“My lover spoke …”
8 Listen! My lover!
Look! Here he comes,
leaping across the mountains,
bounding over the hills.
9 My lover is like a gazelle or a young stag.
Look! There he stands behind our wall,
gazing through the windows,
peering through the lattice.
10 My lover spoke and said to me,
“Arise, my darling,
my beautiful one, and come with me.
11 See! The winter is past;
the rains are over and gone.
12 Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves
is heard in our land.
13 The fig tree forms its early fruit;
the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.
Arise, come, my darling;
my beautiful one, come with me.”
(The Song 2:8-13; NIV. Please read Song of Solomon 1-8.)
Is this Song an allegory of the love of God for His bride (Israel)?
Is this Song a ballad of the love between a groom and his betrothed?
I am no scholar (and you may not be either) … and I have neither the intellect nor interest in wading through the extensive theological precepts that may be obvious to those who are more insightful and studious. But I have the heart of a lover (do you?) … and I am fascinated by the affection … the desire … the longing … the anticipation … the love that these two share.
I have no doubt that our Holy Bridegroom so longs for us …
I have no doubt that we such desire – such love is what draws us to those we have chosen to love …
ON SECOND THOUGHT: These words can and have transformed marriages that have grown dull or cold or lifeless. Let the sounds, smells, sights, textures, and tastes awaken your senses for the love of your life.
May 24, 2008 at 9:41 am
The man God provided for me a long long time ago has fulfilled all my dreams and has given me love that cannot be surpassed. I thank God for Big Bill and the care he gives and the way he watches over me every day. I am thankful that God watches over us the same way. My cup runneth over both ways. JoJo
May 24, 2008 at 5:36 pm
When I think of God saying these things to His bride it makes me more aware of His love for me. He thinks I am beautiful and perfect in every way. He craves my attention and desires my satisfaction. He is attentive to my needs and aware of my indulgences. He knows my very heart … the parts that are strong and the parts that are tender. He knows my favorite things and the things I don’t care much about. He knows what makes me laugh and what scares me. He knows the words that are on my lips before I can form them … yet He doesn’t interrupt. He allows me to speak … and even though He’s heard it all before He listens like it’s the first time I’ve spoken it. When I hurt Him, He does not hold a grudge and He does not keep a record of it. He is patient with me as one is with a child … and yet understands my “woman’s” heart … with all of it’s confusion and moodiness. He loves me without end and teaches me to love Him that way also.
I’m so grateful He asked me to be His bride … and more grateful that I accepted.
May 24, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Love like that should not be taken for granted. What a beautiful thing! To be known so well…and loved so completely.
Love like that is beyond what my heart can understand. Beyond what my mind can comprehend. God’s love for me is immeasureable! He looks at me and sees all the beautiful, good things. He longs to be near me. Love so pure and strong I will never be able to grasp it.
In this song, the Beloved frantically seeks for her Lover. She wants so badly to be with him. I haven’t always felt that way about God I will admit…but I feel that way more and more every day. I want nothing more than I want to please God. I want to be with Jesus…more than I want anything else in this world. Every other desire that I have pales in comparison with my desire to do what He wants.