I am a rose of Sharon,
a lily growing in the valleys.

[ GROOM ]

Like a lily among thorns,
so is my true love among the young women.

[ BRIDE ]

Like an apple tree among the trees in the forest,
so is my beloved among the young men.
I want to sit in his shadow.
His fruit tastes sweet to me.
He leads me into a banquet room
and looks at me with love.
Strengthen me with raisins
and refresh me with apples
because I am weak from love.
His left hand is under my head.
His right hand caresses me.

Young women of Jerusalem, swear to me
by the gazelles
or by the does in the field
that you will not awaken love
or arouse love before its proper time. (God’s Word Translation)

Notice how the flowers grow in the field. They never work or spin yarn for clothes. But I say that not even Solomon in all his majesty was dressed like one of these flowers. (Matthew 6:28-29)

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5)

As long as I have you, I don’t need anyone else in heaven or on earth.

Psalm 73:25

There is nothing quite like a field of flowers. Along the coastal plain of the Mediterranean Sea, south of Mount Carmel, is Sharon. In the ancient world, there was found crocuses, tulips, and hibiscus.

These days, in the Spring of the year, one can see bindweed and pimpernel, sage and iris, as well as orchids and poppies. In addition, lilies bloom throughout the valleys of the Middle East. In the Spring, flowers are commonplace in the valleys and countryside.

In today’s Old Testament lesson, the bride in this poetic ode to love and beauty, is saying there is nothing special about her. There are many women, and she in no way stands amongst them all.

Love says otherwise. Love picks out the individual. In the Song, the groom views the bride as if a flower among thorns. There is a beauty that attracts him to her. She may be a commoner, yet her beautiful qualities stand out and are attractive. All others pale in comparison to her.

Likewise, the bride basks in the security of the groom, finding all others tasteless compared to him. He is like an apple tree that provides shade, and whose fruit is delicious.

There is a mutual attraction that is life-giving and beautiful. It is more than a fleeting infatuation. They see within each other the qualities which will bind and sustain them when there are rough times and hard roads.

Beauty is much more than outward appearance. It is the endearing inner qualities of a good and right spirit, which is outwardly seen in a visage of compassion and caring, gentleness and humility, purity and peace.

Such beauty, in and out, causes one to swoon with love – hence, making one love-sick. Love is powerful. It is not to be corrupted by the lust which only views another as an object to be gained.

We are to let the beauty and power of love develop, grow, and mature. The flowers of the field may seem to spring up overnight. However, the seeds and the bulbs have been awaiting the right time to take root, break the ground, grow up, and flower.

Love is both endearing and enduring. Love is to be nurtured and cultivated. It cannot be hurried. Love is an attention to the whole person, and seeks to endure for the long haul. It maintains a beautiful commitment into the growing coldness of autumn, and holds vigil through the season of winter. Love isn’t going anywhere.

But I am talking about Christ the groom, and Church the bride. Spiritual commitment is not really measured in doctrinal statements and dogmatic theology. It is shown and known by embracing Love with a capital “L.”

God is Love. Yes, God does loving deeds and actions. Yet, we are told that the very nature and character of God is Love. Jesus is Love incarnate, the embodiment of what Love sees and does in this world.

I am, of course, taking a decidedly Christian approach to the Song, and an allegorical view of it. This is why, if we delight in knowing and enjoying the Song, we discover the way to genuine spirituality, and the key which unlocks the whole of Holy Scripture.

Not everyone, of course, will agree with me or choose to go down this allegorical path. Perhaps this is why we have so much religion nowadays which is devoid of love, and chooses to focus on sterile doctrinal checklists to which we must ascribe.

Please don’t hear what I am not saying. Doctrine is important. Theology is a must. But if our doctrine and theology has no beauty, and has no thoughts of love, and is not basically oriented in the direction of love, then I strongly argue that it isn’t doctrine or theology at all!

“And what is proper love? One should love the Lord with an exceeding great and very strong love so that the soul be tied to the love of the Lord, finding itself totally absorbed in it, as if he were suffering of lovesickness, when his mind is never free because of love for that woman, and he is obsessed with her, whether sitting down, or standing up, even when he is eating and drinking. More than this should the love for the Lord be in the heart of those who love him, meditating on it constantly, even as God has commanded us: ‘With all your heart and with all your soul.’” – Maimonides, Jewish Rabbi and philosopher (1138-1204, C.E.)

We were created by God for love. God longs to love us; and we are to love God with our entire self – heart, soul, mind, and strength. What’s more, our own love for one another is shaped by the love we receive from God.

Indeed, the biblical book, Song of Songs, is not only in the literal middle of the Old Testament; it is also in the very heart of it. It is all about Love.

Bless us with Love, O Merciful God;
That we may Love as you Love!
That we may show patience, tolerance,
Kindness, caring and love to all!
O Compassionate One, grant compassion unto us;
That we may help all fellow souls in need!
Bless us with your Love, O God.
Bless us with your Love. Amen.