2:1. "I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys."

It is a precious exercise to seek for Jesus in the pages of His Word. The same pursuit is also precious in the field of nature. His beckoning hand ofttimes directs our search. He, who in the days of His flesh, said, "I am the true vine," here by the Spirit depicts Himself as "the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys."

He selects the garden's pride, and the lowly valley's charm, as emblems of Himself. While we behold them, may we receive refreshing lessons!

In the garden, no flower in loveliness can surpass the rose. In the tender bud, and in the expanded flower, rare beauty shines. Streams of fragrance float around. So, also, in the sequestered valley, the lily shows its modest head. Its graceful form attracts delighted gaze--its exquisite perfume enlivens the sense of smell. The union of these choice delights shows Jesus in all the perfections of His beauty, grace, and glorious worth. But no emblems can fully paint the perfections of Him, who is the brightness of His Father's glory, and the express image of His person--the chief among ten thousand, the altogether lovely One.

More than image can express the transcendent excellence that is combined in Him. His name is as perfume poured forth. Every thought of Him delights and cheers, invigorates and gladdens, the believing heart. The objects here selected are often in our view. May we never see them without delightedly ascending to their great Anti-type!

2:2. "As the lily among thorns, so is my darling among the maidens."

He who has just portrayed Himself as the tender lily, now gives the same designation to His Church. Thus His condescending grace shows the truth, that He and His redeemed are one. This assurance is not inferred only from this sweet passage. In Jeremiah, "the Lord our righteousness" is His name. Subsequently the same title is given to the Church. The Holy Spirit by the pen of Paul similarly honors the Church by the name of Christ.

Let this truth be no unmeaning revelation to our hearts. Let us strive and toil and pray that every grace in Christ may be reflected in our lives. Let all who see us testify, that we are conformed to the likeness of the Firstborn.

But we are here especially taught, that we must surpass all others in holiness of walk. The lily blooms attractively amid thorns. So our excellence and fragrance should be discerned as raising us high above the sons of men. We should be as preeminent now, as we shall be in glorious inheritance. The thorns and briers shall be gathered together in bundles for the burning, when believers shall shine forth above the brightness of the skies.