SONG OF SONGSCHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER OVERVIEW: In verses 1-15, the Bridegroom describes His Bride. In response, in verse16 the Bride beckons her Bridegroom to come into her garden.

THE BRIDEGROOM1 Behold, you are fair, my love! Behold, you are fair! You have dove’s

eyes behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats, going down from Mount Gilead.

2 Your teeth are like a flock of shorn sheep which have come up from the washing, every one of which bears twins, and none is barren among them.

3 Your lips are like a strand of scarlet, and your mouth is lovely. Your temples behind your veil are like a piece of pomegranate.

4 Your neck is like the tower of David, built for an armory, on which hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men.

5 Your two breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle, which feedamong the lilies.

As the Bride has opened the garden of her heart to Him, she has been transformed:

…praise makes you lovely before Him and brings Him great delight. (Psalm 147;1, TPT)

In verses 1-5, a seven-fold description is given of the Bride. Seven is the number of perfection. This is a prophetic unveiling of the identity of both the individual believer and the Church:

Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:25-27)

(1) Behold, you are fair, my love! Behold, you are fair!

As a born-again believer and part of the Bride of Christ, you no longer live in sin and shame. He views you as “fair”. He sees you not as you were or even as you are, but as you will be as you continue to develop your relationship with Him. He sees you without spot and blemish.

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(1) You have dove’s eyes behind your veil.

Her eyes. The enemy seeks to blind you (2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 1:8), but through the new birth experience you have developed dove’s eyes. The Bride’s eyes are said to be “behind the veil”. The Song Of Songs records the progressive unveiling of her spiritual vision.

Doves have tremendous distance vision, but no peripheral vision. The dove’s lack of peripheral vision symbolizes how you should remain focused on Jesus and not be distracted by other things. Dove’s eyes also speak of spiritual perception and prophetic insight. The dove is an emblem of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16) who enables you to view things in the Spirit rather than in the flesh. As believers, we have prophetic vision for the future through God’s Word and the ability to remain focused on our Bridegroom and our eternal destiny.

What does the Bridegroom see when He looks into your eyes? See Supplemental Study 6.1 on Spiritual Eyesight.

(1) Your hair is like a flock of goats, going down from Mount Gilead.

Her hair. She has hair like a flock of goats. Hair is symbolic of separation to God (Judges 16:17). Hair symbolizes spiritual strength, spiritual covering, and obedience. A flock means she is obedient in all things.

The flock is coming from a place called "Gilead" which is located in the high plateau east of Galilee and Samaria beyond the Jordan on the frontiers of the desert (Jeremiah 50:19: Micah 7:14). Gilead was where animals were kept in preparation for temple sacrifices, so a goat coming down the mountain was one ready to be offered as a sacrifice. Like the goats, the Bride is a living sacrifice ready to be offered to God (Romans 12:1-2). In Old Testament times, goats’ hair covered the tabernacle which contained God’s presence and was the place of sacrifice. The Bride is now His tabernacle, ready to sacrifice her life for His purposes.

(2) Your teeth are like a flock of shorn sheep which have come up from the washing, every one of which bears twins, and none is barren among them.

Her teeth are like a flock of shorn sheep. The metaphor of twins symbolizes her having both upper and lower teeth, giving her the ability to chew and digest the Word. “Shorn” means that she is recently shorn of the excess wool that caused the debris of the world to cling to her. “Coming up from washing” means she has been washed by the water of the Word. Believers must be continuously cleansed from the debris of the world that attaches to us (Ephesians 5:25-26; James 1:21; Ezekiel 44:17-18).

Sheep regurgitate food and chew on it. We should do likewise spiritually as we recall and meditate on the Word. In the natural world, bad teeth result because of always eating soft food. You must eat some apples, nuts, meat, etc. to help your gums be healthy. The same is true spiritually. You must move from the milk to the meat of the Word.

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For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:13-14)

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? (1 Corinthians 3:1-3)

When you feed on the Word, then the words from your mouth become God’s Words and they will not return void (barren and unproductive):

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11)

In contrast to the Bride’s teeth, the teeth of the wicked are described as spears, arrows, and knives (Psalm 57:4; Proverbs 30:14).

(3) Your lips are like a strand of scarlet, and your mouth is lovely. Your temples behind your veil are like a piece of pomegranate.

Her lips are like a strand of scarlet and her mouth is lovely. The word “mouth” as used here is an organ of speech. The “scarlet thread”, representing the blood sacrifice for sin, brought salvation to Rahab’s house (Joshua 2:18-19). Lips like scarlet indicate that the blood covers her speech (Isaiah 52:7-10; Romans 10:6-15).

The vision of her Bridegroom has affected her mouth, as it did the mouth of the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1-6). The lips are the channel of speech, expressing what is in your heart. The scarlet thread speaks of redeemed speech that brings life. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit can your speech be controlled (James 3). Red lips are a sign of physical health and are symbolic of spiritual health. Dead people lose the color in their lips, as does a spiritually dead Believer or church.

Her temples behind her veil are like a piece of pomegranate. The pomegranate, when cut open, has seeds like crystal with rich veins of red representing the blood of Jesus. The fruit must be broken open in order for the seeds to be exposed, just as Christ was broken on the cross. Pomegranates have many seeds contained in one rind, representing the many truths of God concealed in the Word and the many parts of one spiritual Body of Christ. The fruit points to fulness of life because of its many seeds. Comparing her temples to a pomegranate means that her thoughts are clear and pure through the blood of Jesus. See Supplemental Study 4.1 on the spiritual significance of the pomegranate.

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(4) Your neck is like the tower of David, built for an armory, on which hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men.

Her neck is compared to the strong tower of King David where weapons were kept. The neck in scripture represents the will. The battles of life center on your will. When you repeatedly make wrong choices in life you become stiff-necked, are taken captive by sin, and lose your discernment. Repeated right choices build strength of character which may be likened to a strong tower. The Bride’s choices have made her neck (her will) strong like the tower of David.

The neck also connects the head with the body. Jesus is the Head of the Church who is the described as the Body of Christ. What the Bride wears around her neck are symbols of victories that have already been won. The shield is the shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16) and the Word of God. The fact that there are a thousand shields represent the sufficiency of divine protection. The tower represents the refuge of God (Psalm 61:3). “Mighty men” refers to David’s warriors, who were experts in warfare (1 Chronicles 12:8,14).

(5) Your two breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle, which feed among the lilies.

Her breasts "Breasts" represent the capacity to receive nourishment and feed others spiritually. Having two breasts is symbolic of spiritual balance. If you do not feed yourself spiritually, you cannot nourish others, just as a mother who does not eat cannot nourish her breast-feeding child. To “feed among the lilies” means to feed as part of the flock of the Good Shepherd in the green pastures where He leads you (SOS 2:16).

6 Until the day breaks and the shadows flee away, I will go my way to the mountain of myrrh and to the hill of frankincense.

7 You are all fair, my love, and there is no spot in you. 8 Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon. Look

from the top of Amana, from the top of Senir and Hermon, from the lions’ dens, from the mountains of the leopards.

(6) Until the day breaks and the shadows flee away, I will go my way to the mountain ofmyrrh and to the hill of frankincense.

One version states “I will withdraw to the mountains of myrrh and to the hill of frankincense.” The Bridegroom waits there until the day breaks through and the shadows flee from His Bride’s perception. He wants her to join Him there (verse 8).

