You are His Sweetheart

Are you munching on some chocolate leftover from yesterday’s treats? While you do, take a minute to turn in your Bible to Song of Solomon 2:4.

“He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me is love.”

Imagine walking with Jesus through His palace grounds. The landscape is majestic, and your senses are alive attempting to take in all that surrounds. You stroll through the lush gardens enveloped in the aromatic display of His creation. Just a little further past a grassy knoll, you see the vineyard up ahead.  The Lord Himself hums along with the birds’ sweet melodies as you walk together.  In the vineyard, bees dance along the vines, and as you enjoy the decadent grapes, you notice another building in the distance. You inquire to your Savior as to what the building is, and He smiles leading you to its path. When you arrive, you know that this is the banquet house of the Kingdom.  The Savior reaches for your hand and guides you down the steps into the cool room, where there is a lavishly set table brimming with the most delightful fare.  Above, the ceiling is swept with billows of expensive fabric hung ever so artfully.  You are invited to settle in at His table where wine from His vineyard has been poured in the anticipation of your arrival.  After talking about matters of the heart and laughing together you feel known and loved. 

“He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me is love.”

A Banqueting House

The banquet house was a dwelling within the vineyard where wine was stored, and banquets were hosted.  It was not of that of a serf or peasant but of a king.  Only those with wealth would have had an adjacent building to their home, situated on the grounds of their kingdom. Wonderful parties were held there to celebrate the best of occasions! The words for banqueting table in Hebrew are biyth hayayin which literally mean “house of wine.”[1] These ‘houses of wine’ were often nestled deep in the earth to keep the wine cool from the heat of the Middle East. They were a glorified wine cellar. In many cultures, wine is used to celebrate and draw people closer together. Solomon drew his beloved closer to himself in his wine cellar. Wine was used at the Last Supper, and even greater still, we know that Jesus is the new wine of the new covenant. 

Here in Song of Songs the depiction is that the young Shunamite woman was happy to follow her lover to the banquet house.  We, too, are led to a place of quiet and intimacy with Jesus and we are celebrated. Psalm 16:11, “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

The Banner

This banner of love can refer to a name of the Lord, Jehovah Nissi, “our banner.” On the daily and in war, the Lord is our great protector. Here in Song of Songs the protection of the King overshadows His beloved. The banner in the original Hebrew means “to cover.” Solomon’s lover was beaconed to relax and feel the safety of his covering. 

Imagine as she looked up from this well-decorated party to see a tent-like ceiling draped in rich fabric! The same boasts for you and I as our Jesus dotes over us in love!  

Furthermore, Jesus was our ultimate banner of love, lifted upon the Cross for all to see. It was that perfect love that covered all our sins so we could be free!  

Under His care, His covering, we see His great love for us. You are at the center of His heart, His thoughts for you are innumerable. He’s fascinated with you. He loves your quirks, and desires to help you to improve your shortcoming? Be reminded, you are the apple of His eye! Do not miss out on His love. The sweet fullness of His love is attainable, available and paid for. He is the sweetest gift. 

You are His Sweetheart.

[1] Chaimbentorah.com