“I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone.” Song of Solomon 5:6
Dear Ones:
The book of the Song of Solomon is a most extraordinary picture of communion, first of all as it pertains to Solomon and his bride, but also to Christ, and His church. There is no question with regard to the mutual love and respect the bride has for her beloved, and the beloved toward his bride. But there is revealed to us in the narrative that which is so very essential concerning, not only a position of “belonging” to one another, but knowing and experiencing the very essence of love in its multiple dimensions and meaning. How is this revealed to us?
From a spiritual standpoint, there are so many truths revealed elsewhere in Scripture, that are brought before us here. The first is that concerning the “beloved.” It is interesting that this term seems to be the highest description of this One to whom the bride belongs. Did not John the Apostle declare to us that “God IS love,” and that our highest objective and privilege is to “…love the Lord your God?” Secondly, when we look at the bride, we discover immediately that she IS the object of His love and affection, showering upon her wonderful declarations and descriptions of her worth, beauty, and perfection. Is this not a description of the believer? He or she is flawed by the inconsistency of faith, and yet, “in Christ,” she is seen as perfect, and the object of Christ’s love. But there is a difference in positionally belonging to Christ, and KNOWING Christ, knowing “Him, and the power of His resurrection.” What is the key, or keys, so that this beloved bride can, and will know her Beloved, experiencing profound communion with Him? One of the most important keys is that of “readiness.” What does this mean? One may belong to Christ, but are we available TO Christ at all times? Are we entangled, burdened down, wrongly oriented, distracted in our love to, and for Him?
In the Song of Solomon, there is a progression in revealing to us the experience of the bride for her Beloved. Well into her experience of communion with the Beloved, and His blessings showered upon her, we find that she has inadvertently sealed herself off from him. He is of a “free spirit,” out in the mountains, “leaping upon the mountains,” in the gardens, about the Father’s business of tending the sheep, and saving the lost. She has settled down in the blessedness of belonging to Him, and experiencing the security and blessings of such a relationship. She has slipped into that attitude of mind where she has become dominated by the external, and not the heart. We find her, preoccupied with herself, behind the door of her dwelling. The Beloved speaks, and she is moved in her heart for Him. But, she is hesitant, and slowly moves towards the door, “her hands dripping with myrrh, and her fingers with sweet smelling myrrh.” (5:5) She has wrongly believed that Christ would come and dwell where SHE wants Him to, rather than her going out to HIM, to be with Him “on the mountains, in the valleys, and in the villages.” So, when she arrives at the door, and opens it to receive Him, He is gone. Her opportunity is lost…but only for a time. There will come a moment when she will rise up, and come forth, to follow Him. Her life, and the center and occupation of it, will be the Beloved, not His blessings and provision. The result of such true blessing will be the evidence of His life upon and in her. “Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and awesome as an army with banners?” (6:10) Christ reveals His blessed presence in and upon her.
Dear Father, give us this day to rejoice in Thee, and in the Lord Jesus. Create in us that readiness of mind and heart whereby we run to the door when the voice of Thy knocking comes. Make us ready to fling wide the door, and go forth to follow the Lord Jesus, the Lamb, wherever He may lead. Grant to us that blessed fellowship with our Beloved, that we might know Him, and this love of God, in the fullness of its power and goodness, for Thy glory and honor. We praise and thank Thee, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad