The bridegroom at a wedding we recently attended was asked the traditional question. Did he intend to take the young woman standing by him as his lawfully wedded wife, loving her faithfully at all times and in all circumstances?
His sweet answer was not the traditional “I do.”
His immediate and joyful response—“You bet I do”—rang out to the delight of all there.
He intended no humor by his words. They were uttered with eager and happy certainty. None had the slightest doubt as to the reality and commitment of his love and desire for the one who became his wife that day.
The Bridegroom’s Desire
We see a similar spirit of such eager, joyful delight in the Song of Songs. Reading this lovely book ought to produce a stirring in our hearts as we realize how very much our blessed Saviour desires a like response from each of His own.
In chapter 2:10-11 the bridegroom says to His beloved, “Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For, lo, the winter is past.” His words were meant to stir her heart. He could never be satisfied to have her affections for him characterized by winter—a time when there is no display of life or warmth. Thus he stirs her heart: The springtime of their love, with all its life, beauty and joy, was come.
He wants a response from her heart, one that will blossom and produce its own wonderful and beautiful fruit. Then, filled with joy and expectation at receiving that from her, the bridegroom repeats, “Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.”
But he senses a hesitation in her response—some little coldness in her affections for him. So he further seeks to arouse her. “O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely” (ch. 2:14).
To know that his beloved dwelt safely (in the clefts of the rock) was not enough to satisfy the bridegroom’s heart, for he must see her and hear her. But for that she must be near him so that she might fully enjoy his company and respond to his love.
The Bride’s Response
At the wedding previously mentioned, when the bride was asked the same question, she replied with the traditional “I do.” But her radiant face and soft voice spoke volumes to the bridegroom and the rest of us. The young man watched his beloved’s face as she answered, and her countenance and voice (as well as her answer) brought a glad smile to his face.
The bride in the Song of Songs also responds to her beloved. In chapter 2:16 she affirms that “my beloved is mine.” Later, longing for her bridegroom who has likened her to a beautiful, private garden blooming in the spring (ch. 4:12-15), she finds it the delight of her heart to be able to satisfy his. She says, “Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits” (ch. 4:16).
After additional exercise and stirring of heart, she gladly tells others that “my beloved is . . . the chiefest among ten thousand” (ch. 5:10). She further meditates on his loveliness while describing with delight his glories and beauties that have won her heart. The bride then concludes by saying that to her “he is altogether lovely” (vs. 16).
Near the end of this book, the bride sums up those affections of her heart that have been drawn out by the patient love and tender desire of the bridegroom. She says, “I am my beloved’s, and his desire is toward me” (ch. 7:10). This is more than she had said earlier in chapter 2:16. There she was content to know that her beloved was hers as she was his. But now, with freshly stirred affections she revels in the fact that not only is he hers, but his love and desire are to her—and she is the one who alone can satisfy his heart.
Oh! dear Christian, think how infinitely more the blessed Lord Jesus is looking for, yea, yearning for a heart response of love from each of His own. Are we satisfied just to know that we have been bought with a price? His blessed heart cannot be satisfied with that. He is infinitely worthy of a much greater response. May it be the longing of our hearts to think on His loveliness and glory and to give Him what He so desires, the overflowing love of our hearts (Rev. 3:2020Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)).
“Think on me when it shall be well with thee” (Gen. 40:1414But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and show kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house: (Genesis 40:14)). “With desire I have desired to eat . . . with you” (Luke 22:1515And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: (Luke 22:15)). “Lovest thou Me?” (John 21:15-1715So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. (John 21:15‑17)).
Ed.