The Song Of Solomon 3:7-8, “Behold his bed, which is Solomon’s; threescore valiant men are about it, of the valiant of Israel. They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night.”
This morning, our study verses focus our minds on the place where Solomon, the King of Israel, dwelt and rested. In his place of dwelling, the “valiant of Israel” stood round about the place holding their swords to defend their precious King. These verses declare the importance of Solomon to them, as well as all Israel.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, our eternal God never became tired or needed to rest. Psalm 121:4, “Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” When the Bible says the Lord rested on the seventh day, it means He rested being finished, not from fatigue. The Lord doesn’t need man to defend Him. God is able to do “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” But there is a place where the Lord dwells. A place that His Spirit rests upon.
In Exodus 40:34-35 we read, “Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” The word “abode” in verse 35 literally means the “cloud,” which represented the presence of the Lord, rested upon the Tabernacle. The Tent was the place where God dwelt.
In Isaiah 6:1, “In the year that king Uzziah died, I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.” In this precious verse, Isaiah looked and saw the place where the Lord dwelt.
In Psalm 80:1 we read, “Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.” Also notice Psalm 99:1, “The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.” In both of these verses, we can clearly see a place where God, in His sovereign will, chose to dwell.
Deuteronomy 33:12, “And of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him; and the LORD shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders.” In this verse we read about the Lord dwelling with this precious tribe of Israel.
In the present, the Lord dwells with His people. There is a place where the Lord’s people gather together in the felt presence of their Savior. In Revelation 3:14-22, we read about the Church at Laodicea. The Church had lived in such disobedience, the Lord would not dwell with them. In verse 20 we can easily see the Lord outside the Church knocking at the door and calling on them to turn and repent from their sinful ways. The Lord’s Church is the place where His Spirit dwells, or rests, that we may fellowship with Him.
In our study verses, we read about the “valiant of Israel” who stood round about guarding the place where their precious King dwelt and rested. As I read these verses, I’m reminded of the responsibility of the New Testament ministry, and all the disciples, to stand up and guard the place, the New Testament Church. To stand up and guard the truth and, as Paul called on Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:12, “Fight the good fight of faith.” Paul called on Timothy to stand up for what’s right and be a “good soldier” of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3). In today’s world, in my humble estimation, there is a need like never before. The truth of God is under attack. The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ is under attack. The liberties that we have in America to worship the Lord are under attack. I’m assured the Lord’s Church will be somewhere on this earth when He returns to take His people home, but I have a great desire for the Church to be here in Union County, North Carolina that my children, and hopefully one day my grandchildren, will have a place to gather and fellowship with God. The Church is called upon to fight the good fight of faith and war in a spiritual warfare (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
In Ephesians 6:10, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Our study verses end with “because of the fear in the night.” We live in dangerous and uncertain times. Honestly, when I consider what has happened in the year 2020, I’ve never witnessed as much dishonesty, lies and deception. From the media (news and social) and from the government, the current condition causes my stomach to turn because of the ungodliness. Our televisions have things for us to watch that are completely contrary to what God has called us to be. Am I saddened? Yes. Do I become discouraged at times? Yes. Am I willing to lay down and give up? No. God, Who saved me from an eternal burning hell, has called on me to stand up for what’s right. So as the “valiant” in Solomon’s day stood and guarded the place where he dwelt, may we be found standing and guarding the Church, the truth and the place where the Lord’s felt presence may be experienced by the children of God. Amen!