My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of En-gedi.
The verse belongs to Canticles, also called the Song of Solomon, an Oriental love poem whose imagery is warm and figurative. It is regarded by many as a parable and poetic picture of Christ and His church, presenting Christ's love for His church, with Solomon's experiences serving as types of Christ and His church. Within that picture, the speaker is the church speaking to Christ, addressing Him as her beloved. The beloved is Christ, and the verse expresses the church's response to His wonderful love, a response often lacking in faithfulness and constancy.
The camphire is henna, a plant used as a dye. The clusters of En-gedi signify the rich fruit of the Bible, the words of Christ which are spirit and life.
They are to be reaped daily and hourly by reading Scripture, following the example of Ezra who was skilled in the law and of Daniel who made understanding the times and events and making them practical his business, profession, and joy. When read with God's Spirit filling the reader with light and understanding and joy and peace, they furnish sublime and noble subjects for joyful and profitable meditation. Those subjects are delicious and sweet beyond expression when properly understood and appreciated.
The verse belongs to Canticles, also called the Song of Solomon, an Oriental love poem whose imagery is warm and figurative. It is regarded by many as a parable and poetic picture of Christ and His church, presenting Christ's love for His church, with Solomon's experiences serving as types of Christ and His church. Within that picture, the speaker is the church speaking to Christ, addressing Him as her beloved. The beloved is Christ, and the verse expresses the church's response to His wonderful love, a response often lacking in faithfulness and constancy.
The camphire is henna, a plant used as a dye. The clusters of En-gedi signify the rich fruit of the Bible, the words of Christ which are spirit and life.
They are to be reaped daily and hourly by reading Scripture, following the example of Ezra who was skilled in the law and of Daniel who made understanding the times and events and making them practical his business, profession, and joy. When read with God's Spirit filling the reader with light and understanding and joy and peace, they furnish sublime and noble subjects for joyful and profitable meditation. Those subjects are delicious and sweet beyond expression when properly understood and appreciated.