The Song Of Solomon 4:13-14, “Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard, Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:…”
Have you ever been driving down the road and gander to the side and see a beautiful flourishing garden? The beauty of a green and fruitful field will always get the attention of those who pass by and will be a source for many vegetables and fruits for neighbors and friends. But it’s so easy to not consider the labor involved to have such a garden. The former pastor at Union Grove, Elder Newell Helms, and his precious wife Sis. Pat, were known for having green thumbs. Bro Newell and Sis Pat have often been quoted, saying, “Green thumbs are actually just dirty knees.”
In our study verses, Solomon looks at his beloved Shulamite and declares that her beauty reminds him of a flourishing and fruitful garden. She, with her lively and joyful outward appearance and personality causes him to think about a flourishing field of fruits and vegetables. The language should be interpreted as an allegory or picture/type of something else. I would not recommend the husbands of the Church to go home and say to their wives, “Your face is as beautiful as a freshly plowed field.” That may get us in some trouble, or at least be questioned and asked to give an explanation. When we ponder upon the words of these verses, our minds should be stirred to think about the Church. These words may be ascribed to the Lord and the way He views His Church. Think about this:
(1) Before there could be a garden, the Lord must first create. There were no plants before the Lord created them. Before there could be a gathering, the Church, the Lord in His creative powers must first create life in the hearts of men. The Church is made up of born again, quickened, children of God.
(2) Before the seeds are planted, the ground must be tilled and prepared to receive seed. The Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13 teaches this truth. The seed that fell by the “way side” (which is the paths around the field, unprepared ground for seed) never brought forth. The fowls of the air (which is the devil stealing the word away from the children of God) came and took the seed away. The lesson? The children of God in the Church are those who prepare themselves in prayer and study to receive the preached truth. Just as the field must be plowed, the children of God break up the “fallow ground” (Jeremiah 4:3, Hosea 10:12) of their hearts by prayer, repentance, and reading/study of God’s Word.
(3) Before there could be a garden, the seed must be planted and watered. In 1 Corinthians 3:6 Paul said, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” Eternal grace is by God’s grace and grace alone. We should always remember that fact when studying God’s Word. We should also remember that God has given us a responsibility concerning His vineyard (the Church). Just as Paul planted and Apollos watered, we the children of God just labor in God’s Kingdom (the Church) to plant the seeds of truth and water them with the truth of God’s Word, trusting the Holy Spirit to bless with the “increase.” So many times in years past have men/women forgot about this responsibility saying, ‘If they are going to be Primitive Baptist, they will be Primitive Baptist, no sense in us trying to convince them.” Brothers and sisters in Christ, the Bible teaches different. The Bible declares the truth of eternal grace. God’s children were chosen and predestinated in Him before the world began (Ephesians 1:4-5; Romans 8:29-30). The same people were redeemed by Christ at Calvary (Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 1:18-20, John 17:1-2). The same will be with Him in heaven one great and glorious day. But the Bible teaches that we the children of God have a responsibility in the Church and in our homes concerning the truth. The world works diligently to spread falsehoods about the Lord, we should be willing to work to overcome their efforts.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, do you desire to be part of a beautiful and flourishing garden? Do you want to be part of a growing and lively Church body? We stand in need of God’s blessings and help, but we should never forget that God’s grace and truth was given to us not to hide under a bushel or bed (Matthew 5:15, Luke 8:16), but to put on a candle stick so “it giveth light unto all that are in the house.” Is your light shining? Is the grace that God gave you being used to convince others of the glorious truth of God? If we desire to be part of a growing and flourishing Church, it will require us all to labor together to the Lord’s glory. We will end this effort by quoting Ephesians 3:21, “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” And Amen!