As she searches for her Beloved in the dark of the night, she's mistaken and misjudged, beaten and bruised by the very ones who are supposed to protect her. Because she doesn't fit their narrative, they treat her as unworthy.
Though she suffers these things among them, she asks the young women to promise her that if they find her Beloved they'll tell Him that she is sick with love for Him.
“O woman of rare beauty, what is it about your loved one that is better than any other, that you command us this?” Songs 5:9 TLB
The women are curious about this love. Why is she willing to endure such affliction? She is most beautiful after all; are there not plenty of others to love her? Why does she hold so tightly to Him?
Suffering in itself is difficult, but reconciling it to God seems ambivalent. Sometimes, at least for me, it's easier to believe it's by chance than by design.
Oswald Chambers wrote, "When it comes to suffering, it is part of our Christian culture to want to know God’s purpose beforehand. In the history of the Christian church, the tendency has been to avoid being identified with the sufferings of Jesus Christ. People have sought to carry out God’s orders through a shortcut of their own. God’s way is always the way of suffering— the way of the “long road home.”
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13-14 NASB
She answers her friends in adoration for her Beloved. Her view of Him now much clearer—
The [Woman]: “My beloved one is tanned and handsome, better than ten thousand others! His head is purest gold, and he has wavy, raven hair. His eyes are like doves beside the water brooks, deep and quiet. His cheeks are like sweetly scented beds of spices. His lips are perfumed lilies, his breath like myrrh. His arms are round bars of gold set with topaz; his body is bright ivory encrusted with jewels. His legs are as pillars of marble set in sockets of finest gold, like cedars of Lebanon; none can rival him. Songs 5:10-15 TLB
She can't help but share with them the wonders of His Person. The strength of His love sustains her, giving her life. He alone is her Beloved.
His mouth is altogether sweet, lovable in every way. Such, O women of Jerusalem, is my beloved, my friend. Songs 5:16 TLB
While traveling, so far, with this young woman, we've discovered that the journey with Him is not an easy one. As we surrender more, He'll take the heavy burdens and exchange them for the lightness of His. Circumstances may not change, but by turning the reins over to Him, He promises the mountainous view will. Tribulation reveals a pearl of great price.
“With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” Mark 10:27
She began broken, insecure, and believing herself to be unworthy of His love; and so out of His love, He brought her to a crossroads of sorts—
Wide or Narrow?
She chose the latter.
We each have a choice set before us, and the difficulties of life can sway us either way.
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