THE DANCE OF MAHANAIM (Song 6:13-7:9)

THE DANCE OF MAHANAIM

We are God’s own handiwork, recreated in Christ Jesus, born anew that we may do those good works which God planned beforehand for us. Taking paths which he prepared ahead of time, that we should walk in them—living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live. —Ephesians 2:10 Amplified Version

The Call to the Shulamite

Friends: Come back, come back, O Shulammite; come back, come back, that we may gaze on you!

Lover: Why would you gaze on the Shulammite as on the dance of Mahanaim?

Friends: How beautiful your sandaled feet, O prince’s daughter! Your graceful legs are like jewels, the work of a craftsman’s hands. Your navel is a rounded goblet that never lacks blended wine. Your belly is a mound of wheat encircled by lilies. Your breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle.

Your neck is like a tower of ivory, Your eyes like the pools in Heshbon by the gate of Bath-rabbim; Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon, which faces toward Damascus..

Your stature is like that of the palm, and your breasts like clusters of fruit.

Beloved: I said, “I will climb the palm tree: I will take hold of its fruit.” May your breasts be like the clusters of the vine, the fragrance of your breath like apples, and your mouth like the best wine.

Lover: May the wine go straight to my lover, flowing gently over lips of those who fall asleep — Song 6:13-7:9

When we are united to the Lord, we are very quickly conscious of a step out of his will, and should be ready to obey when we see our mistake—and retrace that step without hesitation. To retrace means an immediate confession of sin and restoration through the precious blood of Christ.

The language of this call shows us that the Shulamite has fled to her hiding place in the sanctuary of God. She could not delay a minute—she must get back into step with her Beloved, regardless of what it requires.

She is hidden secretly in his pavilion from the clamor of tongues that follow her, “Return, return, so that we can look at you” (Song 6:13). Those who are calling for her to return are afraid to lose her and are in danger of clinging to the vessel illuminated by the Lord—because filled and controlled by the Lord, she is pressed on by the multitude with their needs. She is “sought out, a city not forsaken” (Isaiah 62:12). The Lord has fulfilled his promise: “Your life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning . . . and many will court your favor” (Job 11:17-19).

If interested, you can download the entire study of The Song of Solomon.

Other Bible Studies and Commentary are available at http://doulos-studies.info and Flotsam and Jetsam. Find further edification at A Psalm-a-day and A Proverbs-a-Day, A Thought For Today

Advertisement