I have gathered from your heart, my equal, my bride, I have gathered from my garden all my sacred spices – even my myrrh. I have tasted and enjoyed my milk, my honeycomb, which you yield to me. I delight in gathering my sacred spice, all the fruits of my life have gathered from within you, my paradise garden. Song of Songs 5:1a The Passion Translation
The subtle allegories of poetry often elude my grasp. Three-thousand-year-old poetry, as in the Song of Songs, leaves me completely baffled. The Sacred Journey by Brian and Candice Simmons brings clarity and insight that I can grab ahold of. Their understanding of the poetry provides food for my devotion.
In Song of Songs 5, the bride (the church) has journeyed into advanced stages of dedication to her Bridegroom King (Jesus). Her (my/our) love and adoration of Him delights His heart. Our praises are a sweet-smelling aroma – His sacred spices. The fragrance of our worship thrills and satisfies Him. God’s first and greatest commandment is to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Creating a spice-filled garden of worship to please our Bridegroom King takes top priority.
That thought arrested me. I had to ask myself, “How am I creating a sweet fragrance in my life?” Fortunately, my church offers many opportunities to praise and worship our King. I join as often as I can. And every time I choose His will over my own, every time I breathe a prayer, fragrant incense brings a smile to my Bridegroom King’s face.
Back in the allegory of Song of Songs 5:1, the Bridegroom King gathers the fruit He has produced in the bride. Jesus is the vine; we are the branches. We have the privilege of bearing the fruit He has produced in us and offering it back to Him (John 15).
The Bridegroom King offers as a feast (spiritual food) and refreshing drink (the Word, Holy Spirit) to His friends and lovers (Christians). Simply stated, other Christians will feast on the devotional life He has produced within me. As I continue to press in for greater intimacy with my Bridegroom King, others will find food for their own devotional life. I love that!
In closing, the Bridegroom King has tasted His milk and honey from the bride with pleasure (v.1). The Promised Land is described as the land of milk and honey. Is our love and adoration Jesus’ Promised Land? What a beautiful thought!