Rose of Sharon-Lily of The Valley
The Beloved
SS 2:1 I am the rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.
Song of Solomon 2:1 (RSV) — “I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.”
In the above verse, the prospective Bride of Christ is speaking. Notice that in the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, the text says not “the rose,” but “a rose,” and it is likewise in the NIV. This indicates humility. In other words, “I am a common, lowly flower of the lowlands.”
It is the Bride, then, who is here declaring that she is as one of these common or ordinary flowers of which there were so many. She says, in effect, ‘I am no different and no better than my companions, my sisters, in this great floral throng.
The rose and the lily are to be thought of in the collective sense: the “valleys” (plural) would have more than one lily, for example. Many flowers, a class of flowers, is referred to. The virgin class, these common little flowers, realize that God has called them as individuals into His family, and perhaps in time they see why He has picked them because they are poor in spirit, meek, though rich in faith. When they realize that they have this faith, they have a measure of confidence and hope that He really has called them.
Jesus, Himself said, Matt. 5:3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
BLESSED ARE “POOR IN SPIRIT”
“To be poor in spirit is to have a humble opinion of ourselves; to be sensible as we have no righteousness of our own, but His righteousness; to be saved only by the rich grace and mercy of God which is totally a gift of God.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Is. 57:15 For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
The HOLY ONE who inhabits eternity dwells with the lowly and contrite in heart.
The Beloved
SS 2:2 As the lily among thorns, so is My love among the daughters.
Song of Solomon 2:2 — “As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.”
As mentioned earlier, in verse 1 the virgin class has said “I am the lily of the valleys.” Now, in verse 2, Christ Jesus is, as if, responding, “Yes, you are as the lily, but you are amidst thorns.“
“He proceeds once again to tell her of what and how he thinks of her… ‘As the lily among thorns’ she is seen in harmlessness, simplicity, and irreproachableness in the midst of a crooked and perverted generation (Philippians 2:15). She is in moral contrast with all her surroundings; He adds no more; His words, though few, give her heart to know that He is content with her; she is what He can delight in; no more is needed.
“The Lord would have her follow in His footsteps; as she beholds Him in His beauty, in His fragrance, and His humility, she hears Him say: As I am, so are you in the world. He that says He abides in Me ought himself also to walk even as I walked. 1 John 2:6 To be like unto him, she must go down into the fertile Valleys, and there must she abide. She must draw strength and nourishment from the hidden springs and the rich soil of His Word, and His life must flow into her until she blossoms out in His likeness”
The beautiful lily has no thorns growing upon her. In her words, there is nothing which is sharp, to wound her Lord or those around her. There are no unkind actions growing upon this plant that is being prepared for the Garden of Heaven. There are no unworthy, uplifted attributes found upon the one whom God will choose as the bride of His Son. She [her character] must be:
- harmless, yet steadfast,
- humble, yet standing in pure dignity,
- upright and beautiful,
- maintaining the Faith once for all delivered unto the saints,
- spotless and fragrant.
“Each lily in the company stands for His glory and His delight alone. He has invited many to be the Bride; but though many have received the invitation, only a few will He choose.”
The Thorns– Who or what do these represent?
The “thorns” would be not only worldly people but carnal Christians. The “daughters” are the same, Daughters of Jerusalem’ in Song of Solomon 1:5 and 2:7. Even among nominal Christians who have similar hopes, the virgin class appear as fanatics and oddballs. So is my love among the daughters. The word “love” is friend in the Hebrew, but of course it has a much deeper meaning than our English word. We sing, “What a friend we have in Jesus,” but He is singing, “What a friend I have in my consecrated followers.”
Another View:
The Lord is speaking here to us that there is and will be valleys/wildernesses that we will go through and he is giving us a heads up as He is with the Shulamite/Bride. We love the mountain times, but we too must pass thru the low times as well. He wants you to remember he is as a lily in those times. It seems you will pass through thorny times in this journey down the bridal path. Heads up and knowing this will bring comfort for He is there with us through it all.
A beautiful Lily is our Lord, pure and white, spotless even among those who did hurt him, who did persecute him, who did revile him. He did not revile back, but kept silent against His accusers.
Rom 8:17 And if we are children, then we are heirs; heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ; so that if we suffer with Him, we may also be glorified together.
These also may be thorns where you are in a comfortable place in your walk with the Lord and he is trying to get you to move out of this place and has placed those thorns in your nest you have built for yourself. Eagles do this to their young eaglets. To make you uncomfortable about how you are living your life to prick your conscious , or to prick you because you have stopped and your well has dried up and you do not even know it.
Are you a thorn to someone else, abrasive, or bitter and mean? Hopefully not.These you have to handle with care because they lash out and hurt, we tend to stay away from those with good reason.
Rom. 5:2-3 – Paul says that more than rejoicing in our hope, we rejoice in our sufferings which produces endurance, character and hope. Through faith, suffering brings about hope in God and, through endurance, salvation.
Rom. 8:18 – the sufferings of the present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. We thus have hope that any sufferings we or others endure, no matter how difficult, will pale in comparison to the life of eternal bliss that awaits us.
Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Let Him speak to your wounds, to your hurts, let him wash over you and bring deep healing to you. He is the Lily of the Valley.
Do not be in a hurry to leave this place set aside just for you and him. This is your time.
Ask Him what He is teaching you through this time?
The Lord always has a purpose for you in what the enemy means for evil he will turn it for good, ( pit to palace) not that he has purposed these times, but we know the enemy uses people to sometimes hurt us. We also know we can’t stay where we are and we must move on with Him, we must grow up into all He is and wants for us.
Php. 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ,
Thru these times we will develop His heartbeat for the hurting and the oppressed. We too, will desire to work along His side helping those who need His touch and His love.
Journey on with Him as He calls us to look out upon the fields, to see they are white for harvest and the laborers are few. Look out and see if you find other lilies who are stuck in the thorns and help them through to Jesus. Look to His crown of thorns that He not only bore but wore, and forgive them as He did, for He truly died as us. It is a finished work!!
According to three of the Gospels, a woven crown of thorns was placed on the head of Jesus during the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus. It was one of the instruments of the Passion, employed by Jesus’ captors both to cause him pain and to mock his claim of authority. The plant Crown of Thorns is derived from the belief by some that the crown of thorns worn by Jesus Christ at his crucifixion was made from stems of this plant. Caution: Besides the sharp black thorns on its main branches and stems, the sticky, latex sap from broken leaves and stems can be a skin and eye irritant.
Jesus bore the thorns so we would not have to. He overcame the thorns of life.
That is why Paul said:
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 has been used by many to say that even Paul had a physical sickness which God didn’t heal. Or even that God doesn’t always answer us when we pray. However, Paul’s thorn in the flesh wasn’t a physical sickness, and God did answer his prayer.
Let’s look at this passage of scripture together.
2 Cor. 12:7-10 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
What was Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh?
First of all, it is important to point out that the “thorn in the flesh” Paul was referring to was not a physical illness. This was a phrase that was used to describe something that was a constant irritation and annoyance. Other scriptures verify this interpretation of the phrase “thorn in the flesh” (Numbers 33:55, Joshua 23:13, Ezekiel 28:24). Many Bible teachers believe Paul was referring to the persecution he experienced as a result of his ministry.
The Shulamite
SS 2:3 As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
The preceding verse: As the lily among thorns, so is My love among the daughters.” Song of Solomon: 2.2
The Lord uses this highly contrasting and compelling imagery to emphasize His love for His Bride. This speaks of the “Approbation of God,” or, the fact of His “singular attention and favor” being uniquely toward her and resting upon her life. She has touched the heart of the Lord and He has become singularly interested in her.
In the midst of others, she stands out before Him, as though she were the only one. The most important compliment that we could possibly receive from the Lord would be to receive a similar expression of “His approbation,” concerning us. This would mean that we have become the recipient of His personal interest, concern, and activity – We have become His friend.
It is possible for each one of us to attract the attention of our Lord in such a way that He becomes both interested in, and active, within our life experience and activities, as if we were the only person in the universe. This is a divine mystery that we cannot begin to understand. However, it is very wonderful and rewarding to experience.
After the Lord had singled out the Bride from among the Daughters of Jerusalem, by comparing her to “A lily among thorns” (Song of Solomon 2:2), she responded and told Him that He was as an “apple tree among the trees of the wood” (Song of Solomon 2:3). Then she added:
“…I sat down under His shadow with great delight, and His fruit was sweet to my taste.” Song of Solomon 2:3
Notice, that to her, His presence was but as a “shadow.” She had not yet become interested in the reality of His personal presence. At this time, the center of her interest was in the things that she desired to receive from Him, rather than in Him as a person, and in seeking to personally know Him.
“Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel you to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich… Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:17-18, 20 (Laodician Church)
Thinking that all these gifts and blessings that He was able to supply would satisfy the hunger that was within her, she asked Him for even more:
The Shulamite to the Daughters of Jerusalem
SS 2:4 He brought me to the [a]banqueting house, And his banner over me was love.
“And his banner over me is love,” she says. A banner was a flag, a standard. It flew over a house to identify who the owner was. When Israel was in the desert, the people would use them to find their homes among all of the tents. Later, royal families would fly them above their homes to signify their identities. True, banners were used as a rallying point for troops in battle, but this is not a battle scene, this is a love scene. His love is covering her like a banner. His love is his banner. It is showing her who she belongs to and that she is safe under his care. It gives her His identity and all of the wealth that goes with that.
SS 2:5 Sustain me with cakes of raisins, Refresh me with apples, For I am lovesick.
Raisin cakes were considered an aphrodisiac in the ancient world,
The bride had asked the Lord to “stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples.” (Song of Solomon 2:5a). In response to her desire, He brought her to the banqueting table and blessed her so abundantly with all she wanted, that she became filled beyond the capacity that she had, at that time. “For I am sick of love.” Song of Solomon 2:5b.
