Before we begin, there has been a lot of discussion over the significance of the book of the Song of Solomon. Some might say that this is an exacting tale about love between a married husband and wife. While others will say that this is a moral story of God's adoration for Israel and additionally for the congregation. Here beginning in verse one, I accept that this is Jesus our Lord talking. Dr. J Vernon McGee noted in his “Thru The Bible” series, that in the early English Bibles, it is stated that the voice is of Christ, the bridegroom, as well as in old French, Italian, and Portuguese Bibles.
This is a story that tells another story.
In verse one:
The bridegroom has turned into a “Rose of Sharon” (a common flower), that is as a human, in reference to the Incarnation. The Son of God turns into a man not in elevated magnificence, as a flower on the mountain peaks, yet in lowliness and humility, a “lily of the valleys,” the lowliest of areas.
In verse two:
Christ is the “lily of the valleys,” thusly His bride is a lily as well, on the grounds that she bears the picture of His beauty and reflects it to humanity. The church is to be doing this today. We are to show to the world, which is loaded up with thistles, briars, and thorns, the magnificence of Christ. The bride, which is the Church, is a “lily among thorns,” which is an image of the difficulties of this life.
In verse three:
The bride is now talking, magnifying the bridegroom. Of the multitude of trees in the forest, the apple tree gives sustenance with sweet fruit. In Scripture, the apple is a depiction of favor (Deuteronomy 32:10; Psalm 16:8; Zechariah 2:12). The apple alluded to here is really a citron fruit, not an apple as we know it. Citrus fruits grow in the Sharon valley, which are believed to be the best in the world.
The beloved Christ far outperforms in greatness the righteous children, for they become by grace what He is naturally. His precepts are sweet to the individuals who hunger for the living Word (Psalm 119:103).
In verse four:
The “banquet house” is the Church full of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18-21). The bride wants God's adoration, to be eclipsed by the Presence of the Lord, similar to the sanctuary in the Old Testament (Exodus 40:35) and the Theotokos, the Greek title for Jesus’ mother, Mary who was the living sanctuary of the New Testament (Luke 1:35).
This could also allude to the “marriage supper of the Lamb,” as noted in Revelation 19:9. Christians will be there by the grace of God, but we can already see that Christ has brought us to salvation’s table and the fellowship table. He has prepared a table for us to partake of the “bread of life” (John 6:35) and “living water” (John 4:10).
The banner is a symbol of war, for we are at war with “principalities, powers, and rulers of darkness” (Ephesians 6:12). The banner is a symbol of protection, for Christ said, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20), and that “neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:28). The banner is also a symbol of enlistment, for we are told to “present your bodies a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1) and “as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3).
In verse five:
“Flagons” (cake of raisins) were given to individuals of Israel subsequent to King David finishing the peace offerings and burnt offerings to God before the ark of the covenant (1 Chronicles 16:1-3). They, along with the apples, represent the pleasantness of the grace of God presented to all believers.
In verse six:
This is the hug of the delicate and mindful darling. “His left hand is under my head,” meaning that we are saved to the uttermost (in the farthest, greatest, or highest degree). The right hand of God is a depiction of His imperial blessing (Psalm 16:11; 17:7; Hebrews 8:1).
But now let us look back at verse one. The bridegroom (Christ) is being compared to a common flower in Israel.
But why a comparison with a common flower?
Its Location:
Along the Mediterranean Sea to the west, the Gilboa mountains to the east, south of Mt. Carmel and north of Joppa, sits the Valley (Plain) of Sharon. The plain of Sharon was well known in Biblical times as a pastoral area (Isaiah 65:10), and a portion of David's livestock grazed there (1 Chronicle 27:29).
Its Excellence:
Exodus 18:11, “Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them.”
Its Color:
It has five white petals (purity) and five red inward sections (blood). Five is the number for grace. Ten is the number for testimony.
Hebrews 9:22, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”
Its Fragrance:
Ephesians 5:2, “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”
It is Planted:
Philippians 2:8, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
It was Trampled:
The Rose of Sharon was often trampled by man during the multitude of wars, but it always grew back.
Isaiah 53:5, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
It is Free:
The Rose of Sharon flower is free for everyone.
Galatians 5:1, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
John 8:36, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
Christ is easy to Find:
Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
There is Never a place where He cannot hear you:
1 John 5:14, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:”
There is Never a time that He is not available:
Matthew 28:20, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
By acknowledgment of the Gospel, those who believe in Christ go from being a weed to a rose. Whenever this occurs, Isaiah 35:2 happens: “It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God.”
Unlike some areas where flowers are planted, there are NO signs posted for people to keep out or for people not to touch the flower.
“A Rose Among the Thorns” written by Ernest C. Martin
While strolling through the fields of time,
There are many things to see?
But nature is the greatest sight?
That there could ever be?
The greatest of them all to me
?Is how the world was formed?
And why the roses have to live
?Each day among the thorns
One day among the world of thorns a rose began to grow
?It was the greatest gift of God this world will ever know
?It was the will of God to show that since the world was formed?
There had to be a rose to live?And die among the thorns
Along the road to Jericho?
A man was left to die?
There like a petal from a rose?
Two men had passed Him by?
A neighbor and a friend came by?
And saw His life was scorned?
With love he took good care of Him
?A rose among the thorns
One day among the world of thorns a rose began to grow
?It was the greatest gift of God this world will ever know?
It was the will of God to show that since the world was formed
?There had to be a rose to live?
And die among the thorns
Two thousand years will soon be gone
?Since God looked down in love?
There in the town of Bethlehem?
A rose began to bud?
It lived to bloom until one day
?Was crushed with awful frown?
And then with love from God above?
Was moved to higher ground
One day among a world of thorns a rose began to grow
?It was the greatest gift of God this world will ever know
?It was the gift of God to show that since the world was formed?
There had to be a rose to live?And die among the thorns
