2025-01-10A
NOTE
The author’s view is that this Book is a depiction of Jesus, the Heavenly Bridegroom, in an engagement relationship with his earthly bride, the born-again human.
THE BRIDE: 1:2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; for your love is more precious than wine.
To kiss mouth to mouth, the firmness of the man’s lips on the softness of the girl’s, is delightful; it is being very intimate; giving yourselves to each other; to delight in one another; to forget the world around you. The one belongs to the other. To give yourself spiritually to the Heavenly Bridegroom in this way, is to soar in the sphere of the Spirit; to soar like an eagle; high above the hustle, bustle and dust of the earth.
Wine intoxicates the mind, makes you forget your problems, makes you feel cheerful so that you give yourself over to the people around. You lose your self-control and vigilance. You may do foolish things. The Scripture warns against surrendering to wine because it leads to debauchery. The Lord offers something much better, namely to be filled with the Holy Spirit (2Cor 5:17). It affords spiritual delight without later regret. The flow of the Bridegroom’s love for the bride is “more precious than wine”.
THE BRIDE: 1:3 For Your ointments have a lovely fragrance; Your name is as oil poured out; therefore the virgins love You.
Our sense of smell can evoke pleasant sensations in us, such as when we drive past a bakery and smell the aroma of freshly baked bread or the aroma of roasting meat wafting from our neighbor’s barbeque. The scent of wildflowers and plants in Namaqualand; the roses in our front garden; the scent of expensive perfume when a lady with good taste steps into an elevator. The sanctuary of the tabernacle was characterized by the scent of a specially prepared incense offering that constantly ascended to God from an altar. The love sacrifice that Jesus brought on the cross, was a sweet-smelling aroma to the Father (Eph 5:2) because it expelled the smell of sin and death, the smell of hatred, dishonesty and lust. A scent is invisible, intangible but also unstoppable; it spreads wherever the source moves. Such is the Name of Christ. When his bride hears that Name, it calls to mind everything that is just, pure, honorable, lovely, and praiseworthy. That is why every bride of Christ loves him so much.
THE BRIDE: 1:4 Draw me, we will run after You. The King has brought me into his chambers; we will be glad and rejoice in You, we will remember Your love more than wine; the upright love You.
The inner chambers of a king are not accessable to all; the king must invite you in; command his courtiers to escort you in; extend his scepter to you. Likewise no man can enter the glory of God uninvited; it is holy ground, inaccessible light. Moses had to take off his shoes and stand at a distance from the bush in which the Lord revealed himself in flaming glory.
We must lift our arms, stretch out our palms, cry out to him in longing until he points his scepter and his Spirit guides us into his presence. Often this happens where a number of his Brides are gathered, expressing their love to him in praise and worship. (The words “we” and “they” indicate that the bride here consists of several people who are together.)
THE BRIDE: 1:5 I am swarthy, but comely, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon. 1:6 Do not look on me, that I am swarthy, that the sun has looked on me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but my vineyard I have not kept.
(a. Swarthy/black/brown – translations differ. b. Let us point out from the outset that this is not about the natural color of the bride’s skin. Several Eastern peoples, including some Israelites, are naturally brown in colour. Some Western girls who are naturally white skinned, sun bathe for hours to achieve a healthy tan. This text is about not taking care and allowing the sun to burn her skin badly.)
In the culture of my people, a woman was expected to keep her skin white and soft. Even when they trekked by ox wagon over mountains and plains into the interior, they dressed themselves in dresses reaching down to their feet and sleeves covering their arms. The neck too, was protected from the sun by a high collar and the face with a wide-brimmed hood. In this way, a woman kept her skin beautifully white and soft for when she and her husband were alone in their tent. A woman who neglected herself by even exposing her face and arms so that her skin became course and blotched, would certainly be looked at askance by other women and addressed sternly by her husband. She would be seen as not brought up properly and despising the culture and way of life of her people and family. Our bride acted in precisely this way and brought upon herself the wrath and indignation of her fellow brides, the daughters of the city of God, Jerusalem.
