Have you heard there is a scarlet thread running through the Bible? Some say this meaning Jesus Christ is incorporated all of the way through the Bible, not by name but in theme. It’s true! You can find elements, themes, and symbols of Jesus’ life in every book of the Bible. In recent blogs, we have studied and by the Spirit of God found this to be true even for the Song of Solomon. Today, we continue our study with chapter five.
Within the span of only 16 short verses, Song of Solomon chapter five mentions the washing of feet (v. 3), eating and drinking among friends (v. 1), and coming into a garden (v. 1). How very similar to Jesus’ last actions before He was crucified! He washed the feet of His disciples, ate and drank with them at the Last Supper, and then went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray (see John 13 and Matthew 26).
In Song of Solomon verse 7, the Scripture says, “The watchmen found me as they made their rounds in the city. They beat me, they bruised me; they took away my cloak, those watchmen of the walls!” In context, we read with awe and disgust that the watchmen (whose job it is to guard against crime) actually beat and steal the cloak of the innocent woman looking for her lover. Yet, we find an amazing similarity to the life of Christ.
In Jesus’ life, it is the priests (those spiritual watchmen who should guard against evil) who attack our innocent Lord and have Him arrested. The soldiers beat Him and took His clothes (see Mark 14:65 and John 19:23) just as the woman in Song of Solomon. These horrific facts remind us that sometimes people who should be representing Christ with actions of love actually cause us great harm and pain because they don’t truly know the Lord.
Have you been hurt or misled by a pastor or people who claimed to be Christians? So was Jesus! The important thing to remember is that turning from God is not the answer. The real true God is full of love and welcomes you into His kingdom with open arms. He is the Good Shepherd who calls to you by name. Answer His call today!