We are to enjoy the blessings, and use to the fullest all of the gifts, talents, etc. that the Lord has given. Yet these are not meant to be our goal. Rather, they are to be the means of meeting the needs of others, and of enlarging our capacity and our desire for Him. Outwardly, she seemed to be satisfied and content. However, the Lord knew that inwardly, she could not continue to be satisfied and fulfilled by just having these things. She had seen Him and was moved deep within her being toward Him. Now, He was ready to show her that there was something “better” that He desired for her, beyond all these “things” that He was able to give her.
He was waiting for her to invite Him to come within the secret place, to commune with Him alone.
Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples….” Song of Solomon 2:5 He responded to this expression of her desire and gave her so many gifts and things, that she later said to Him:“…I am sick of love.” Song of Solomon 2:5
After she had received from Him all that she wanted at that time, she told Him that He could leave and do as He pleased. Her only concern was where He would be, in case she had a need.
SS 2:6 His left hand is under my head, And his right hand embraces me.
We see in verse 6 how his left hand was under her head, and his right hand embraced her. The left hand has to do with dealing with false concepts and mixtures in our awareness, and the right hand embracing her has to do with a people realizing the truth of His finished work and resting in what is accomplished. Faith has been our grip on Him, while redemption is His grip on us. When we realize that His grip on us is greater than our grip on Him we then rest in what He has already done.
“There is no contradiction of any proportion that we can possibly face that has what it takes to exasperate us or distance us from God. Our consciousness of his inseparable nearness immediately reinforces us to extend the same tangible closeness to you in your difficult times, and together we snuggle up in the comfort of his intimate embrace!”
― François Du Toit, The Mirror Bible
SS2:7 I [a]charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the gazelles or by the roes of the field, Do not stir up nor awaken love, Until it pleases.
In verse 7 He is speaking and says, “I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.” Roes are male deer, while hinds are female deer. Deer are animals that are easily frightened, and they are also creatures that follow their own instincts. The Shulamite had to learn not to follow her own instincts, but follow her heart which had received a conception of the Word within it. So, the message here is that we can still have an awareness of carnality ( soulish/sense realm/flesh) as did the ‘daughters of Jerusalem’ and be led by our own natural instincts and frighten off people that are not ready to hear what we have to say. As the deer, they can be frightened off. We must be led of the Spirit when ministering to people. Just because we think that anyone would receive the Good News of the Gospel, we are told here not to try to awake His love in them until it is the proper timing of the Spirit to do so. We can do more harm than good when we get ahead of God so to speak. Proverbs 25:11 says, “A word fitly (rightly, or in its proper timing) spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver (redemption).” True wisdom is the ability to know the difference.
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Summary-SCENE III – The Shepherd Speaks of His Love
Song 1:12 – 2:7
By contrast, the Shepherd speaks to her of her individual beauty including her inner beauty, her dove’s eyes (1:15), the windows to her soul. She is a lilly among the thorns (2:2). His left hand is under her head and his right hand does embrace her.(2:6 – Compare with 8:3) He is the active party. She tells the Daughters of Jerusalem they are not to stir up or awaken love until it’s time.
(1:12) While the king sits at his table, my spikenard sends forth the smell thereof.
(1:13) A bundle of myrrh is my well beloved to me; he shall lie all night between my breasts.
She wears expensive spikenard perfume for the King while he sits at his table with his friends, but her Shepherd is her perfume. Spikenard is the same ointment Mary anointed Jesus with in Mark 14 and John 12. A pound of it cost approximately a year’s wages. Myrrh is a resin taken from the commiphora plant and in addition to its use for its aroma is also an astringent and analgesic that was carried into battle. Myrrh was one of the spices brought to Jesus at His birth along with gold and frankincense. It was one of the spices Nicodemus carried to Jesus’ tomb for embalming (John 19:39) and mixed with wine (Mark 15:23) it was offered to Jesus at His crucifixion but He refused to drink it. Myrrh here is an allusion to His fate as our sacrificial offering.
(1:14) My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi.
Camphire (Camphore) is henna blooms, in addition to their fragrance are also used as a dye. Henna was grown as a hedgerow around vineyards to hold soil against wind erosion in Israel as it was in other countries. A henna hedge with dense thorny branches protected a vulnerable, valuable crop such as a vineyard from hungry animals. The hedge, which protected and defended the vineyard, also had clusters of fragrant flowers which bloom in late April, early May. They are plentiful near Engedi, “the fountain of the kid”, a city in the province of Judah. It is anciently called Hazezon-Tamar (Gen 14:7 ) from the palm-trees which used to grow there, still preserves its name in Ain-Djedy. It is about 200 yards from the Dead Sea, about the center of its western shore, not far from Jeshimon and was celebrated for its vineyards. It is marked by great luxuriance of vegetation, though the approach to it is through most dangerous and precipitous passes. The country is full of caverns, which serve as lurking places for outlaws at the present day. It is where David hid from Saul in 1Samuel 23 and 24. One of these, a spacious one called Bir-el-Mauquouchieh, with a well in it suitable for watering sheep, close to the Wady Hasasa, may have been the identical cavern in which David cut off Saul’s skirt.
(1:15) Behold, you are fair, my love; behold, you are fair; you have doves’ eyes.
The Shepherd adores her true inner beauty, through her dove’s eyes, the windows to her soul. The dove being the symbol of peace, she is innocent and harmless.
