I am the rose of Sharon %

I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. (Song of Solomon 2:1 KJV)

Song of Solomon reveals the romance between Solomon and his beautiful bride, the Shunamite. We know today this book is a mystery revealing the relationship between Christ and His bride, the Church. The woman says to Solomon “I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys”. In symbolic language, the Church is saying to Christ, she is a rose of Sharon and a lily of the valleys. What does this mean?

The exact identity of the flower translated “rose” is not clear. Many Theologians agree it probably refers to a bulb such as a crocus or asphodel. Sharon, however, is a well known coastal plain on the western side of Israel, north of Tel Aviv. When many of us read of the phrase “rose of Sharon”, we imagine the beautiful and lovely roses we know today, but it is quite the contrary. The flower the woman was referring to here is not one of beauty and splendor but modesty and lowliness. In fact, she was stating she was a mere wild flower of the plains! She was lowly but lovely.

She noted Solomon so loved her and she responds by saying, “I am a mere flower” lowly, but lovely.

How this describes our relationship with Christ! His bride is lowly but lovely. His affection is on us. We are the rose of Sharon to Him, the lily of the valleys!

MEDITATE

What is the rose of Sharon as described in the devotional above? Is it the same as the beautiful rose we know today?

APPLY THE WORD

Note that this verse is not saying Christ is the rose of Sharon! It says His Church is the rose of Sharon and the lily of the valleys. We are lowly but lovely to Him. We are the joy of His heart. We are precious in His sight. Dwell in His love always.