The Song of Solomon is a deep spiritual allegory containing rich interactive segments of interaction between Jesus the Bridegroom and His beloved. At the culmination of the book He extends this invitation: “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.” Song 8:6 This is a beautiful invitation unto purposeful communion. “Set me on your heart by communing with me.” With our Lord and with our spouse, we must be intentional in this regard. The strength of the seal rests on our communing with Him in the present tense.
The seal speaks of the power of Jesus released by the Holy Spirit. The love of God poured out upon my heart at salvation, was and is, a “sealing love.” It is also a progressive sealing; God’s vision being that I grow in love over the years, being “rooted and grounded” in its surety. “Set Me as a signet (ring) upon your heart” is the literal translation of the aforementioned verse. The history of this metaphor is derived from the method ancient kings used to validate a written message. Hot wax would be applied to the seal, then the king’s ring pressed upon it, uniquely leaving the impression that conveyed the authenticity and authority of its’ owner. I am inspired to ask the Lord to make his ongoing imprint upon my heart and life. This is no easy transaction, for the seal of God consists of his fiery love, the “flame of the Lord”, which has the power and intent of consuming all that would hinder.
The seal, or signet ring, represents the unrelenting pursuit of God for the greater excellence in our lives. The grave is unyielding; it demands the total submission of all human life. So it is with those who choose to be “crucified with Christ.” We are called to be “living sacrifices”, wed and sealed upon the altar of love. I desire God to make a deeper impression (imprint) upon me. I desire to make a deeper impression (imprint) upon the world. My DNA is unique. No one can make the imprint that I can. The same is true of you. And then, if we consider marriage, two becoming one, this concept is taken to a whole new level!
A vibrant illustration of this is found in the book of Haggai. The prophet was given a message of a shaking that would come, in part, to usher in a greater glory. The governor of Judah, Zerubbabel, was chosen to be a strategic cog, as God unfolded his purposes. “‘On that day,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,’ declares the Lord Almighty.” Hag. 2:23 Could it be, that God says to each one of us: “I will take YOU and make you my signet ring.” I believe that as we live in that realm, of receiving the mark of God’s signet ring (seal) upon our hearts, that we will realize the outflow of this encounter, time and again, being revealed in our wearing the very ring ourselves. Everyone has an assignment. It will always have an individual component. God speaks to ME. It will always have a corporate component in your marriage. God speaks to US. There will always be refining in this process, to insure the integrity and virtue of the calling. Consider it this way: Receive the mark of God’s seal on your heart, then make your mark, in human history.
Joseph was a slave in Potiphar’s house for eleven years and spent at least two years in a prison, wrongly accused of a crime. Despite the hardship, his interior life remained unchanged. “The Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.” Gen. 39:21-23 This speaks to me of integrity. It’s also a great example of how we need to maintain a righteous attitude of heart, especially when the refining is taking place in the context of a difficult marriage.
“So Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.’ Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and people shouted before him, ‘Make way!’ Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” Gen. 41:41-43 Marriage seasons will undergo transition and change, seasons of refinement, a prelude to breakthrough and fresh vesting of authority, power and ascendant purpose.
Lord, be the signet ring, pressed upon my heart and soul. I am yours my King. I belong to no other but you. I welcome your fiery seal.