Song of Solomon

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In the latest episode of By Design, host Bert Harper takes a deep look at what Scripture actually says about marriage, drawing from Matthew 19 and the Song of Solomon. His core message is straightforward: marriage isn’t just a social arrangement. It’s a sacred covenant rooted in God’s design.

Bert opens with Matthew 19, where Jesus speaks directly to the Creator's intention for marriage, a lifelong union between one man and one woman. That foundation shapes everything else in the conversation. From there, he reminds couples that love is meant to be unwavering, as fierce and unshakeable as death itself.

Sealed Hearts and Intentional Love

The episode moves into the Song of Solomon, where he unpacks the image of setting a seal upon one's heart and arm. He sees this as a picture of the two sides of commitment: the emotional and the practical. Loving your spouse well isn't passive. It takes intentionality, whether that looks like words of affirmation, physical touch, or acts of service. He references Gary Chapman's five love languages here, encouraging couples to be proactive rather than reactive in nurturing their marriages.

Guarding the Relationship

Bert also gets honest about the things that can quietly erode a marriage, things like flattery from the wrong places and drifting emotionally from your spouse. He warns against seeking validation outside the relationship and calls couples back to the companionship they committed to. Every point he makes is grounded in Scripture, which gives his practical advice a solid footing.

By the end of the episode, Bert brings it all together with a challenge: your marriage should be a living testimony of God's love, marked by genuine commitment and mutual respect.

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