The Church Possessed By Christ

In this peerless, timeless love poem, at least 2500 years old, a Shulamite maiden is loved by a shepherd. King Solomon is introduced in chapter three as one who tries to win her to his harem by elaborate overtures. He flatters her for her physical beauty in the opening verses of chapter four. She evidently resists his advances because verse eight seems to be a call to elope by her true lover who praises her for her character and inner charm.Solomon is now gone from the scene. The Shulamite has escaped with her true lover. She is now referred to as his bride (“spouse”). She wants to be all he hopes of her and says, “Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.” There is no real division between 4:16 and 5:1, so if we see Christ in “all the Scriptures,” including this inspired writing, these two verses must picture Christ’s delight in His prized possession and Bride, the Church.