Song of Songs 7:11-8:4; Get Rid of It

Introduction

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A few years ago, Holly and I went on a vacation to Florida. We were living in Tennessee at the time. We took Eden and Moses to Holly’s parents for the week. We flew down to Florida to spend the week for an anniversary celebration. We had a great week together. We still talk about how we would like to go back, just the two of us. We would love to go to the same resort. Go to the same places. If we did that, we know we would also miss our kids. And they haven’t been able to have many experiences like that either.

But Holly and I also have talked about another vacation that we really want to take. We really want to go to this small town in Middle Tennessee. The town is a small town almost in between Memphis and Nashville Tn. It has a population of roughly 4,000 people. This small town is Waverly Tn. You probably have never heard of it. There are really no tourist attractions in Waverly, unless you are going to Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills.

Holly and I want to go on a family vacation to Waverly Tn because we spent almost three years there. I was the Youth Pastor at Three Rivers Fellowship. I also worked at Walgreens in Dickson Tn while we were there. We want to go back there because we want to see the house that we lived in before the flood in 2021 destroyed almost half the town. We want to go back and see the backyard where Edie and Moses played. We want to go back to Laz Plazas and Laredo's to eat their tacos ago.

There is nothing on paper that makes Waverly a vacation destination. However, we want to go back there to remember some great days. We want to go there and get away from Walgreens and sermon prep (even though I love preaching!). We want to go back and remind ourselves of the simplicity of a time gone by.

Need

This morning, we are going to see the Shulammite as her beloved to take her on a vacation that reminds them both of simpler times. A place where they can be together and experience an intimacy they once had.

This morning, we are going to see our need to remove some of the things that have gotten in the way of our relationships.

Referent

Song of Songs 7:11-8:4

Organization

Removal from Society (7:11-13)

Removal from Stigmas (8:1-4)

Sermon in a sentence:

I will remove barriers.

Remove Society (7:11-13)

(v. 11) She wants to go to the country

The Shulammite and Solomon both have a little country in them.

SOS 1:5-6 ; she is dark because she kept the vineyards

SOS 2:8-17; Solomon has to go over mountain and hill to find his beloved at her home. She is live a bird in the cleft of the rock - isolated from the world.

Ecclesiastes 2:5-6; Solomon plated gardens, parks, and even pools for his trees.

Matthew 6:28–29 “28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”

Jesus described Solomon in connection with the lilies of the field

(v. 12-13) She describes the country and their relationship

v. 12

Chapter 2 we already saw that Solomon told the Shulammite that the winter had passed. The rains had stopped. The Spring had come. Just as the seasons had changed and brought new life, so had their relationship. They were at a point in chapter 2 to move to the next step in their relationship.

The Shulammite is replaying Solomon’s words to him in this section.

The budded, blooming, and blossoming fruits also describe her attitude/body towards Solomon.

v. 13

She mentions mandrakes. Genesis 30:14 where Rachel asks Leah for Reuben’s mandrakes. Leah then uses these mandrakes as a bargaining tool to sleep with Jacob.

The choice fruits she laid up for Solomon were the fruits but also herself ( her body has already been compared to pomegranates, wine, grapes, apples, and more).

Doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results is insanity. However, doing the same thing over and over again expecting the same results is profound. The body builder is not changing his diet or workout regimen every week. The professional athlete or musician is not changing instruments or sports every year. Our marriages likewise need consistency. We need a consistent removal of the distractions that society puts in our way. Sometimes we just need to go back to a simpler time. We may need to go back to that time that we couldn’t stop talking to each other. You couldn’t wait to talk to her between classes. Or when you got home from work.

Maybe your marriage is wonderful but society has put so many distractions between you and God and his people. You used to teach that Sunday School class. You used to sing in the choir. You used to do the bus ministry. You used to pray all the time. You used to read your Bible regularly. You used to …

Remove Stigmas (8:1-4)

(vs. 1-2) The Shulammite is lamenting the stigmas and social norms that restrict her public display of love for Solomon.

PDA between even a husband and wife was considered unacceptable.

Embracing or kissing a brother was fine, but not her husband.

(v. 2) She could go back home with her brother and no one would say a word.

This most likely has kingly overtones. The Shulamite would have to be quiet and in the background with the king. She couldn’t just “go home” with the king. She would have to go to the palace at the right time and place when a king would be doing public affairs or events with foreign rulers.

(vs. 2-3) She would love to sit down and relax with wine with her beloved.

There is this sense of relief from the worries of the world as she brings forth wine for her husband.

This is also likely a dual meaning: wine and “juice of my pomegranate” is likely her body (v. 3 reinforces this interpretation)

(v. 4) Even in the desire to remove all these stigmas, she realizes that there is a time for patience.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; There is a time for everything.

Is there something new that you wish your marriage/relationship with God/church life had? Is there a way you can remove a stigma or pain in your relationships? I am not speaking physically. The text is not talking about taking some physical taboo or new thing in the bedroom. The text is referencing the removal or societal stigmas that may hinder the intimacy in the relationship. Have you created any stigmas in your relationships with your spouse/friends/church.

“I can’t talk to my spouse about that.”

“I can’t tell my friend that. They will get mad.”

“I can’t say that in church. I can’t tell a church member to repent. I would rather them to stay in sin than get mad and leave.”

Conclusion

Airplane tickets and hotel prices vary on all sorts of factors. Factors like the time of the year, the day of the week, and even the time of the day can radically change the price tag on your vacation. A savvy shopper will take note of these prices changes and look out for the best deals. You don’t want to book that very first flight you see. You don’t want to put that nonrefundable deposit down until you are sure this is the one.

Saints, I can promise you, there is no better time then now to make this decision. Don’t wait. Don’t try to bargain. Don’t try to hassle. Remove any barriers in your relationships with God, with his bride, and with your spouse.

Application

The Lord Jesus Christ moved heaven and earth to save sinners. He removed the sin that separated man from the Triune God. Today, do not hold onto your sin. Instead, hold onto to Jesus. Repent of your sins and put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ today. He alone can remove any barrier between you and the perfect and holy God!

Try one old thing and try one new thing to cultivate your love for others this week.

Your spouse/friends/church.

Your God!