She defends herself by pointing out that the tents of Kedar (tents of the descendants of Esau) were also brown; how could it be otherwise, since they endured the blazing sun all day in the service of their owners.
Yes, she admits, brown is the color of the soil, the color of the earth; not blue like the sky above, or purple like what kings wear, but the great Solomon also had brown curtains in his palace, regardless of what others thought of it.
What is more, she lives within an extended family. Her stepbrothers have authority over her, hate her and force her to do as they please; she cannot live out her own desires and views; she had to work all day in the blazing sun in their vineyards, that’s why she looks the way she does and why her garden is full of weeds, her vineyard unpruned and the yield so poor. Yet she is beautiful in the eyes of her Royal Lover. Didn’t He say so himself? “So what!” And so she defends herself; very cleverly.
What do we make of this? Yes, we, as children of God, belong to two families; firstly, to the worldly Adam’s family from which we were originally born and secondly, to the spiritual family of God into which we have been reborn. We are constantly caught between two fires. The sons of my earthly mother, Eve, have the devil as their father. He and his sons hate me and put tremendous pressure on me to serve and advance their kingdom.
Even believing boys and girls experience this at school and sometimes come home with tearful faces because of the mockery and even physical bullying they experienced at school because they serve the Lord Jesus and refuse to participate in the naughty doings of their friends. In a marriage between a born again believer and an unbeliever, there is constant friction and differences regarding important decisions that need to be made. And now we are not even talking about the fierce battles that take place daily in Parliament, professional life and just on the street. The Bride of Christ is sometimes, at the end of a working day, secretly ashamed of how she had succummed to pressure during the past hours.
Fellow brides, daughters of Jerusalem, let us be careful in this hostile world not to look too sharply at one another because of the outward scars of sin. Rather, let us behold one another in love, not as he or she is, but as we are trying to be. Do as Jesus did: visualize his bride, your fellow bride, as she will one day be when the Holy Spirit’s work in her is complete – a partially finished dress doesn’t look too good, and she is still working on hers.
But, bride of Christ, how do you behold yourself? You can defend yourself before others, but in your heart you know where you are going wrong. You cover the scars of your sin(s) when others point them out, but when you are alone at night and have taken off the garment of self-defense, you regret what you did, said and thought. You know for sure that you should have walked more carefully. Then think about this: Your Bridegroom, just like you, lived this earthly life but kept himself spotless (Heb 7:26). You can also keep yourself undefiled by the same power of the Holy Spirit with which He empowered Himself, so that your earthly engagement to him can be an uninterrupted delight.
THE BRIDE: 1:7 Tell me, my love, where you pasture, where you make your flocks lie down at noon? For why should I be like one who covers herself with a veil among the flocks of your companions?
In her loneliness she speaks her longing out loud; perhaps the wind will carry her words to Him. “My Shepherd, where are You with Your flock that follow in Your footsteps, that are always close to You; those that feed continually in green pastures and whom You make to rest underneath shady trees during the midday heat?” She listens but receives no answer.
Oh, she misses Him so much. She just cannot continue like this. May her fellow brides do not notice that she has strayed. She veils herself behind a front of cheerfulness, waves her hand; but those who have walked the Way longer and further, by the enlightenment of the Spirit, penetrate into her darkness. During her unguarded moments, they see the frown on her face; it betrays that she is deep in thought, searching for a solution. They pray for her.
THE GROOM : 8 If you do not know, most beautiful among women, then go out in the tracks of the sheep and let your goats graze by the shepherds’ huts.
She blushes with delight: “Most beautiful among women.” Yes, to the young man head over heels in love, his bride is always the most beautiful of all. In her he discovers something he has never found in anyone else. God himself ordained everyone to be different in appearance and personality from everyone else. Everyone’s taste also is unique; therefore, when we wait on God, the spouse He leads to us will be just that much more desirable than anyone else.
