Coat of Arms
He has brought me to his banquet hall, and his banner over me is love. Song of Songs 2:4 NASB
Banner – Here is a word, degel, that is used in only two places in the Bible; the book of Numbers and this verse in Song of Songs. The references in the book of Numbers are almost all in the second chapter and deal exclusively with the idea of a flag or standard that identifies the camp. They provide a picture of a military insignia or battle flag.
But the context of this verse brings us an appreciation of God’s promise. Song of Songs is a love poem. At one level of interpretation, it is a written expression of intimacy and romance. At another level, it serves as a balance to the apparently stricter marital pronouncements of the Pauline letters. Song of Songs is as implicitly sexual as any portion of the Bible. Yet here it is, part of God’s Holy Word to men and women. Certainly this should help us see the blessing that God has provided within the boundaries of His sacrament of physical sexual union.
Beyond this, Song of Songs is often allegorized as a picture of the love of Christ for His church or of YHWH for Israel. Whether or not such an interpretation can be upheld, this verse does tell us something very powerful about the relationship between the lover and the loved one. The loved one is under a standard, an insignia, designating a special status to the loved one. That status is belonging. Love extends itself to another by involvement in the well being of the other. Its banner protects, cares and cherishes. The feast of true love, the festival of relationship, is a banquet of positive self-worth provided by the lover.
This is the way love should be. Marriage is a celebration of identity and belonging. It is mutual well-being. The joy of being protected and cared for is the fabric of every marriage vow. No wonder God uses marriage as a symbol of His care for us.
A banner is a wonderful reminder of the fact that God is our personal lover. He desires our best and is more than willing to bring us under His banner. Our feast began when we decided to let God love us. We have His stamp of approval. In the New Testament, we see this idea carried forward when Yeshua says that we are to be called by His name. Under His banner means simply this – we belong. The long days and empty nights of loneliness are over. We are no longer on our own.
This word has a special place in the mutual life of every married person. Take your lover under your banner. Give your stamp of approval. You will reflect God’s desire.
Topical Index: degel, banner, protection, care, Song of Songs 2:4
And this banner over us is the tslav, the execution stake, of Yeshua HaMashiach.
~ For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of G-d ~ (1 Corinthians 1.18)
~Through Christ Jesus, (Yeshua HaMashiach) G-d has blessed the Gentiles with the same (covenant) blessing He promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Ruach HaKodesh through faith ~ (Galatians 3.14)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98LcbCkhqJs
That is beautiful, Carl. Fernando Ortega is definitely gifted with the voice for a skilled singer and it sounds like a heart for YHWH praising His gift to us.
I wish, however, the scenes of the movie, the “Passion of Christ” had not included the scenes promoting anti-Semitic propaganda, as we now know was in Gibson’s self confessed heart. Somehow, this teaching, seems to promote the idea that “the Jews” were responsible for our Master’s crucifixion and this snapshot of the crowd should show each one of the faces of the world who rejects the gift of God in Christ. Trivial issue, but I just can not seem to get past this knowing the author of the films heart at that time. I know…chew on the meat and spit out the bones is what I usually hear…
His banner over us, is Who He was, is and evermore shall Be, the great I AM, the One having professed His Love for His creation and His promises of safe keeping and preservation forever to those who follow earnestly after Him, forsaking all others and cleaving to Him! I am so thankful for the tangibility of the Incomprehensible this morning and the gift of this message from our Betrothed!
Mary, i love the last word in your comment/response – “Betrothed” we are… ♥ that word is very special to me because HE spoke it to me long ago when i asked Him a questions about remaining in a singles class/organization at a church i was attending. the singles pastor had moved on to another function in the church & i was not sure i even wanted to remain in the singles ministry (if you could call it a ministry it was more a social function to me) & He told me – no, jan – you are already “betrothed” to me & that word alone set me free. i will probably never know the true implications to that WORD till i see Him face to face… ♥
again, a very beautiful expression of God’s love for us, thank you Skip…♥
Thank you Skip, what soothing words for weary souls of which I am one.