in His time

"O daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you - if you find my lover, what will you tell him? Tell him I am faint with love." - Song of Songs 5:8 (NIV)

at the same time,

"Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires." - Song of Songs 2:7 (NIV)

"Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires." - Song of Songs 3:5 (NIV)

"Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires." - Song of Songs 8:4 (NIV)

if Scripture mentions something once, it is sufficient. if Scripture mentions something twice, it is significant. if Scripture mentions something three times (in the same book even), it is special.

*****

interestingly, each time the charge 'do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires' is made, it occurs just before the lovers come together.

"Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires." - Song of Songs 2:7 (NIV)

"Listen! My lover! Look! Here he comes, leaping across the mountains, bounding over the hills. My lover is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look! There he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, peering through the lattice. My lover spoke and said to me, "Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me. See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me."" - Song of Songs 2:8-13 (NIV)

"Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires." - Song of Songs 3:5 (NIV)

"Who is this coming up from the desert like a column of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and incense made from all the spices of the merchant? Look! It is Solomon's carriage, escorted by sixty warriors, the noblest of Israel, all of them wearing the sword, all experienced in battle, each with his sword at his side, prepared for the terrors of the night." - Song of Songs 3:6-8 (NIV)

"Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires." - Song of Songs 8:4 (NIV)

"Who is this coming up from the desert leaning on her lover? Under the apple tree I roused you; there your mother conceived you, there she who was in labour gave you birth. Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned." - Song of Songs 8:5-7 (NIV)

you cannot resolve to 'not arouse or awaken love until it so desires' AFTER you already arouse or awaken love. you can only resolve to 'not arouse or awaken love until it so desires' BEFORE you actually arouse or awaken love.

"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." - Psalm 119:9-11 (NIV)