"He Feedeth Among the Lilies"

The book ‘Song of Songs’ is without doubt the most intimate and beautiful of the romances of Scripture. It portrays the majesty of the groom and the exquisite beauty and grace of the bride. The sentiments of the song of the king are a canopy over every memorial service, for they represent the sacrifice that leads to true and eternal unity. Set in two divisions (the first six songs have particular reference to the Jewish bride, the final six to the Gentile bride), the sweetness of harmony is so obvious in the groom, and is being developed in the bride.

In an age and society in which courtship and marriage are held to be somewhat archaic and the joyful anticipation of full unity in wedlock, suffers because of the lax attitude to the divine ordinance, it is important to highlight the sanctity of the marriage covenant to those contemplating this important step. It displays in a personal way, the spirit of the heavenly bridegroom and the charm and elegance of his lovely companion. Those entering the commitment of marriage should do so mindful that they are displaying the divine parable of the truth in action. They stand as tokens of the greater union between Christ and his faithful bride. Therefore there will be nothing to disturb the spiritual principles thereby illustrated.

The Source of True Fellowship

An endearing expression concerning the bridegroom, emphasizing this principle, is found in the Song of Solomon 2:16; 4:5, that “he feedeth among the lilies”. This speaks of the delightful fellowship found within the community of faith upon the basis of the spirit’s food. The Lord declared that His constant desire was to do his Father’s will; that his nourishment was of things high and holy: “I have given unto them the words which Thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came from Thee, and they have believed that Thou didst send me” (John 17:8). In the spirit of Jeremiah, he could affirm “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy Name, O Yahweh, God of Hosts” (Jeremiah 15:16). Not for him were the casual expressions so common today: the double-minded attitude displayed, or carelessness towards spiritual growth sometimes manifested, even within the Brotherhood. His was a mature understanding, a loving regard for things spiritual, a constant concern for the wife of his youth (Malachi 2:14), the maiden secured through the obedient sacrificial work of his first advent.

“Feeding among the lilies” has reference to the place of nourishment. It is found within the environment of spiritual dispensation; where the faithful word of the fathers is lovingly and longingly sought; where faithful brethren and sisters gather as the bride of Christ. It speaks of fellowship with the saints, for “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst” (Matthew 18:20). Those who seek to be embraced by the marriage covenant of Christ will “not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhort one another: and so much more as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). This is the garden of lilies. It is where the Lord, in spirit, delights to be. He abides and refreshes himself among the faithful, for they also seek his presence.

The word must be respected, opened, and lovingly studied within the arrangements of the ecclesia if it is to truly represent the place of lilies. When gathered together in deep and thoughtful reflection of things spiritual, a beautiful perfume graces the spiritual ‘valley’. It is a delight to spend time therein, and to enjoy the lovely aroma of spiritual joy. Here the spirit of Christ is found: for he was “the word made flesh”, and his daily delight was to be with those who manifested the same spirit (John 15:15). Let each ecclesia be a place of true beauty and comfort; where the fragrance of the lilies is found; where each member is prepared to add to the environment by their own commitment in upholding the truth in apostolic doctrine and practice by the personal study of the word. That is where the Lord “feedeth”. By his spirit he will be “in the midst” of such gatherings.

The Presence of Thorns

But not all gatherings of Christ’s household find themselves in such a happy condition. Sometimes “thorns” might be present, as is indicated by “As the lily among thorns” (Song of Solomon 2:2). The ecclesia then finds itself surrounded by the thorns and thistles of fleshly dominance, and of self-aggrandisement, and those who manifest such characteristics are described by Paul as “that which beareth thorns and briar (which are to be rejected and nigh unto cursing); whose end is to be burned” (Hebrews 6:8). These spring forth without cultivation and, like human nature, must be kept under, otherwise the ecclesia becomes unsuitable for growth.

When thorn-like brethren introduce wrong teachings, foolish actions, or cause disturbance to a meeting, which things “ought not to be”, there remains little fragrance of the lilies. Instead of the pleasure of the word properly presented, a contentious spirit manifests the crude, disharmonising attitude of Judas, who having little love for the Master, was offended at the pouring of expensive perfume on the Lord by Mary, which odour filled the house (John 12:3). Judas hypocritically complained that such perfume should have been sold for the raising of funds, but his suggestion was rejected, “Let her alone; against the day of my burying hath she kept this. For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always” (vs. 7:8). True fellowship delights in expressions of love and sacrifice for the Lord and those in him; his word represents the beauty and power of our lilies: the valley of lilies is his precinct.

Let the garden of lilies be proficient and productive (Hosea 14:5), representing the strength and glory of the ecclesia. It will be so if each member recognises the responsibility to maintain a vital interest in, and a commitment to, the building up of the household of faith. Then the spirit of Christ is refreshed as he “feedeth among the lilies”. And shortly, in the day of assize, he will acknowledge those who have strengthened the valley of lilies, and the sweet perfume of the spirit-word.

“Blessed are those servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching; verily, I say unto you, that he shall gird himself and make them to sit down to meat and will come forth and serve them” (Luke 12:37).

Bro. Patrick Wafula (KamuKuywa, Kenya)


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