[Solomon Arrives for the Wedding]
[6] What is that coming up from the wilderness
like columns of smoke,
perfumed with myrrh and frankincense,
with all the fragrant powders of a merchant?
[7] Behold, it is the litter of Solomon!
Around it are sixty mighty men,
some of the mighty men of Israel,
[8] all of them wearing swords
and expert in war,
each with his sword at his thigh,
against terror by night.
(Song of Solomon 3:6-8 ESV)
Today we arrive at the wedding of Solomon and his bride! It's somewhat strangely placed in the book, for us as Americans; we're used to seeing the wedding before the couple lives out their married life. Yet here, in Song of Solomon, the wedding is placed in the very center of the book, in order to emphasize its importance.
We'll study the wedding in a few parts, for two reasons. First, because shorter blog posts are a little easier to digest. Second, because I'm still crazy busy and don't have time to write huge posts twice a week!
"What is that coming up from the wilderness like columns of smoke" This is a huge wedding party. Instead of the wedding party standing at the front of a church, here they march out into the wilderness, to the home of the woman, to pick her up and bring her to the palace. The party is so large that you can see the cloud of their dust trail from a long distance away. It's almost like an army marching.
This is one of the great reasons why we have wedding parties. The more groomsmen and bridesmaids we have, the more it signifies the worth and dignity of the bride and groom. If the groom is surrounded by mighty men with great reputations, it shows his own quality and character, that he makes good friends and is approved by many. Similarly, if the bride is surrounded by beautiful women, it goes to show how beautiful she is, that they would support her, love her, and be honored to stand with her on this tremendously important day.
This is a very public event, and rightly so! Weddings should be public events, celebrated by many.
The text itself reflects this. The speaker for these verses isn't clearly identified, but it is clear that this speaker is observing this great event publically, with others. Instead of simply describing the situation, the speaker is addressing others nearby: "What is that coming up from the wilderness?... Behold, it is the litter of Solomon!" We don't use the word "behold" terribly much anymore, but it could also be phrased "Check this out! It's Solomon's carriage!" Everyone is watching this, and the speaker here is calling even more attention to it. This speaker could be Solomon's bride, as she is delightedly watching her husband-to-be arriving for their wedding. Even if the speaker is someone else, it still emphasizes the excitement of this day. Any bride would be filled with excitement to see her beloved approaching in grandeur and glory, ready for their day of marriage!
So when I examine this text, I want to ask myself why this is appealing, what it is about Solomon being presented for his wedding that makes hearts melt. The speaker in this passage may still be the bride, but even if it's not, this passage still appeals to women's hearts; look at verse 11, where all the girls in Jerusalem are asked to go look on him! Either way, this passage crystalizes something of what makes a man attractive to a woman, especially on the day of their wedding. That's what I want to find out.
Part of this answer is suggested by what we've already talked about. The fact that weddings are usually public heightens the romance of this grand endeavor. When you are willing and eager to proclaim before hundreds of people that you have chosen this one person to be your spouse for the rest of your life, that you are pledging yourself exclusively to them and they to you, it highly esteems you both. The fact that you boldly declare this to so many shows that you are confident: there will be no one else for you, and you are not ashamed to let the whole world know that you will joyfully limit yourself to only this person for the rest of your life. In essence, you are declaring that being with this one person is worth more to you, and is far more precious to you, than leaving yourself available for all the other people in the world.
Solomon's bride isn't delighted solely because Solomon is arriving in style in a grand parade. She's excited because he's arriving for her, and only for her. Solomon is proudly declaring before the entire nation that this woman, and this woman alone, has captivated his heart, and will become his bride. The grandeur and extravagance of his retinue heighten the esteem and honor that she feels, but they are merely icing on the cake. The true delight for her, and for any person on their wedding day, is that you are loved by the person you love the most, and you are not ashamed to let the whole world know it!
"perfumed with myrrh and frankincense" At one level, I don't want to make too much of myrrh and frankincense being mentioned here; they are common spices in the Ancient Near East, so it isn't surprising that Solomon is fragrant with them.
Yet it is interesting to notice one of the other times these spices are mentioned in Scripture: as gifts to Jesus on His birth. I wouldn't take this to the level of being a prophecy, but it is a beautiful parallel to explore. Solomon, the groom, is fragrant annointed with myrrh and incense as he approaches his bride. Jesus, the Groom, is fragrantly annointed with myrrh and incense as He comes to Earth, ready to do the work necessary to claim His Bride, the Church.
"with all the fragrant powders of a merchant?" Solomon has spared no expense to smell nice on this day of days. Again, we can see how important smell is to romance, but the bigger idea here is that Solomon is tremendously excited about this day, and he is showing in every arena of life how important this day is to him. This is incredibly esteeming and honoring to his bride, as she is the treasure he is so excited to receive. The more care that Solomon puts into preparing for this day, the more she feels esteemed and exalted as the treasure who is worthy of this great effort!
So if you are dating or engaged, look forward to the day of your wedding. Look forward to these messages being declared about you, and by you. Know that even with the splendor and glory of your wedding, it is still a pale shadow compared to the grandeur of the love that Jesus has for you!
And if you are single, then seek to become these people! If you are single, don't focus solely on finding a spouse. Focus also on being a full-fledged member of your community. Seek to stock your wedding day with hundreds of people who know you and care about you, because you know them and care about them. If you are a member of a church, strive to be truly involved in that church. If you're not a member of a church, find a church and make it your home. Wherever you gather with others -- close family, distant relatives, parties, sports games, movies, beaches, wherever -- become a true member of your communities. There is a wealth of good these people can share with you, and a wealth of good you can share with them. And on the day of your wedding, on the day of your happiness, they can come around you and celebrate joyfully with you, which will only heighten the joy and the grandeur of that day!
And that's all for today! We'll pick up with verses 7-8 on Thursday. See you then!
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