Likewise, each of us is most beautiful to our Heavenly Bridegroom. For Him, there is something in each of us that is unique; in which we are more beautiful than anyone else.
But her problem is not yet solved. She cherishes his words of praise, but longs for his presence. He also said that if she herself does not know where to find Him, she should go among the shepherds’ huts and look for the sheep tracks; they will lead her to him. She searches further afield, at the huts of his companions, the shepherds, and decides to enter one of them.
In the first hut the shepherd speaks about the terrible apostasy in these last days and the judgment of God on the wicked. That’s true… She wraps her cloak tighter around her and sneaks out, enjoying the sunshine outside. Then she sees a second hut. She slips in and sits in the back row. The shepherd speaks seriously about the loss of sheep he is experiencing; they flock to another shepherd who only cuts and feeds them the nice green parts of the Word. He seriously warns the handful of faithful elders who remain not to be tempted. She listens carefully to see if he might drop something about where her Beloved might be, but gets no answer. It is already dark when she discovers a third shepherd’s hut. The lights are on and they are singing about Him inside. She finds a seat. On the front wall hangs a picture of her Beloved as on the day He was crucified for her sins. She is excited; now she is going to hear about Him! The shepherd is dressed beautifully and tells about her Beloved’s mother and how one can still pray to her today and that she should be honoured. She continues to listen but that is where his words end.
Dejected, she heads home. On the way, she meets a friend who takes her hands in her own, looks deep into her eyes and whispers: “Woman, search among the shepherds’ huts for the blood trails of those who follow in His footsteps; they are the trails of humility, meekness and service. They will lead you to the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for you. He is also the Chief Shepherd over his companions.”
She hurries to her inner room, flips through her Bridegroom’s love letters and finds the footprint of a prophet of old. With her finger she follows the words:
Isa 57:15 For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, Holy is His name: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite.
Suddenly she understands and pours out her heart: “Oh Lord, in my excitement about You, I considered myself above those who do not yet know You well. I wandered away; I lost track of You. Suddenly I was alone. Then my heart was broken because I could not find You. Is this the end for me?
Then, suddenly, He was with her, His words flowing as before; no reproach, just as if nothing had happened in the meantime.
THE GROOM: 1:9 I compare you, my love, to the horses in front of Pharaoh’s chariots! 10 Your cheeks are lovely with chains, your neck with chains. 11 We will make you chains of gold with studs of silver.
Solomon imported his horses from Egypt because there was none better on earth. He harnessed the best of the best to his chariot. With bowed necks and legs raised high, they paraded before his chariot; the skin of their heads and necks soft and shiny like satin, framed in chains that hung from the halter. When he looked out on them from his chariot, his heart would glow with pride. The crowds along the roads would delight in the show, cheer and clap their hands. So is the Bridegroom’s Bride to Him. He looks down from heaven and is proud of her. By his Spirit He will forge for her even more beautiful ornaments of genuine, imperishable gold and silver.
1Pe 3:3: Let your adornment not be that outward braiding of the hair, and wearing of gold, or putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 5 For in this way also the holy women of old, who hoped in God, adorned themselves, …
[The Song of Songs is laid out like an art gallery in which numerous paintings with diverse contents are displayed on the walls or on stands. They are not necessarily related to each other and do not necessarily have to be viewed in a particular order; each carries its own message, has its own charm. What is depicted within each frame naturally belongs together as the painter intended.
We also need to know which of the texts we are studying should be read within the same framework; which belong together. Sometimes a considerable amount of time could have passed between two incidents.]
THE BRIDE: 12 As long as the king was at his table, my spikenard gave forth its fragrance. 13 My beloved is to me a bundle of myrrh, resting between my breasts.
