I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys. – Song of Songs 2:1

Today’s Scripture Reading (September 16, 2016): Song of Songs 2

Some years ago I took a group of teens to the nearby mountains for a hike. This hike was a strenuous walk and not mountain climbing, but even so, there were a few teens who gave up early in our trek up the mountain and decided that they would meet us at the bottom of the mountain (and in the pool that awaited the rest of us after our hike). But for the rest of us who stuck with the climb, when we reached the top of our hike we were greeted by a high mountain meadow with its flowers in full bloom. It was a beautiful, and unusual, sight. And after all of our grueling steps going up the mountain trail, it was interesting just to watch the kids just run, jump and play in this alpine meadow.

Scholars have long been puzzled by this idea of a “Rose of Sharon.” The problem is that the identity of the flower is in question. It is not likely to be a Rose. And it also isn’t likely to be any of the various flowers that in modern times are called a “Rose of Sharon.” Some commentators have stressed that this comment is about the fragrance of Solomon’s bride, but without identifying the flower, it is hard to know if this could be true.

To add to the confusion, the name “Rose of Sharon” is a relatively late biblical development. The name “Rose of Sharon” first appeared in the 1611 version of the King James Bible. Up until that time the translation of the phrase was a more basic in nature – it was the “flower of the field.” Personally, I think that the “flower of the field” seems to pair nicely with the idea of the “lily of the valleys.”

And remembering that day on the Alpine meadow, the idea of the “flowers of the field” might add a playfulness factor to the words expressed between Solomon and his Shulamite bride. And if we must make a connection to the Christian Church (which we seem to like to do) it adds a sense of playfulness to what it is that we do. Sometimes the right thing is to stop and play among the flowers of the field, or in the alpine meadow, enjoying all of the beauty that God has created for us.   

Tomorrow Scripture Reading: Song of Songs 3