We often read the Bible with our preconceived notions of what a word means. In today’s setting, the emotion and working of jealousy is most often portrayed as something negative. Although “anger” may have negative connotations, we all realize there are times when it’s justified and, in the case of “righteous anger”, even called for. But “jealousy” is portrayed as a symptom of immaturity, as a reaction without a sound cause, and often offered as the evidence of an unbalanced personality. These definitions do not fit with the biblical definition of the word, which God repeatedly applies to His own nature. :”(Exodus 20:5)”: :”(Exodus 34:14)”: :”(Deuteronomy 4:24)”: :”(Ezekiel 39:25)”:
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This is the third time in the Song of Solomon that the bridegroom has admonished such. The fact that it’s something that concerns the bride, but stated by the bridegroom to the “daughters of Jerusalem” probably ensures there are multiple meanings depending on the point of view of each party involved. So I’m sure that it has many layers of meaning, particularly as it relates to the overall illustration of Christ and the church, but the first thing that comes to my mind is “timing” because of the phrase “until she pleases”.
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Lists within God’s Word help us to precisely understand exactly God’s definitions of words, phrases, and/or attributes of people, places, and things. I am particularly drawn to biblical lists in which something seems out of order. This usually means God is teaching something that might be contrary to our earthly way of thinking, or educating us as to how His definition of things is different than expected. In this list of the bride’s attributes, the first three things seem to speak of increasing intensities of light, but what does the fourth—“an army with banners”—fit in? At first blush, it doesn’t seem to belong.
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I’m fascinated by the many responses people have to just the mere mention of “Song of Solomon”. Some don’t think it’s appropriate for children, some have stated no one should read it until they’re married, and some seem to vote it “most likely to have been a mistake” in its inclusion in the Bible. I’m more fascinated by the common thread that such extreme views are usually held by people that have barely read the book, almost none of which have studied it on par with other books of the Bible. What is it about Song of Solomon that elicits such a wide range of reactions?
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If we carefully examine the physical location of the bridegroom (who represents Christ) in the Song of Solomon, we discover that he seems to make an appearance and then go away for a time. The bride has two dreams, both involving her looking for the bridegroom and finding him in one but not the other. In fact, the Song of Solomon seems to end in the same manner as it begins with the bride looking for the coming of the bridegroom. All of this points to the bridegroom coming twice—just as Christ Himself will come twice.
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I’m sure that one meaning of this verse is Christ’s view of Believers who comprise His church, that we’re a very beautiful thing to Him among the ugliness of all the rest. But I can’t help seeing this not just as an expression of His love for us, but His way of teaching that while on this earth, we are living in somewhat hostile conditions. While faith produces a very positive vision for how Christ sees us, it also is realistic in assessing and dealing with the surroundings. Having been transformed from a thorn ourselves, we now need to deal with the fact that we live among such thorns. This is expressed in a number of ways in Scripture.
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One of the ways that marriage is a good (and oft-used) illustration of a right relationship with God is in its parallel to leaving an old life for a new one. Having lived the first part of their life with a family, marriage effects a transition to a completely new family, to a completely new life. Whatever status one had with their original family, however they were viewed and assigned a specific place and tasks, all that changes when married and provided a new status and place within a newly formed family beginning with the husband and wife nucleus. One is no longer simply a daughter among their parents’ children, no longer trapped in roles and views held by their siblings, no longer working entirely on behalf of and at the sole wish of others according to the family’s dictates. They leave behind a very different life for a new one in which their status and responsibilities change dramatically.
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