The Rose of Sharon & Lily of the Valley

Transcription

1 The Rose of Sharon & Lily of the Valley Song of Solomon 2:1 The Song of Solomon is a love story between Solomon and an unknown maiden from Shunem whose family had possibly been employed by Solomon (8:11). She would have been Solomon's first wife before he sinned by adding 699 other wives and 300 concubines to his harem. This book is a story about the love of a man for his wife. Scholars have felt this book is a glorious picture of God's love for His children and Christ's love for the Church. Chapter 2:1 is an indirect reference or picture of Jesus Christ, the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley. Let's see how they remind us of the Lord. The word "Sharon" means a level place or plain. It is a term describing one of the largest valley plains in Israel. It is located in the low coastal plain stretching south from Mt. Carmel to Joppa. It was about fifty miles long and nine miles wide. The Plain of Sharon is renowned for its majesty and beauty. It is carpeted with beautiful wild flowers. These flowers remind us of the Lord Jesus Christ. I. THEY REMIND US OF THE SELF-ABASEMENT The exact identity of the rose of Sharon and the lily of the valley is not known. They may have been bulbed plants including tulips. Some feel it might be the rock rose which grew in the mountains. The main opinion is the narcissus which carpets the plains of Sharon in November. The lily might be the lotus or water lily. These flowers speak of the humility and selflessness of Jesus Christ. Flowers grow close to the ground and are trodden under the foot of men. Jesus was a humble man. Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Mankind trampled our Savior like flowers in a field at the Cross of Calvary. II. THEY REMIND US OF THE SUPERIORITY OF CHRIST The rose is the superior flower, adored by kings and queens. The Lord Jesus Christ, is the King of kings and Lord of lords.

2 Philippians 2:9,10 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; III. THEY REMIND US OF THE SAINTLY BIRTH The flowers of the field are not of man's planting, care, or industry. God made them. Christ was conceived in the womb of a virgin. He was born without man's intervention. As the babe in the manger, he was Sharon's opening rosebud. IV. THEY REMIND US OF THE SPLENDOR OF CHRIST Isaiah 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. Isaiah said there was no beauty in Him that we should desire Him, but when we look through the Gospels, we can say that His life was beautiful in His selfless love, compassion, patience, goodness, forgiveness, gentleness, concern, and sacrificial death on the Cross. Jesus was a man of balance, a man of strength and beauty. Psalm 149:4 For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. 1 Peter 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. A meek and quiet spirit is an ornament. Philippians 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Christ has a glorious body now. Pens weep in failure to express His beauty. Christ came to blossom in our life. V. THEY REMIND US OF SALVATION Flowers of the field are available to all and accessible to all men. Christ is available and accessible as long as you are alive. Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

3 John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. Romans 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. The rose thrived in poor, lean ground which was considered as rubbish. These were known as the sweetest smelling roses. Christ can thrive in the life of rubbish and leanness when the sinner repents and gives his life to the Lord. Jesus Christ can make something sweet of your life. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. VI. THEY REMIND 'S STRENGTHENING WORK We find healing, strength, and comfort in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Jews would take the flowers, dry them, and use them for fuel to warm themselves at night and cook their food. The flowers provided comfort and strength. The rose itself has medicinal value. Rose oils and syrups, and rose water was made from the petals. The rose was used to treat sore throats, ulcerated mouths, headaches, stomach problems, skin creams for chapped hands, pimples, jaundice, arthritis, infection, dizziness, liver problems, and eye problems. The cooling nature of roses are used in treating burning fevers and inflammation. The death of Christ removes the Father's fierce and burning wrath when the blood of the Rose of Sharon is applied to the person's sin who by faith trusts in the Lord. The blood of Christ cools and comforts the conscience of guilty sinners forgiven by His grace. 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. VII. THEY REMIND OF THE SHADOWING CARE The word "rose" is used here and in Isaiah 35:1. John Gill says this word is made of two Hebrew words which mean "to hide or cover" and "a covering shadow." Psalm 36:7 How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.

4 Psalm 57:1 Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. Psalm 61:4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah. Psalm 91:4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. When the lilies of the valley are in bloom, their sweet smell brings hunting to a halt because the dogs cannot get the scent of the game. Small game wander among the lilies without fear. Our Lord keeps the hounds of Hell off our back. We can live without fear in His saving grace. VIII. REMINDS US OF THE SCENT OF THE LORD When you are around flowers for a reasonable time, the scent of the flowers will permeate your clothes revealing where you have been. Located in Tyler, Texas, is the beautiful Tyler Rose Garden. Many times you will come out of this garden smelling like a rose. The fragrance of roses would be a reason why the people of Israel would pick flowers and carry them with them when they traveled from place to place. When you've been with Jesus, the Rose of Sharon, it will show in your life. You become a new creature in Christ. Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. IX. THEY REMIND US OF THE SWEETNESS OF GOD'S LOVE Roses are given to those you love or care about. God loves us so much that He gave us His rose, the Rose of Sharon, Jesus Christ, to prove His love for us. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. X. THE LILY REMINDS US OF THE SPOTLESSNESS The whiteness of the lily speaks of the purity of Christ.

5 1 John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Everything about the Lord is pure. 1. His Commands... Psalm 19:8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 2. His Doctrine... Job 11:4 For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes. 3. His Words... Psalm 12:6 The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 4. His Wisdom... James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. Our Lord is the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley that brings joy into our life like a bouquet of flowers.