The Unity of Love

Song of Solomon 6:1-13

“Whither is thy beloved gone, O thou fairest among women? whither is thy beloved turned aside? that we may seek him with thee. 

My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.  I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine: he feedeth among the lilies.” (Song of Solomon 6:1-3)

The other women asked the lady where her husband is, and she stated that he had gone down to the garden to refresh himself, working among the beds of spices and gathering lilies.   She recognizes his emotional need.  She then pointed out something that is commonly ignored in our day.

In Genesis 2:24, God had just instituted marriage and he said, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”  As a result of the sexual union they become as emotionally intertwined and interdependent as if they were a single individual, and Psychologists say that losing a mate, whether through death or divorce is as emotionally devastating as losing an arm or leg.  Even a short, unhappy relationship takes at least a year to heal, and the scars remain far longer.   

For the physical body to function properly it is necessary the various parts work together.  If the legs refuse to go where the rest of the body directs them so can obtain food, the body slowly starves.    In the same way, if one spouse decides their desire and needs takes precedence, the relationship begins to die.   I Corinthians 7:4 states, “The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.” 

I Corinthians 6:16-17 describes a similar connection between the Christian and the Lord.  “What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.  But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.”

“Thou art beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as an army with banners.  Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me: thy hair is as a flock of goats that appear from Gilead.  Thy teeth are as a flock of sheep which go up from the washing, whereof every one beareth twins, and there is not one barren among them.  As a piece of a pomegranate are thy temples within thy locks. ” (Song of Solomon 6:4-7)

Once again she describes the beauty she sees in her mate.  He is as pleasant as the most beautiful cities in Israel, and as emotionally upsetting as an army in full dress.  His looking at her causes her emotions to run amok.   She is fascinated by his hair or his teeth, and the skin of his temples is totally distracting. 

“There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number.  My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.  Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners? ” (Song of Solomon 6:8-10)

There are lots of other women available, both rich and poor, but her lover sees only one.  She is reserved solely for him, raised by a loving mother.  The other women respect and admire her.  She is as beautiful as the moon or clear as the sunlight. And as upsetting as an army in full array. 

“I went down into the garden of nuts to see the fruits of the valley, and to see whether the vine flourished, and the pomegranates budded.   Or ever I was aware, my soul made me like the chariots of Amminadib.   Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return, that we may look upon thee. What will ye see in the Shulamite? As it were the company of two armies. ” (Song of Solomon 6:11-13)

He had gone down to the garden to see how things were growing.  Suddenly he found himself thinking about her, filled with love for her and wanting to get back to her.  Seeing her again would be as exciting as seeing two armies coming together.   His little time away has only emphasized his love for her.