This week we are looking at the rest of Song of Solomon chapter 2. The complete reference for today is Song of Solomon 2:8-17. It is so full of meaning, with twists and turns. We could spend the rest of summer in this one portion of scripture, but I want to get through the whole book (we'll see how that goes).
Listen! I hear my lover’s voice. I know it’s him coming to me-leaping with joy over mountains, skipping in love over the hills that separate us,
to come to me.
(Song of Solomon 2:8 tPt)
Being separated from the one you love can be miserable. When the time comes to reunite it is an exuberant time of celebration and relief. We can relate when we remember times of reunifying with loved ones. Or when we finally recognize we are truly in love with our special someone. The season changes, and life is transformed. Spring is in the air, the flowers are blooming and we’re in love, we’re in love, we’re in love! And we don’t care who knows it!
The picture here of being exuberantly whisked away in the season is beautiful. Winter is over, the time of waiting is over, and the dark cold lonely nights are over. Now the sun is shining causing everything to burst forth with color and song. The trees and vines are budding promising a future harvest of ripened fruit. Everything is beautiful. We even recognize more beauty in ourselves as our lover confirms what he sees when he looks at us.
A new thought blossomed in my mind, one I had never related to this portion of scripture before. And that is our story of salvation. We were separated from our first love, God. Then Jesus came to earth and through his wooing we suddenly recognize His voice. He calls to us... Come Away with Me...
Listen... Do you hear it?
His voice... He calls each of us... Come Away.
The waiting is over, the living in darkness is over. Our new life through the shed blood of Christ is offered to us and when we believe in His love, in His redemptive power, we let it overtake us. We'll follow Him anywhere He goes. We are swept away in the greatest love affair ever. Suddenly everything is colorized, like Dorothy entering Oz, everything, including us, is transformed and brand new.
The one I love calls to me: Arise, my dearest. Hurry, my darling.
Come away with me! I have come as you have asked to draw you to my heart and lead you out. For now is the time, my beautiful one.
The season has changed, the bondage of your barren winter has ended, and the season of hiding is over and gone.
Song of Solomon 2:10-11 (tPt)
We cried for salvation. And He answered and said... Now is the time.
For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you,
and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time;
behold, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:2 (ESV) emphasis mine
The fragrance of their flowers whispers,
“There is change in the air.” Arise, my love, my beautiful companion,
and run with me to the higher place.
For now is the time to arise and come away with me. (v.13 tPt)
The trajectory of the human race changed the day Jesus came to earth, gave His life on the cross, and rose again. Once we receive so great a salvation we begin the journey of working out our salvation, in other words, following Him.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:27 ESV
In the next few verses of Song of Solomon it talks of being hidden in the cleft of the rock, of keeping the little foxes at bay so they won't ruin the fruit. I love how this draws a picture of being hidden in Christ. But here on earth, there are things that may try to hinder our relationship... those little foxes! But we haven't been left alone. Although Jesus ascended (ahead to the mountain of spices ~ verse 17) into heaven and His physical body isn't with us, He has sent a helper. The comforter, we have the Holy Spirit working with us as we again wait for the lover of our soul to return.
You must catch the troubling foxes, those sly little foxes that hinder our relationship. For they raid our budding vineyard of love to ruin what I’ve planted within you. Will you catch them and remove them for me?
We will do it together.
Song of Solomon 2:15 tPt
I love how the passion translation says, "We will do it together." He doesn't leave us orphans. And the ultimate beauty of it all is that someday we will see Him as He is and our deepest longings will be met. No longer will it be through a mirror dimly but face to face.
Hasn't he promised us in John 14:2,3 (ESV): In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
He is coming again. For us. And I believe then our deepest longings will be fulfilled. For I am my beloved's and He is mine. And on that day our new life will fully dawn.
Prayer:
Father, Thank You for spring and the promise nature reminds us of: new life in You. Thank You for hearing my deepest longings and responding. Thank You for Your salvation both here on earth and one day when all things will be fully made new. In the meantime, I trust You to lead me and guide me by Your Holy Spirit on this life journey You have given me. I thank You You are with me now and always. Come, Lord Jesus.
This summer's challenge: sit quietly (or go on a walk) in His presence for five minutes each day. No agenda, no need to say anything, just sit (or walk) with Him in silence and see what He might stir in your heart. I am challenging myself to do the same. We just might find hidden treasure in the process.
(All Bible verses are from the ESV translation unless otherwise noted)