The bride testifies to her beloved. She sees herself as a waitress serving her Bridegroom. In some cultures, it is customary for a man’s wives not to join him at the table; they first serve him the best dishes. Their honour rests in the meal they serve him – they boast about it. They also hold out a bowl of scented, soapy water to him to rinse his hands and a towel over the forearm to dry himself. Only when he has eaten to his heart’s content, expressed his satisfaction and left the table, do they sit down and enjoy what is left. If their master were a wealthy man, they would still have plenty to enjoy as a group in a more relaxed, cheerful atmosphere.
This little waitress does more, however: she anoints herself with nard so that her Bridegroom can not only enjoy the food she has prepared, but also breathe in the delicious scent of her perfume every time she approaches to serve him. Her heart is in what she does for Him. She goes the extra mile for Him. She is like a servant who, after working hard all day in his vineyard, sets a table for him and serves him herself (Luke 17:7-10). The fragrance of her service lies in the attitude of her heart; it is the fragrance of love.
How does she manage to serve every meal like this? Because the scent of his love is like a bundle of fragrant myrrh that she breathes in all day long. She chooses to pin it close to her heart every morning so that she will be constantly aware of it.
THE BRIDE: 14 My beloved is to me a cluster of henna flowers in the vineyards of En-gedi .
East of the city of God, Jerusalem, we find the Dead Sea, the waters of which are unusable for man and beast due to their high salt content. It also is the lowest place on earth: approximately 413 meters below sea level. West, and adjacent to it, is an area known as Engedi (Ein Gedi), an inhospitable rocky mountain desert. It is here where David, the Lord’s chosen king, fled to escape from King Saul who was constantly hunting him. Often there was only one step between him and death; so he himself testified. Here he and his men lived in caves, waiting for the day that the Lord would exalt him to the throne. But in this arid region the Lord also provided at least one oasis where clear, clean water bubbled up above the surface from underground rivers, providing life for man and beast. David and his men probably also often found refreshment at Engedi.
In verse 14 we read that vineyards were also planted there. While David and his thirsty men sipped cool waters from jugs with squinted eyes, they could also, with their backs leaning against a shady palm tree, feast on viewing clusters of delightful Engedi grapes. As if that were not enough, the Lord also caused Henna plants to sprout there, refreshing the weary desert dweller with their sweet fragrance. To the more insensitive warriors like Joab, flowers would probably mean nothing. Others, however, like David, the Psalmist, harpist and worship dancer, would notice it, smell it, get up and walk towards the flower. He would fold his hands around the clusters, bend over to breathe in the fragrance more deeply and then raise his eyes to heaven to spend holy moments there with his Heavenly Bridegroom.
The name “Éngedi” would remain in his mind as the Henna flower oasis, the garden of God, an earthly Paradise. He would share this experience with his son Solomon in later years, who would weave it into this, his song of love.
Thus says the sunburnt bride, like a cluster of Henna flowers in a barren land, is her Bridegroom. When at the lowest of lows in her life she is fleeing in a spiritual desert to escape evil, He provides an oasis of living water and clusters of juicy, nourishing grapes to refresh her. And how does she know it is from Him? By the delicious fragrance of His personal presence. Therefore she testifies: My beloved is to me a cluster of henna flowers in the vineyards of Engedi. Oh, the glory of His Person. Most of God’s children can testify of wonderful outcomes He has worked out for them; whether financially, physically, deliverance from dangers or whatever, but the Bride discovers her Bridegroom personally anew at the oasis of Engedi. To her the Giver is more precious than his gifts.
THE GROOM: 15 How beautiful you are, my love! How beautiful you are, your eyes are like doves!
Now the Bridegroom is speaking. He is not testifying to others about his bride, but is talking to her. He can see that she is not feeling good about herself today and decides to cheer her up. He addresses her as, “My girl friend.” (Vriendin. Afr 53 translation).
