SCENE 1
(VERSES 2.8-14):
Shulamith's shepherd/lover comes to her, proposing marriage. (This should be
typical of Christ’s first century coming to begin the Church Age)
For
the first time, Shulamith hears the voice of her beloved. There is no obstacle
too great as he comes leaping over the mountains and upon the hills (2.8). He
comes with the beauty, grace, speed, and agility of a gazelle or young stag,
viewing Shulamith through the windows and lattice as she was initially separated
from him behind a wall (2.9). He speaks imploringly, urging her to rise up and
come away with him (2.10) for the time of winter and the rains are past (2.11).
It is the time of rejoicing when the turtledove is heard in the land.
It is the time when flowers appear, the fig tree puts forth her green
figs, and the grape vine the tender grapes; it is at this time of year when
Shulamith's lover first woos her (2.12-13). She was cloistered away,
unapproachable as a dove hidden in a lofty cliff or deep ravine, when her lover
appeals to let him see her countenance and hear her voice (2.14).
Here is a picture of the way in which the Son of God took the initiative by first showing His love for His bride-to-be. “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (I John 4.10, 19). He came with certainty and speed to fulfill the Old Testament prophecies concerning Himself. Matthew Henry observes that the “wall”, which initially stood between them (2.9) could well depict the ceremonial Law described as a “wall of partition” (Ephesians 2.14), and a “veil” which must be removed before one turns to the Lord (II Corinthians 3.13-16).
Those who were to become the Bride of Christ first came to know Him when the Holy Spirit began to indwell believers on that first century Pentecost (Acts 2). Pentecost occurs during late May or early June, after the latter rains of spring have ended. It is the purpose of this feast to celebrate the time of maturity or harvest of the “Seven Varieties” spoken of in (Deuteronomy 8.7-10). Thus, the time of the “green figs --- and tender grapes” identifies the time of Pentecost when the Lord first came and wooed His bride-to-be (See Nogah Hareuveni, “Nature in Our Biblical Heritage”). The turtledove is also heard in the Land at this time of year, so this poetic ode can be related to known history regarding the time of year when the Church Age actually began.
SCENE 2
(VERSES 2.15-17):
Shulamith, separated from her beloved, longingly anticipates his return.
(This should be typical of the Church Age.)
Shulamith's
brothers react to the shepherd lover's invitation by commanding her to pay
attention to her duties in the vineyard lest the foxes spoil it before the fruit
can ripen (2.15), but Shulamith vows that no distractions such as these mundane
duties will cause her to forget her covenant with her shepherd/lover (2.16a) who
has departed to feed his flocks in other pastures (2.16b). She will expectantly
await "until the day breaks and the shadows flee away", when he will
one-day return (2.17a). She pleads with him to span the mountains of their
separation, i.e. "Bether", with the same speed and sense of purpose
that brought them together initially (2.17b).
Matthew Henry interprets the “vines” as believers, and the “foxes” as those corruptions, appetites, and passions of the flesh that must be mortified, toward the aim of being conformed to the image of Christ. However this rendering must be questioned in view of the fact that Shulamith’s brothers forced her to tend their vineyards instead of her own (1.6), thereby making the connection between “vines” and “believers” seem inappropriate. Instead, that effort would cause the “grapes” produced to be the fruit of her own labors, i.e. her own works, suggesting that it was toward this objective that Shulamith’s brothers compelled her to strive. Indeed, the prophetic relationships initially postulated would require Shulamith’s “mother” to be Israel (Isaiah 54.1-3), and her “brothers” therefore, to be the Jews still bound by the Law. By this understanding, a preferred typology would seem to be that the “brothers” were angry with Shulamith, because she did not find peace with God through the dead works of the Law, desiring rather “the works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2.10). Her priority is made eminently clear by her reiteration of that new relationship, which she found in Christ (2.16a). She had covenanted with the Son, and been sealed to Him unto the day of their complete union (Ephesians 4.30). Though separated from her Lord, this bride-to-be eagerly awaited that day of the Rapture when she would be united with Christ, transformed to be like Him, and see Him face-to-face (Romans 8.18-25). It might be a noteworthy point of agreement with our assumed typical meaning to observe that the phrase, “until the day breaks and the shadows flee away” is a verse often quoted by Christians when referring to the time of the Lord’s return.
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