The Saints go into the Wilderness
3:6 Who is this who comes up from the wilderness like pillars of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all spices of the merchant?
Song 3:6
Who is this who comes up from the wilderness – the Woman, the saints, find Christ in the wilderness. The Woman is nourished for time, times, and a half a time, away from the presence of the Serpent (Rev 12:14).
Song 3:7-8
Behold it is Solomon’s palanquin – here, the carriage, or palanquin of Solomon is described. When the Israelites went into the wilderness after escaping from Egypt, Christ was carried in the Ark of Covenant. Similar to a Palanquin, it was carried by way of two poles, one on each side.
the mighty men of Israel – they must be mighty men to endure the persecution; “they overcame by the blood of the lamb, and the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death” (Rev 12:11).
Because of fear in the night – John prophesied the persecution of the saints in this time period, in Revelation 12:13.
Song 3:9
its midst being paved with love – the love of Christ continues in the wilderness; the love of Christ reaches not only to the true Bride, but to all who seek him, all the virgins.
11 Go forth, you daughters of Zion, and see king Solomon, With the crown with which his mother has crowned him, In the day of his weddings, In the day of the gladness of his heart. Lover
Song 3:11
In the Day of His Weddings – also translated as “the Day of His Espousal” – the Engagement or Wedding Day, was described in Song 2:4.
12 A locked up garden is my sister, my bride; A locked up spring, A sealed fountain.
Song 3:11
A locked up garden – the fountain has been sealed, meaning the evidence of the Holy Spirit has been taken away, but the Spirit of Christ continues to work in the garden, to nourish the Woman, the Saints.
15 A fountain of gardens, A well of living waters, Flowing streams from Lebanon. Beloved 16 Awake, north wind; and come, you south; Blow on my garden, that its spices may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, And taste his precious fruits. Lover
Song 3:15
Awake north wind – the Spirit of Christ continues to nurture the garden, “the North and Sound Wind.” The Hebrew word for “wind” and “spirit” are identical, RUAH.
Blow on my garden – that it may produce the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).
1 I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride. I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk. Friends Eat, friends! Drink, yes, drink abundantly, beloved. Beloved
Song 4:1
I have drunk my wine with my milk – the end of this section. A new section begins when the Bride is awakened.