The Song of Solomon, Chapters 5 and 6
“The Beloved” of this song came to his garden, which was enclosed by a wall; he knocked at the door, and put his hand in the slot to open, but it was barred, or locked, below. The woman of the Song was asleep within. His knock awakened her, and she heard his voice saying, “Open to me, my sister, my love”. It was night, the dew was falling; and she should have risen quickly to unlock the door; but she was slow to do so. At last she rose to open, but she had waited too long; her beloved was gone. As she put her hand on the lock, she felt drops of sweet myrrh which told her of the gift of love of the one who had been there.
The woman called and searched about the city, as before (Chapt. 3), but could not find her Beloved, and was roughly treated and hurt by the watchmen. She was asked by the women why she sought her Beloved so eagerly, and she answered that he was “the chiefest among ten thousand”; and she described him. All she says has a meaning if we could but explain: “his head as most fine gold”, tells of righteousness; “bushy locks”, of serateness to God (Numbers 6:2, 52Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the Lord: (Numbers 6:2)
5All the days of the vow of his separation there shall no razor come upon his head: until the days be fulfilled, in the which he separateth himself unto the Lord, he shall be holy, and shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow. (Numbers 6:5)); “doves eyes” of gentleness; spices and perfumes, of grace and of what was pleasing to others; gold and ivory and jewels are of the most durable and beautiful things known; marble has strength and beauty; Lebanon is a beautiful high land, with wonderful cedars, lasting for centuries, useful and of beauty. These last words we can easily understand,
“Yea, he is altogether lovely, this is my beloved, this is my friend” (Chapt. 5:16).
At last the Beloved went to his garden again, and it seemed to be open to him, and he sings in praise of this one he loves (Chapts. 6 and 7).
The people: of Israel were like this woman, “sleeping”, and did not “open” to the beloved Son of God when He came to them with love, They will have great trouble to “find” Him, but at last will open their hearts to Him, and He will then tell their worth to others, as the Beloved sang, “Thou art beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem.” Chapt. 6:4.
The name Tirzah means beauty; it was the name of a young woman who believed and valued God’s promises (Joshua 17:3, 43But Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, but daughters: and these are the names of his daughters, Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 4And they came near before Eleazar the priest, and before Joshua the son of Nun, and before the princes, saying, The Lord commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brethren. Therefore according to the commandment of the Lord he gave them an inheritance among the brethren of their father. (Joshua 17:3‑4)). It was also the name of a city of that land, which was no doubt a place of beay, for it was chosen for a home and capitol by kings of Israel (11 Kings 14:17; 15:3317And Jeroboam's wife arose, and departed, and came to Tirzah: and when she came to the threshold of the door, the child died; (1 Kings 14:17)
33In the third year of Asa king of Judah began Baasha the son of Ahijah to reign over all Israel in Tirzah, twenty and four years. (1 Kings 15:33)). Jerusalem means peace, and, when well kept by its people, was most beautiful.
So the people of God are to at last have beauty and peace. The last verses show power, none then will harm God’s people.
Do you suppose we can now be like Israel, so slow to open our hearts to the Son of God that He will go away? He is very patient, but can not come in if His love is not received.
If we love Him, we may sing of His kindness and worth as this woman did and others will want to “find” Him.
ML 09/28/1941