Song of Solomon – Bride Glorified

Author Merle

This book is also known as Canticles, or the Song of Songs, thus indicating that it was the most unique of the 1,005 songs composed by Solomon.

The word “God” does not appear in Song of Solomon. This peculiarity has led some to question its right to be included in the canon of inspired Scripture.

In spite of this, it has always been a part of the Old Testament canon. Christ and His disciples recognized it as such, and the agreement of its material and language with other passages of Scripture sufficiently proves it inspired of God.

Two characters speak and act throughout – Shelomoh, a masculine name, and Shulamith, a feminine form of the same name. There is also a chorus of virgin daughters of Jerusalem. Toward the close, two brothers of Shulamith appear.

The expression “My own vineyard have I not kept” may well be the key to the interpretation of the book.

Once again our lives if we choose are reflected in this beautiful love story between a Man and a Woman. Our spiritual walk with the Bridegroom is depicted in this very story.

The principle character of this song lived in the north country, in the mountain district of Ephraim. She belonged to an Ephraimite family which had charge of one of King Solomon’s vineyards. Apparently her father was dead, but there was a mother, at least two brothers and one sister, a mere child. This older daughter, the Shulamite, appears to have borne the brunt of the family responsibilities. Her brothers did not appreciate her and assigned difficult tasks to her. She worked hard and late for others, and had little time for herself, hence the confession, “They made me the keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard have I not kept.” She had little opportunity to care for her own person, so she says, “Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me.”

In the above illustration it is easy to see how ashamed of herself she was. We have that shame often before our Bridegroom?

One day while caring for her flock, she looked up and to her embarrassment; there stood a tall, handsome stranger-shepherd, who seemed to be drawn to her in sympathy because of her hard lot and uncomely appearance.

When we first came to our Lord I would imagine we suffered many embarrassments.

Her modest confession to him went a long way toward a friendship which ripened into affection and into love.

And so began our friendship with the same.

When he went away he said, “Some day I am coming for you, and I am going to make you my bride.” She believed him, but probably no one else did. Her brothers did not.

Jesus promised us the same thing.

The people in the mountain country felt that the poor simple, country maiden had been deceived by this stranger. He was gone a long time. Sometimes, she would dream of him and exclaim. “The voice of my beloved,” only to find that all was quiet and dark about her, but still she trusted.

She held on to her beloveds promise, just as we ought to. He will not tarry, He will come soon.

When He went away, He said, “I will come again, and receive you unto Myself.” His Church has waited a long time for Him to come back, and some day He is coming to fulfill His Word.

One day he came back at the head of a glorious procession to claim her as his bride.

In the Book of Revelation we see a perfect picture of this procession.

I can imagine that her family and friends were astounded, and I reckon there will be those in our lives who will be put to shame in that day, but mark my words that day will come. Soon very soon. Like a thief in the night.

The story of this Shepherd can be traced from Genesis to Revelation and tells of Him who came down from heaven’s highest glory into this dark world, to win a bride for Himself.

In Ecclesiastes we can clearly see that if Jesus is made Wisdom unto us, and He calls and says, “Follow me”, and through the walk of friendship and intimacy as is the case in the Song of Solomon, we can finally take our eyes off the things of this world, and become transformed into His likeness and image, we could look back and like Solomon concur with him: it has all been futile,

our worry, our strife, our seeking and managing our lives in our worldy wisdom. It has all been futile.

Revelation 22:17

The Spirit and the bride say, Come! And let him who is listening say, Come! And let everyone come who is thirsty , and whoever desires to do it, let him come, take, appropriate, and drink the water of Life without cost.

Amen