(1:16) Behold, you are fair, my beloved, yes, pleasant: also our bed is green.
(1:17) The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir.
We make our bed under the trees, also made of cedar as was Solomon’s house. (1Kings 7:1-2)
(2:1) I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.
(2:2) As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.
The rose of Sharon is not a rose at all but the crocus or narcissus that was so prevalent in the valley of Sharon in the spring. Barnes’ Commentary tells us, in response to the Shepherd’s compliment of her beauty, she replies that her beauty is nothing extraordinary and is as common as a mere lily of the field. Sharon was a plain from Joppa to Caesarea between the hill country and the shore. It was famous for it’s abundance of wild flowers in the spring. But in the time of Eusebius and Jerome there was a smaller plain of Sharon (Saron) situated between Mount Tabor and the sea of Tiberias, which would be very near the bride’s native home if that were Shunem. The Shepherd insists that her beauty is not so ordinary but is as a lily among the bramble, as she is by comparison to the Daughters of Jerusalem.
(2:3) As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
Apples symbols of fragrance, beauty and sweetness Deut. 13:10, Prov. 25:11, Joel 1:12
(2:4) He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.
(2:5) Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love.
(2:6) His left hand is under my head, and his right hand does embrace me.
(2:7) I charge you, Oh you daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that you stir not up, nor awake my love, until he pleases.
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The Shulamite
SS 2:8 The voice of my beloved! Behold, He comes, Leaping upon the mountains, Skipping upon the hills.
Then verse 8 is her speaking concerning him saying, “The voice of my Beloved! behold, He comes leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.” This is really what the Shulamite saw while passed out in his arms in verse 6. In this verse 8 the word ‘mountains’ refer to powers and kingdoms. She saw him ABOVE all powers and kingdoms in the physical realm. In other words, she saw that there was only ONE power and ONE kingdom. Then the word ‘hills’ denotes governments. She saw him skipping upon the hills, therefore she saw only ONE government. Revelation 11:15 says that the KINGDOMS of this world have become the KINGDOM (singular) of our Lord and His Christ. In verse 8 she recognized only one power, one kingdom, and one government.
She is finally coming out of all duality and beginning to focus on HIM, and HIM alone; One with Him. The objective of Song of Solomon is UNION, MARRIAGE and BIRTHING; and that takes place as one walks in the conscious heart awareness of what is already true. Once we put on the Mind of Christ, or bring that Mind to our individual heart awareness, then a formation takes place and is projected into the experience of our life!
Union- One with Christ-1 Cor. 6:17 …he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.
Marriage- Betrothal, Consummation
Biblical Consummation- The Apostle John writes about the consummation of the Kingdom of God but by the appearance of the King of that Kingdom where he wrote that “Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world” (1st John 4:17) Jesus was full of grace and of truth (John1:14) or the very perfection of it and we could say He is the consummation of all truth and all grace as He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), “for our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:29) and “the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God” (Deut. 4:24).
Kingdom Consummation- As we know, a consummation of a marriage means the two are joined together both spiritually and physically and the consummation of the Kingdom of God is very similar in regards to the church and Christ being joined together with her at His return. The Apostle Paul, in describing the relationship between the church, which is the Bride of Christ, and the Bridegroom (or Lamb), which is Jesus Christ, wrote that it was “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church” (Eph 5:31-32). The Apostle John writes “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints” (Rev 19:7-8) and “Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God” (Rev 19:9). The Lamb is clearly Jesus Christ and the Bride is the remnant church and they can only attend the wedding if it has been granted “to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright,” which is ultimately the righteousness of Christ (2nd Cor 5:21).
Birthing- Of course, there is a process from conception to birthing. The immortal Seed of Christ is implanted within you. The day and time has fully come to fruition. You’ve gone through the process. That which was imparted to you and predestined before time has come forth. What seed has God planted in you that has grown to full maturity and is ready for the Master’s use. It’s time to come out of hiding. Come out of obscurity and be used mightily by God. The Body of Christ has been waiting on what God has invested in you. Now is the appointed/set-time. There is a Process to Purpose!! The Great Announcement (Eccl. 3:1) – “To everything there is a season, and a Philippians 1:6) – “Being confident of this very thing, that he which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” (Philippians 3:13) – “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.
Birthing meaning- thrust into ministry.
The Shulamite
SS 2:9a My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag.
The Shulamite compares he beloved as a gazelle or young stag/deer
The deer is a symbol of piety, devotion and of God taking care of his children. The stag is the king of the forest, the protector of all other creatures A deer shedding his antlers speaks of regeneration. Which is in Christ Jesus.
2:9bBehold, he stands behind our wall; He is looking through the windows, Gazing through the lattice.
Behold, He stands behind our wall, He looks forth at the windows, showing Himself through the lattice.” Song of Solomon 2:9b.
As she noticed that He was looking through the window toward her, longing to be invited into the “room” of her spiritual experience, there arose within her a deep inner stirring toward Him. She began to intently desire “Him,” rather than the “things” she had once sought after. He (Jesus) acknowledged her “single eye” which was beginning to look toward Him alone, and in a penetrating expression of love, He said to her, “O My dove” (Song of Solomon 2:14). Because of her single eye, He could now begin to inwardly change her into the Bride He desired her to be.
