Dear Ones:
One of the countless ways that we see the inspiration of Scripture is recognizing the continuity of the message. It is the same, from the beginning pages of Genesis until the last pages of Revelation. One of the great themes of the Bible is that of the perfect, personal, eternal work of God in the heart. There are so many pictures, allegories, parables…which aim at revealing to us as many aspects of this work as we can possibly grasp. One of these “pictures” is found in the Song of Solomon, chapter 8, verse 6: “Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death…(v. 7) Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it.” What is this “seal,” and what does it mean? And what are the ramifications of knowing the truth embedded in its meaning?
The “seal” is an outward expression of an inward reality. It exemplifies something that is “settled,” in the context of what we are talking about, “settled in heaven.” Thus, it is an outward Divine declaration of a work accomplished. That work is one whereby we have been purchased, bought, claimed, …out of the slave-market of sin, self, and Satan, liberated into, and forever, the body of Christ, the family of God. When Solomon wrote concerning the “seal,” he was addressing his bride. Note WHAT he says. He says that the seal is himself. “Set ME as a seal upon thine heart.” Is this not what the Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesian church when he said, “…ye were SEALED with that Holy Spirit of promise?” (Eph. 1:13) Christ by His Spirit IS the seal…permanent, absolute, unchanging… And with that SEAL comes all that Jesus Christ IS, and this forever. “I am His, and HE is mine.” Paul also states that the Holy Spirit’s presence is the testimony of an everlasting promise…promise of present blessing, and future certainty with Christ.
Solomon also writes: “…(Set me…) as a seal upon thine ARM.” (v.6) On the one hand, Solomon desires to be received as the very unalterable and blessed seal of Life into the heart. On the other hand, he desires that the testimony of such love be visible to the world, hence, “…(seen) upon thine arm.” Like a wedding ring, the seal upon the arm is a testimony that the bond of Divine love has reached the heart. The heart has committed itself wholly to Him.” It is in the knowledge, and consequent experience of this love by the bride, that she will know the profound reality: “…love is strong as death…many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it.” (v.7) Indeed, the greatest testimony of God, and that rendered to God, is the experience and expression of the love of God. “By this shall all men KNOW that ye are My disciples…if ye have LOVE one to another.” (John 13:35)
May we today trust Him to BE that seal in our hearts, and on our arms. And may He reveal to us what this means, in all of its height and depth. The love of God, unalterable and unfathomable…yet, knowable.
“But what to those who find? Ah, this, Nor tongue nor pen can show: the love of Jesus, what it is, none but His loved ones know.”
Love, Dad