Song of Songs 2
Devotional by Pastor Lawrence
At the end of the previous chapter, the young man had declared his love for his betrothed and praised her twice, telling her how beautiful she was in his eyes. She, then, returned the compliment by telling him how beautiful and delightful he was to her and how she looked forward to making her home with him. But in the opening verses of chapter two she expresses some doubt about her body image and the way she may be perceived by her lover. She is not boasting when she compares herself to a rose of Sharon or a lily of the valley but is rather self-deprecating, for these were common desert flowers comparable, perhaps, to our dandelions. But her suitor lovingly and playfully responds saying that if she is a lily, then she is a lily among brambles or thorns, for her loveliness far surpasses that of other young women.
Once again, she professes her desire for her beloved comparing him to an apple tree among all the other trees in the forest. Because she has been darkened by the sun through her long hours of labor, she longs to sit under his shade and benefit from his protection. Likewise, the fruit from his tree would bring great comfort and delight in terms of his provision for her and for their household. But in addition to this sense of provision and protection, she also revels in his love for her. His banner, which represents his true colors, if you will, is full of love, and she is continually the recipient of that sacrificial love. His desire is to celebrate that love with her and to delight in that love for her at this very moment when he is holding her in his arms, and his passion is so delightful to her, but it has also made her love-sick and nervous.
In light of this dilemma, in v.7 she gives the first of three warnings to her girlfriends, perhaps her bridesmaids, saying, “I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.” These are words of wisdom shared by a godly young woman who desires to maintain her purity even in the throes of passion. She and her beloved do not fully belong to one another just yet, even though they have a legally binding contract in their betrothal. So she takes the necessary steps to cool the engines.
In vv.8ff the young woman pictures her lover as a young stag leaping over the mountains in pursuit of her. In other words, he is eager to be with her in love. It is likely that they are not able to see each other very often and that she is hidden away from him in her parent’s home. In another image she sees him staring at her through the windows outside her house desiring to come into her. And he speaks eagerly and tenderly to her in v.10, saying, “Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away (with me).” He is very excited to consummate their relationship, to speed up the betrothal and to celebrate their love. He reminds her that springtime is for lovers and that they are in the prime of their youth, the perfect time to be in love. He is so desperate to see her and to be with her, even just to hear her voice, for every bit of her thrills his soul.
But, again, the voice of wisdom is heard in v.15, for there she speaks of the little foxes that spoil fruitful vineyards. Even though there is the potential for pure love and deep abiding fruit in their relationship, there is also the possibility that their relationship can be perverted and ruined by uncontrolled lust and stolen kisses. Their seems to be a plea here to some outside group, probably parents and other older and wiser mentors to protect this young couple from falling into iniquity through lack of self-restraint.
Finally, in vv.16-17, although she admits that through her betrothal she belongs to him and he to her, it is not yet time to arouse or awaken love until the day breathes and the shadows flee. So she urges her beloved to turn away from her and like a young stag climb back over the mountain from which he came.
There is much wisdom given here for young couples who are engaged to be married, and they would do well to pay attention to this word from God. Additionally, there is something that we can learn about our relationship with the Lord through this passage. Because every earthly marriage points us to the love relationship between Christ and his church, we can see something of the Lord’s delight in her and his great desire to be with her on his wedding day, how he sees her, versus how she sees herself, and of the great provision, protection and overall passion for his bride, as he continually waves his banner over her in love. But does his love for us thrill us as much as this young man’s love for his beloved did for her? That is a concern that is brought up again and again throughout scripture. Either his people delight themselves in the Lord in passion and purity, or they become the harlot of the world. May God’s Word in this Song of Songs help us to evaluate these things and to renew our excitement and love for the Lord Jesus Christ.