Matt. 6:22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore your eye be single, your whole body shall be full of light. ASV
Matt.6: 22-23 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.23 “But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
THE LAMP OF THE BODY IS THE EYE
IN THIS METAPHOR USED BY JESUS…
- The “body” likely represents the “soul”
- The “eye” likely represents the “spirit or the gaze of the spirit”
- The word “good” in Greek means “simple, single, uncomplicated”
- The word “bad” in Greek means ” wicked, evil”
- And in the Scriptures, the expression “evil eye” is used to mean “envious, covetous” – cf. Pr 23:6; Mt 20:15; Mk 7:22
AN EXPLANATION BASED UPON THESE DEFINITIONS WOULD THEN BE:
If the soul and the gaze of the spirit l be single (in its love of God and the things of God)…
- Then one is filled with “light” In other words, goodness, righteousness, and truth – cf. Ep 5:8-10, Luke 11:34
Ephesians 5:8-10 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the [a]Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.
- But if the soul be evil (envious, or covetous)…
- Then one’s soul is filled with “darkness.”
- Spirit is Light. Light is love, righteousness, peace, joy. The opposite of “light”: selfishness, wickedness, and falsehood!
New Age talks much about the single eye. Of course, they leave out Jesus.
Psalm 12:2: They speak idly everyone with his neighbor; With flattering lips and [c]a double heart they speak.
Having a double eye is having a double heart. James speaks of this as having a double mind.
Dual/double thinking- James 1:6-8 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
They speak falsehood to one another; with flattering lips and with a double heart they speak. A person with a “single eye” is one of integrity who does not have a secret agenda of self-advancement. Along with sincerity of spirit, he also has an integrity toward money that keeps him from covetousness and greed.
Shulamite speaking what the Bridegroom said:
SS 2:10 My beloved spoke, and said to me: “Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away.
Isaiah 60 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.3 The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.
“My Beloved spoke, and said to me, Rise up, My love, My fair one, and come away.” Song of Solomon 2:10
We are living in the time of the birthing of a new day. Herein is the cause of our wondering, “What is happening” as we feel the birthing pains of this new day. This experience will not come through an intellectual comprehension or understanding of His Word alone. It requires the anointed impartation to us of His life, as we fellowship with Him. Then we walk and are led by Holy Spirit.
He is presently without, looking through the window of our spiritual room, waiting for us. We must quickly respond to His call to “Rise up and come away.” It is essential that we invite the Lord to come within, and give Him full control over us, and all that pertains to us.
Nothing that we could obtain, while remaining in a lesser realm could compare with this.
His intention was to take her beyond the unsatisfying relationship that she had maintained with Him, which was built upon her desire for all of the gifts and provisions that He had been giving her. As in the past, He desired to please and to satisfy her, but He had something far better to offer to her. Therefore, He waited until she noticed Him, and invited Him to come within.
It was necessary that she recognize her need for Him alone. Only then would she be able to see her true spiritual condition, and rightly respond to Him, and to all that He intended for her in becoming His Bride.
Now comes the problem that she, along with all of us, must face. He must wean her from her past satisfaction with the gifts and blessings of the Lord, alone (the winter is past, the rain is over and gone).
She had been more interested in His blessings (stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples), than she was in being with Him. She is still not willing to respond to His urgent call to “rise up” with Him, even though He has repeated it to her twice. Therefore, He has no choice except to chasten her and further “tighten the rope,” limiting her freedom to do as she pleases. There is only one way that this can be done. It must be done at “night,” or in a time of spiritual seemingly darkness, when (seemingly) He withdraws the feeling of His presence, along with all of the blessings and things that He had given her, at her requests.
After He did this, we find her to be very upset.
At this present time, within the Church, the Lord is especially stirring individuals who have been seeking “something more,” without really understanding what they are searching for. Many of these are thinking, “What is happening to me?” This is because they are being drawn away from any satisfaction with, or dependence upon that which is less than the Lord’s best. In the past, many have been content with knowing the Lord as their Savior, or have gone a little further, and know Him as the one who answers their prayers, heals them, provides their needs, and uses them to minister to others. These remain satisfied with only the “feeling” of His anointing, not realizing that the Lord is seeking to reveal Himself to them.
The Lord greatly desires to take each one of us, whom He is presently drawing to Himself, beyond this level of experience – “being satisfied with receiving the letter of the Word through ministry, the Web, and literature about the Word.” He is, through intervention, beginning in a more direct way to make Himself known to us, as a person with personality and feelings, who desires our fellowship and our cooperation with Him in the outworking of His purposes.
All too often we become satisfied with the “things of God,” rather than going beyond this and coming to know the “God of all these things.” We get so taken up with our involvement in working for Him, or in our concern with our needs, or the needs of others, that we fail to notice when He comes to seek a time of personal fellowship with us.
We become satisfied with abiding in the “fact” of His Omni-Presence, rather than taking time to seek His Manifest Tangible Presence. Our Lord is a seeking God who will draw us into a personal, intimate relationship with Himself, if we will respond to His seeking after us.