Myrrh is a sweet-smelling substance that was used as part of the sacred anointing oil and symbolizes the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The mountains of myrrh mentioned here indicate total immersion in sweet fellowship with the Bridegroom. Myrrh was presented to the Christ-child at His birth to prophetically confirm His destiny and it was used along with aloes to anoint

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Christ at His burial. It was the scent of myrrh and aloes that rose from an empty tomb, spices that symbolize the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Myrrh also symbolizes suffering and death to the flesh (SOS 3:6; 4:6; 5:1,5,13).

Frankincense is a symbol of sacrifice, as it is cut from the bark of a tree and the fluid from the wound is made into incense. It was one of the gifts to the Christ-child and is symbolic of His willingness to become a sacrifice for sin (SOS 3:6; 4:6).

Through these symbols, the Lord is calling the Bride into a deeper union with Him through death to self (represented by myrrh) by which she will come forth with a greater anointing (represented by frankincense).

(7) You are all fair, my love, and there is no spot in you.

The Bridegroom previously said she was “fair”. Now He says she is “all fair”. You become fair when your are born again. You become “all fair” through the perpetual sanctification of spiritual growth. The New International Version translation says “There is no flaw in you.”

(8) Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon. Look from the top of Amana, from the top of Senir and Hermon, from the lions’ dens, from the mountains of the leopards.

The Passion Translation states: “Now you are ready.” The appeal is to come with Him, to see the world as He sees it, and go to the nations with Him. Note that it is “with” Him. He wants you to minister as a co-laborer with Him, not work for Him. He wants you to come because of your love for Him, not out of a sense of duty. You need a “mountain top vision” that is inclusive of the world. You must move beyond your short-sighted vision. You must separate from where you are to where He bids you to come. This is the first time in the Song that the Bride is called His “spouse” and it is a result of her new commitment to Him.

Lebanon is to the North of Israel and on the border are the tall peaks of Amana, Hermon, and Senir. Lebanon separates the heathen lands from the Holy Land. It is on the border of enemy territory. Journeying into the mountains of Lebanon is dangerous because leopards and lions dwell there, representing spiritual enemies (2 Kings 14:9; Habakkuk 2:17; Ephesians 6:12). Satan said “I will ascend” to the high places (Isaiah 14:13-14) Much idolatrous worship occurred in the high places during Bible times. Spiritually, you must go higher than the lion and the leopard dens (1 Peter 5:8). See Supplemental Study 4.3 on Spiritual Mountain Climbing.

As a believer, you should be looking down from the elevated position described in Ephesians 2:5 and Colossians 3:1-4. You must have the spiritual position described in Ephesians 1 in order to understand and be victorious in the warfare of Ephesians 6.

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The three mountains mentioned in SOS 4:8 have spiritual significance:

-Amana means covenant. Only the view from Amana, representing God’s covenant, will put you above the difficult mountains of life. Amana also can be translated as a place of settled security and is from a Hebrew root word from which we get the English word “Amen”. All of God’s promises are yes and amen (2 Corinthians 1:20).

-Senir indicates the place of sleeping (Romans 13:11).

-Hermon denotes revelation (Matthew 28:3).

In order to receive divine revelation, you must be properly positioned in Christ and awakened from your spiritual sleep.

Study further on the “comes” of scripture:-Come forth to accept Him in salvation: John 11:43-Come down to fellowship with Him: Luke 19:5-Come into His rest: Matthew 11:28-Come out to Him in separation: 2 Corinthians 6:17-Come after Him for discipleship: Luke 9:23-Come away with Him: Song Of Songs 2:10; 2:13; 4:8-Come up in the rapture to meet Him: Revelation 4:1

9 You have ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse; you have ravished my heart with one look of your eyes, with one link of your necklace.

10 How fair is your love, my sister, my spouse! How much better than wine is your love, and the scent of your perfumes than all spices!

11 Your lips, O my spouse, Drip as the honeycomb; honey and milk are under your tongue; and the fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon.

12 A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse, a spring shut up, a fountainsealed.

13 Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates with pleasant fruits, fragrant henna with spikenard,

14 Spikenard and saffron, Calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices--

15 A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams fromLebanon.

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(9) You have ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse; you have ravished my heart with one look of your eyes, with one link of your necklace.

Ravished means “to excite or inflame the heart, to overcome with joy or delight.” God has given you the ability to ravish His heart with one look and one link of your necklace. “One look of your eyes” implies that when you focus on Him in prayer and worship, He pays attention. According to the New American Standard: “You have made my heart beat faster…” The link of your necklace implies that your will is submitted to Him. “One link” implies that each obedient decision you make is noted by your Bridegroom.

Take time to gaze on God spiritually.

“When the habit of inwardly gazing Godward becomes fixed with us, we shall be ushered onto a new level of spiritual life…the Triune God will be our dwelling place even while our feet walk the low road of simple duty here among men.” A.W. Tozer

My sister means of like nature, a member of the same family. We are a sister spiritually to the Bridegroom through birth by the same Father. The word sister can also mean “equal”, referring to the fact that Jesus took on our nature when He came to earth, died, and was resurrected. We take on His nature through death to sin, the new birth, and the resurrection. The Bridegroom describes His “sister” as an enclosed garden and a sealed spring, reserved only for Him.

My spouse: This is the first time in the Song where the Bride is called “spouse”. As part of the Bride of Christ, you are His spouse. You are partners for life with the Bridegroom. You are both a spouse and a sister spiritually. In Scripture, God refers to Himself as our Father, husband, friend, and nurturing mother. Jesus is called our brother. These are all metaphors used to describe spiritual relationships.

The necklace speaks of the will because it is around the neck which directs the head and body. When your will is brought into alignment with His will, His heart is ravished and overcome with delight. Ornaments around the neck also symbolize keeping God’s commandments as passed down from the Father (God) and the mother (the church):

My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. (Proverbs 1:8-9)

Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man…So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. (Proverbs 3:3-4,22)

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(10) How fair is your love, my sister, my spouse! How much better than wine is your love, and the scent of your perfumes than all spices!

The word “sister” denotes the fact that we have one Father. “Spouse” denotes that we are the Bride of Christ. The term “sister” always precedes “spouse”, because we cannot be part of the Bride unless we have been born again and belong to the Heavenly Father.

At the beginning of the story it was Solomon's love that was better than wine (SOS 1:2). His fragrance was superior to the finest oil and spices. Now it is Solomon who says these things about the Bride’s love. She acquired these characteristics through intimacy with the Bridegroom. They are a reflection of His divine nature. The perfume of her life has replaced the garlic smell of Egypt which is representative of sin. His fragrance has seeped into every part of her life.

(11) Your lips, O my spouse, Drip as the honeycomb; honey and milk are under your tongue.

The Promised Land was frequently described as a "land of milk and honey," meaning a land of abundance. David describes God’s Word as being sweeter than honey:

How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Psalm 119:103)

The Bride’s words are like abundant milk and honey to the Bridegroom. He describes His enjoyment of it when He comes to fellowship with the Bride in their garden (SOS 5:1). Honey represents the sweetness of the nature of Christ as manifested in the Bride’s life. Milk is symbolic of God’s Word being on her tongue. Together, they speak of an abundance of sweetness and the ability to nurture others.

Peter exhorts:

Like newborn babes, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up tosalvation; for you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. Come to him, to that living stone, rejected by men but in God's sight chosen and precious; and like living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:2-3)

The Bride is in her newfound relationship with her Bridegroom. There will come a time, however, that she must move from the milk on to the solid meat of the Word:

I fed you with milk, not solid food; for you were not ready for it; and even yet you are

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not ready. (1 Corinthians 3:2)

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you againthe first principles of God's word. You need milk, not solid food; for every one who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a child. (Hebrews 13:12-13)

Eventually, a believer must move beyond the basic principles of faith to the deeper revelations of God’s Word:

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. (Hebrews 6:1-3)

(11) …and the fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon.

