“I am the rose
of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. As the lily among the thorns, so is my
love among the daughters.” (Song of Solomon 2:1-2 KJV)
It is commonly
assumed by most people in Israel that since the Sharon plain is on the coast of
the Mediterranean Sea, the rose of Sharon refers to flowers growing there. They
bloom in the late summer just above the high-tide level.
assumed by most people in Israel that since the Sharon plain is on the coast of
the Mediterranean Sea, the rose of Sharon refers to flowers growing there. They
bloom in the late summer just above the high-tide level.
Note that the poet
makes a personal application. “I am the rose . . . and the lily . . .
” We should also note that she compares the quality of her love to that of
“the daughters” and insists that she is like a rose or lily growing
among thorns. It sounds almost arrogant.
makes a personal application. “I am the rose . . . and the lily . . .
” We should also note that she compares the quality of her love to that of
“the daughters” and insists that she is like a rose or lily growing
among thorns. It sounds almost arrogant.
Perhaps she is only
relating what the evidence shows. Is she
more committed to her lover than the daughters are to theirs? Does she express
her love more fervently than the daughters do? Relationships can be so prickly
and the quality of love can be the fragrant beauty that binds it all together.
relating what the evidence shows. Is she
more committed to her lover than the daughters are to theirs? Does she express
her love more fervently than the daughters do? Relationships can be so prickly
and the quality of love can be the fragrant beauty that binds it all together.
But what if the poet
is a man? Then, he is comparing his “love” as more beautiful than all
the daughters in her family. She is like a rose among the thorns by comparison.
If we consider this from a broader view, maybe we will see several applications
here.
is a man? Then, he is comparing his “love” as more beautiful than all
the daughters in her family. She is like a rose among the thorns by comparison.
If we consider this from a broader view, maybe we will see several applications
here.
We certainly do not
want to get stuck on the idea that the essence of the rose and the lily are the
flowering petals. When the Creator made these beautiful flowers, the thorns
were included. He made the whole plant, top to bottom. The thorns were not some
afterthought. They were a vital part of the plant which requires an
appreciative perspective . To see the real beauty, one must view them from
God’s perspective.
want to get stuck on the idea that the essence of the rose and the lily are the
flowering petals. When the Creator made these beautiful flowers, the thorns
were included. He made the whole plant, top to bottom. The thorns were not some
afterthought. They were a vital part of the plant which requires an
appreciative perspective . To see the real beauty, one must view them from
God’s perspective.
Dear Father, thank
you for your love that is more beautiful than anything else we can see. Empower
us to form our lives so that we too are like roses among thorns. This I pray in
the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for your love that is more beautiful than anything else we can see. Empower
us to form our lives so that we too are like roses among thorns. This I pray in
the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be strong and
courageous today with your love for Christ,
courageous today with your love for Christ,