SS 2:11 For lo, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone.
Winter is a season of the year which keeps persons within doors, makes going abroad unsafe, unpleasant, and uncomfortable, but when the spring returns again, light breaks in upon us, and our hearts are melted with a sense of love. Jesus in His exercise of grace makes us fruitful in good works; and we enjoy much calmness and serenity, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost: Sometimes they think the winter is not over when it is, and fear more storms are behind, even of divine wrath and vengeance, though without reason; since Christ has bore all judgment and has satisfied law and justice, and He who has done this says, “the winter is past!
SS 2:12The flowers appear on the earth; The time of singing has come; And the voice of the turtledove Is heard in our land.
The appearing of flowers, then, does not mean the appearing of the first and earliest flowers, but must rather be understood of the earth’s being covered with them; the time of singing, rejoicing has come.
The “voice of the turtledove” (v. 12) signals change. English versions vary on how they translate the Hebrew word tor, which refers to a migratory dove that appears in the eastern Mediterranean region in mid-April. Some (the New International Version, for example) simply call the bird a “dove,” but others (such as the New Revised Standard Version) specify that this bird is a “turtledove.” (The King James Version famously has “turtle,” a now archaic term for a turtledove.) Devotional writers use the term “turtledove” to symbolize faithful love, because turtledoves mate for life.
SS 2:13 The fig tree puts forth her green figs, And the vines with the tender grapes; Give a good smell. Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away!
The fig tree puts forth her green figs: green figs” are the beginnings of grace maturing in the soulish realm, some stirrings of affection to Christ, desires of knowledge of him, love to his people in whom some are very imperfect, and, like unripe figs.
Jesus cursed the fig tree because it had no fruit. Matt. 21:18-22; Mark 11:12-25; Luke 13:6-9
If the fig tree is a tree full of large leaves with no fruit this an emblem of a profession of religion but no fruit. Only the righteousness of Christ in us bears fruit which is wholesome, pleasant, and delightful, as are the fruit of the Spirit, and the fruits of grace and righteousness,
Rise up, my love and come away: spoken again from SS 2:10
This passage of Scripture also expresses in beautiful spiritual imagery, a prophetic vision of the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit during the latter days. It speaks of a special time of “divine intervention” during which the Lord will reveal Himself and His glory, through a prepared corporate witness, as foreseen by Isaiah.
“For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land: The fig tree puts forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell…” Song of Solomon 2:11-13
The “winter” represents the time of spiritual barrenness she experienced while she was content with all of the blessings she had received, apart from the Lord Himself. The “rain” had showered all of these blessings upon her, but is about to be removed from her. It is now “over and gone,” as she enters the “night season” of her spiritual experience. It is here that she receives the “treasures of darkness.”
The resultant “flowers” speak of the “fruit of the Spirit” that develops as a result of her coming through this night season, and of being birthed into the realm of fellowship and identification with Him in His purposes.
The “voice of the turtle” speaks of her receiving a prophetic anointing that abides within her, and enables her to better express her love and worship to Him, as she comes into this new area of experience. The “fig tree,” refers to Israel, and the “vines,” to the Body of Christ. The present intense level of activity in each of these indicates that we are living in the latter days.
As these “qualities” developed within her, and she began to seek the Lord for Himself, He repeated to her the second time:
Summary SS 2:8-13
Related Scripture:
For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon you, and His Glory shall be seen upon you. And the Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” Isaiah 60:1-3
At this present time, the Lord is seeking out those who are willing to set aside past religious concepts and cultivate afresh their spiritual ear to hear a “present word” from Him. To these He is saying, “Rise up, My love, My fair one, and come away.”
This progressive “upward” call – out from the busyness of “human activity” and into an atmosphere of “divine activity,” is drawing those who respond into a time of preparation for the approaching time of “divine intervention.”
“The Winter is past, the Rain is over and gone.” The past “Charismatic” visitation within the Church resulted in a broad exposure to the supernatural through the outpouring of the “Baptism in the Holy Spirit” which has been received by multitudes. The operation of the “Gifts of the Holy Spirit” within the Body of Christ became common. This has helped to establish the foundation for a new and greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
It is time for the Great Awakening, the time of the Revelation of Jesus Christ and His fullness.
“The rain is over and gone.” This present “seeming” time of spiritual dryness is accomplishing its purpose by causing within us an intense desire for a further moving of the Holy Spirit, and a greater manifestation of the Lord’s presence.
“Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for He has given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain, in the first month. And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil.” Joel 2:23-24
“He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain, in the first month.” The “first month” relates to the time in which we live, the beginning of the Third Day and the closing out of the Church Age. It confirms that a double portion is about to be given, to bring us to the necessary level of spiritual maturity to accomplish His end-time purposes.
“The flowers appear on the earth.” One of the benefits of this “double portion” ministry (former and later rain together) is that choice sons (overcomers) are growing toward spiritual maturity (the flowers appearing). These choice sons are finding others who are going through the “dealings” of this present time of preparation. They are encouraging each other, as they share their testimony of how the Lord is accomplishing His purposes within them.