Men, how is it in your relationship: is your spouse still your “Babe, Honey, Sweety, Date, Girl, Girlfriend, or simply just your wife, your cook, your laundry woman, your babysitter? Is she your friend at the dinner table with whom you joke so she can forget the pressures of the day for a while? Do you compliment her on her perfume? Have you noticed that she has had her hair done and styled it a little differently? Do you keep one eye on the TV while dining with her or do you fetch her, her favorite chutney from the kitchen? When she gets home from work after you, do you await her, take her handbag? Is there a sparkle in your eye; do you greet her with a “Hi my girl”, and do you kiss her ?
Let us take another look at the text. The Heavenly Bridegroom speaks to his bride about her eyes. He says they are so beautiful to Him. Is it because He likes brown, blue, green or grayish eyes and the colour of her eyes matches his preference? Jacob did not like Leah, amongst other reasons, because her eyes were dull, but was madly in love with Rachel because, apart from her beautiful features, she probably also had sparkling, mischievous, laughing, provocative eyes (Gen 29:17,18).
We sometimes say that the eyes are the windows to the soul, because they reflect something of the person’s inner being. The groom in our story said that the bride’s eyes were beautiful to him because they were like doves. What are doves like?
We can describe them as peaceful, calm, certainly not combative. We also know that the dove can fly fast and far and in a supernatural way keep its course to reach its destination safely. That is why in earlier years they were used to carry messages from one place to another. Noah sent a dove from the ark to explore the surrounding waters. It returned with a green olive leaf in its beak; good news that the waters that covered the globe were draining away and green plants were making their appearance again (Gen 8:11). The dove was therefore a messenger, a bearer of a joyful message of hope.
God the Father also used a dove as a symbol of the Holy Spirit Who descended in bodily form upon His beloved Son, Jesus (Luke 3:22). The message He conveyed to the crowd was that He had anointed His Son at that moment to minister in the peaceful spirit of the dove. By the soft anointing of the Heavenly Dove, He would move among men, not to stir up war, but to bring peace on earth; peace with God and peace between man and man.
Isa 42:2 He will not cry out or shout or make his voice heard in the street.
The Bridegroom therefore says that his Bride’s eyes are messengers of what is happening inside her heart and the message they convey is that the Heavenly Dove lives within her. Therefore, her eyes radiate all the beautiful qualities that He is creating within her: calmness, peace, joy, gladness, kindness, charm; in short, everything that is contained within the love of God.
(Now compare this with what the eyes of the worldly person radiate: hatred, envy, lust, mockery, contempt, anger, cold lovelessness. Some scorch others by the look in their eyes.)
THE GROOM (continued): 16 How beautiful you are, my beloved, yes, lovely; also our bed is in the green. 17 The beams of our houses are cedars, our paneling is fir.
We said earlier that this couple is not yet in a married relationship with each other. Therefore, this is not the description of a bedroom episode, but of a secluded rest room. We cannot be constantly in conversation with our Heavenly Bridegroom or in embrace while He kisses us spiritually with the kisses of His mouth. Man is fragile and his body and his spirit are also limited in the amount of active praise and worship that he is capable of. There come times when the bride just wants to be quietly in the presence of the Bridegroom.
Then it is as David describes it in Ps 23 regarding the Lord’s sheep: “He makes them lie down in green pastures”. The Bridegroom in our story puts it this way: “Our bed is in the green (pastures)”. The sheep that lie down in green grass have had all the feed and water they need. They are now digesting this, putting on weight and growing wool as they lie down, chewing the cud. We do not only grow spiritually on Sunday mornings in church, but also on Sunday nights when we sleep. The spiritual food must be given time to be digested and converted into spiritual energy and strength.
However, we do not rest like sheep in the open field, but in a luxurious guest room where the roof beams and the wall panels are made of the very best wood. Even during the dark night while I rest, He watches over me; my Father’s hands of protection are covering me; my Bridegroom is beside me and the Spirit of God is within me.
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