The Bride’s garments are described as the fragrance of Lebanon, a mountain located in northern Canaan, described as a peak of very white snow. Because of her relationship to the Bridegroom, the Bride’s spiritual garments are white and fragrant.

Garments, as used in Scripture, symbolize outward attitudes, behavior, speech, and all that pertains to external appearances and conduct. The Bible indicates that, as believers, we emit a spiritual fragrance in the world:

Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life…(2 Corinthians 2:14-16)

(12) A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse, a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. (15) A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon.

An enclosed garden is how the Bride is described. This is the first use of the word “garden” in the Song Of Songs and refers to her soul. God originally fellowshipped with mankind in the Garden of Eden. Eden can be restored spiritually in the garden of your heart. The term “garden” is also used in SOS 4:16; 5:1; 6:2; and 6:11. See Supplemental Study 4.2 on The Gardens Of God. A common or community garden was open to all in Bible times. Animals might stray into it and pollute the waters and enemies could sneak in and steal the fruit. The garden that belonged exclusively to a king however, was enclosed. It was a private garden, closed to the invasions and pollutions of the world. The king alone came into it. The gate was not left standing ajar so that strangers, enemies, or animals could enter. In like manner, your spiritual garden must be

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protected. Some things may be allowed to enter in, others may not. Be careful because sin lies at the door (Genesis 4:7).

My sister, my spouse. You are a sister to Christ through the new birth experience. You are His spouse as part of the Bride of Christ. The Hebrew word for spouse is crowned one:

And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head. (Ezekiel 16:12)

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. (Revelation 2:10)

A spring shut up, a fountain, a well, and a flowing stream are used to describe the life flow of water within the Bride (verses 12 and 15).

-A spring: Often when a spring was discovered in the Middle East, it was enclosed and locked because water was scarce. The spring within a walled garden is not open to the public, but is exclusively for private pleasure. The Bride is a spiritual garden (John 15:8,16; Galatians 522-23) who is separated from the world. The spring of living water (Jesus Christ) sustains her rich and verdant spiritual garden (Psalm 87:7).

-A fountain is a hidden source of water which speaks of the indwelling Christ in a believer’s life.

To know you is to experience a flowing fountain, drinking in your life, springing up to satisfy. (Psalm 36:9,TPT)

-A well speaks of the capacity to store water to draw upon when needed, both for your own needs and those of others.

-A stream is a continual outward flow of water (Isaiah 41:17-18; John 4:10; Jeremiah 2:13). Mt. Lebanon represents the nations of the world, the difficult places of ministry (Psalm 56:10). The Bride carries fertility and imparts refreshment wherever she goes. Spiritual streams should flow out from believers for the salvation of lost souls around the world (John 4:14; 7:38; 2 Kings 3:16).

(13) Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates with pleasant fruits, fragrant henna with spikenard,

(14) Spikenard and saffron, Calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices--

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Verses 13-14 identify the contents of the enclosed garden mentioned in verse 12. Some of these plants give forth their fragrance when the sun warms them. Some are fragrant in the rain and dew. Others are fragrant only when they are pierced and the sap flows from them. Symbolically this means that we should exude fragrance in every circumstance of life.

The orchard of pomegranates: See Supplemental Study 4.1 to explore the spiritual symbolism of pomegranates.

Camphire, also known as henna, comes from a tree and, when made into a powder and mixed with water, it yields a red substance which was used for fingernail polish. The word “camphire” also means “ransom”, so the fragrance symbolizes the ransom paid for the atonement for sin. The beautiful flowers of the henna plant represent the resurrection (SOS 1:14; 4:13).

Spikenard, also referred to as “nard”, is the root of an Indian plant that grew in the Himalaya mountains which was distinguished by its many hairy spikes shooting out from one root. It was a very costly spice. According to Jesus, when Mary used spikenard to anoint Him it was to prepare His body for the day of His burial (John 12:7). Thus, the word symbolizes the death of Jesus Christ. Mary’s extravagant gift also illustrates how you should give your best in worship of your Lord (SOS 4:13-14).

Saffron is a yellow substance that comes from the internal crimson pistil of a crocus. It was used for medicinal purposes in Bible times. It is one of the most rare and costly spices, symbolizing both the rarity of our Savior and His sacrifice for our sin and our healing (SOS 4:14).

Calamus is a reed which grows by rivers, marshes, and ponds. The word “calamus” also means a branch, as in Exodus 25:31-32 where it refers to the branches that uphold the knops of the lampstand in the Holy Place in the Tabernacle. Calamus is symbolic of the Holy Spirit, as the reeds were conduits of the holy oil in the lampstands and it was one of the spices used in the holy anointing oil (Exodus 30:23). A crushed reed gave forth the fragrance of calamus, symbolizing redemption by the Savior’s death on the cross. Jesus as the branch is spoken of prophetically in Isaiah 11:1-4 (SOS 4:14).

Cinnamon is mentioned only three times in the Bible, but is more frequently referred to as Cassia which was a less expensive form of cinnamon. Both are rolled bark sticks, crushed powder, or shavings from the bark of a tree. Cinnamon is one of the ingredients of the anointing oil, symbolic of the Holy Spirit. Cinnamon is drawn from the inner bark of a tree, representing the beautiful fragrance of a believer’s inner life (SOS 4:14).

Frankincense is a symbol of sacrifice. It is cut from the bark of a tree and the fluid from the wound is made into incense. It was one of the gifts to the Christ-child and was symbolic of His willingness to become a sacrifice for sin (SOS 3:6; 4:6).

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Myrrh is a sweet-smelling substance that was used as part of the sacred anointing oil. It symbolizes the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The mountains of myrrh mentioned in SOS 4:6 indicate total immersion in sweet fellowship with the Bridegroom. Myrrh was presented to Jesus at His birth to prophetically confirm His destiny and it was used along with aloes to anoint Christ at His burial. It was the scent of myrrh and aloes that rose from His empty tomb, so both spices speak of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Myrrh also symbolizes suffering and death to the flesh (SOS 3:6; 4:6,14; 5:1,5,13).

Aloe, mentioned in the Bible, is not like the succulent house plant we know today. It is a tree that was originally native to Malaysia, India, and Indonesia. The oil comes from the bark which is softened in water, then dried and crushed into a powder that is heated in pots to extract its oil. The costly oil is used in perfumes and healing balms.  Aloe symbolizes Christ’s role as healer. It was used along with myrrh (a symbol of suffering) to anoint His body for burial, so it was the scent of myrrh and aloes that rose from His empty tomb. Thus, both spices also symbolize the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (SOS 4:14).

All the best spices. The Bible indicates that, as believers and like spices in the natural world, we have a spiritual fragrance:

Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? (2 Corinthians 2:14-16)

Symbolically, your life, attitudes, speech, conduct, and relationships should give forth the fragrance of the best spices. The Bride is an enclosed garden full of precious fruits and scents. The fruit she bears brings blessing to many, but the garden is for Himself alone. See Appendix A.10 on the Spiritual Significance of Spices.

At the beginning of this story, the Bride described the characteristics of the Bridegroom. Now Solomon says the same things about her. She acquired these qualities through her intimate association with the Bridegroom.

Summary: In verses 7-15, five things are revealed about the Bride:-Her person: 7.-Her position: 8.-Her passion: 9-11.-Her protections: 12.-Her perfections: 13-15.

THE BRIDE 16 Awake, O north wind, and come, O south! Blow upon my garden, that

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its spices may flow out. Let my beloved come to his garden and eat its pleasant fruits.

(16) Awake, O north wind, and come, O south! Blow upon my garden, that its spices may flow out..