“The time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.” True worship is beginning to be restored within the Body of Christ. This “singing of the birds” (prophetic worship in harmony) is the key that unlocks the door to the heavenly realm (Zion). Here “in our land” (places where the activity of His Holy Spirit is welcomed), the voice of the turtle-dove (prophetic revelation) is revealing the unfolding pattern of this last day visitation. A vast new realm of spiritual understanding and experience is becoming available to all who are responding to this upward call.
“The fig tree puts forth her green figs.” Though yet a green fig, “Israel” is functioning as a nation and the entire world is becoming aware of her presence and importance.
“And the vine with tender grapes give a good smell.” Though the grapes are yet tender, these “prepared witnesses” are beginning to function in a higher realm of prophetic anointing. The entire world is about to become aware of their presence and importance, as Jesus begins to appear (Parousia) in a greater manifestation of His presence.
“…But the Lord shall arise upon you, and His Glory shall be seen upon you. And the Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” Isaiah 60:2-3
At this present time, there is a further call that is going forth from the Lord to those who hunger for more. He is saying, “Rise up and come away with Me.” Those who hear this call and respond are being prepared by the Lord to become vessels through whom His Glory will be revealed in this coming visitation.
There is a temptation to rest in the comfort and security of past glorious visitations, but the Lord is stirring us to respond to this call to a still higher realm. A determined choice must be made to come apart and pay the price of this calling, whatever it may be, or wherever it may lead.
To these, the Lord is revealing Himself as standing outside the door of their present religious comfort, knocking. He is saying:
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock, If any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20
As we rise up to open this heavenly door to “sup with Jesus,” by expressing our spiritual hunger and need to Him, He will “sup with us” by exhorting us:
“I counsel you to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and white raiment, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness do not appear; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.” Revelation 3:18
As we respond to this word of counsel from the Lord, we will receive strength to rise above our present tendency to be satisfied with natural provision and blessing alone. Then we will be enabled by the Holy Spirit to become this witness of His Glory in the coming day of His power.
“After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me (prophetic revelation); which said, Come up here, and I will show you things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like to an emerald.” Revelation 4:1-3
This is a vivid description of His Glory. His present call is to progressively come upward toward this realm of His Glory. Only those who presently are experiencing this time of preparation will be able to receive the revelation of His purpose, thus becoming as a “burning bush” (Exodus 3:2) that will reveal the risen Christ in all of His Glory to a sin darkened world.
During this present time of preparation for the coming “day of His power,” there is much that the Lord desires to make known. Because of manifold demands upon our time and our reluctance toward change, let us again meditate upon the purpose for His present calling, “…Rise up, My love, My fair one, and come away.”
SS 2:14 “O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, In the secret places of the cliff, Let me see your [a]face, Let me hear your voice; For your voice is sweet, And your face is lovely.”
In 2:14, Solomon asked to hear her voice: “let me hear your voice; for sweet is your voice, and your countenance is comely.” He made that invitation to her in the context of their separation (she was “in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the cliff”).
The Bridegroom does that to us in our immaturity before the mature Bride who has no boundaries.
Reference to the cleft of the Rock:
Moses desired to see God, to see His face.
Ex. 33: 18-22And he said, “Please, show me Your glory.”19 Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” 20 But He said, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.” 21 And the Lord said, “Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the Rock.22 So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the Rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. 23 Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen.”
Yet, before He spoke with God at the tent of meeting face to face: Ex. 33:9-11 And it came to pass, when Moses entered the tabernacle, that the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses. 10 All the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the tabernacle door, and all the people rose and worshiped, each man in his tent door. 11 So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. ………………………….
Her Brothers
SS 2:15 Catch us the foxes, The little foxes that spoil the vines, For our vines have tender grapes.
The “foxes” are false prophets (Eze. 13:3-4) spoiling the grapes before the final harvest. Grapes are the New Wine of the Spirit.
The Shulamite to her Beloved
SS 2:16 My beloved is mine, and I am his. He feeds his flock among the lilies.
Having once again turned her face toward her dearly beloved Bridegroom‑to‑be, she feels herself reassured, and very happy, yet still too possessive; for she says, as it were, to herself, ‘My Beloved is mine.’ But she is destined to grow both in grace and in the knowledge of her Lord (2 Peter 3:18), until she is able to say ‘I am my Beloved’s; and my Beloved is mine’ (Song of Solomon 6:3). Some say she will have to strive earnestly to become the Bride, but we are already the Bride of Christ. Yes, we do have to prepare ourselves, make ourselves ready!
Revelation 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”
She now beholds Him ‘feeding among the lilies.’ In her soliloquy she mentions this, noting that He is almost invariably found ‘feeding among the lilies.’ Regardless of what the flower here referred to may have been, it was undoubtedly intended to represent the ‘pure in heart’ who shall one day see God (Matthew 5:8) — those, who like the wild flowers of the field neither toil nor spin[with distressful anxiety] but who, in accepting whatever divine providence may permit to come unto them, are arrayed even now, in garments whose glory and beauty transcend that of Solomon’s (Matthew 6:28‑29).
