The book of Songs of Solomon reveals physical relationship that exists between two lovers. Also, in this book, two major characters featured most frequently: the beloved and the Shulamite. The beloved is the husband while the Shulamite is the bride. Both of them also typify Jesus and the church. Jesus is the beloved who is also the husband of the church while the Shulamite represents the church-the bride of Jesus. According to Song of Solomon chapter one verse two, Jesus is indeed the rose of Sharon and the lily of the valley and He speaks of His bride-the church too in verse two: "Like a lily among the thorns, So is my love among the daughters." The Shulamite (the bride-the church) also recounts her experience with her beloved and says: "He brought me to the banqueting house, And his banner over me was love" (Songs of Solomon 2:4). Their sweet union and relationship continued until very much later when the Shulamite hesitated to receive her beloved till he departed (Songs of Solomon 5:2-6). And now that he had left her, she gave out assignment to other maidens (daughters of Jerusalem) to help find her beloved. They were to assist her in search for her beloved but they needed to know why she was so desperate and passionate about him. And when she was asked, she responded because she could not hide her feelings and affection for her beloved (Songs of Solomon 5:10-16). In verse 16, it was glaring why she was passionate about him and her response is worth noting: "His mouth is most sweet, Yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved. And this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem!" It's only you don't know but now you need to know that there is none like him. For He is altogether lovely, altogether worthy, altogether wonderful to me, this is my beloved, this is my friend (Songs of Solomon 6:3, 7:10, 8:7, Isaiah 24:15).
In like manner, Mary, the sister of Lazarus was very passionate about Jesus to the extent that she anointed His feet and wiped it with her hair-quite unusual but a notable act depicting her devotion, love, affection and reference for her Lord, saviour and master (John 12:3-8). But those around challenged her good deed and gesture though they never deemed it fit to accord the master honour in such a unique and significant way with their gifts, neither do they value Him so much to reference Him like she did, rather they decried the waste. Really, they are insincere, self-centred, covetous, and greedy not truly minding about the person of Jesus but their personal gains. Martha, the sister of Mary, on the other hand was cumbered with activities. She was busy with much serving while Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus beholding Him. She was learning and waiting on the master. There is rest, renewal and refreshing when we take time out to wait on the master. God's promised strength (Zechariah 10:6, 12) is received in His presence as we passionately desire Him. Even God, after creation rested on the seventh day and was refreshed, and that's why He instructed the children of Israel to observe the Sabbath day. Hence, everyone needs a Sabbath-a time to be alone with God and wait on Him (Exodus 31:16-17). God longs to have fellowship with man who hardly have time to spare because of His daily tight and busy schedule. Oftentimes, man restlessly moves from one activity to other, so God ordered a day of rest for him. Yet, it's only few who actually give out time for deep communion and fellowship that God desires.
Mary Magdalene unbelievably went to the tomb very early in the morning while it was still dark longing to see her Lord and master. And when she saw that the stone had been rolled away, she ran to call Simon Peter and other disciples. Mary would not go home till she sees the master (her risen Lord). So she waited crying, curious, at the same time anxious to know the where-about of Jesus. Though the disciples had gone back to their houses, Mary stood outside weeping and wondering what could have happened to her Lord. So, Jesus could no longer restrain but showed her first His resurrected body (John 20:10-11,14-18). Jesus would only be revealed and made known to those who seek Him. Later, the disciples followed Peter to go a fishing but unfortunately their effort throughout the night yielded nothing (John 21:3).Then, Jesus showed up, though they've soon turned back from Him but He will not out-rightly leave them for He is altogether lovely. He instructed them, they obeyed and the result was tremendous for they caught many fishes. Jesus had also provided a ready-made food for them so they could have enough to eat and spare. But He was indirectly telling them that He could sufficiently take care of their present needs (John 21:9) and supply their future needs too (John 21:10). He is truly the beloved who lovingly cared for them though they do not measurably reciprocate His love. He invited them to dine with Him and afterward asked Peter if he truly loves Him.