The wind is used figuratively in scriptures and represents the Holy Spirit. There must be a blowing on by the Spirit before there can be a flowing out.

The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. (John 3:8)

The wind quickens you spiritually:

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63)

The wind reveals the quality of your spiritual foundation:

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. (Matthew 7:25)

The north wind is a strong wind, representing the Holy Spirit as He reproves:

And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. (John 16:8-11)

It takes the cold north wind to bring out the flavor in the fruit like almonds, apples, grapes, etc. The harsh winds of life that you often shrink from are the experiences that will work in you to produce spiritual fruit.

...And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.(2 Samuel 22:11)

What flows out of your spiritual garden when the cold north winds of adversity blow?

The south wind is representative of the Holy Spirit as the Comforter:

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. (John 14:16)

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It also symbolizes the power of the Holy Spirit:

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:2-4)

The south wind is warming and comforting:

How thy garments are warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south wind? (Job 37:17)

The south wind is cleansing:

... the wind passeth, and cleanseth them. (Job 37:21)

The west wind: The west wind is refreshing, as it brings rain from the sea:

And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is. (Luke 15:24)

The west wind rids the land of enemies:

And the Lord turned a mighty strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red sea; there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt. (Exodus 10:19)

The east wind symbolizes the trials and difficulties of life:

It is tempestuous:

The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth: and as a storm hurleth him outof his place. (Job 27:21)

It can cause one to faint spiritually:

And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live. (Jonah 4:8)

It dries up fruitfulness:

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But she was plucked up in fury, she was cast down to the ground, and the east wind dried up her fruit: her strong rods were broken and withered; the fire consumed them. (Ezekiel 19:12)

It destroys spiritual crops:

And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them. (Genesis 41:6)

...But the Bride does not fear whatever wind blows, whether fierce or pleasant, good or bad.

The four winds: Ezekiel prophesied to the four winds to blow on the dry bones and they became a living army (Ezekiel 37:9-10). Every circumstance, represented by the winds, contribute to the life flow of God within you. The four winds bring life. When you are having a bad day, ask the wind of the Holy Spirit to come and blow on the spices of your heart to let their sweetness flow out and be renewed spiritually with supernatural life.

(16) Let my beloved come to his garden and eat its pleasant fruits

The fruits of His Spirit are now the fruits manifested in the garden of her life.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,Meekness, temperance…(Galatians 5:22-23)

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PRAYING THE SONG OF SONGSCHAPTER FOUR

1 My Beloved Lord, You view me as fair, as beautiful as the goats in ancient Gilead, as a sacrifice ready to be offered to You.

2 Because of Your Word, my life is clean and pure, like a lamb washed and newly shorn. My life is an open display of Your grace and truth.

3 My lips are like a thread of scarlet, like Rahab’s ribbon, representing Your mercy and grace. My countenance is a reflection of Your light. My life is open before You, even as a piece of broken pomegranate reveals its content. I want to be a spiritual oasis where Your presence will abide.

4 I have inner strength which flows from You. I am as secure as the tower of David where the shields of mighty men were hung.

5 Your faith and love rest over my heart and enable me to nurture those who are spiritual infants.

6 Until the day breaks and the darkness and shadows of this world flee away, I will come to the mountain of myrrh (pain) and to the hill of frankincense (praise) and pour out my worship upon You, Lord.

7 You see me as fair, perfect and without spot and blemish. Thank You for covering my sin and continuously cleansing me with Your blood.

8 Thank You for drawing me to come with You to the mountains, the nations of this world. Together we will wage war in the lion’s den and the leopard’s lair, where souls are held captive.

9 Be ravished by my love, my Beloved Lord. My eyes are ever upon You.

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10 Our love is better than wine. It is intoxicating. It is addictive. It surpasses all the joys and pleasures of this world. The fragrance of my worship as it is poured out upon You is better than the smell of all the spices.

11 My lips speak forth praises as sweet as the honeycomb. The smell of my spiritual garments is like the smell of the Promised Land which is my eternal destiny.

12 I am a garden enclosed. I am like a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. My worship is reserved exclusively for You, my Lord. Come into the garden of the innermost recesses of my life.

13-14 In my spiritual vineyard are:-Pomegranates, representing my passion for You.-Henna representing atonement for my sin.-Spikenard, representing Your anointing.-Saffron, illustrating the value of my worship.-Calamus, symbolizing the price of my redemption.-Cinnamon, representing the fragrance of my life.-Branches of scented woods, like those burned on the altar in the Holy

Place, representing my sacrifice.-Myrrh, representing suffering.-Aloe, representing healing balm.-All the chief spices.

15 Like a fountain in the gardens, as a well of living waters, and as streams like those from Lebanon, let Your Word continuously flow into my spirit to bring life and refreshment.

16 Whether it is the north wind of adversity or the pleasant south wind that blows in my life today, let the fragrance of my worship continue to flow out to You, Lord. You know what is best for me, whether it be times of difficulty or periods of refreshment. Come into the spiritual garden of my heart and partake of the pleasant fruits of my worship.

Amen

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CHAPTER FOUR STUDY QUESTIONS

1. Using the outline notes and verses 1-15, answer the following questions.-Who is speaking?-What term does the Bridegroom use to describe His Bride in the opening verse?-Summarize how the Bridegroom describes the Bride and make spiritual

applications for each:-Eyes.-Hair.-Teeth.-Lips and mouth.-Temples.-Neck.-Breasts.

-Where did the Bridegroom say He would go and for how long? (verse 6) -How is the Bride described in verse 7?

-What appeal does the Bridegroom make to His Bride in verse 8? Where does He ask her to go?-According to verse 8, what dangers lurk at their destination?-According to verse 9, what has ravished the Bridegroom’s heart? What does the

word “ravish” mean as used in this verse?-What endearing terms does the Bridegroom use for His Bride in verse 9?-How is the Bride described in verse 10? Apply this spiritually.-How is the Bride’s love described in verse 10? Apply this spiritually.-How are the Bride’s garments described in verse 11? Apply this spiritually.-How is the Bride described in verse 12? Apply this spiritually.-According to verse 13, what trees are in her spiritual garden? -What spices are in her garden and what is the spiritual significance of each?

(verse 14)

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-Describe the sources of water in her garden and explain what they represent spiritually.

-What is revealed about the Bride in regards to:-Her person: 7-Her position: 8-Her passion: 9-11-Her protections: 12-Her perfections: 13-15

2. Using the outline notes and verse 16, answer the following questions.-Who is speaking.-What does the Bride tell the winds to do?-What do the north, south, east, and west winds represent spiritually?-What appeal does the Bride make to her Bridegroom?

SUPPLEMENTARY STUDY 4.1SPIRITUAL ANALOGIES OF THE POMEGRANATE

“Pomegranate” is a common name for a small tree or thorny shrub whose fruit is also called pomegranate. The bush is characterized by glossy leaves and red flowers. The fruit is the size of a large orange and is filled with seeds encased in a fleshy outer coat that consists of a sweet, acidic, edible, orange-red pulp. The astringent rind is used in medicine. The juice can be used to make jellies, sorbets, and sauces; to flavor cakes, baked apples, and cookies; for wine; for fresh juice; and for syrup.

The pomegranate is native from Iran to the Himalayas, in northern India, and has been cultivated and naturalized in the Mediterranean region since ancient times. It is also grown in the drier parts of southeast Asia, Malaya, the East Indies, tropical Africa, and in the United States--mostly in California and Arizona.

Pomegranates, mentioned in the Song of Songs (4:3; 6:7; 8:2) and elsewhere in the Bible, have significant spiritual symbolism.

-Pomegranates on the High Priest’s robe.