My Beloved is mine, and I am His.….” Song of Solomon 2:16
We tend to seek the Lord for what He can do for us. The Lord knows this, but patiently works within us so He will be able to take us further.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
Therefore, He begins by revealing to us our present condition and spiritual need. After He has accomplished the needed deliverance and correction within us, we will begin to seek the Lord for Himself.
Summary:
“My Beloved is mine…” Song of Solomon 2:16
If we listen carefully, our testimony will reveal the level of our spiritual experience and expose to us the desire, or intent of our heart, in relation to the Lord. Still, the Lord continued to bless her. Later, when He felt she was ready to go beyond her initial self-seeking, He began, in a determined way, to attract her attention away from all these things, and direct it to Himself. It is important that we notice the method He uses in doing this.
While she was still very occupied within the “realm” of her self-satisfaction, enjoying all of the gifts that He had given her, He began to position Himself in ways that would provoke her to notice Him as a person, apart from anything that He could do for her.
“…He stands behind our wall, He looks forth at the windows, showing Himself through the lattice.” Song of Solomon 2:9
This “wall” speaks of the accumulative build-up of all those things, which hinder or separates, the Bride (us) from the Lord’s presence. The “materials” that make up this hindering wall include, among other things, a preoccupation with material things, a lack in spiritual perception, and an indifference, or unwillingness to respond to the presence of the Lord.
“The secret of the Lord is with them that fear (reverence) Him; and He will show them His covenant.” Psalm 25:14
“He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.” Psalm 103:7
This spiritual “dullness” will greatly hinder our ability to experience the deep inner satisfaction that results from an on-going “cooperative” relationship with the Bridegroom, in which He makes His “ways” known to us, and we experience His “approbation” resting on our lives. And, it will blind us to the possibilities of our progression into a fully committed, Holy Spirit-led, overcoming life, into which the Bridegroom (Jesus) desires to bring us.
(To Her Beloved)
SS 2:17 Until the day breaks, And the shadows flee away, Turn, my beloved, And be like a gazelle Or a young stag, Upon the mountains of [d]Bether.
Psalm 18:33 He makes my feet like the feet of deer,And sets me on my high places. A See also Hab. 3:19
Mountains symbolic of strength, majesty, stability, the kingdom of God Is. 2:1, Dan. 2:35, Jer. 51:25, Zech. 4:7, Ps. 72:3
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Summary: SCENE IV – She is Called
Son 2:8 – 2:17
The Shepherd calls her to come away with Him! But she tells him to go away to the Mountains of Bether (division/separation). (2:17) He responds in v. 4:6. My beloved is mine (first) and (then) I am His. (2:16 – Compare with 6:3)
(2:8) The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.
(2:9) My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he stands behind our wall, he looks forth at the windows, showing himself through the lattice.
(2:10) My beloved spoke, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.
(2:11) For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;
(2:12) The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;
(2:13) The fig tree puts forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.
Winter is past. Early and latter rains have come and gone, so this takes place in the Spring. The figs are budding, the vineyards are just starting to get little grapes on them. The “foxes” are false prophets (Eze. 13:3-4) spoiling the grapes before the final harvest. (Rev. 14:15) Don’t hide! Let’s get down there! The early and latter rains have come and gone. The harvest season is upon us. Let’s go work the harvest together!
(2:14) Oh my dove, that ar in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see your countenance, let me hear your voice; for sweet is your voice, and your countenance is comely.
Reference: Jeremiah 23:24-27
24 Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?” says the LORD; “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the LORD. 25 “I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in My name, saying, ‘I have dreamed, I have dreamed!’ 26 How long will this be in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies? Indeed they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart, 27 who try to make My people forget My name by their dreams which everyone tells his neighbor, as their fathers forgot My name for Baal.
(2:15) Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.
Reference: Ezekiel 13:3-4
3Thus says the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! 4O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.
Don’t hide! The false prophets are spoiling the “tender grapes” (those new to the faith). Let’s get down there and take them away!
My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feeds among the lilies.
He is MINE first, then I am HIS. I’m interested but on my terms.
(2:17) Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether.
She tells him to turn, my beloved and go to the mountains of division or separation. He responds to this request in Son 4:6 –
6Until the daybreak, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.
The mountain of myrrh is Mt. Moriah, the mountain of sacrifice, where Abraham offered up Isaac, where Christ was crucified. The hill of frankincense is Mt. Olive where Jesus spent much of His time preaching the gospel, preparing the people. So instead of separation, He went to preach the gospel and to give Himself for her and for us all.
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Discussion question Chapter 2
2.What does meek, poor in spirit, and lowly and contrite in heart mean to you?
3.Is it important to you to hear our Beloved, The Lord articulate how you are special to him/her? How so?
4.What can we give to our Lord that we have given to no one else?
5.Why does Shulamite dream that she is physically separated from Solomon?
- Are there clues in the passage that the boundaries in place during the courtship phase are by mutual agreement of Solomon and Shulamite?
- The passage pictures a changing of seasons from Fall to Spring, from courtship to marriage?
- Why might Shulamite long to take Solomon to the very room where she was conceived?