Song 8:11 “Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon;
He entrusted the vineyard to caretakers.
Each one was to bring a thousand shekels of silver for its fruit.
Song 8:12 “My very own vineyard is at my disposal;
The thousand shekels are for you, Solomon,
And two hundred are for those who take care of its fruit.”
In the Song of Solomon the idea of vineyards, and gardens run throughout. Vineyard, or garden represent our heart relationship with Jesus. All of us, as Christaians, are called to be caretakers of that relationship. As a matter of fact, in chapter one, she confesses that she has been so busy being a Christian, trying to produce fruit, that she has not taken care of her own vineyard. Clergy, sadly, often fall into this category. The primary theme of the Song is for that broken condition to be healed. By the end of The Song, she has learned that her One Thing calling is to love Him with all of her heart, and grow in intimate union with Him. His presence resting on her, realized in her, released through her became her passion. As a Lovesick one, bringing Him pleasure became her destiny, and in this lovesick position she found her vineyard bearing much fruit. The joy of realizing we are called to bear fruit, that comes from abiding, instead of trying to produce fruit from striving is so exhilarating. In 8:12 she declares that her very own vineyard was finally at her disposal. In other words, she was no longer in bondage to anything that would hinder her. She was no longer held captive by anything that would keep her from going as far, as deep, and as high, as she wanted to, in her love for Him. Oh, that our own vineyards would be at our own disposal, no longer at any level, imprisoned to compromise or idolatry. More on this tomorrow.