The Agonizing Absence of Christ

The scene in Song of Solomon 3:1-15 is one of intense longing for an absent lover. The young couple are still in the courtship phase of their relationship. If we follow the chronology from the previous chapter, the man has left after a day-trip in the spring. When their next meeting will be is not clear, but there are indications that quite a long time has elapsed. The word for night in the original is plural which could either mean “all the long night” or, more probably “night after night.” Whichever the case this is an agonising absence.

Desire for her absent lover is not enough. Inactive holy desire is more wearisome than an ardent pursuit of God. It is only when we pursue Him that our strength is renewed. Desire alone will drain us and leave us a hollow fruitless shell—a mere form of godliness (2 Timothy 3:5). She stirs herself up to seek him and she utilises every means available to find Him. Her search for him is rewarded “as soon as” she leaves the watchmen (Vs. 4), and the excitement is palpable—she “finds him,” “seizes him” and “does not let him go” until she brings him into “the house of her mother.”

It is this active pursuit of Christ, this pursuit that puts to death every spiritual opponent and tramps down every obstacle that will lead the Christian to a fruitful and fulfilled life—it is the violent who take the kingdom (Matthew 11:12)