God’s design for human love is a reflection of an even greater love Our hearts were made to cherish one another He 15 Behold, you are beautiful, my love;behold, you are beautiful; your eyes are doves. She 16 Behold, you are beautiful, my beloved, truly delightful.Our couch is green; 17the beams of our house are cedar; our rafters are pine. 1 I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys. He 2 As a lily among brambles, so is my love among the young women. Song of Solomon 1:15–2:2 Passion is an amazing gift, but it comes with a set of reins She 3 As an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men. With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. 4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. 5 Sustain me with raisins; refresh me with apples,for I am sick with love. 6 His left hand is under my head, and his right hand embraces me! 7 I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases. Song of Solomon 2:3-7 Two elements should emerge during the dating phase: protection & security! The fig tree ripens its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away.14 O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the crannies of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice,for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.15 Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom.” Song of Solomon 2:13-15 16 My beloved is mine, and I am his; he grazes among the lilies. 17 Until the day breathes and the shadows flee, turn, my beloved, be like a gazelle or a young stag on cleft mountains. Song of Solomon 2:16-17