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What shall we do for our sister
on the day she is spoken for?
If she is a wall,
we will build towers of silver on her.
— Song 8:8b-9a
Just as every drama has an anticlimax following its climax, so does the Song of Songs. The true villains behind the Shulammite’s suffering make their unwelcome appearance. Her brothers—surely at least three—enter in the comic guise of marriage brokers. Though they claim to represent the Shulammite’s interests as defenders of her purity, we know better. The drama’s audience, who know more than we do about what has taken place offstage, also know the brothers made a slave of their little sister. Perhaps, for all we know, these brothers are unjust stewards who withheld the thousand silver shekels they owe in rent for the same royal vineyard in Baal Hamon (Verse 11) where their sister labored. It wouldn’t surprise me if the rogues planned the affair that took the bridegroom away from his wedding festival.
Exeunt, as Shakespeare would direct—amid Hebrew boos and hisses.
Arm in arm with her prince, the Shulammite princess takes center stage to begin her final aria:
I am a wall,The princess’s triumphant rejoinder to her brothers. More than a rebuke to them and her declaration of innocence before God, the Shulammite’s words stand out as the equivalent of Job’s affirmation of faith during his torments:
and my breasts are like towers.
Thus I have become in his eyes
like one bringing contentment (verse 10).
I know that my redeemer lives,Just as her prince’s love vindicates the Shulammite’s purity throughout her ordeals, so Jesus Christ has the power to exalt all those who love him. He makes them his brothers and sisters in the Kingdom of God, his Father (Romans 8:12:17). Collectively, he has made them his bride, the Church. Individually, he seals them all with his gift of the Holy Spirit to intercede for us. The elder brothers can never again separate their little sister from her prince. Likewise, the apostle Paul assures us nothing can separate his brothers and sisters in Christ from the love of God (Romans 8:37-39).
and that in the end he will stand on the earth (Job 19:25).
Parting Thought
Am I a stone that I am incorruptible by sin?
Prayer Concern
To overcome the wiles and schemes of those who exploit women and children like chattels with no rights
Reflection
I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
— Philippians 4:10-13
For further reading:
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