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.

This also seems to tie into the biblical concept and usage of myrhh. Three gifts were presented to Christ at His birth: myrrh (for His burial, the work of the Savior), frankincense (for His anointing, His role as Priest), and gold (for His kingship, His role as Sovereign King). Jesus’ body was literally treated with myrrh in its preparation for burial. ^[1] Myrrh is strongly tied to death.

It’s interesting to note that in Esther’s preparation for being presented to the king that all the women were first treated for six months with myrrh before undergoing six months of treatment with other spices. There seems to be a biblical pattern that establishes what has been called “The Season of Myrrh” followed by “The Season of Spice”. It’s a way of describing how God prepares one for service. [Note: An excellent sermon dedicated to this topic can be ordered from Moriel Ministries.]

Another example beside Esther is Christ Himself when He first began His earthly ministry by undergoing a time of separation and testing (His 40 days in the wilderness) before undertaking the public portion of the ministry. The same thing seems to have happened to Paul in that he spent 3 years in isolation after his conversion before God brought him back to public view. We can see this pattern in other biblical figures as well, but the point is that God often uses a time of testing and isolation to prepare us for His work ahead.

I think the reason God does this for us personally has to do with changing our heart and behavior more than anything else. The purpose is to die to the ways of the world in order to be anointed in the ways of the Spirit. We may need to consider that during these times in our own “wilderness” that although it appears little is going on in our interaction with the outside world, a LOT is supposed to be going on WITHIN us. One cannot skip the “mountain of myrrh” and go straight to the “hill of frankincense”. They each have their season, producing very different, yet significant, spiritual results._††_†