Song of Songs 1:5-7

Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.

Bible Reading

Dark am I, yet lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, dark like the tents of Kedar, like the tent curtains of Solomon. Do not stare at me because I am dark, because I am darkened by the sun. My mother’s sons were angry with me and made me take care of the vineyards; my own vineyard I had to neglect. Tell me, you whom I love, where you graze your flock and where you rest your sheep at midday. Why should I be like a veiled woman beside the flocks of your friends?

– Song of Songs 1:5-7 (NIV)

Devotion

Kedar was a nomadic community located in northern Arabia. The vineyard mentioned in this passage was probably owned by Solomon and leased to the woman’s step-brothers. These step-brothers made her take care of the vineyards in the hot eastern sun. She had kept up their vineyards but had neglected to take care of herself. The tents of Kedar were made out of the hair of black goats, and she felt that she looked just like them. When she was brought to Jerusalem, the girl was sensitive about her dark-tanned complexion compared to the fair, delicate skin of the city girls. Though fair skin was often considered more beautiful, Solomon loved her dark skin. One could only imagine the insecurity she felt because she looked so different from the others, especially while her lover was away and she dearly longed for the security of his presence. Genuine love goes beyond appearance and is not swayed by the opinions of others. Genuine love provides the security that one is loved unconditionally. This is how the dark woman from Kedar was loved by Solomon, and it is also how we are loved by God.

The Big Question

How do people in our society try to find true love? Why does genuine love seem so illusive? How can we better realize the true and genuine love of God? How can we return that love? Think of some steps that you can make today to love Jesus unconditionally.

Conclude your time in prayer and silence reflecting on what you have learned.