The Song of Solomon clearly distinguishes between two types of Christians: lilies and thorns; a people fervent in spirit, and one whose pursuit is relaxed and lukewarm; a people that are pressing on and one that chooses to remain idle. The Bible reveals this to us when God says:
"As the lily among thorns, so is My love among the daughters" (Song 2:2).
Solomon is speaking here of his lover, the Shulamite, but 9 out of 10 scholars agree this speaks allegorically of the love relationship between Jesus and His bride (Eph 5:25-27, 32; 2 Cor 11:2; Isa 62:4-5; Rev 19:7-8; 21:2). Referencing a husband and wife relationship, Paul said, "For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church" (Eph 5:31-32). Clearly then, this story of Solomon and his bride reflects upon us a much grander picture: "For thy Maker is thine husband" (Isa 54:5)! Let's have ears that can hear the Spirit speak!
How interesting that Jesus here contrasts lilies and thorns! He contrasts the right heart with the wrong one. Thorns in Scripture always present a sinful issue, while lilies represent Christ likeness, growth, beauty and purity (Hos 14:4-5; Song 5:13; 7:2). They speak to us of glory (Lk 12:27)! It is even said to be the place where God feeds (Song 2:16; 4:5; 6:2-3)! Oh how I want to be such! How different these lilies are when compared to thorns. Observe:
1. The first mention of "thorns" was the result of the fall of Adam (Gen 3:18). They are likened to the fruit of sin (Prov 26:9; Isa 55:13).
2. Thorns are also likened to an intermixing of good and evil (Num 33:55; Josh 23:13).
3. Thorns are directly related to slothfulness. Proverbs says, "I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down" (Prov 24:30-31).
4. The presence of thorns is the result of a lack of pruning (Isa 5:6)!
5. Such thorns are subject to God's remedial judgements (Heb 6:4-6). Are they lost forever? No; Though harshly judged, they yet remain "His people" (Heb 10:30).
6. In the parable of the sower, Jesus defined thorns: "And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful" (Mk 4:18-19).
Clearly, we can discern the great spiritual significance of being likened to "thorns". These "daughters", in the Song of Solomon 2:2, have been riddled with unresolved sin, are spiritually slothful, have not allowed God's purging and pruning, and have allowed mere temporal pleasures such as worldly cares, the deceitfulness of riches and lusts to enter in and choke any spiritual progress present within them! Is this progress to be considered all together gone? No. It is choked, it is hindered and dormant: But thank God, "The Lord upholdeth all that fall" (Ps 145:14; 37:24).
Now, before we automatically assume these "daughters" are not saved, let us recognize what the Divine Record says of them! Indeed, the Bible says they have a certain love for God (Song 1:3), are running after Him (Song 1:4), are rejoicing in Him (Song 1:4), are remembering His love more than wine (Song 1:4), and are considered "upright" (Song 1:4). They possess a "virgin status" (Song 1:3), which in Scripture continually references justified people, either naturally or in type (Lev 21:14; 2 Kgs 19:21; Ps 45:13; Song 6:8; Isa 23:12; Isa 62:5; Jer 14:17; 31:4; Matt 25:1; 2 Cor 11:2; Rev 14:4). Why should we see it differently here? We should not. Clearly these attributes are speaking of blood-bought believers! Just because one is separated and elevated by the response of his heart does not negate the salvation of those from whom he is separated. In the book of Deuteronomy, the Levites were likewise separated from their brethren, and for a divine purpose (Deut 10:6-9). But should we therefore conclude that the remainder of God's people were hell-bound? Absolutely not! As we have seen, there will be levels of rewards in the resurrection (1 Cor 15:41-42) respective to the differing levels of devotion present on earth, our temporal schoolyard. Just because the Shulamite outshines the daughters does not negate their salvation at all. It simply negates their unadulterated devotion to Jesus! But haven't we seen such differing devotion elsewhere too? Indeed. The very company that Jesus kept, namely His disciples, present to us this same illustration: He had the multitudes, then He had the 70, then the 12, then the 3 who were specially and more frequently with Him, and finally the one, who continually laid His head upon Jesus' chest (Jn 13:23; 21:20). When Jesus healed the 10 lepers in Luke 17:11-19, only one returned to Him to rightly give Him glory! Does that negate the "wholeness" of the other 9? No. Rather, it presents to us the special devotion of the one. It illustrates the extra special wholeness of him who was especially grateful! He that has been forgiven much will love much too (Lk 7:47). And so it is with the Shulamite and the daughters.
What a beautiful picture the Song of Solomon presents to us! The bride is distinguished and set apart from mere nominal Christianity! Thank God! Of her, it goes on to say:
"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" (Song 6:8-9).
Now, aside from being likened to a lily, what has caused such a special separation?
To Be Continued ...
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