Make pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarn around the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them. (Exodus 28:33, NIV)

The pomegranate was first mentioned in the book of Exodus when God designed the robe that was to be worn by Aaron, the High Priest. Pomegranates alternating with gold bells were used to verify that the High Priest had not died when he entered the Most Holy Place (Exodus 28:35).

But why use a pomegranate? Why not use a grape or an apple. Jewish tradition claims that the pomegranate has 613 seeds, which corresponds to the number of commandments of the Torah and symbolizes the nation of Israel. So the symbolism is that when Aaron entered the Holy Place to minister with the pomegranates on his robe, it was representative of bringing with him

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the whole nation of Israel.

-Pomegranates from the Promised Land.

Among other fruits, the spies who viewed the Promised Land brought back pomegranates:

When they reached the Valley of Eschol, they cut off a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole between them, along with some pomegranates and figs. (Numbers 13:23 )

The pomegranate symbolized the abundant provision of God.

-Pomegranates on the bronze pillars.

He made pomegranates in two rows encircling each network to decorate the capitals on top of the pillars. He did the same for each capital. (1 Kings 7:18)

The two bronze pillars erected by Solomon in the temple were decorated with pomegranates. The pillars were named Boaz and Jachin which means “In its strength” and “He will establish”. Taken together, the two pillars mean that “God will establish in strength.” So pomegranates are symbols of stability and strength.

-Pomegranates as thoughts.

Your temples behind your veil are like the halves of a pomegranate.” (SOS 4:3b, NIV)As a piece of a pomegranate are thy temples within thy locks. (SOS 6:7)

The comparison of the pomegranate to the temples of the Bride’s head reveals that her mind is fruitful because it is controlled by God. Just as the pomegranate in the natural world, this fruitfulness is reserved only for those who are connected to the tree which represents the Lord Jesus Christ.

-Pomegranate wine.

The Bride proclaims:

I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother's house, who would instruct me: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate. (SOS 8:2)

The Bride’s temples (symbolic of her mind) are described as being filled with the spicy wine of the pomegranate. Wine in Scripture points to the infilling of the Spirit, so the Bride has developed a Spirit-controlled mentality:

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And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ… (Ephesians 5:18-20)

The new wine of which the Bible speaks cannot be contained in the old vessels of tradition and religious ritual:

And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better. (Luke 5:36-39)

Natural wine brings joy, is a stimulant, and deadens pain. The same is true in the spiritual world. The wine of the Holy Spirit brings joy, stimulates you spiritually, and deadens pain. Once you experience spiritual wine, you will forget all the wine that this world has to offer. See the discussion of wine in the notes on SOS chapter 1.

-Pomegranates budding.

Pomegranates that are budding speak of new life, representing the spiritual season of spring:

I went down into the garden of nuts to see the fruits of the valley, and to see whether the vine flourished, and the pomegranates budded. (SOS 6:11)

-Pomegranates in the vineyard.

Pomegranates in the vineyard represent the spiritual harvest to which the Bridegroom was calling the Bride:

Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth: there will I give thee my loves. (SOS 7:12)

There in the vineyard with her Bridegroom, the Bride experienced a new level of intimacy as they labored together in the fields of the world.

-Pomegranates as Christian symbols.

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Robes, vestments, and religious decorative hangings often have broken pomegranates woven into the fabric as a representation of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The red juice represents His blood and suffering and the bursting forth of the seeds from the fruit represents His resurrection.

It is also held that the seeds of the pomegranate represent members of the true Church and the promise of eternal life.

Some religions attribute the symbolism of the pomegranate to personal wealth and worldly abundance, but this is much different than what it means in Christianity. It is not a symbol of prosperity as the world sees prosperity, but of spiritual abundance.

Biblical References To Pomegranates

Exodus 28:33And beneath upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about.

Exodus 28:34A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about.

Exodus 39:24And they made upon the hems of the robe pomegranates of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen.

Exodus 39:25And they made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates upon the hem of the robe, round about between the pomegranates.

Exodus 39:26A bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, round about the hem of the robe to minister in; as the Lord commanded Moses.

Numbers 13:23And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of

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grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs.

Numbers 20:5And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink.

Deuteronomy 8:8A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey.

1 Samuel 14:2And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron: and the people that were with him were about six hundred men.

1 Kings 7:18And he made the pillars, and two rows round about upon the one network, to cover the chapiters that were upon the top, with pomegranates: and so did he for the other chapiter.

1 Kings 7:20And the chapiters upon the two pillars had pomegranates also above, over against the belly which was by the network: and the pomegranates were two hundred in rows round about upon the other chapiter.

1 Kings 7:42And four hundred pomegranates for the two networks, even two rows of pomegranates for one network, to cover the two bowls of the chapiters that were upon the pillars.

2 Kings 25:17The height of the one pillar was eighteen cubits, and the chapiter upon it was brass: and the height of the chapiter three cubits; and the wreathen work, and pomegranates upon the chapiter round about, all of brass: and like unto these had the second pillar with wreathen work.

2 Chronicles 3:16And he made chains, as in the oracle, and put them on the heads of the pillars; and made an hundred pomegranates, and put them on the chains.

2 Chronicles 4:13And four hundred pomegranates on the two wreaths; two rows of pomegranates on each wreath, to cover the two pommels of the chapiters which were upon the pillars.

Song Of Songs 4:13

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Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard.

Song Of Songs 6:11I went down into the garden of nuts to see the fruits of the valley, and to see whether the vine flourished, and the pomegranates budded.

Song Of Songs 7:12Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth: there will I give thee my loves.

Song Of Songs 8:2I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother's house, who would instruct me: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate.

Jeremiah 52:22And a chapiter of brass was upon it; and the height of one chapiter was five cubits, with network and pomegranates upon the chapiters round about, all of brass. The second pillar also and the pomegranates were like unto these.

Jeremiah 52:23And there were ninety and six pomegranates on a side; and all the pomegranates upon the network were an hundred round about.

Joel 1:12The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men.

Haggai 2:19Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you.

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SUPPLEMENTAL STUDY 4.2THE GARDENS OF GOD

The Song Of Songs refers to a spiritual garden where the Bridegroom and His Bride share intimate fellowship. Gardens in the natural world are designed for retreat, relaxation, peace, quiet, and meditation. The same is true Spiritually. Scripture reveals the symbolic significance of gardens in the plans and purposes of God.

The Garden Of Eden

From the beginning of time, God manifested His presence in a garden. The first man and woman lived in the beautiful garden of Eden where the Spirit of the Lord walked and talked with them daily (Genesis 3:8). “Eden” means delight, luxury, joy, and rapture.

Sadly, the first couple sinned by disobeying the command of the Lord to abstain from eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. After their sin, God made the first blood sacrifice in the Garden of Eden. He shed the blood of animals and clothed the errant couple in skins which were representative of the righteousness of Christ (Genesis 3).

The Bible teaches that the life of man and beasts is in the blood:

The soul or life is in the blood, therefore, the value of the blood corresponds to the value

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of the life that is in it. (Leviticus 17:11,14)

Because the penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23), and since life is in the blood, God established the principle that forgiveness of sins comes only through the shedding of blood:

And according to the law almost all things are purged with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission (from sin). (Hebrews 9:22)

In the Old Testament, the blood of animals was offered as a sacrifice for sin. Hebrews 8 details this process and describes it as the "old covenant." The importance of the blood sacrifice is emphasized in the story of Cain and Abel; the covenant of circumcision with the Israelites; and the sacrificial ceremonies in the tabernacle. Every time the blood of an animal was sacrificed, it testified about the coming Messiah. Believers were saved by looking forward to His death on Calvary. We are saved by looking back to it. The subject of sacrificial blood is a scarlet thread that runs throughout the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation.

