces fragrant oil. The Hebrew word for this spice can also mean “purchased” or “redeemed.” from the cross,
    sacred cinnamon, 4:13–14 Cinnamon emits a fragrance that is representative of an odor of holiness to the Lord. It was used in the sacred anointing oil of the priests and the tabernacle.
    branches of scented woods, 4:13–14 This is the incense that would be burned on the golden altar in the Holy Place.
    myrrh, like tears from a tree, 4:13–14 Known as “tears from a tree,” myrrh was a resin spice formed by cutting a tree. It is a picture of the suffering love of Christ dripping down from Calvary’s tree.
    and aloe as eagles ascending. 4:13–14 Aloe is considered by many to be a healing balm. The presence of the Lord within her is released as a healing balm to those she touches. Jesus’ robes smelled of aloe (see Ps. 45:8). One of the names used by some for aloe is “eagle wood.” Like eagles, we fly above our wounds, free from the past as we walk in intimacy with Jesus.
    15You are a fountain of gardens. 4:15 See Jer. 31:12.
    A well of living water springs up from within you,
    like a mountain brook flowing into my heart! 4:15 Or “like the flowing streams of Lebanon.”

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