God gave a remarkable promise to the children of Israel that He would be personally committed to anyone who desires to engage himself with Him. We can then say that God has no favourites, but anyone can make himself one of God's favourites (Jeremiah 30:21-22). It's so obvious in verse 22 that God said He will take interest in drawing him: "Then will I cause him to draw near. And he shall approach Me: For who is this who pledged his heart to approach me says the Lord. You shall be my people, And I will be your God." Also, Ezekiel 16;6-14 reveals God's benevolent act toward the children of Israel, His passion and desperate desire to woo them, it is indeed a beauty made perfect by the splendour of the king. God is ever longing and seeking for sincere, faithful and devoted worshippers and to these ones He would dare commit Himself (James 4:8a, Psalm 36:8-9). Man may be casual, insincere, hypocritical, dubious, selfish but not God. Many have turned aside, instead of seeking God they have substituted Him with other things and Romans chapter 3 verse 12-19 now characterizes their lives. Though they profess to come to the presence of God but they are evil. Others are compelled to come to God because of their undesirable situations. They are not wilfully seeking God for a richer fellowship and deeper knowledge of Him but they are seeking God like the psalmist in Psalm 42 and 43 because of their unpleasant circumstances. Yet, as many as will wait on God will receive His strength, grace, mercy and love. God desires that we cling to Him for our good just as He told the children of Israel that they may become His people, for re-known, for praise and for glory (Jeremiah 13:11b). Jeremiah's pertinent question also reveals his contrition and longing for God (Jeremiah 14:22), and since it is only God who can give shower, it is wise to wait on Him because His good intent for His people hasn't change.
Jeremiah was overwhelmed by the reaction of his people who despite God's numerous promises had no passion at all for Him. They believed the relationship between God and Jeremiah was cordial enough for God to be his God and not their God. Even when they needed direction, they came to him to pray to his God. Repeatedly they said this and it showed their mind-set. Note in Jeremiah 42:2...."pray for us to the Lord your God" also in verse three: "....that the Lord your God may show us," but Jeremiah redirected them back to God by his response in verse four and it's worth noting, he said: "I have heard, indeed I will pray to the Lord your God according to your words." They acknowledged Him as their Lord, yet, they referred to Him as Jeremiah's God. Their response in verse five showed their unwillingness to fully accept Him as their God as they said: "Let the Lord be a true witness between us, if we do not according to everything which the Lord your God sends us by you!" Really, they were insincere, they were playing pranks because they only wanted to know the mind of God concerning decisions and steps to be taken so as avert His wrath and judgment (Jeremiah 42:20-21). Though they eventually declared Him as their God but it was a fake declaration. In verse six, they said: "whether it was pleasing or displeasing, we will obey the voice of the Lord our God to whom we send you"-a mere lip service. Bur the fact remains that they were so conscious not to fully commit themselves to God because of the propensity to stray away from Him again and again. And just like the power troubled kings of Judah who after serving God later in life misbehaved and commit blunders. For instance, Amaziah after serving God for several years came to bow down to the idols of the nation he conquered (2 Chronicles 25:2, 14-16).
But when darkness took over the land, the prophets and the priests going about not knowing what to do, Jeremiah was not self-assertive, he realized his nothingness and helplessness, so, he sought God for divine intervention (Jeremiah 14:18). Though a shepherd of God's people, yet, he was pulling hard after God (Jeremiah 15:19-21). God wants to be regarded as holy by anyone who approached His court irrespective of status or position. He told Aaron in Leviticus 10:3:"By those who come near me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified." Hence, no frivolity, carefree, looseness as we approach Him but utmost reference. The brothers of Shulamite counselled her about things she needed to note, those things that can affect or disrupt her relationship with her beloved (Songs of Solomon 2:15, 1:6). These are serious issues too that can easily interfere with our relationship with the almighty.
