Then Dancing

Song 02

So, I wanted to take a moment and examine v1 of ch 2 a little closer

Song of Solomon 2:1 (NKJV)

2 I am the rose of Sharon,

And the lily of the valleys.

A coastal plain, 01Map skirting the Mediterranean on the W and the central highlands on the E, which extends from the Yarkon River in the S to the Tanninim (Crocodiles) River in the N—about 32 miles in length with an average width of 11 miles. In the OT, the Sharon is a metaphor both for splendor and desolation (Cant 2:1; Isa 33:9; 35:2) as well as a place for pasture (1 Chr 27:29; Isa 65:10). In the NT, it is the location for the early ministry of the apostle Peter whom healed a paralytic of 8 years there.(Acts 9:35 ). —Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary

Its that beauty in the midst of nothing. Like bluebonnets on a Texas highway. My wife finds incredible beauty in those weeds on the side of the road. Lily of the valleys is the same thing. A metaphor of beauty in the simple.

Some compare it to Jesus, etc. But in the text this is the Shulamite speaking. So…

Song of Solomon 2:2–3 (NKJV)

THE BELOVED

2 Like a lily among thorns,

So is my love among the daughters.

Christ tells us and calls us His beloved - and says we are filled with His grace. Redeemed even in the midst of of the dead.

THE SHULAMITE

3 Like an apple tree among the trees of the woods,

So is my beloved among the sons.

I sat down in his shade with great delight,

And his fruit was sweet to my taste.

Wherever you are, its worth it. A treasure in the midst of unfruitful trees. I will go to the plains, I will go to the valleys, its where you are.

Song of Solomon 2:4–7 (NKJV)

The Shulamite to the Daughters of Jerusalem

4 He brought me to the banqueting house,

And his banner over me was love.

5 Sustain me with cakes of raisins,

Refresh me with apples,

For I am lovesick.

6 His left hand is under my head,

And his right hand embraces me.

7 I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem,

By the gazelles or by the does of the field,

Do not stir up nor awaken love

Until it pleases.

As we started, it begins with dinner - just like our relationship with Jesus when He said, eat my flesh, drink my blood. A metaphor for becoming one.

she says wait. control, keep yourself to yourself. Joe Focht says waiting is a creep filter :) men/women.

Song of Solomon 2:8–14 (NKJV)

The Beloved’s Request

The Shulamite

8 The voice of my beloved!

Behold, he comes

Leaping upon the mountains,

Skipping upon the hills.

9 My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag.

Behold, he stands behind our wall;

He is looking through the windows,

Gazing through the lattice. creeper ;-)

10 My beloved spoke, and said to me:

“Rise up, my love, my fair one,

And come away.

11 For lo, the winter is past,

The rain is over and gone.

12 The flowers appear on the earth;

The time of singing has come,

And the voice of the turtledove

Is heard in our land.

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! (she dreams of this)

14 “O my dove, in the clefts of the rock,

In the secret places of the cliff,

Let me see your face,

Let me hear your voice;

For your voice is sweet,

And your face is lovely.”

Singing and dancing about to begin, the celebration of love.

Real stretch: Like those who when saved sing and shout for joy. Tongues seems to be just that. Prayer, singing, etc

The Lord bless thee! …

Song of Solomon 2:15–17 (NKJV)

Her Brothers

15 Catch us the foxes,

The little foxes that spoil the vines,

For our vines have tender grapes. be careful, little things can spoil great things rot and corruption. Hebrews 12:1 “…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”

The Shulamite

16 My beloved is mine, and I am his.

He feeds his flock among the lilies.

(To Her Beloved)

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 Bether.

if you have ever watched video of death defying goats bouncing around mountain cliffs, its terrifying and a wonder.

Song of Solomon 3:1–5 (NKJV)

A Troubled Night

The Shulamite

3 By night on my bed I sought the one I love;

I sought him, but I did not find him.

2 “I will rise now,” I said,

“And go about the city;

In the streets and in the squares

I will seek the one I love.”

I sought him, but I did not find him.

3 The watchmen who go about the city found me;

I said,

“Have you seen the one I love?” (seems to be describing a dream v3ff)

4 Scarcely had I passed by them,

When I found the one I love.

I held him and would not let him go,

Until I had brought him to the house of my mother,

And into the chamber of her who conceived me.

5 I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem,

By the gazelles or by the does of the field,

Do not stir up nor awaken love

Until it pleases. (maintain control, don’t let thoughts become wild)

Remember your first true love? Where they were all you wanted to see or hear from were them. Everyone wondered where you went? LOL

When we truly begin to explore the depths of His love for us, we become enraptured with getting closer, knowing Him more and more.

Here in v6 it goes from courting to the actual wedding, the contract is made and the procession approaches for Solomon to take his bride.

Song of Solomon 3:6–11 (NKJV)

Enter Stage Right - The Wedding Begins

The Shulamite

6 Who is this coming out of the wilderness

Like pillars of smoke,

Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense,

With all the merchant’s fragrant powders? (how expensive to burn enough to create a column of smoke that can be seen from far away)

7 Behold, it is Solomon’s couch,

With sixty valiant men around it,

Of the valiant of Israel.

8 They all hold swords,

Being expert in war.

Every man has his sword on his thigh

Because of fear in the night.

9 Of the wood of Lebanon

Solomon the King

Made himself a palanquin: (portable enclosed chair)

10 He made its pillars of silver,

Its support of gold,

Its seat of purple,

Its interior paved with love

By the daughters of Jerusalem.

11 Go forth, O daughters of Zion,

And see King Solomon with the crown

With which his mother crowned him

On the day of his wedding,

The day of the gladness of his heart.

what does the richest, most intelligent, increbidly powerful man do for his wedding? Whatever he wants! lol.

as Solmon has chosen the shulamite, and now come in parade for her, we, the bride of Christ were chosen by Jesus.

We, in our flesh are temporary, on earth our wedding is to be our entire life. With Christ where we dwell eternally with Him that marriage is for eternity.