The Garden Of Gethsemane

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus wrestled in prayer as He prepared for the blood sacrifice that He would offer on Calvary:

And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (Luke 22:39-44)

His prayer was so intense, that He shed great drops of blood.

The Garden Of Golgotha

John 19:42 indicates there was a garden in the place where Jesus was crucified. Here, Jesus shed His blood for the sins of all mankind. His blood is described as the "new covenant" (Mark 14:24) and He is the mediator of this new covenant (Hebrews 8:6).

Now it is no longer necessary that the blood of animals be offered as a sacrifice for sin:

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Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered in the most holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. (Hebrews 9:12)

The Garden Of Your Heart

We have visited three gardens of God: Eden, Gethsemane, Golgotha. In each, the blood was shed. There is one other garden of God where the blood must be shed: Your heart. Spiritually, your heart is a garden. Repeatedly in the Song Of Songs, the Bride is described as a garden into which the Bridegroom (the Lord Jesus) longs to come and have fellowship.

A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. (SOS 4:12)

Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits. (SOS 4:16)

I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved. (SOS 5:1)

My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies. (SOS 6:2)

Through the blood of Jesus Christ, you can be restored to the same fellowship that Adam and Eve lost in Eden. Let Him come into your heart and restore His garden.

“We will find that we have within us a secret garden where no one can enter except ourselves and God…Where God is not known in the inner shrine, the individual must try to compensate for his sense of aloneness in whatever way he can. Most persons rush away to the world to find companionship and surround themselves with every kind of diversionary activity. All devices of killing time, every shallow scheme for entertainment, are born out of this inner loneliness. It is a significant and revealing fact that such things have in these last days grown into billion-dollar enterprises. So much will men pay to forget that they are a temple without a God, a garden where no voice is heard in the cool of the day.” A.W. Tozer

Power In The Blood

The blood of Jesus is described as "precious" because of its tremendous spiritual benefits (1 Peter 1:18-19) and for this reason, it is important to comprehend its true meaning. To do this, you must listen to what the blood says to you. Hebrews 12:24 indicates that the blood of Jesus

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speaks for you and what it confesses provides valuable eternal benefits. It is interesting to note that there is actually a laser light process that has recorded a sound emitting from blood. Genesis 4:10 revealed this truth centuries before this discovery when God declared that Abel’s shed blood cried out to Him.

When Paul directs us to "hold fast our confession" (Hebrews 10:22), it relates back to the previous verses in that chapter which indicate we have a High Priest of our confession who is Jesus. This means that when you meditate on, confess, and hold fast to what the blood declares, your High Priest takes this confession and acts on the basis of it:

...If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart thatGod has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation. (Romans 10:9-10)

God acts in response to your confession of faith which has authority because it is based on the testimony of the blood of Jesus. Aimless confession is not sufficient. You must have faith and believe in the testimony of the blood:

Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: That He might be just, and the justifier of Him which believeth in Jesus...Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. (Romans 3:24-26,28 )

Leviticus 14:15-17 explains how the blood was applied for the cleansing of leprosy which is a spiritual type of sin. The blood was applied to the finger, the ear, the toe, and the head. Then the priest took the anointing oil and applied it on top of the blood. The anointing was only applied where the blood had been applied.

When the death angel passed through Egypt to slay the first born son in every family, God's people were spared only if they applied the blood to the doorpost of their homes. They were to apply the blood to the left, the right, and the upper center of the door. The first born could not see that the blood covered him from impending death because it was on the outside of the door. He accepted by faith that his father had completed the sacrifice for him (Exodus 12).

In similar manner, you must apply the blood to your own life spiritually with faith that your Heavenly Father has completed the sacrifice for you through the death of Jesus Christ. According to Jewish tradition, when a person was scourged blows were given on the left, right, and upper center of the back. So, when Jesus was scourged, blood was applied like it was in the Exodus: The left, right, and center. Like the sons in Israel, you cannot see that blood, but you can be confident that it was shed in your behalf and saves you from impending death from sin.

When Jesus explained the new covenant of His blood, He invited His disciples to "drink" of it.

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"Drinking" of blood in the natural body is done automatically as it flows ceaselessly carrying life to every part of the body. If you are cut off from the blood in your natural body, gangrene sets in and death follows. This is a natural analogy of a great spiritual truth. The "drinking" of Christ's blood should be automatic. It should flow ceaselessly within you spiritually because if you are cut off from its life-giving flow, you will die spiritually.

For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission ofsins. (Matthew 26;28)

The blood testifies that there is a continuing atonement for sin:

...Jesus Christ, the faithful witness...Him who loved us and washes us from our sins in His own blood...(Revelation 1:5-6)

The blood witnesses that you are redeemed from a sinful lifestyle:

Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers. But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. (1 Peter 1:18-19)

"Redemption " means "deliverance from slavery by emancipation or purchase." This means that sin no longer has dominion over you:

For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.(Romans 6:14)

The blood reconciles you to God:

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been made near by the blood ofChrist. (Ephesians 2:13)

The blood removes the guilt and shame of sin:

You are continually cleansed and justified by the blood of Jesus:

Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth to be a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:24-26

A good definition for justified is "just-as-if-I'd never done it”.

The blood purges your conscience from sin:

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How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God. (Hebrews 9:14)

The blood sanctifies you:

Sanctification enables you to be separated from evil and consecrated to the Lord for His purposes:

Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, sufferedoutside the gate. (Hebrews 13:12)

The blood testifies of both spiritual and physical healing:

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness-by whose strips you were healed. (1 Peter 2:24)

The blood enables you to do God's will:

Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ... (Hebrews 13:20-21)

The blood enables you to overcome the evil strategies the enemy:

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony...(Revelation 12;11)

The blood provides protection:

For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and not

allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you. (Exodus 12:23)

The blood enables you to abide in God:

The blood of Jesus is the life flow of your spirit. Without it, spiritual death ensues.

Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son

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of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you...He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in Me, and I in him." ( John 6 portions of 53-56)

The blood guarantees the promises of God:

When Jesus took the cup of wine and declared it to be the new covenant in His blood, He was saying that every promise of that covenant would be kept at the cost of His own life blood.

Scriptural References To Garden

Genesis 2:8And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.

Genesis 2:9And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Genesis 2:10And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.

Genesis 2:15And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.

Genesis 2:16And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat.

Genesis 3:1Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

Genesis 3:2And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden.

Genesis 3:3But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

Genesis 3:8And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and

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Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.

Genesis 3:10And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

Genesis 3:23Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.

Genesis 3:24So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

Genesis 13:10And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.

Deuteronomy 11:10For the land, whither thou goest in to possess it, is not as the land of Egypt, from whence ye came out, where thou sowedst thy seed, and wateredst it with thy foot, as a garden of herbs.

1 Kings 21:2And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money.

2 Kings 9:27But when Ahaziah the king of Judah saw this, he fled by the way of the garden house. And Jehu followed after him, and said, Smite him also in the chariot. And they did so at the going up to Gur, which is by Ibleam. And he fled to Megiddo, and died there.

2 Kings 21:18And Manasseh slept with his fathers, and was buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza: and Amon his son reigned in his stead.

2 Kings 21:26And he was buried in his sepulchre in the garden of Uzza: and Josiah his son reigned in his stead.

2 Kings 25:4And the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between

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two walls, which is by the king's garden: (now the Chaldees were against the city round about:) and the king went the way toward the plain.

Nehemiah 3:15But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Col-hozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and the wall of the pool of Siloah by the king's garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David.

