Winter
2003
Intimacy With Jesus
Patricia Thomas
“For many are called, but few are chosen.” Matt
22:14.
There are two groups in the Song of Solomon who are interested
in the Bridegroom; the Bride, and the Daughters of Jerusalem.
Both are “called,” but only the Bride is “chosen”
as there is a noticeable difference in their comments about
the one to whom they relate.
The Bride is seen as being intensely in love, and she gave
an intimate description of the one she loves. She has a single
eye, and seeks only the Bridegroom.
“His mouth is most sweet: yea, He is altogether lovely.
This is my
beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.”
SS 5:16.
The daughters of Jerusalem had been given the same opportunity
to respond.
“I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you find
my
beloved, that you tell Him, that I am sick of love.”
SS 5:8.
There is a difference between being in love, and just loving
someone. The Bride prefers a honeymoon relationship, as she
longs be with the Bridegroom. However, when questioned, the
Daughters said,
“What is your beloved more than another beloved,
that you so charge us?” SS 5:9b.
They prefer a casual friendship, and considered the Lord
to be merely “another beloved.” These daughters
are seeking many things, and therefore, they have no desire
to be with the Lord. They do not have a “single eye”
– “what is He more than another.”
The Bride, therefore, was chosen, because she seeks an intimate
relationship with her love, and desires to be alone with Him
– “tell Him that I am sick of (deeply in) love.”
“Who is this that comes up from the wilderness,
leaning upon her beloved?” SS 8:5.
For us to have an intimate relationship with Jesus, we must
be willing to spend much time alone with Him, and find satisfaction
in being in His presence. The daughters of Jerusalem are satisfied
with a religious service “about” the Lord, and
with all the “things” that He can provide for
them, rather than seeking an intimate relationship with the
Lord.
Unfortunately, today, all to many “Christians”
can be compared to the Daughters of Jerusalem, rather than
to the Bride.
For those of us who truly seek the Lord Himself, it is satisfying
to know that when we rest in His presence, and commune with
Him, we are among the chosen.