Song 5:8-9 – Seek to know Jesus our beloved

Steeped in her imagination, the Shulamite reminisces about how she didn’t respond to her beloved who came seeking to spend time with her. So he left, leaving his voice and scent lingering at the door. Waking up to her senses, she then went desperately searching for him. But she was not as fortunate as the previous time when she was able to find him shortly into her search. This second time, her search proved fruitless. And the watchmen she stumbled into probably mistook her to be a thief. So, they beat and wounded her as she fled, leaving behind her shawl. Verse 8 indicates that she now comes out of her imagination and begins to inquire about her beloved shepherd. With a heart still deeply smitten by her love for him, she asks, “I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my beloved, as to what you will tell him: for I am lovesick.” She expresses her deep love for her beloved and knows that all contact with him will be curtailed once her marriage to Solomon is done. 

Stunned by her question, the daughters of Jerusalem ask her what kind of a person her beloved is. They want to know what is so special about this beloved that can make her be so deeply in love with him and holds her spellbound even though she is the admiration of Solomon. Their questions to her are: What kind of beloved is your beloved, O most beautiful among women? What kind of beloved is your beloved, that thus you adjure us?” They couldn’t understand, how given such a privilege to have the heart of Solomon, yet her heart is still with her beloved.

This is also true for people who are deeply in love with Jesus. As attractive as the world may be, when we truly love Jesus, affection for the things of the world diminishes. We just yearn to be with Him and share a precious moment with Him, the Lover of our soul. People who do not love Jesus can never share our sentiment, just like the ladies of Jerusalem who have not tasted the love of the Shulamite’s beloved. But our hearts are set on Him and nothing can deter us from loving Him. Yes, and nothing can ever separate us from His love.  So practically let us resolve to be like Mary, who devotedly chose the better part. Luke 10:39 says that Mary sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. She not only served Jesus, but she also sat listening to His heart. What a model to emulate!