Editorial – May 2025

‘A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse’, S. of S. 4. 12

Modern activity-oriented Christianity puts great emphasis on ‘doing’. God is interested also in our ‘being’; not simply our function, but what we are and what we may become by His grace.

Many of us take pleasure in gardens, and the Song of Solomon chapter 4 pictures the bride as a garden, cultivated, but enclosed [‘barred’ KJV margin]. It is therefore a private personal possession, belonging exclusively to her lover, a place of rest and refreshment. She is also likened to a delightful orchard, v. 13, where the Persian loan-word denotes an estate reserved for a king’s pleasure.

Israel was supposed to be God’s treasure for His own enjoyment. Yet the temptations of Canaanite religion caused her to go astray. Today, the church is unique, special, ‘But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession’, 1 Pet. 2. 9 ESV. On a personal level, the psalmist wrote, ‘But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself’, Ps. 4. 3.

Naturally, as His purchased possession, Christ wants us for Himself - completely for Himself, that is. Thus, John issues a warning, ‘Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him’, 1 John 2. 15.

No eastern garden can flourish without constant irrigation, S. of S. 4. 12, 15. A spring secures an inexhaustible supply; a fountain cools and irrigates the garden. Together, they speak of the vital refreshment provided by the indwelling Spirit. Christians cannot flourish, apart from the Spirit’s supply.

This well-watered garden supports a variety of exotic plants and precious fruits, rare and aromatic, emblems of the bride’s qualities, vv. 13, 14. Similarly for the believer, ‘the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace’, Gal. 5. 22; an exquisite composite of heavenly fruits on earthly soil. The bride is a precious source of refreshment and joy to her lover. Likewise, Christ takes pleasure in His own work in us! God is at work in us ‘both to will and to do of his good pleasure’, Phil. 2. 13.

To complete the sensory delights, the garden exudes fragrance and fruitfulness. The lover sends, and the bride welcomes, alternately cold and warm winds that release the scents, ‘Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out’, v. 16. Just as the wind agitates, and stimulates, and strengthens the plants in a garden, the Lord blends the adversities of life and testimony - as well as times of joy - to develop heavenly graces in His people. This is seen in the Acts, times of persecution interspersed with times of peace, Acts 8. 4; 9. 31. May Grimes penned the beautiful hymn Speak, Lord, in the stillness, including the following lines:

Like ‘a watered garden’ - Full of fragrance rare,
Ling’ring in Thy presence - Let my life appear.

The winds waft the perfumes beyond the garden enclosure, so that others can appreciate what the lover finds so compelling in his bride, cp. 2 Cor. 2. 15.

In commending this latest issue to our readers, we are indebted to able and busy servants of God who give themselves unstintingly to the preparation of helpful teaching. We trust that you will be edified and encouraged.

Ken Totton
Ministry Articles Editor