Mbostrom2's Blog

The first verse of the second chapter is the maiden giving two declarations of faith. Now the King replies to the maiden.

Songs 2:2, “Like a lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.”

This shows purity in a sinful world. Lily speaks of purity and humility. Thorns are the first result of sin in the Garden of Eden. They grow by themselves, they are the curse on the ground. These are not the daughters of Jerusalem, who are immature believers. Watchman Nee wrote, “The Lord considers those who pursue after Him as lilies, unlike those who are born of sin.” So these daughters he is comparing her to are those living a sinful life and natural life all around her.

[Maiden} Songs 2:3, “Like an apple tree among the trees of the woods, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down in his shade with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.”

3rd declaration of 7, “Like an apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my Beloved among the sons.” Now she will compare the King to sinners.

• The apple tree speaks of satisfying. As many trees are useful only after they are cut down, an apple tree keeps on giving fruit, season after season. (Songs 2:5, refresh me with apples.- NKJV)
• Trees of the woods speak of ‘great men of the earth’. Daniel 4:10-14 is speaking of King Nebuchadnezzar. No matter how great men of this world are, nothing will satisfy you like Jesus!

4th declaration of faith of 7, “I sat down in his shade with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.”

• This reminds me of Mary and Martha. As I am typing this, the picture on the all across from me in my dining room is called “the Promised Rest”. It is Jesus, with Mary at His feet, speaking to Martha who is carrying a urn. The caption under the artwork is “Come…and learn from Me, for My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” And under that caption is “Martha… only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part” Luke 10:42. Mary took great joy at sitting at the feet of Jesus, and in that she found true rest.
  • Watchman Nee wrote, “One is joyous because he sits under His shadow, meaning that he feels as if he is being raptured to His presence.”
  • The shadow (shade) is in contrast to the echoes of the shining of the sun (Ps 91:1)
• His fruit – the fruit that Adam and Eve caused them to fall from glory. But as we partake of the benefits He has provided for us, and they are very satisfying. When I look at social media, all the people are running after this or that, and they are not satisfied. Jesus satisfies! Oh, what a peace and sweet joy just to be in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Here is  a great song for this verse from the Gaithers. https://youtu.be/_xJkwUGFpDk?t=5

Songs 2:4, “He brought me to his banqueting house, and his banner over me is love.”

This is the 5th declaration of faith of 7.

• “He brought me” – 1:4 speaks of running, 1:8 speaks of following, 1:12-14 speaks of sitting, 1:16-17 speaks of resting and 2:3 speaks of her enjoying his presence, ‘sat down’. Now, He carried me! Like a Groom picks up his bride and carries the bride over the threshold on their wedding night.
  • This is the 2nd time the King brought her. 1:4b, chambers, the ‘secret place’.
  • That is what happened to me the summer of  2011 when every night Jesus brought me into this Song of Songs. It was the Holy of Holies of the Bible. It is not meant to be read over in a hurry,  as you try to get through the Bible in a year. This is meant to entwine your heart to Him.
• Our greatest banquet will be the Marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:7). In those days, the Banqueting House was a house of wine. This speaks of celebrating God’s love with joy and gladness. We are to feed on the truths of the identity of the Bride of Christ, see ourselves in that light.
• A banner identifies you, such as an army marching under a banner. Each of the Tribes had a banner and when the cloud stopped in the Wilderness, all Israel stopped and each Tribe camped by their banner.
  • Matthew Henry wrote, “written in it in letters of gold, letter of blood, is love, love;.. When a city is taken the conqueror set up his standard in it. ‘He has conquered me with His love, overcome me with kindness, and that is the banner over me’.”
  • One of my favorite choruses, “Oh how He loves you and me. Oh how He loves you and me. He gave His live, what more could He give. Oh how He love you, Oh how He loves me, Oh how He loves you and me.” (1975 Word Music)