“they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but my own vineyard have I not kept.” – Song 1:6

Do you know the song Artificial Flowers by Bobby Darin? It’s about an orphan girl forced to make paper decorations for rich women’s hats. She dies and finds out that God has a special garden just for her, with real flowers she doesn’t have to abrade her little fingers on.

This touching song was shared with me several years ago, and then recalled this week when reflecting on the Shulamite’s story. I’ve also been thinking about my own past and wondering what to share about it. We all have them, I know: stories of abuse, regrets, or both. The Shulamite woman talks about hers briefly, because she has moved on.

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… One of the things she does mention is being worked over by “her mother’s sons.” Interesting way of putting them. Why not “my brothers?” It reminds me of Jesus’ words: “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?…Whoever does the will of God,” Mark 3:33-35. Personally, it wasn’t an easy lesson for me when I was a young woman first discovering that not everyone who says, “brother, sister,” knows what this really means, or has your best interests at heart.

… Another thing the Shulamite mentions is owning a vineyard. For a female back then, this was unconventional. But her brothers, who acted in lieu of their dead or absent father, pressured her into working on their land instead, and for their profit. By day’s end the girl was too exhausted and distracted to think about what she was given, and to “keep” it. 

❀ ∙What is the application here? ∙❀

Well, a vineyard (or garden) is often a metaphor in the Song of Songs for one’s body. So there is a sense that not “keeping it” could refer to a breach of sexual purity before her relationship to Solomon. I am not against this interpretation. Too many things I read about the Shulamite makes her out to be perfect, which she did not have to be. “For she who is forgiven much, loves much,” Luke 7:47. 

But moreover, a garden represents one’s thoughts, affections and heart: the private place where God intimately fellowships with us and plants the Seed of Christ. There is a tremendous attack against valuing this “garden,” and keeping it from neglect. The controlling spirits of this world hate it when we live there in carefree freedom, joy, and trust! So they will throw out every kind of distraction, deceit, and destructive attempt to steal us of this gift, and make us fear and misunderstand the nature of God.

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Reflecting on my own life here; from a little girl I was raised in an environment that stressed heavy church commitment, evangelism, and tithing. We were constantly active, and at one point my father was an elder, youth leader, and worship leader all at once. What the Bible calls “offering your body as a living sacrifice” was hardly separable from all the church activities and programs, and furthermore my idea of “obedience” and “spiritual authority” was rather messed up too.

Without going into lengthy detail, it’s enough to say that it was exhausting being a cog-in-a-wheel of a system that depended on our faithful submission and financial support to keep it all running. The pressure nearly destroyed our family. 

Back to the garden! 

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free! Stand firm, then, and don’t allow yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.  -Galatians 5:1

I don’t want this to go on too long or end on a negative note. Because the short of it is, God did an amazing work in my family, and in my heart, to bring freedom and spiritual rest. In one way it was quick and easy, and in another way it remains a painful process that is still ongoing. But a deepening revelation of Jesus Christ (the real Jesus) and love (perfect love) has incredibly changed my life in ways I cannot put into words right now. Not without making this a long book!  

For all who are weary and burdened in life…this is the good news that Jesus brought me, and brings you too: 

“Your days of artificial flowers are over!” ︎

Yes, we can have a loving, trusting relationship with Christ now, in the peace and acceptance of our very own garden. And with its living soil you can breathe in real flowers, and produce real fruit that is so abundant by nature, that the overflow can be given to hungry souls without cost.

Thank you lover of the Song! 

We are so amazed by You.

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P.S. This concludes the series on the Shulamite woman’s background and past.

P.S.S. And here’s the song I mentioned: