Menu
close
Song of Songs
Lexical Notes and Comments
Chapter 2
Verse 1. “I am the rose of Sharon, And the lily of the valleys.”
Wesley. Sees Jesus as the subject here.
Kale. She sees the Shulamite as the subject. The Hebrew text says, “a rose of Sharon.” The word Sharon can be
translated ‘his song’ (“I am the theme of His song.” Simmons). She now sees herself as the one He sings over! The root word for rose (Hebrew: “habab”) can mean “overshadowed.”
Nee. These words are spoken by the maiden.
Who is the rose of Sharon?
Scholars are split over who is speaking here... her or him? The Shulamite is the Rose of Sharon. The revelation that He calls her beautiful has pierced her heart, and she knows that she is the Rose of Sharon. She embraces her identity. Sharon can be translated "His song". I am the rosebud of His song. I am the theme of His song. I am the one He sings about. The Song of Songs is about YOU. You are the Rose that is intoxicating to Him. "Rose" Bible note - probably a bulb, such as a crocus... Isaiah 35:1 (The Ransomed Shall Return) The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. Even though you have been like a wilderness, you will blossom like a rose. Another angle. The rose is Christ coming forth in you. The Song of All Songs, the Most Amazing Song of All is the song that Jesus sings through your life. Your life is His song; you are the Song that He sings. Simmons.
Who is the lily of the valley?
Hosea 14:5 I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the
lily: he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon.
Lexicon key words: Rose used in Is. 35:1. Sharon is the fertile coastal plain between Joppa and Carmel. For ‘lily’ see Ho. 14:5. Origin. Sees the Bride speaking after sanctification by the word. That the flowers are growing “wild” means that growth comes by grace and not be human effort. Lily of the valleys shows that the Bride is adorned with humility – her beauty flourishing in lowliness. Bernard. The lily of the valleys points to chastity and humility. Bernard contrasts the lily (purity) with the thorns of worldly pride. Summary of themes from church fathers. Rose of Sharon. Beauty and fertility granted by grace – sometimes Christ Himself, sometimes the Bride adorned by Him. The valleys – the humble lowlands of obedience and meekness in which Divine Beauty is perfected. The wildflowers present here speak of God’s Grace with nothing by human means.
Wurmbrand. Jewish commentators agree that “the rose of Sharon” is God’s people. The rose of Sharon evokes Jesus - but so do a lamb, a shepherd, the lion of Judah, a piece of bread in Communion. He is king, judge, high priest, victim, bridegroom, vine, brother. Roses exist in a great many colors - white, pink, purple, violet, black. The souls who reflect Jesus are also very different and belong to different denominations. The rose is the plant of love – Jesus says that He is a lover.
Wurmbrand. The Hebrew word translated 'lily' is havatzelet. This is a particular flower called by botanists. filius ante patron (meaning 'the son before the father') because it blossoms before its leaves appear. The havatzelet is a symbol of men whose character is the opposite of those Jesus meant when he cursed the fig- tree which had rich leaves but no fruit. Those men are hypocrites, having much self-advertisement and an appearance of religion, but without its love and joy. Jesus is filius ante patrem. With him, and with those who belong to him, the fruits come first and the leaves afterwards.
Verse 2. “Like a lily among thorns, So is my love among the daughters.”
Lexicon. Words. “Lily” is the same as in verse 1: purity, grace, beauty. NKJV “love” could be beloved or companion.
Lexicon lit. translation. “As a lily among thorns, so is my beloved among the daughters.” The Bridegroom is affirming the Bride, as she has spoken in verse 1. What is the comparison? Gregory of Nyssa. The lily is the Bride’s heart – simple, radiant, untainted, filled with love. The thorns represent her flesh which can prick and ensnare her. This shows the transforming power of grace to make her pure in the midst of her old character. “As the soul grows in love, it remains untouched by the piercing thorns of the flesh.” Bernard sees the Bride as the lily; those still worldly or half-hearted in the faith as the thorns. It’s the difference between true love (givers to others) and self-love (still has self on the throne). Ambrose and Jerome. The lily is the Bride, radiant in holiness (lily represents purity, faith, love, virginity, holiness). The thorns are temptations, persecutions, this world of sin, corruption, adversity, trials, the Bride’s sanctity among hostility). The Bride, like the lily, flourishes under persecution, its whiteness shines most when surrounded by briars. Holiness does not flee the thorns but grows among them. It shines more brightly for the contrast.
Wesley. Compared with thorns, she unspeakably exceeds in glory and beauty.
So — So doth my church or people, excel all other assemblies. The title of daughter is often given to whole nations.
See TPT. 2:2 This is literally a thorn bush, which speaks of the curse of sin. See Genesis 3:18, John 19:5, and Galatians 3:13. On the cross, Jesus wore a crown of thorns for He took away the curse of sin. c. 2:2 The emblem of a lily was engraved on the upper part of the pillars of Solomon’s Temple. Lilies are symbols of purity in the “temple” of our inner being.
curse to remove the curse. Jesus plucks the lily and is pierced by the thorn. He tore His hands reaching for you because you are worth it.
In the middle of this crown of thorns, you are blooming like a lily, fragrant you
spread your blessings. Thorns say, "stay away; I will hurt you." The lily says "Come, enjoy me, I’m here to please." Are you rough & stern or sweet? The Lily among the thorns is a picture of the church overcoming sin. The Lovers of God: John says 5 times “I am the one Jesus loves!” Declare it for yourself too. I am the Rose of His heart! (Simmons)
Nee. The King indicates that she alone has purity while the rest of unconverted men are as thorns. Thorns speak of Adam’s fall and resultant natural life. Gen. 3:18. Thorns are the fruit of sin. See Mt. 13:7; He. 6:8. There is a hint that one seeking oneness with Jesus will experience pain, loss, and holiness in the midst of the wicked environment represented by the thorns.
Bickle. Bickle sees v. 1-2 as a unit. I am the rose of Sharon, And the lily of the valleys. Like a lily among thorns, So is my love among the daughters. Jesus desires an eternal companion, one who chooses to love Him. Ep. 1: 17-18. The Bride is a beautiful rose and pure lily. The rose is the flower we must associate with love. The lily speaks of purity. The valley speaks of the dark places in this world. She lives purely in this fallen world. Thorns also speak of a fallen and sinful world. Gen. 3: 17-18. The Bride sees her spiritual identity and life purpose as being a beautiful rose and pure lily to be given to Jesus as His eternal inheritance - that which He desires most. Jesus awaits the Bride—the great prize of all the ages. Our primary identity and success are to be found in our relationship with Jesus – without regard to what any man things. We should be shut off from what man thinks.
Guyon. She sees the second group as being believers but who have not progressed much beyond self. Even they would others. She sees the Shulamite as being committed to full consecration.
Verse 3. “Like an apple tree among the trees of the woods, So is my beloved among the sons of men. I sat down in his shade with great delight, And his fruit was sweet to my taste.” Lexicon lit. “As the apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the sons; in His shade I delighted and sat down, and His fruit was sweet to my taste.” Origin. The Beloved is Jesus, the Word made flesh – the apple tree. Shade is Christ’s protection and provision through the Cross. Sweet fruit is the Word and the nourishment coming therefrom. Gregory of Nyssa. Shade is Christ’s mercy. Fruit are the virtues and gifts gained through union with Him. Bernard. “The bride’s act of sitting under His shade expresses trusting repose in Christ’s love. The Bride expresses delight in Christ’s presence. He stands above all others as the living Tree, giving rest and nourishment. Christ as both shelter and sustenance. This verse marks the movement from admiration (2:1-2) to communion — the soul finding repose and refreshment in the Beloved.
Kale. 2:3 Or, “trees of the forest. Trees in the Bible are often metaphors for humanity.
Apple tree - is a picture of Christ. Apples are the promises of God. Apples of gold in settings of silver is a promise (or word) properly released. See Pro. 25:11. An apple tree is a tree heavily laden with fruit. “Trees of the forest” = men/humanity. Mark 8:24 And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man ... [following the word of God]. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. Jeremiah 17:7-8 Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream and does not wither. A vibrant tree does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit. Isaiah 55:12-13 “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the
trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress: instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall make a name for the LORD, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. The trees of the fields are the people of the nation’s rejoicing over the victory of Jesus. The mountains are the powers of the earth, the kingdoms, the authorities of the world. The highest ministry is the priest in the inner courts. Go to God to get God. Above all the other trees, Jesus stands tall above them. Jesus is the Tree of Life; He is the tree. This is the paradise of Adam & Eve, sitting under a tree and eating from the Tree of Life (which is Jesus). When we eat from the Tree of Life, we become trees filled with life. We become trees that bear fruit (of the Spirit) & leaves for healing
for the nations. (Eze 47). We rest in Him and He bears the fruit through us.
She relates to Him on the basis of His work, not her maturity. His “shade” - His grace; rest, healing rest; If Peter's shadow healed the sick, what would Jesus' shade do? Whose covering are you under? Jesus! His “fruit” - His virtues (faithfulness, kindness); fruits of the Spirit. To draw from His life is to taste a nectar of sweetness. TPT Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its various expressions. This love is revealed through: Joy that overflows, Peace that subdues, Patience that endures, Kindness on display, A life full of virtue, Faith that prevails, Gentleness of heart, and Strength of spirit. Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless. Intimacy with Jesus has consumed her.
Wesley. I sat — I confidently reposed myself under his protection.
His fruit — The benefits which I received by him, remission of sins, faith, grace, and assurance of glory.
Wurmbrand. We should stay in the shadows and put Him forward.
Guyon. She sits under the shadow of His protection.
Verse 4. “He brought me to the banqueting house (or House of Wine),
And his banner over me was love.” Alter. “His banner covering me was love.” Lex. Lit. “He has brought me to His House of Wine and His banner over me is love.”
The Bride now speaks of her joyful communion with the Beloved. The imagery shifts from orchard and forest (2:3) to an inner house—the “house of wine”, a place of celebration, intimacy, and joy. The banner of love suggests both protection and triumph and ownership: she belongs wholly to him, and his love is her ensign. Origin. “Wine” represents the Holy Spirit or the love of Christ, which gladdens the heart. The “banner of love” is Christ’s Cross—the standard of victory over sin and death. Bernard. The wine is the love of the Bridegroom poured into the soul – a foretaste of heaven.
Over me. Protection, belonging, or being overshadowed by grace.
Wesley. Banqueting house — The places in which believers receive the graces and blessings of Christ. Love — The love of Christ crucified, which, like a banner, is displayed in the gospel.
Kale. What is the Banquet Hall?
As she sat under the apple tree, perhaps she has a vision. She sees the king taking her too the banqueting hall. Could this be her engagement party? "Banquet hall" = Hebrew "house of wine" or "wine cellar.” This "house of wine" is the church with the Holy Spirit flowing. The gifts and manifestations of the spirit are flowing. A chamber of joy where love waves as a Banner. Eph 1:13 "the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee[d] of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it" -- "guarantee" actually should be translated
"engagement ring". The Holy Spirit is the engagement ring. She is experiencing the Holy Spirit. A fire hydrant gushing with love. What does the Love banner signify? Best translation in Hebrew: "He looks upon me with His unrelenting love." It is the banner of victory, showing she’s blessed, protected, and covered. Her failures are not written on her banner. What’s written on it? Love, Love!
Nee. Could be “House of Wine” and suggests a place of joy and gladness. Previously, she had been seated with Him at His table. Having been taken into an understanding of the deeper meaning of the cross, she understands more fully all that the Lord has done for her and made available to her in “this House of Wine.” In other words, 1:4 was for revelation; this time is for the joyfulness of His presence. Her focus here is love. Our banner is His love.
Wurmbrand. In the Banqueting House, we become inebriated with His Love. It is the Holy Spirit who comes into our lives and ignites the fire of love. Fire gives birth to thirst. Ps. 42:1.
Guyon. He has brought you into His wine cellars where you drink deeply of Him. The love He puts within you is single-minded, set on God alone. All is for the Beloved, nothing for yourself.
Verse 5. “Sustain me with cakes of raisins, Refresh me with apples, For I am lovesick.
The Bride now speaks in the language of holy desire. Having been brought into the “house of wine” (v.4), her soul is overwhelmed by divine love—so intense that it becomes a kind of spiritual fainting. She pleads for His support, nourishment, and refreshment. Sick with Love. Overwhelmed by divine desire, longing for fuller union with the beloved. Sustain. Need for divine sustenance amid this spiritual experience. She is not seeking joy; instead, she is consumed by joy. Jerome. Raisin cakes and apples are scripture’s nourishment.
Wesley. Apples — The smell of odoriferous apples strengthen persons ready to faint. By this is understand the application of the promises, and the quickening influence of the Spirit.
Kale. Why does she cry out for raisins and apples?
Nee. She is saying to the Daughters of Jerusalem: “Refresh me with delicacies sweet and fragrant; for I am in a state of deep agitation because of the intensity of my love.” Lovesick is being exhausted with love. This has been felt by others when the Lord came in special presence. The joys of His presence can surpass the limits of what we can contain. This kind of intense spiritual feeling can produce exhaustion. He gives the example of Moody which sounds like the example of Finney. In this extreme exhaustion, she sank back in delight and called for someone to come and help her. Jesus Himself came.
Bickle. Bickle sees 2: 3-5 as a unit describing how the Shulamite enjoys her relationship with the King. He is an “apple tree” who refreshes her heart spiritually. “Like an apple tree among the trees of the woods, so is my Beloved among humanity. I sat down in His GRACE SHADE with great delight, and His fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house (house of wine), and His banner [covering and leadership] over me was love. Sustain me with cakes of raisins, refresh me with apples, for I am lovesick. (Song 2:3-5). The Apple Tree refreshes. 2:5. We are refreshed in the shade of the cross, and we delight in Jesus’ presence. We need to “sit down” before Him – spent time with Him, listen to Him, speak to Him. The cross is the only tree that can shade us from the scorching heat of our sin and guilt. We only enjoy the shade of God’s presence by resting in the shade of Jesus’ cross. We cannot rest in our achievements or by relating to God based on our so-called spiritual maturity. Lu. 10: 39, 42. Jesus’ plan for us is to lead us to God’s banqueting table or His House of Wine—to the place of communion where we celebrate our mutual love. The ultimate fulfillment is the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:7). In Solomon’s time, armies marched under a flag or banner. The banner over our life is Jesus’ love for us and His leadership of our lives, which causes us to grow in mutual love. God’s first priority—or His banner purpose—for our life is that we would grow in understanding and impartation of His love. She cried out to be sustained and refreshed by experiencing a greater measure of His love, Presence, and Word (v. 5).
Wurmbrand. Comfort me.
Guyon. The Bridegroom sets His love within you and gives special grace for the sufferings that are to come.
Verse 6. “His left hand is under my head, And his right hand (and arm) embraces me.” Lexicon lit. “His left hand is under my head, and His right hand embraces me.” Verse 6 continues the lovesickness of verse 5 but moves into union and rest. The Bride recovers from her lovesickness (being overwhelmed by His love) and is held and sustained by the Bridegroom’s hands — symbols of divine action and consolation.
Love has reached its quiet consummation, not in frenzy but in rest and security, for both.
No sooner did I cry out for help, but that His Hand came to help me.
Nee. Christ’s uniqueness here has three aspects: 1) His coming into the world, taking His place among humanity, but He also has a great and high preeminence over the sons of men. 2) He overshades or overshadows the Shulamite with grace. 3) He bears fruit. Conclusion: Her Beloved is preeminent in Manhood. He provides shade and the burning heat. He provides food for His beloved spiritual sustenance. She speaks her praise to the world. “I sat down under His shadow with great delight.” Great delight could be translated “rapture.” Her being in His presence gives the feeling of being taken up in rapture. “His fruit was sweet to my taste.” In 1:12, the emphasis was on the Lord; here the fruit of sustenance points to those things which His life has provided us: righteousness, sanctification, peace, and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. So, she delights both in Him and the things that come with Him. Ch. 1:4 speaks of her running after Him; 1:8 as following Him; 1: 12-14 as her sitting at His table; in 1: 16-17, she rests with Him.
Kale. What is His right arm? (that embraces her)
Her Lover’s embrace is a strength embrace. This hand is seen.
Nee. She would turn to look up at Him but needs head support to do so. He is giving her the protection and support of His love. Supporting strength derived from intimate association. She needs His sustaining grace so that she can bear the love with which He embraces her.
2:6 What is His left arm? (under her head, not seen)
Grace of God, mercy of God, the tenderness of God. All the things He's done that you never knew He did; accidents avoided; sicknesses protected from; miracles unknown. See also Proverbs 3:16.
Nee. The Maiden’s Praise: 2: 3-6.
Bickle. Left hand of God: The left hand is “under” her head and is therefore out of her view. The Lord does many things for us that we do not see. Right hand of God: This speaks of the activity of God that we can see and easily discern. When the King stood in front of the Bride to embrace her, she could see and feel it. This speaks of the “sweet” manifest presence of God that can be felt and discerned.
Wurmbrand. The Carmelite nun, Anne of St Bartholemew (1549-1626), wrote in her
biography: “Christ appeared to me in the shape in which He walked on this earth. He was exceedingly handsome, though very sad. Approaching me, He put His right hand on my left shoulder with an unspeakable weight, which I could never explain to anybody. Thus, He caused His pain and suffering to enter into my heart, and He said to me, 'Behold the souls I lose.' He challenged me to work for the salvation of souls, and showed me all France so impressively and so clearly that it was as though I were present in every place; and I saw how many millions of
souls are lost. This happened in a single moment, and if it had lasted any longer, I feel my life would have ended.”
Guyon. You begin to repent of the outward support you’ve asked for. His hand is enough support. You are united with Him and that union will produce fruit. His right hand is strength and love. His right hand is a symbol of engagement, but there will be a union so intense that you will not fear separation. I Jo. 4:16.
Bernard. The left hand signifies faith – the unseen, supporting foundation. The right hand signifies love – the active embrace.
|
Left hand is: |
Hidden wisdom, discipline, faith, or Christ’s suffering nature. |
|
Under my head |
: Support of the mind—divine wisdom sustaining understanding. |
|
Right hand: |
Love, grace, divine action, or Christ’s exalted power. |
|
Embrace: |
Full union, rest, and security in divine love. |
Verse 7. “I charge you, O Daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles and the does of the field. Do not stir up or awaken my beloved until He pleases.” Lex. Words. “I charge you, or I adjure you” is “to cause to swear,” “an emphatic appeal.” To charge by oath. The Bride speaks, turning from the Bridegroom’s embrace (v.6) to address the “daughters of Jerusalem.”
She asks that they not disturb their love which now rests in divine peace. Origin. Daughters of Jerusalem are newly reborn souls.
Lexicon lit. “I adjure you, O Daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or by the hinds of the field: do not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.”
Bickle. UNDERSTANDING HER IDENTITY IN GOD’S BEAUTY (SONG 1:12-2:7) A. She begins her journey into being fascinated by Jesus’ beauty. She sees salvation as more than being forgiven and blessed in her circumstances, but as an invitation to live fascinated by Him. “Behold, You are handsome [beautiful], my Beloved! (Song 1:16). One thing…will I seek…all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in His Temple. (Ps. 27:4) She gains insight into her identity in Christ as a beautiful rose in God’s sight. I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. (Song 2:1). I am the theme of His Song. As we rest under the shade of the cross and pursue intimacy with Jesus, we experience the sweetness of God’s presence. In this lifestyle she becomes “lovesick” for Jesus (Jn. 15:9-11). I sat down in His shade [resting in Jesus’ work on the cross] with great delight, and His fruit was sweet to my taste. 2:3. He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner [leadership] over me was love. 2:4. Sustain me…refresh me…for I am lovesick. (Song 2:3-5).
Kale. 2:7 In the imagery of the Song of Songs, deer and gazelle are symbols of the joys of love. The Septuagint says, “by all the powers and strengths of the field.”
Does and gazelles = tender, innocent, graceful, harmless; ("I charge you in
the name of innocence and tenderness...") of a gentle spirit. 3. Until she so desires - Until the season changes, do not disturb My love until she is ready to arise. NOTE: This verse gets taken out of context. Let’s be clear. Don’t arouse her while she’s in a deep embrace with God. This doesn’t mean ‘don’t get into the embrace’, it means once she’s there in the intimate embrace, don’t disturb her. Don’t wake her up to ‘Do’ ministry. Let her be a Shulamite, a lover, a Mary. When she’s ready, then she’ll get up and ‘Go’, filled with His love.
Nee. Nee sees this as the King’s charge. Should be “… nor awaken my love until he pleases.” The King, not the Shulamite speaks here. Jesus desires that His followers find rest. The King tells the daughters not “to stir up the emotions of His beloved,” lest she be frightened. If she is immature, she needs to rest until she has the inner desire to seek the Lord afresh. An outsider should not try to stir her up. Her devotion has reached a certain climax and can rest a bit. Hab. 2:20. Zeph. 3:17. Summary of this first part of the Song: She sees the value of the Cross, but not the full reality and power of the resurrection life. Second, she is in peril of over-indulgent in a form of inward communion which leaves her exhausted. Third, application of the Cross to her life is still unknow to her. She has not yet actually taken up the cross. Fourth, she has only been on the receiving end of the fruits of the Lord’s labor on her behalf but has not yet allowed the Lord to claim the fruits of His labor in her. That is, she has the Lord, but the Lord has not yet gained all of her. “In short, this first part is ‘Christ for me.’ I am not yet ‘wholly for Christ.’
Bickle. Bickle sees the Holy Spirit speaking in v. 7. Daughters of Jerusalem are immature believers. Do not stir up: The Spirit charged other believers not to disturb the Bride in this season of her sitting at the table to grow in the Word with their opinions and judgments. The Spirit charged them by the gazelles or does of the field. Gazelles and does have a sensitive nature and can be easily startled. This speaks of the importance of gentleness and sensitivity in relating to the young Bride.
Wurmbrand. The Hebrew word for roes is SABOAT. One of God’s names is Yahweh Sabaoth which means “Lord of Hosts.” So sabbat means both roes and hosts. God's army is an army apart. Roes are shy, timid creatures which attack nobody. They have conquered the hearts of many nature lovers, poets and painters by their beauty. God's army is like an army of roes. Can it be said that the Army of the Lord fights, but from a position of inward peace? Sleep of faith? A believing soul sleeps in the quiet sleep of faith and rest in the protective arms of Jesus.
Guyon. She has the Bridegroom speaking. “Until she pleases.” The DOJ/BTB are loving but meddlesome souls. He wants her to rest in His arms.
Verse 8. “The voice of my beloved! Behold, he comes Leaping upon the mountains, Skipping upon the hills (to and for me).” (Big Shift here)
Lexicon lit. “The voice of my beloved! Behold, he comes, leaping upon the mountains, bounding over the hills.”
After resting in divine embrace (2:6–7), the Bride suddenly hears the approach of her Beloved — His summons her. The mountains and hills represent apparent obstacles, yet the Beloved overcomes them with ease. Voice of the Beloved. Divine call through the Word or by the Spirit. Behold, He comes! Could be at the during a period of her life, and less likely but possibly, the first advent, the born-again experience, or the second advent. Leaping over mountains. Divine ability to overcome apparent obstacles. His triumph over great obstacles — sin, death, and the powers of evil (Origin). Bernard. His leaping shows His eagerness to be united with the Bride; no mountain of human frailty can stop Him. He sees the incarnation here.
For Nee, Part 2 is 2:8-3:5. The Call to Escape from Self. Four things are brought to her attention. THE FIRST IS THE POWER OF RESURRECTION LIFE. 2:8-9. She delights in hearing the voice of Jesus in 8. But she is not yet truly submissive to Him and does not yet fully heed his words. See Ps. 22 to see the Lord as a gazelle. The “Deer of the morning” is Jesus. Morning is the beginning of the day and thus the resurrection of Christ is the beginning. 8-9 speak of Jesus living in her. Mountains and hills are difficulties and hindrances. Nothing can stop Him from getting to her. All obstructions are put under his feet. He leaps over all hindrances. In this section, Jesus manifest His power of resurrection life. Previously, she did not understand that His affections were to her and that He would run to her. But although she knows His voice, there is a wall between them. She knew the sweetness of His presence, but little of power for service or the struggle of spiritual warfare. Remember that Peter (Mk. 9:5) wanted to make three tabernacles and stay there on the mountain. He forgot the unregenerate multitude I the valley who needed to be freed. This maiden is the same. Within her wall, were the Lord and she, but down in the valley were men oppressed by sin and demons. She could not yet deliver others, nor did she have the desire to do so. In this section, Jesus is standing in rest, ready to move to action. She must learn to follow Jesus as He leaps over mountains in resurrection life – to deliver others. Andrew Murray said: “The Lord’s presence should not only be a reality in your prayer life but in the factory also.”
Wesley. Jesus came leaping and skipping – He came readily, swiftly, with great desire and pleasure – upon and over the mountains and hills, to signify Christ's resolution to come to us in spite of all difficulties.
Bickle. See 8-17 titled: Challenging the Comfort Zone. The King called the Bride to a deeper partnership with Him. He revealed Himself to her as the sovereign King who has authority over all mountains (obstacles). He can easily leap over all obstacles. The voice of my Beloved! Behold, He comes leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills. My Beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. (Song 2:8-9a). He can easily conquer all the mountains of difficulty. He is calling her to new levels of consecration and victory. Mountains often speak of obstacles. We are to speak to the mountains of adversity, commanding them to be removed. The hills speak of the smaller difficulties or challenges that we face. Mk. 11:23. The King stood behind a wall of protection, looking into the house in which the Bride sat undisturbed. Similarly, Jesus stood outside the door of the Laodicean church (Rev. 3:20. He stands behind our wall; He is looking through the windows, gazing through the lattice. (Song 2:9b) Stands: When Jesus stands, He is ready for action. It is not her wall, but their wall, because she had been led by the Spirit to remain undisturbed at the table until He called her to leave the place of sitting at the table feasting on Him (2:4, 7).
Kale. How does He Come? He comes in a different form! A leaping Prince! She knows him formerly as One giving a loving embrace. He has been a satisfying apple tree and the
house of wine. Now he comes with a challenge. He is the Lord of the dance, leaping over mountains. There is something supernatural about Him, the resurrected power of Jesus. She asked for it! She asked him to draw her to him so they could run together, but she wasn't ready. She didn't go. Jesus wants a bride that is ready to rule with Him. He doesn't want her to be a lily in the valley all her life. He wants her to be ruling on the mountaintop. He is a king preparing His queen. He is enriching His bride with His life & power so that she will be ready to rule with Him. She hears His voice. First, she listens, and then she looks.
What does it mean that “He leaps over mountains?” Mountains are anything that separate us from Jesus or keep us at a distance from Him. Mountains in the Song of Songs represent different obstacles. In this verse, mountains are anything that hinder our relationship with the Lord. Religion reinforces the mountains. Jesus leaps over them to close the distance. Intimacy is always preparation for ministry, but ministry can be a hindrance to intimacy if we lose focus on Jesus. She is enjoying Jesus from a distance. He doesn't want the distance.
Wurmbrand. Difficulties mean nothing to him. He does not know discouragement. He leaps over our bad deeds as well – like they never existed.
Guyon. Your spirit knows that the Bridegroom embraces you and indwells you. He does not merely walk upon the hills (the more external parts of your soul), but also upon the mountains – the deepest part of your spirit.
Verse 9. “My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Behold, he stands behind our wall; He is looking through the windows. Gazing through the lattice.”
Lex. Lit. “My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag; behold, he stands behind our wall, looking through the windows, peering through the lattice.” Lex. Words. Gazelle/young stag. Bridegroom’s eager and swift approach to the Bride or His eagerness to save. Bernard. “He is near, yet hidden, that desire might mature.”
What is the wall? It’s something that we hide behind. There is something restrictive about the wall. He is unfettered on the other hand. He comes running, jumping, leaping over.
Wesley. Like a roe — In swiftness. He is coming to me with all speed and will not tarry a moment beyond the proper season.
Kale. My beloved is like a gazelle - The gazelle of the morning - Psalm 22 - “The Doe of the Dawn" which speaks of Christ's resurrection. The gazelle is swift and sure-footed; a gazelle walks on high places. The gazelle represents His strength to overcome every obstacle. Through His resurrection, His power over death, He leaps over every mountain that stands between us. Jesus is the gazelle who leaped out of the dark tomb on resurrection morning.
“Gazing through the windows, peering through the lattice” For the first time there is a wall between her and her Lord. She sees that she is not close to him. It is her wall of self-protection; the things inside of us in the patchwork of our soul (the lattice) that keep us from sacred intimacy with Jesus. (into-me-see). Gazing through the windows (windows are her eyes); he looks into her eyes, the windows to her soul. He sees that she loves him even though she is not yet ready to leave her comfort zone; she wants to hide behind the wall. He pierces her heart with his gaze, and He sees that she is immature and tentative. He sees that she is not going to come with him Literal Hebrew translation = "peering through the portal as He blossoms within my heart" - his piercing gaze into her soul makes her heart blossom. She wants to stay under the apple tree, in the shade, and yet he is calling her to come leap upon the mountains with him. When we put up walls to protect ourselves from pain, we are actually shutting ourselves off from the presence of the Healer.
Wurmbrand. Our flesh, our body, is the wall which separates the bride from the Bridegroom. He is behind this wall. After death we will be face to face with him. For the time being he looks through the windows; sometimes one, sometimes another. He examines one side of our character, then another side, to know what stage of spiritual maturity we have reached. We, too, must be attentive to what is going on in our souls. Knowing this, St Blandine, a slave girl from Lyon, went to her death before the wild animals 'radiant with joy as if she had been invited to a wedding feast'.
Guyon. She compares His disappearance to the movements of a deer. He returns. He had only hidden Himself to test her faith and confidence in Him. He never removed His gaze from her. He sees you always, although you do not see Him always.
Verse 10. “My beloved spoke, and said to me: “Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away.” Lex. Lit. “My Beloved spoke and said to me: Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come away.” The Bridegroom calls: “Arise… come away.” Origin. The two endearing titles (my companion, my beautiful one) affirm the soul’s worth, already beautified by grace.
“Rise up, my love, my fair one.” The He. Word translated “rise up” or “arise” was used by the High Priest when he spoke to the Levites to take up the Ark of the Covenant on their shoulders to move it as Israel journeyed through the Wilderness. Ps. 132:8. The Ark can be a metaphor for the Bride, carried on the shoulders of our Bridegroom. Lu. 15: 1-7.
Wesley. Spake — Invited me outwardly by his word, and inwardly by his Spirit.
Rise up — Shake off sloth and disentangle thyself more fully from all the snares of this world. Come — Unto me, and with me; follow me fully, serve me perfectly, labor for a nearer union, and more satisfying communion with me.
*He. Word for fair one could be darling, and it means complete one. We are His complete one.
*Wesley says to arise is a command to shake off sloth and disentangle ourselves fully from the snares of this world. Come to me and with me. Follow me fully; serve me completely; labor for a nearer union; a more satisfying communion with me.
Nee. NEXT IS THE BOUNTIFULNESS OF RESURRECTION LIFE. 2: 10-13. Come away in verse 10 means “come away with me.” She must come forth out of her enclosed life. We can’t avoid going out to the highways and byways because we want to stay in and have the peace that ‘going out” threatens. Jesus wants her to experience resurrection power and leap over the mountains. So before, His abiding presence was a matter of place and time (alone in her home), but He wants us to experience in every circumstance, trial, fight – His abiding presence. Jesus has navigated her through the winter (coldness and darkness). The rain is also over and gone. This rain is not of springtime, but because of the cold, that rain which became hail or snow. It was winter rain. Winter conditions up upon the soul. He is saying: “All these trials and testing are behind you because of your living sense of my presence. The next references to spring, songbirds, flowers are an appeal to her to live in resurrection. Because winter was spoken of in terms of death, springtime speaks of resurrection.
Bickle. v. 10. My Beloved spoke, and said to me: “Rise up, My love, My fair one, and come away.” (Song 2:10)
Guyon. He commands you to rise and go. Before, He would not let others wake you. Now He wants you to rise up. The former “coming forth” was a call to leave natural gratifications to please Jesus. Here is a call to depart from self.
Verse 11 Commentary. “For lo, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone.
Lex. Lit. “For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone.” Words. Winter. Time of His absence, wilderness, sin, suffering. Spring’s arrival. Renewal of grace, illumination, resurrection life. Rain. Can be positive or negative. “Behold, the winter is past.” The cold and darkness of separation are gone, warmth and light return. The Fathers saw here both the Resurrection and the personal awakening of the soul — the end of its inner winter, the dawning of spiritual spring. Every believer must pass through such seasons: the storm of repentance gives way to the sunshine of divine love.
Winter’s bondage and barrenness is over. Your season of hiding is over for embarrassment over your sin. The rain could be the Holy Spirit because the flowers appear in verse 12.
Kale. The rains speak of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. She is refreshed and prepared to move out with Him.
Wurmbrand. Thoughts on v. 10-14. The winter is past. Funeral. Here the most beautiful part of Solomon's Song begins. What follows are words appropriate for those convicted of sin; and they are a great source of comfort for the saints when they have passed through a period of depression. They are also fitting words for the time of a believer's death: 'My beloved answered and said unto me, "Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; the fig tree puts forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see your countenance, let me hear your voice; for sweet is your voice, and your countenance is comely" '
The word anah used here means 'to answer' and 'to sing', or, rather, 'to chant', as they do in synagogues, Orthodox churches and mosques. Solomon's Song, like the whole Hebrew Bible, contains not only text but also musical notation, indicating how it should be chanted. The Zohar says, 'the tonal accents were also delivered to Moses on Sinai. ' This applies to the Law of Moses and also to the other books of the Old Testament. Anybody who does not know the tonal accents does not know the entire revelation of God. The same words sung in different keys stir up different feelings. This book has in truth been given to us as a song. In fact, Solomon has been described as the first composer of opera. In the Cleft of the Rock. Believers are strong and unyielding towards sin. That is why it is written, 'Judah is like a lion's cub.' But in their relationship with God, they are like innocent and inoffensive doves, loving quiet and serenity. Like doves, they are faithful to their mate, the Bridegroom. This dove is in its right place - in the clefts of the rock which is Christ. If she is with him, # cleft of a rock is as good as the King's chamber, a prison cell as good as a comfortable house. Sweet is Your Voice. Saint Augustine wrote, 'When worshipping in the Spirit, whoever praises God in song praises Him twice - in the words, and in die music.
time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree
puts forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grapes give a good smell. Rise up, My love, My fair one, and come away! (Song 2:11-13).
Guyon. Death has come to external pleasures which no longer satisfy you. They no longer own you. He is leading you into new territory and He calls it “our land.” The time for pruning has come for the flowers and for you. The voice of the turtledove is Christ in His humanity. Here is a season made of Spring, Summer, and Fall together.
Bickle. Regarding the past – times of difficulty and testing – Jesus reminds us that He was faithful during those times and got us through them. The King pointed out specific conditions that proved that the harvest was not far away. He noted four signs: flowers appearing on a vine signify that the harvest of grapes is soon to follow: the voice of the turtledove is heard at harvest time; fig trees put forth young green figs, which ripen into mature brown figs; the fragrance of tender young grapes indicates the approaching harvest. He is pointing the Bride toward the coming harvest.
The turtledove is an acceptable sacrifice of cleansing in place of a lamb. Our land is the joint land of Jesus and His body. Wesley said that the turtledove appeared in the Spring.
Kale commentary 2:10-12 Arise My darling - (He still speaks to her with tenderness). "Awaken, my dearest, I have come to answer your prayer. You asked me to draw you and to run with you." The season has now changed. If He calls me His darling, if he counts me fair and worthy of being His love partner, who am I to hold back behind my wall? The mountain he is going to take her to is the high place of spirituality. Prophetic Signs of Change of Season 2:11 The winter is past - The cold, barren season is over (when everything shuts down). The cold winds of trial no longer blow. He was faithful in the winter. He’ll be faithful in the next season. The rains are over and gone - Rains are troubles, anxieties; difficulties that are muddy & dirty. 2:12 Flowers appear on the earth - The flowers are a picture of God's care and that He will care for you in this new season and there is nothing to fear. Flowers appear on the vine before fruit. It is a picture of a soon to come harvest. Matthew 6:28 "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin.’ What would keep her from going to the mountain with him? FEAR. She is afraid. Fear is what holds us back. What casts out our fear? Perfect love. 1 John 4:18 " There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear." We are not made to live in the valley or on the couch. "Get up, sleepy head. Arise, my darling."
The season of singing has come - anointed worship. Spiritual bareness is broken by a song. Isaiah 54:1-3 " “Sing, O barren one, who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of her who is married,” says the LORD. “Enlarge the place of your tent and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. 3 For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities." There has been a seismic shift in worship in this generation, from dry hymn books (let's sing the first and third verse) to anointed worship, love songs to a king. The earth is going through a change of season in the spirit. Personal season shifts often start with a new song, suddenly we cannot sing the songs from yesterday. How can you hold back when Jesus is singing over you?
The cooing of doves is heard - the message of love. The Dove has come to sing in our spirit. Hebrew of this word is "turtle dove"; The turtle dove only sings around the time of the harvest. The cooing of the dove is the message that there is a harvest. Come out of the valley, there are souls to win. The fig tree forms its early fruit - a picture of destiny and purpose of God. Many interpret the fig tree to picture Israel in the Bible, but it is not just Israel, it is the DESTINY of Israel, the destiny of His people. Hosea 9:10 "Like grapes in the wilderness, I found Israel. Like the first fruit on the fig tree in its first season, I saw your fathers." Matthew 24:32-33 "From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates." Genesis 3:7, Adam hid behind the leaves of the fig tree. People hide in their fantasies instead of their destiny. Matthew 21:18-20 Jesus curses the fruitless tree. "18 In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. 19 And seeing a fig
tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once." Joel 1:12 "The vine dries up; the fig tree languishes. Pomegranate, palm, and apple, all the trees of the field are dried up, and gladness dries up from the children of man." Joel 2:22 "Fear not, you beasts of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness are green; the tree bears its fruit; the fig tree and vine give their full yield." Micah 4:4 "but they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid, for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken." Haggai 2:19 "Is the seed yet in the barn? Indeed, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have yielded nothing. But from this day on I will bless you.” Zech 3:10 " In that day, declares the Lord of hosts, every one of you will invite his neighbor to come under his vine and under his fig tree.” The blossoming vines spread their fragrance - the visible sign of future fruitfulness is upon us. This is also a depiction of the local church becoming fruitful.
Jesus sees His Bride as a vine covered with blossoms. Churches you give up on, Jesus loves. He loves the church you left, the church you don't like. He loves messed up churches because that
is the only kind He has. The churches are coming alive >>> also a prophetic sign of the times.
*Flowers could be lovers of God throughout the ages which have given the fragrance of Christ over the earth. Wesley thinks it means the communication of God’s gifts and graces and comforts of the Holy Spirit as they appear in believers and bud in the spring.
*The text literally is: The fig tree has sweetened and puts forth its early figs.” In the language of allegory, the fig tree is a picture of destiny and purpose. The sign of the fig tree blooming is the sign of an early spring, a new season.
Kale. This is literally “the fig tree has sweetened and puts forth its early figs.” In the
language of allegory, the fig tree becomes a picture of destiny and purpose. The sign
of a fig tree blooming is the sign of an early spring, a new season. Arise, my love, my beautiful one and come away. The season has changed; it is time to come up and out. He sees that she is not going to go, yet he calls her to come. He doesn't pick a convenient time; He is the most inconvenient lover. She doesn't want to go to the mountain top; she wants to stay here in her comfort zone. This is the second time he challenges her. He may come to us many times before we break through the fear and go. He repeats what she said she would do if he came... 1:4
Verse 14 Commentary. “O My dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the cliff, let Me see your face, let Me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.” Lex. Lit. “O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the secret place of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your appearance is lovely.”
Ambrose. Ambrose reads this as the Church hidden in persecution, preserved in the Rock (Christ).
Bernard. The clefts of the rock are the wounds of Christ, into which the soul flees for refuge. The Beloved’s request — “let me see your face, let me hear your voice” — is an invitation to spiritual intimacy. The clefts of the rock are the wounds of Christ, into which the soul flees for refuge. Origin. The voice and face are the soul’s prayer and inner beauty, which delight Christ. “The Rock is Christ; the clefts are His wounds. There the dove rests and hides, until the Bridegroom calls her forth to show her beauty and let Him hear her song.”
Guyon. You are hidden in His wounds. The wounds are clefts in the Living Rock. He would not ask to see your face if you were turned totally toward Him. Turn toward me for I have moved to a new place. He is drawing you out of yourself.
Bickle. Jesus reveals His tender love for the Bride as she struggles to overcome her fears. My dove: He affirmed her sincerity. A dove speaks of purity and loyalty. He knew that
she would initially compromise (2:17), but that it was in her heart to obey Him. Clefts of the rock: This speaks of the work of the cross. Jesus was the spiritual Rock in Moses’ day and is the Rock on which the Church is built (1 Cor. 10:4; cf. Mt. 16:18). God hid Moses in the cleft of the rock—an open space or gap in the mountain rock— to protect him from being struck dead by seeing the glory of God’s face. (Ex. 33:20-22). God hiding Moses in the cleft of the rock is a type of salvation through Jesus’ death. “Cleft of the rock” also speaks of the wound to Jesus’ side during His crucifixion. Secret places of the cliff: This speaks of Jesus’ resurrection—the ultimate “secret place,” in which a Man ascended to God. The secret place of the cliff (NKJV) is also translated as secret place of the stairs (KJV) and secret place of the steep pathway (NASB). Jesus wants to see our face and hear our voice in worship and prayer as we cry for help (2:14). If we struggle with sin, our voice is not repulsive to God, our face is ugly to Him. Rather, God wants us to run to Him in confidence, instead of from Him in condemnation. The Bride prayed for deliverance from small compromises (2:15). She responded to the King’s exhortation to see her face and hear her voice by praying for help (2:14).
This speaks of the wounded side of Jesus, our Rock where we hide and rest. When Moses asked God to show him His glory, God hid Moses in the cleft of the Rock.
Kale. This speaks of the wounded side of Jesus, our Rock where we hide and rest. The Hebrew literally means “your voice is delicious.” My dove in the hiding place. She refuses him, and his response is love...my dove, my mate for life. His bride-to-be is nestled in the secret hiding place of his love, in the cleft of the rock. The cleft of the rock is the wounded side of Jesus; Christ is the rock cleft for me. Moses hid in the cleft of the rock so he wouldn't die when the Lord
passed before him. This is a picture of being hidden in the sacrifice of Jesus. 1 Corinthians 10:4” and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ." It is time to leave the nest and fly with Him over the mountaintops. Colossians 3:1-4 "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." The Rock must be her stronghold and her dwelling place. Ps. 68:13 “Even while you sleep amongst the sheep pens, the wings of my dove are sheathed with silver, its feathers with shining gold.” Eph 2:6 You are seated with Jesus in heavenly places. 2:14 "in the crannies of the cliff.” TPT - It was I who took you and hid you up high in the secret stairway to the sky. Gen 28:12). He says, I have already put you where I want to take you. I have already placed you in the high place (seated you in heavenly places). I want you to take the journey with me to see your true identity. Jesus is the staircase to ascend into the heavenly places. a. John 1:51 "And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” Revelation 3:7-8 "The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. 8 “‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut." Jesus is the door. This door is a door to heaven. Heaven is in you. Jesus is the only valid entry into the spirit realm. You don't need a portal...you are a portal. Through Jesus, the heavenly realm is operating inside of you, just like it did with Jesus. Show Me your face – Let Me hear your voice (worship & intercession). She bows her head, and she is ashamed; she knows she isn't measuring up. He doesn't want us to hide in our weakness... show me your face. He will not let you wear a mask in His presence. He will not let you wear a veil of shame. He will insist that you reject the false self and embrace your true self before Him, the new nature, the new man. He says, take the mask off, I want to see your face. Your history is irrelevant to God. Three nails and a cross took care of your history. When He died, your whole life became the future. 1 Timothy 1:9 "who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not
according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal," From eternity...His love is outside of time. This is an invitation to cry out to Him in our weakness.
"If only you knew how sweet your voice is from the clefts of the Rock. How lovely you look there hidden in my love. Your voice is music to my ears, sweet, pleasing and acceptable to Me. It is time to let Me enjoy you. You have focused on your satisfaction and what I am to you. Now bring your sweetness to My Spirit, for your face is lovely and your voice is sweet. Let me take pleasure in you." It’s time to let Him enjoy her. Bring your spirit of sweetness to Him. Even in your immaturity, you are lovely to Him.
Nee. THE CALL OF THE CROSS. Formerly, in 1:15, she had “doves’ eyes.” Now, she is a dove. He is speaking to her as He sees her, and thus how she is, even though she is not yet perfected into that state. The “cleft of the rock” is a reference to the cross of Jesus Christ and his sufferings there. In scripture, God is the refuge (Ex. 33:22) who protected Moses by placing him in the rock’s cleft. Today, Jesus is the rock and place of safety from sin, and the cleft is His cross and all its benefits. In Song, the cleft becomes a place of intimacy and communion with God. It is a place of humility and dependence. Christ is the spiritual rock in I Cor. 10: 4.
She knows the cross only superficially. Nee believes the Shulamite is not yet fully manifesting the life of the Spirit. The verse is calling her to recognize the reality of her position in His death. In order for her to attain resurrection life in its fullness, she must embrace and conform to His death. Phil. 3:10. Parallels 2: 8-14. Our countenance and voice are to be molded and perfected by the working of the cross in our lives. His cross must become our cross. The full weight of her consecration was not yet known to her. “For sweet is your voice” refers to prayer and praise. In the first section, it was “Christ for me;” in the second, it is me for Christ. He wants her to satisfy His heart and thus find her destiny. It is not the time to remain in the “House of Wine.” She must, through the cross, reveal resurrection life to others in the fields and byways. “Arise” to live constantly in resurrection life for others. Because the rock is cleft, she must hide there. This portrays “union.” She is in Christ and needs to remain there. It is only as she takes her place in the rock that her life can play out as being centered in the high places. Life “from the high places” can only come through Jesus because only He has attained “the high places. Col. 3: 3-4. To get to the High Places, there had to be an ascension. He has placed her in High Places legally, but her ascent is it being worked out practically. Every benefit which issues from resurrection life, we already possess. Now the question remains of how much we have lost of Adam.
Verse 15. Commentary. Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes. Lex. Lit. ““Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in bloom.”
“When the soul begins to blossom, then come the foxes — distractions, anxieties, and pride — to gnaw the tender shoots. Therefore, vigilance must join love.” Bernard. Devotes an entire sermon to this verse, warning that “the little foxes” are the small sins we excuse in ourselves — gossip, vanity, petty resentment, negligence in prayer.
Guyon. The defects spoil the inward vine which blossoms in your spirit.
Wesley. Little foxes — This he adds for more abundant caution, to teach the church to prevent errors and heresies in the beginnings. Spoil vines — Which foxes do many ways, by gnawing and breaking the little branches and leaves, by digging holes in the vineyards, and so spoiling the roots. Tender grapes — Which are easily spoiled, if great care be not used to prevent it.
Kale. These “foxes” are the compromises hidden deep in our hearts. These are areas of our lives where we have not yet allowed the victory of Christ to shine into. The foxes keep the fruit of His Spirit from growing within us. Catching foxes - the things that hinder love. The secret issues of our life that keep us from ascending the staircase, that hinder love. Habits, words, weaknesses, compromises, these become targets for the devil. 2 Corinthians 10:5 "Take every though captive to obey Christ." These are not the "lions" of rebellion but the subtle areas which hold us back. It is time for a fox hunt...It is time to remove those areas of darkness in your heart so that the garden within you is not ruined. Foxes come out at night (hidden areas) and spoil the vines.
Tell him those things and let him help you catch the foxes. Eccl 10:1 Samson caught 2 foxes, tied tails together, put the torch of truth between them & throws them into the compromise.
Nee. THE REMOVAL OF HINDRANCES. Jesus speaking in 2:15 must refer back to 2:13. “Let us catch the foxes” is a command. Big foxes go after the fruit; little foxes attack the tender vine. If big foxes get the fruit, there is a chance of more fruit; if small foxes get the tender vine, there is no chance of fruit. Thus, fruit that would normally be had from ascending the mountain can be destroyed by the little foxes. The end goal here: full, complete, and eternal life in Christ. What are the little foxes? Every small appearance of the old, natural life: a habit, a retrospective look, grace sins of course. Ec. 10:1. Little foxes hide. To get them, they must work together. Neither can get rid of the foxes alone.
Bickle. The foxes are compromises that keep us from full consecration – from following Jesus completely. We have not allowed Jesus to have full control; therefore, His victory does not yet shine. The foxes keep the fruit of His Spirit from growing within us. They include fear, sinful attitudes and words, and misuse of our time and money. Foxes are cunning animals that will destroy a vineyard under cover of the night. They are not bold, like lions that attack in the day, but are small, fast, crafty, and hard to catch. Spoil the vine: Her “vineyard,” throughout the Song, refers to her heart and spiritual life. Catch us: Catching the foxes requires “us”—the Bride and the King—working together. We cannot catch them by ourselves, so we cry for help. The Lord is so willing to help us.
“Let us,” not “let me or you do it. Both Bridegroom and Bride desire to enjoy the fruit. It is both their interests to eradicate he foxes that hinder growth of the fruit. What are the foxes? 1) Our corruptions – the habits, behaviors, attitudes that hinder flourishing of Godly life. Foxes are cunning. Let us beware. They often look back. We cannot look back. The battle is against major and minor, even small, sins. Beware of “small sins.” None are small. Holiness is comprised of great deeds, but also a multitude of small, Godly decisions.
Verse 16 Commentary. “My beloved is mine and I am His. He feeds His flock among the lilies.” Lexicon lit. “My beloved is mine, and I am his; he shepherds among the lilies.” Feeds. “He who feeds among the lilies or He who shepherds among the lilies.” The Bride expresses mutual belonging and restful assurance in her union with the Beloved.
Bickle. Is mine: She is confident that her Beloved belongs to her. He has not abandoned her. The lilies: She earlier said she was “the lily of the valley” Here, lilies are in the plural. Our
spiritual safety is found in close relationship with other believers who pursue purity.
******Wesley. He feeds — Abides and refreshes himself amongst his faithful people, who are compared to lilies, verse 2.
Kale. The Hebrew includes the phrase, “He browses among the lilies.” The
Hebrew word for browse can also mean “to take delight in.” My beloved is mine, and I am His. Foxes or no foxes, you are His. You are the Father’s love gift to the Son. You are His heritage, His chosen one, His Bride. You are everything He died for, and He will have you fully. He fought for you, defying the hosts of hell, which made you, their prey. He conquered your sins, and then He went on to conquer you, so that you might be His happy captive, His prisoner of hope! You may now say with all your heart: “I am His”. She begins to understand that not only do You belong to me, but I belong to You. Isn't it enough that we have each other? This is a little bit of excuse. Isn’t it enough that we have this love? Can’t we just stay here in the valley? He grazes among the lilies--doesn't go to the mountains, she stays in the lilies, Jesus’ peacefulness of His paradise. You could belong to no other. You do not belong to the world. You do not belong to your church. You do not belong to sin, self, or Satan. You belong exclusively and entirely to Him, the Great Shepherd.
Guyon. You know that you belong to your Beloved. He feeds among the lilies of your purity. He feeds upon His life within you. Is. 55:2.
Nee. (Sees 2:16 -3:5 as a unit: Failure and Restoration. 2:16. Since she understands that He loves her and that she is in union with Him, she rejoices. She knows that He loves her dearly. She knows that she belongs to Him, but He is not yet her sole focus. Here in 2:16, she reviews her life experiences, but in so doing becomes the center and defeats her purpose to Know Him. In 6:3, the King is the center of attraction, but there is still some emphasis on herself. In 7:10, it is only the King. Nee sees “the lilies” as being those with fully dedicated hearts toward the beloved. Ps. 45 is the song of the lily and of pure love. Among such a people is where the Lord feeds His flock.
Wurmbrand. The believing soul is continually growing. Its first word is an exclamation of triumph. The soul possesses the beloved, and exclaims, 'My beloved is mine, and I am his. ' When she has grown, she does not put herself first anymore, but modesty says, 'I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine'. (6:3). The order of the words is changed. When she has grown even more, she is satisfied in giving herself without asking for anything in return: 'I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me' (7:10). The Hebrew word for 'his' is lo, but the same word also means 'not' in spoken Hebrew (there is a difference in the way the word is written, but the oral form came first and is more significant here). The verse, when only spoken,
could quite accurately be translated, 'My beloved is mine, and I am not.' He is everything in the believer's life. No place remains for a 'me.' 'My beloved is mine and I am not.' What has happened to me, when I am no more and only, he remains? The aim of my life has then been fulfilled. Basil of Caesarea wrote, Every spiritual being is, by his nature, a temple of God
created to receive in himself the glory of God.' When my Beloved is mine, and I 'am not', what is visible of me continues. But each of us has two natures: the visible and the invisible. If I have submitted to divine will, the invisible part of me has united with God. The bride says, 'He feeds among the lilies' (2:6). He has said that his brides are his lilies. We, his flock, feed with him among the lilies, who already are the saints of the past and present; The example of their lives nourishes us.
Verse 17 Commentary. “Until the day breaks from night until day and the shadows of fear flee away, Turn to me, my beloved and be like a gazelle or a young stag and ascend to the Mountains of Bether.”
Lex. Lit. ““Until the day breathes and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved; be like a gazelle or a young stag upon the mountains of separation.” Day breathes. Illumination of divine truth, resurrection, or final coming of Christ. Illumination of divine truth, resurrection, or final coming of Christ. This is a night-to-dawn image. The Bride asks her Beloved to remain near — or to return swiftly — until the darkness passes. The “day breathing” signifies dawn, and “shadows fleeing” denotes the end of uncertainty or absence. Shadows fleeing. End of sin, ignorance, trial, or mortality. Gazelle/young stag. Christ’s swiftness, vigor, eagerness to save. Mountains of separation. Barriers between the soul and perfect union — sin, mortality, or time itself.
In Song 2:17, the Bride — secure yet yearning — calls for her Beloved to remain near until the full dawn. This verse expresses the paradox of mature love: contentment in possession, longing for completion.
For the Fathers, it signified the soul’s cry amid the “already–not yet” of Christian life: united with Christ yet awaiting the full revelation of His light. The “mountains of separation” will be overcome when the eternal day breathes and shadows flee forever.
Ambrose sees the verse as a prayer for Christ’s Parousia — the dawn of His final coming. The “mountains of separation” are the barriers of the flesh, which will vanish when the soul beholds God face to face. Jerome interprets the day breaking as illumination of the mind through the Word, and the shadows fleeing as the dispelling of sin and error. Gregory of Nyssa. Interprets the verse as the soul’s yearning for the eternal day, when contemplation will no longer be partial. He sees The night as the present life; the day as the divine world to come. “He runs upon the mountains of separation, joining heaven to earth, spirit to flesh, that the shadows may vanish before His light.”
Bickle. The Bride’s painful compromise (2:17). She refused the King’s command to arise to join Him on the mountains (2:13). She told Him to turn and go without her until the day breaks to give her light. She refused to obey because of fear. She was responding in her immaturity, not rebellion. Until the day breaks: Daybreak comes in the morning as the new light of the rising sun dispels darkness. At daybreak, the dark shadows and gray areas of the Bride’s life disappear.
Mountains of Bether, which is the He. Word for separation or gap. This could be the realm of holiness, being separated to God. Some say that Bether was a spiritual representation of a mountain of fragrant spices, the realm of holiness.
Bickle. CHALLENGING THE COMFORT ZONE (SONG 2:8-17) Jesus is pictured as effortlessly skipping over the mountains or obstacles (human and demonic). Jesus has all power. Thus, no obstacle can hinder Him from fulfilling the Great Commission. “The voice of my Beloved! He comes leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills. My Beloved is like a gazelle…My Beloved spoke, “Rise up, My love…and come away…” Until the day breaks and the shadows flee away, turn, my Beloved.” (Song 2:8-17) She has learned to enjoy His presence sitting at His table (2:3-5). Jesus wants more than a Bride who enjoys His presence; He also wants deep partnership with her in the work of the kingdom. Therefore, He disturbs her “comfort zone” to call her to a higher place of obedience and faith. Initially she refuses Him by telling Him to turn and go to the mountain without her (2:17). D. Her compromise is due to her immaturity, not to her rebellion. She fears that total obedience will be too difficult. She loves Him but does not think she has the strength to obey Him fully.
*Wesley says Until the Day breaks is the general resurrection. Until — Until the morning of that blessed day of the general resurrection, when all the shadows, not only of ignorance, and sin, and calamity, but even of outward administrations, shall cease. Turn — Return to me. For although Christ had come to her, and she had gladly received him, yet he was gone again, as is here implied, and evidently appears from the following verse. Which sudden change is very agreeable to the state of God's people in this world, where they are subject to frequent changes. A roe — In swiftness; make haste to help me. Of Bether — A place in the land of promise, where it seems those creatures were in great abundance.
This literally means “mountains of Bether,” the Hebrew word for separation or gap. This could be the realm of holiness, being separated to God. Some scholars say Bether was a spiritual representation of a mountain of fragrant spices—i.e., the realm of holiness. Until the day breaks, until she can see better...she is walking by sight instead of faith. Faith rewards us with greater revelation of who God is. Turn… the mountains of separation. Turn = Hebrew "turn away" "Go away.” Go away, turn away. Go on ahead, I will remain here. You are still my lover, but I am afraid. Until the shadows flee...until sunlight has broken... I can't go in the dark... when I am more mature. I can’t see, my faith isn’t there yet. Fear is the issue that keeps her/us from the mountain of spice. “Now” if you hear my voice, not tomorrow, or someday, but NOW. If He says Now, He’ll give you what you need to do it. It’s a promise. Go, I’ll be your strength. On the "cleft mountains" or "rugged hills", literally the "hills of Bether". Hebrew "bether" = separation.
These are the mountains of separation. Separation is used to describe holiness. The mountains of separation picture a realm that she felt inadequate to get into. To go into the mountain of holiness, we think we will have to pay a price, to pay a sacrifice; but holiness is a grace gift.
Nee. This is the Shulamite retelling what the Shepherd King has said to her. There are shadows in her heart and the idea of complete union with Him is legally true but not yet Her’s fully experientially. She has heard the sound of His voice, the call of the Cross, the demands for a heavenly overcoming life and the importance of manifesting resurrection, but she has come short of it. She perhaps wanted Jesus in the secret place but had not yet learned that He is in all places.
Wurmbrand. The bride says, 'Until the daybreak, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether' (2:17). The bride sends the Bridegroom away to the mountains of Bether (2:17). The word bether means 'separation'. She believes it is possible to exist without him, to be separate from him. This thought brings us to the third chapter of the Song of Songs, a book so important that Origen, one of the distinguished teachers of the Church in the third century, wrote twelve volumes about it. Saint Bernard of
Clairvaux delivered eighty-six sermons on the first two chapters alone.