Esther 1:5And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace.

Esther 7:7And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.

Esther 7:8Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.

Job 8:16He is green before the sun, and his branch shooteth forth in his garden.

Song Of Songs 4:12A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.

Song Of Songs 4:16Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.

Song Of Songs 5:1I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.

Song Of Songs 6:2My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.

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Song Of Songs 6:11I went down into the garden of nuts to see the fruits of the valley, and to see whether the vine flourished, and the pomegranates budded.

Isaiah 1:8And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.

Isaiah 1:30For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water.

Isaiah 51:3For the Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

Isaiah 58:11And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

Isaiah 61:11For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

Jeremiah 31:12Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the Lord, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.

Jeremiah 39:4And it came to pass, that when Zedekiah the king of Judah saw them, and all the men of war, then they fled, and went forth out of the city by night, by the way of the king's garden, by the gate betwixt the two walls: and he went out the way of the plain.

Jeremiah 52:7Then the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled, and went forth out of the city by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, which was by the king's garden; (now the Chaldeans were by the city round about:) and they went by the way of the plain.

Lamentations 2:6And he hath violently taken away his tabernacle, as if it were of a garden: he hath destroyed his places of the assembly: the Lord hath caused the solemn feasts and sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion, and hath despised in the indignation of his anger the king and the priest.

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Ezekiel 28:13Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.

Ezekiel 31:8The cedars in the garden of God could not hide him: the fir trees were not like his boughs, and the chestnut trees were not like his branches; nor any tree in the garden of God was like unto him in his beauty.

Ezekiel 31:9I have made him fair by the multitude of his branches: so that all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied him.

Ezekiel 36:35And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited.

Joel 2:3A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.

Luke 13:19It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.

John 18:1When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.

John 18:26One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?

John 19:41Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.

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SUPPLEMENTARY STUDY 4.3SPIRITUAL MOUNTAIN CLIMBING

There are many natural examples from which analogies of spiritual truth may be drawn. In Song Of Songs 4:8, the Bridegroom appeals, “Come with me to the mountains...” Mountain climbing in the natural world has numerous analogies which can be applied spiritually.

There are basically two types of mountains in the Christian walk:-A mountain of problems--difficult circumstances, trials, griefs, and tragedies.

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-A mountain of destiny--a dream, vision, or calling that you are to fulfill.

This supplemental study will prepare you to respond to the Bridegroom’s call to “come to the mountains” to fulfill your destiny. Many want to climb to new spiritual heights, but few make the necessary preparations to do it successfully. “To prepare” suggests active, conscious, deliberate efforts that precede an action.

Desire

In the natural world, if you don't have a desire to climb, you won't invest in equipment, training, and preparation. The same is true spiritually. Some have no desire to conquer spiritual mountains. They like to take the easy way out, analogous to taking a ski lift to the top of the mountain. But this doesn`t develop physical muscles in the natural world, and in the spiritual world taking the easy way out results in a weak Christian.

Few climbers can give a logical reason why they want to conquer a difficult peak. Some simply say, "Because it's there." But the satisfaction of reaching a summit is not the climber’s only reason for scaling the heights. The climbing itself is important: The exercise of physical skill, the overcoming of obstacles, the beauties of unspoiled nature, and the lure of the unknown are all important parts of a climber’s satisfaction.

Conquering a spiritual obstacle just for the sake of having done it is not your objective. It is the lessons that you learn in the process of climbing that are the real benefits--things like discipline, patience, and endurance. In the spiritual world, you climb mountains…

-Because your Bridegroom does not want you to remain living in the valleys of life.-Because He appeals to you to come with Him to the mountains which represent the nations and peoples of this world.-Because you will encounter spiritual mountains of difficulty in life and you need to know how to face them.-Because you have a mountain of divine destiny that you are called to conquer.

Preparation

If you want to climb mountains, you must do advance preparation. In the natural world, preparation might include studying a book on mountain climbing and learning from climbers who have already scaled the heights. Spiritually, you must also make advance preparations for conquering the mountains of life. Jesus said that no king goes to war and no man builds a house without first sitting down and properly preparing (Luke 14:26-33). You have a complete instruction book on mountain climbing: The Word of God details how to overcome every mountain of life that you may face, every difficulty, and every negative circumstance. It also contains stories of other climbers who have successfully scaled life’s spiritual challenges. Learn from them.

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The word “hill” in scripture is sometimes used interchangeably with mountain and has the same meaning. David said: "Lord, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?" (Psalm 15:1). In the following verses of Psalm 15, he answers the question. A person who successfully scales the mountains of life is one who…

-walks uprightly-works rightness and justice-speaks and thinks the truth in his heart-does not slander (backbite) with his tongue-does no evil to his friend-does not take up a reproach against his neighbor-despises a vile person-honors those that revere and worship the Lord-keeps a promise regardless of personal injury-lends his money without high interest rates-refuses to accept bribes against the innocent

Psalm 24:3 adds to this list that he…

-has pure hands and heart-does not practice dishonesty and lying

Equipment

The lower slopes of mountains are usually easy to climb, but near the top of high mountains it may be steep with rocky cliffs that are often covered with snow. Here, special equipment and climbing aids are needed. In the spiritual world, preparation is also needed to go to the heights with God.

In the natural world, climbers wearing ordinary shoes would slip, so they use crampons, metal frames with spikes which are attached to their shoes. Spiritually, it is the Gospel that prepares your spiritual feet to scale the heights:

And having shod your feet in preparation (to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness and readiness produced by the good news) of the Gospel of Peace. (Ephesians 6:15, TAB)

Climbers carry pitons, which are short iron rods with a sharp point at one end and a ring at the other. The piton is hammered into cracks in rocks and is used to step on, to hold onto by hand, or to secure one end of a rope. Spiritually, Believers are advised to:

Take...the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. (Ephesians 6:17)

By faith, you can step onto the Word and have sure footing. You won't fall. The Word is your

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piton which you can use to climb higher. As you learn to apply it, the "cracks" of life can be used to your advantage as leverage to take you higher spiritually.

Climbers also need plenty of strong, light rope to use as a life-line. Jesus is your strong life-line, yet it is not weighty or burdensome to follow Him (Matthew 11:28-30).

Mountaineers also need shelter, proper clothing, and sun block to prevent sunburn. Spiritually, we must… "lift up over all the covering (shield) of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked one" (Ephesians 6:16).

Clothing

The important rule governing clothing for mountain climbing is survival. Although there may be periods of good weather with sunny days, one should not expect such weather for the entire expedition. Sometimes Christians make the mistake of adapting a relaxed attitude when all is going well. Then, with their guard down, a sudden onslaught of worsening conditions catches them unprepared.

Here are some natural analogies regarding proper clothing for spiritual climbing:

There should be nothing to restrict vision. The Bible says:

Where there is no vision, the people perish...(Proverbs 29:18)

Wear proper shoes. Spiritually, you should have…

…your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. (Ephesians 6:15)

Avoid clothing that can catch on rocks, branches, etc. This would include things like long dangling belts or flowing jackets, etc. The Bible encourages us to:

…strip off and throw aside every encumbrance--unnecessary weight--and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us... (Hebrews 12:1)

Wear clothing that allows for free movement. Movement is extremely important in mountain climbing in order to promote circulation to stay warm. Otherwise, one may experience frostbite and lose their sense of touch. There must be a continuous moving toward God or the Christian climber becomes cold spiritually and can eventually become insensitive to the Lord and His Word.

