Summary: God made male and female distinct and different biologically and psychologically. Now God did create us spiritually identical. This is what makes men and women equal before God. Because of the explicit sexual language that is used in this book, Jewish tea

CYCLES 4 SISTERS

“MAKE IT DO WHAT IT DO!”

Text: Songs of Solomon 1:12-14

Introduction: “What Is He Doing?

In the Old Testament there are two books that never mention God in the entire text. These books are the Book of Esther, which is a story of the redemption of God’s people; and the Song of Solomon. Not only does the Song of Solomon not refer to God but this book does not refer to prayer or worship either. So why is this book in the Bible? We need to remember that the Bible not only describes who God is and what God does but it also tells us what God wants for His people.

God made male and female distinct and different biologically and psychologically. Now God did create us spiritually identical. This is what makes men and women equal before God. Because of the explicit sexual language that is used in this book, Jewish teachers did not allow men to read this book until they were thirty years old and women were not allowed to read it at all.

I. HER DESIRE vs.2 “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth:”—The woman has seen Solomon and she is dreaming and thinking of what it would be like to be with him. She was fantasizing about how wonderful it would be to be with him and maybe become his wife. Have you ever “dreamed” of someone? Culturally men are usually the ones that are scolded for thinking about what it would be like to be with a particular woman, but women do the same thing concerning men. Is it acceptable for a person to think about another person in this manner? Remember that if you look upon someone and think about having sex with them that is the same as having done it. That means that it is acceptable to think about someone and look forward to their touch, but this “dreaming” of someone is not to be sexual in nature.

Now don’t forget I am talking about people who are not married or about married people “dreaming” of someone other than their spouse, not about spouses thinking sexually about one another. Physiologically, the brain is the most active sexual organ in the human body. Be careful to control your thoughts. The devil is a master at putting something in front of your eyes that is attractive because he knows that many times we will start thinking about that person in the wrong way. Once the person begins to start thinking about something over and over again, it becomes easier for them to act upon those thoughts.

One of the Shulamite’s personal desires was to kiss Solomon. She could just imagine how wonderful it would be to kiss him. I like the fact that we are shown an acceptable means of affection before marriage. I have been asked by dating couples before, “What is acceptable physically in the dating relationship?” Here you have it. Kissing is an acceptable form of physical affection in the dating relationship. Kissing is also an important form of affection in the marriage relationship also.

It is also interesting that she can remember what he smells like. It was customary in these times to rub the body with fragrant ointments, which were oils, after a bath in preparation for festivities. This brings up an important point in not only dating but in marriage also. Notice how Solomon was presenting himself. He was obviously handsome or at least to this woman and several others, but he didn’t stop there. He made sure he was at his best!

IF SHE IS GOING TO BE ENTHUSED AT ALL, EXITED AT ALL…IF A BROTHER EXPECTS HER TO HAVE ANY DESIRE FOR HIM AT ALL, HE MUST MAKE HER WANT SOME QUALITY WITHIN HIM. MY BROTHER, SHE’S GOTTA WANT IT. SHE’S GOTTA FEEL WHAT GOD HAS FOR HER THROUGH YOU!!

II. HER DISTRESS vs.5-6 “…Look not upon me, because I am black…”--Men how many times has your wife asked you, “Do I look fat in this?” Or, “How do I look?” Or, “Do you like how I did my make-up?” Or, “Do you like my hair?” The list of these questions could go on and on. It is natural to want to look good, but especially during the time when you want a particular person to notice you. The Shulamite woman had a couple of concerns.

One of those concerns is the fact that there were many “available” women who also found Solomon attractive. How would she win his heart over the other women? This competition for another’s love is nothing new. Why do you think cosmetic surgery and all sorts of “special pills” are so popular? Why do you think our nation’s advertisement agencies thrive off of physical appearance to promote their product? We live in a culture that appearances matter and apparently they mattered in Solomon’s day also.

The other concern is also a part of today’s culture. This woman felt like she probably didn’t have a chance because she was not like many of those other women. Her skin was dark, her face was wind blown, and her hands were rough from having to work outside. I can hear her now.

“How unfair! Just because my mean brothers made me work outside and these women get to stay inside and spend time “prettying up”, Solomon is not going to find me attractive.” Self image can be a dangerous thing in several ways. There are some that feel like they are so unattractive that they might as well just hide in a closet. They hate how they look and the more they look in the mirror the worse it gets. This is especially true for girls in their teenage years. Many people that fall into this category are the ones who spend millions of dollars on trying to change how they look. They don’t care what happens to their body as long as they look good.

This problem can also occur with people who think they are the most handsome or most beautiful person ever put on this earth. They use their looks as a weapon. They make anybody they date or their spouse feel inferior and say things like, “You don’t want me to leave because there are many people that want me and you could never do better than me!” It is almost a given that during the dating process that the man and woman look their best, but often times after couples get married, they “let themselves go”. don’t lose that physical attraction for one another because it was one of the things that most likely brought you together. This also proves how God gives us all different vision.

III. HER DELIMA vs.8 “If thou know not…“-Most women within today’s society are guessing. Their guessing on their relationship, they’re guessing on their occupation, they’re guessing on their family members & they’re guessing on their financial stability. There are few things that any of us can be sure of with the exception that God is Faithful…even when we are not. This doesn’t give a license to sin, but God has a way that provides assurance even when you don’t have insurance to show that you’re covered in case of a mis-hap!!

Solomon was assuring this woman that if she followed him (elab…His vision, His plan, His plot to provide for her), that not only would her needs be met, but every person attached to her would be taken care of as well. Every woman has a dilemma, weather it be personal, financial, emotional or physical…there is a dilemma lurking on the brink. Question is…”What are you going to do about it?”. What are you going to do about what God has allowed, and what are you going to do about what the Devil has devised in your life! If God sends you a person to answer the question to your dilemma…”Wonderful”! What if he doesn’t? What if God allows you to deal the hand you have? Depend on God!!

**CONCLUSION**

“WHAT U GONNA DO?”

WOMEN TODAY ARE RESILIENT & DON’T NECESSARILY NEED A MAN! THEY HAVE THEIR OWN CARS, THEIR OWN HOMES, THEIR OWN MONEY. WHAT A WOMAN WANTS FROM A MAN IS NOT ALWAYS SUBSTANCE. OFTEN TIMES IT IS HIS COMPANIONSHIP, HIS SHOULDERS TO LEAN ON, HIS VOICE TO SOOTHE HER EMOTIONS. WOMEN TODAY ARE SEEKING BROTHERS WHO DON’T JUST TALK THE TALK. THEY’RE ALL WAITING WITH GREAT EXPECTATION FOR BROTHERS WHO SAY WHAT THEY’RE GOING TO DO & THEN MAKE IT DO WHAT THEY SAID IT WOULD DO. SO, IF HER ENDS ARE NOT MEETING, MAKE ‘EM DO…IF HER MIND IS UNEASY, MAKE IT DO…IF HER BODY IS IN NEED OF CARESSING, MAKE IT DO WHAT IT DO BABY!!