Song 4:1 “How beautiful you are, my darling,
How beautiful you are!
Your eyes are like doves behind your veil;
Your hair is like a flock of goats
That have descended from Mount Gilead.
There are those who believe that Mount Gilead was the mountain area where the goats and sheep grazed awaiting sacrifice in the Temple. I love the language used in that last line; “That have descended from Mount Gilead.” When we begin to develop the virtue of trusting His Leadership, we descend from the place of self-rule to the place of self-sacrifice. One of the great deaths our flesh experiences is when we choose to take up our Cross daily and follow Him. It’s quite a transition when we give up self-rule, and commit to step by step trusting that He is “perfecting that which concerns us.” Losing control seems so scary, but it is the fast path to freedom, and soul rest. It’s easy to tell when this beautiful virtue begins to emerge; murmuring, complaining, and fear begin to fade away, and bold thankfulness comes forth.
Also, there was a tent like covering that went over the Tabernacle that was made of goat hair. (Exodus 26:7) I’m sure you are aware that the Tabenacle was called the “The Tent of Meeting.” It’s where the people of God encountered Him. I believe that when we learn to live trusting His leadership, in the big and small things of life, that we will live the realm, and atmosphere of encounter. When you trustfully follow Him, you automatically live in the shadow of His presence.