Song of Solomon 6:2  My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.
3  I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine: he feedeth among the lilies.

We have looked at the garden that Solomon had before. A garden is a place where fruits and vegetables grow. A good garden has plenty of provisions in it. It takes work to make a good garden. It takes wisdom to look at the crops and see what nutrients are needed to improve on the crops growing. A garden is also a good place of therapy. Working with live plants is good therapy for the mind and body. It does not replace knowing the true God, but when we know Him, we will find comfort in keeping a good garden.
God placed Adam and Eve into a garden. He provided all that was needed for them to live successfully. Adam took his eyes off of all the blessings he had in that garden, and he chose to pursue a lie. Adam lost something that man has never been able to get back. Today, the hope of man is not a garden on earth, but the garden in heaven.
In our text we read that in Solomon’s garden there were beds of spices. That would have been quite the place. The aroma coming off the spices is satisfying to the careful person. Many people are too busy to appreciate the blessings of God’s garden. Many people are so busy chasing after material things. Rather than attend a good church, they will go to the golf course in the summer, or go shopping, or watch a movie, or go to some house of entertainment. Why chase after empty desires, when you can know the blessing of the Lord in your heart?
In this garden there were also lilies. Lilies are pleasant to look at and they also have a sweet aroma. I know there are people with allergies and they cannot enjoy these blessings. However, for those who are able to appreciate these things, it is a great blessing.
The groom has this beautiful garden; however, that garden was not in competition with his bride. She enjoyed that garden as well…to be able to sit down on a bench in that beautiful garden and just take in the beauty of all that is there.
However, this beauty did not take the place of the beauty of his bride. The godly bride is an asset to her husband. She is there to truly be his help meet. She wants to be with him in his garden. This garden was not a hindrance to having a beautiful and intimate relationship as a couple.
In verse 3 we read that there was a bonding with this couple. This bride knew she was her beloved’s. She was not a feminist who wanted superiority over her husband. She did not talk down to him or about him. She showed deep respect for him. She also knew that her beloved was hers. What a beautiful thing when a couple knows they are not competing with each other. They are not jealous of each other. Each knows their place, and each one is content in their role.
This groom feeds among the lilies. He was not feeding among the thorns. He was not feeding among the mosquitos. He had a liberty and a comfort in his garden.
In the spiritual realm, this is what God gives to those who know the Lord Jesus Christ as their own personal Saviour. Jesus Christ is better than those lilies. He is sweet and He is comforting. We will find all that we need in knowing Him and serving Him.
Today is the Lord’s Day. It is the Lord’s Day because Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the first day of the week. The first century churches met in a special way on the first day of the week. They collected their offerings on that first day for the work of the Lord.
We know that while Jesus was on this earth, He sent Peter to the sea to catch a fish and in the mouth of that fish he would find the taxes needed for Jesus and Peter. That is a true account. God does not provide such a fish today. He does provide for our needs. If you find a true church you will be blessed in attending it. The atmosphere will be such that God is exalted, not the flesh. The Word of God will be central to all that is done in that place. The music will exalt the Lord, and not the flesh. It will be a place where you can meet with the holy God Who made you and wants to bless you with His peace. Be sure you ask God to lead you to such a place.
Pastor Bartel