And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (Ephesians 4:23-24)

Take clothes for varied conditions. Heat and cold, night and day--a climber must take

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appropriate clothes for varied circumstances. As believers, we must also be prepared for both positive and negative situations by being endued with the power of the Holy Spirit which will prepare us to face every situation:

And behold, I will send forth upon you what My Father has promised; but remain in the city [Jerusalem] until you are clothed with power from on high. (Luke 24:49, TAB)

Supplies

It is a tendency of climbers to overpack with nonessential items. Spiritually, it is tempting to try to carry along unnecessary things on your journey into the high places with your Bridegroom. Dragging along unessential traditions and rituals are unnecessary weights, as are the sins that weigh you down. The Bible encourages believers to:

…lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. (Hebrews 12:1)

It is also dangerous to underequip on essentials. Here are some important supplies for a trek to the mountains: Food. Pre-packaged meals are fine for brief trips, but for a longer expedition you need a better diet. Spiritually, this is not to belittle “pre-packaged” devotional books and sermons, but you need to study God's Word for yourself and not always depend on the insights that God has given others. You can eat freely from the Word. It is spiritually nourishing, and there is no need for rationing. There is more than enough spiritual sustenance for your journey. The only limitation is that additional servings of the Word are given only as you use what you have already received (Mark 4:33).

Water. A climber must make provision for clean drinking water by carrying a water purification device or tablets. The water of the Spirit of God is necessary for your spiritual climb (John 4).

Protection. A weapon like a knife or gun will protect you from predators. Spiritually you must…

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of thedevil. (Ephesians 6:11)

Guidance. A GPS system, compass, and trail map will help you stay on track and not lose your way. The Bible is your spiritual compass. The Holy Spirit, prayer, and the Word of God function like a spiritual GPS system to safely guide you to your destination.

Shelter. A tent, bivouac, or sleeping bag will protect you from the elements. David said of the Lord:

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For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. (Psalm 61:3-4)

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8)

Training

You can't just start climbing a mountain without training or you will never make it. Beginners must learn the basics through a reputable instructor or guide and accomplished climbers can benefit from a day spent climbing under the supervision of an expert. Mountaineering skills are gained over a period of years through experience. There is no such thing as instant expertise.

This is true in the spiritual world as well. Learn from those who have already walked the way you are going. Put yourself under the discipling of pastors and teachers, people who have learned from conquering spiritual challenges. Some of the "little hills" (trials) God allows you to experience in life are preparation for climbing spiritual mountains ahead (the big challenges of life). Spiritual maturity comes through climbing mountains, just as skill in mountain climbing comes through experience. There is no such thing as instant spiritual maturity.

Challenges Of Climbing

Accurate knowledge. Many climbers are unable to reach the summit and/or have perished in their attempt because they did not have accurate knowledge regarding the mountain and how to climb it. The same is true spiritually:

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. (Hosea 4:6)

Altitude sickness. Efficiency in climbing to the high places depends on the body's adaptation to heights. It is an interesting fact that mountain sickness in the natural world affects younger people more than those of mature age. Spiritually, mature Christians can help younger ones in their spiritual climb.

Here are three guidelines for preventing altitude sickness that can be applied spiritually:

-Before undertaking climbs at high altitudes, climb lower summits first. Spiritually, learn to conquer small obstacles before moving on to larger mountains.

-Climb slowly. If climbers ascend too rapidly, altitude sickness will result. Spiritually, we often get an idea and want to plunge headlong and make it happen immediately. Advance slowly and wait until you are certain of God’s direction.

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-Don't climb on an empty stomach. In the natural world, this makes one more susceptible to altitude sickness. Trying to climb the mountains of life without nourishment from the Word and prayer will soon exhaust you.

Sudden changes. A climber must be prepared for radical weather changes such as wind, rain, and snow. Believers must be prepared for radical circumstances that would challenge their spiritual advancement and the calling on their life.

The "average" Christian can handle most of the cares of day-to-day living without much difficulty, but when they come up against the unexpected, they may not be prepared. The sudden changes prove too difficult and they fail to continue the climb.

Avalanches are common in life as well as in mountain climbing in the natural world. It is at these times of unexpected problems that a mature Believer will stand out as being one who weathers the storm with the skill of one who has prepared by proper training.

Environmental dangers. The surface of rocks can be covered with moss, grass, ice, or snow. Each substance requires special climbing techniques because they conceal a multitude of hazards. A famous mountaineer once said that hazards and difficulties are there to overcome. This may be true, but spiritually it is better to avoid areas where you know hazards are prevalent.There are some difficulties that you cannot circumvent, but there are plenty that you can avoid.

There are unavoidable situations that you go through in life and certain obstacles that must be overcome to reach the top of the mountain but there are also times when a choice is involved. God warns that certain paths result in disaster. If you make the wrong choice you suffer the consequences. Wrong choices result in unnecessary suffering. We need wisdom and discernment because:

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death (ruin). (Proverbs 14:12)

As the Bride in the Song of Songs, you will experience challenges when you are called to the mountains with your Bridegroom. Be prepared.

Fatigue. Many tragedies and accidents in mountain climbing are caused by fatigue. Climbers often become overtired because they do not know how to conserve body energy. They push beyond their capacity, eat or dress improperly, or exhaust themselves with anxiety. We are also susceptible to dangers by wasting spiritual energy on worrying about things in the future. Jesus said:

…seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take

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thought for things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (Matthew 6:33-34)

We often push ourselves beyond our capacity, most of the time in busy work. Our tasks may be good and legitimate, but often we get so many "good" things in our lives that we fail to be properly nourished by the Word and spend time in the presence of the Lord:

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

Fatigue in both the natural and spiritual worlds can lead to a loss of balance which is crucial in climbing. Jesus told His disciples, "Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while" (Mark 6:31). Don’t try scaling new heights when you are spiritually, mentally, or emotionally exhausted.

Some people race up a mountain as fast as possible, stop to rest a few minutes, and then plunge on again. Using such a "run and stop" method will eventually exhaust a climber. Stamina will increase naturally if energy is rationed through proper climbing techniques that develop strength conservation. The same is true spiritually. You should practice wise behaviors because in both the natural and spiritual worlds, endurance is a necessary quality for conquering mountains.

Faulty judgment has been the cause of more mountaineering accidents than physical weakness or disability. Faulty judgement can cause your own downfall and the downfall of others. When we fall spiritually, we usually don't fall alone. We take others with us because, like climbers, we are linked together in the Body of Christ. Many times a personal fall takes down a family, a church, or a ministry.

Losing direction. Someone went before you to make a trail and leave a legacy for future generations. Trails are created to enable you to reach the summit. Follow the trail. Stay on the path. In Bible times, the Israeli tribe of Judah had veered off the right path spiritually. Jeremiah told them what to do:

-Stand at the crossroads and look: Don't rush blindly up and down one path or another. Stop and see where you are.-Ask for the old ways: They are found in the Word and in the experiences of believers who have traveled this

way before you. -Walk in those proven paths: It is there that you will find rest for your soul.(Jeremiah 6:16-17)

It is wise to take along a compass, GPS, and trail map when climbing a mountain. Spiritually, your guidance systems are the Word of God, prayer, and the Holy Spirit.

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Aiding Other Climbers

Climbers are often linked together by a rope so that if one stumbles and falls they will not plunge off the path to their death. Being linked together on the trek, they become a part of one another. Spiritually, 1 Corinthians 12:14-26 reveals that believers are related to one another like the human body: Many parts, all important.

When climbers encounter others along the way who have lost direction, need help, or have been injured, they assist them. Spiritually, the Bible admonishes:

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)

Members of the Body of Christ, the true church, are to help one another ascend spiritual heights: Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

We are to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and be an example that others can follow. On the Christian journey we should always reach back to help those who follow, and there is always someone ahead of us to whom we can reach out to for help.

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