Sweet Notes from

Chapter 2 verses 1 to 3. In these first three verses of this chapter two of the Song of Solomon, we have three main thughts. In Verse 1 the Bride's Estimation of Herself: in verse 2 the Beloved's Estimation of the Bride; and in verse 3 the Bride's Estimation of the Beloved.

1. "I am the Rose of Sharon and Lily of the Valleys." This is the young bride's estimation of herself as she now sits in the presence of her beloved in that forest clearing where she is surrounded by those "beams of cedar and rafters of fir." (See part 3) In comparison to those massive cedars, the young bride is but a flower of the field, and she owns this comparison now as she addresses her beloved, the king. So it is when the believer views himself in the light of the workings of God's wonderous grace which are like "beams of cedar" in his life. Nothing should humble us more and give us a right estimation of ourselves like the knowledge that it is "by grace ye are saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God." "A rose of Sharon – a flower of the field – and a lily of the valleys."

2. In the beloved's estimation of the bride, in verse 2, we don't find this bride's estimation of herself contradicted. The beloved doesn't tell his young bride that she is more than a mere flower of the field, he owns the estimation. But, at the same time he is full of admiration for her: "As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters." And Christ sees us as we should often see ourselves in our sins and in our shortcomings; and yet, on the other hand, He sees us, clothed in His very own righteousness and washed in His very own blood: "a lily among thorns." And surely there is a word of great comfort for the church of Christ in this. The Lord sees His church where she has been called to exist – "among thorns." This is where she must grow and flourish and sweeten the air with her witness, and how hard the task at times. But Christ sees the struggles of His saints, even when they abide "where Satan's seat is."

3. The bride's estimation of the beloved speaks of Christ's superiority, His sheltering care, and His sustaining grace. "As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons …" He is superior. "I sat down under his branches with great delight …" What sheltering care He affords. "And his fruit was sweet to my taste." So is that sustaining grace.

Is this our estimation of our Beloved? "O taste and see that the Lord is good."