Reader Feedback - "Rose of Sharon Not a Name for God"
Tuesday July 17, 2007
Not too long ago I published a list of the biblical names of God and Jesus, including 102 names and where they can be found in the Bible. I offered it as an adventurous study of the character and nature of God. I was pleased when one of my readers, Martain, provided this feedback about my list:
- Dear Mary,
I was looking through your list of biblical names of God, and had a comment regarding "the Rose of Sharon." Although I have seen this name, along with "the lily of the valley" used as names of God, I do not believe they truly are ...
- Read Martain's full take on the Rose of Sharon.
- See the list - Biblical Names of God.
- What's your view? Leave a comment below!
Do you think “Rose of Sharon” and “Lily of the Valley” are names of God?
They are messianic references to Jesus and actually are descriptions rather than names.
In this particular case, the Shulamite is referring to herself as the lily of the valleys and the rose of Sharon. Both of these things are common – she does not see herself as beautiful or special. This is why in his response, her beloved says no, you are a lily among thorns – you are a rare and precious beauty. I don’t believe it relates to the names of God, but that the Song of Solomon is a beautiful allegory that can represent the love of Christ for his bride, the Church.
I believe that some have been uncomfortable in dealing with the fact that the Song of Solomon is about intimacy between a man and his bride. The sexual overtones are obvious. In order to “correct” this, some have inappropriately spiritualized the message. But Jesus is the groom, not the bride. The Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley are names for the bride in this story. Let’s not forget that God invented sex and He calls us to praise Him for this glorious intimacy in it’s proper context. When we ignore this, we are denying this precious gift and giving the enemy a greater foothold into what should be Holy territory. If there is an allegory (and I don’t see one) it is secondary. The Bible is rife with inappropriate sexual liasons. In this book, God says; “This is the way it is supposed to be.”
Wow! I think Martain is right. I never studied it or even asked the question but she brings up a great point.
Tony
The “Rose of Sharon” is not a pretty flower. It is actually part of the crocus family and has a bulb – not a rose at all.We have been misled for years by poor translation. The focus is always on the Bridegroom anyway!
the rose of sharon is nevertheless a fragile flower but very ordinary and this is what I believe the Shulamite woman is saying. Like the Church – she feels unworthy and ordinary and He, the Bridegroom, is everything we are not. This then makes sense if we look at it that way.
I hope so, it would be ironic to me. I come from a family of 6, all raised Catholic and all had 12 years of Catholic education. I recently renewed my vows to Christ and was born again. My father passed 15 years ago and with him 5 members of the Christian faith. They still think they are practicing Christians, but pick and choose what they want to believe from the Word. I was browsing the internet, trying to give my son some words of incouragement because his cat died. I got side tracked when I saw that few would enter the kingdom of heaven I know that we should be watching for signs and to be ready. My question, in all sincerity, is how does this make God victorious, when the Devil claims more souls? Does it have to do with the new Kingdom on earth?
HE is my rose of sharon and my lily of the valley His words are sweet smelling savour to my nostrils and sweet music to my ears. In Him all things were created. He is my everything.