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“While the King was at his table, my spikenard sends forth it’s fragrance’ (NKJV,v 12) - Compare with Jn 12:1-5.
She has come into his surrounding presence (see the interpretation of 'table') and starts to pour out costly affections over him. Just like Mary pouring out the alabaster jar of Spikenard, so she now is extravegant in her adoration. We respond to his praising by pouring out our life to Him in love, worship and adoration. The spice releases a ' fragrance' - what does this speak of ?
To interpret effectively
the spices (in this case ,
Spikenard)
we must use the following system of interpretation.....
Interpreting The Spices...All the spices were used in anointing, perfumes and purification and theri general function was to provide anointing and a pleasing ambience. The following chart may be used in interpreting the verses which mention spices..
This chart will be
available as a popup later when the spices appear in a verse.
We can let peace flow out of us because we have found peace with Him. Later we will see that this fragrance is released to the world, here it is only for the Beloved. Before we can touch the world for Him, we must have firstly spent time pouring out our affections in His intimate presence. Jesus said that what Mary had poured out in His presence would be spoken of in all the world as a testimony!
“A bundle of Myrrh is my beloved to me, that lies all night between my breasts.” (NKJV,v13) - In the times of Solomon women wore sachets of Myrrh on a chain round their kneck, so the fragrance was always in her nostrils.
Here, she is saying that as she pours out her love to Him, he is always pleasing to Her, as long as she wears his meekness ( Myrrh) round her neck (strength). This bundle dangles between her breasts which speaks of the ability to nourish new life. Jesus’ meek, gentle nature should always be on our thoughts, He will always please us (meek is not weak!). As we move in meekness we will nourish others who are taking baby steps in their faith.
Verse 14 : Cluster = blessing / joy (Isa 65:8); Henna = Joy; Vineyard = Joy (church); En Gedi = ‘fountain of a kid’ (Oasis off west coast of Dead Sea.)
How would you interpret
this verse ? Notice that all the images used are to do with the Joy of
the Lord in the Holy Spirit. If we move out into God's purposes without
having experienced God's unspeakable Joy, full of glory, then we will not
be as effective as God wants us to be. This is a foundational experience
we need - that of the unbridled joy of the Lord. It comes through regular
devotional time with Him, pouring out our hearts in loving adoration. He
will respond by pouring His joy into us - the Joy of the Lord which is
our strength.
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Verse 15: He returns her praise by commenting not only on her beauty but her tranquil character (God sees our HEART). Doves ( 2:12,14;4:1;5:2,12;6:9) were noted for their purity and tranquility. Click on the link for more details on the interpretation of ' Dove' |
The Dove is also the symbol for the Holy Spirit, the eyes speaks of Vision. What Jesus is saying to us in this verse is that He looks at us and speaks prophetically that we have the Spirit's vision - we must claim what is being spoken over us and He will pour out revelation like never before. He will show us a 'dove's eye' view of our lives and where we are heading!
Verses 16-17: He is probably referring to the green field where they first met and fell in love. It is a ( Green field with Cedars and Fir Trees). This field has become their bed, their house under the beams and rafters of the trees - Look at the interpretations of these words and you will see that they have a place of intimacy that strengthens and protects her to wage a warfare so that she becomes as a tree of righteousness, a channel of blessing to those around her . As mentioned before, intimacy with Jesus is the preparation for us to wage spiritual warfare in our God given calling, without this foundation we will surely fail.
She praises His physical appearance (handsome) and his character (pleasant). We must pour out our love to Jesus as He is always pouring out His to us. We must find that place of intimacy with him , that green field where He will impart into us the qualities that will propel us into successful ministry. Have you found such a place ? Pause to pray that this foundation may be properly laid in your life - a strong devotional life that will sustain you until the end!