Thursday 17 January 2013

Background

In today's passage we find the couple now married and possiblyhitting a rocky patch in their relationship. The maiden is asleepin her bed and her husband has come to her, either for anunexpected rendezvous or after a long day of seeing to his duties.But she is tired and settled in her rest - she doesn't want to getout of the warmth of her bed and have to get robed to answer thedoor. And by the time she manages to shake herself up, he'sgone.

It's interesting to note the continued references to myrrhthroughout the Song of Solomon. Readers familiar with the NewTestament may recognise the spice from the gifts given to theinfant Jesus by the magi (eg Matthew 2:11). In the Gospels it is usuallyunderstood to symbolise Christ's death as it was often used toanoint dead bodies. But the reference in today's reading seems tohave no such sinister meaning: myrrh was also commonly used as aperfume, especially by new brides, to prepare them for theirbridegrooms.

So having opened the door only to find that he's given up, themaiden entreats her friends to go and search for him - essentiallyto tell him that she's sorry and she is faint with her love forhim. But she must first convince them that he's worth all of thiseffort. "What is your beloved more than another beloved?" theydemand (v. 9), so she launches into a poetic description of allthat is outstanding and perfect about her man. We not only get atop-to-toe description of his physical attributes, we even hearthat "his speech is most sweet".

Now convinced, her friends resolve to help return him to herside.

To Ponder

• It's often said that 'you don't know what you've got 'til it'sgone.' How true have you found that to be in your life?

• There is, perhaps, some parallel between today's passage and Revelation 3:20: "Listen! I am standing at thedoor, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will comein to you and eat with you, and you with me." Do you ever feel thatyou've been sluggish in responding to God's call, as if woken froma deep sleep?