as My mare among Pharaoh’s chariots. – Song 1:9
In the last post from Song chapter 1, we left off with the Shulamite not able to find Solomon. And then, her “note” to him requesting to be where He is. And finally, the King’s “note” back to her.
Did she take the journey?
She did!
But it took COURAGE. So much courage, that when Solomon laid eyes on her coming up the trail, he likened her to a horse! A very special horse, in fact.
In today’s post I want to share what I believe the Spirit has shown me concerning this passage in the Song of Songs, and invite my friends to inquire what being God’s HORSE might mean for us, in this new, uncertain season.
Do you give the horse its strength or clothe its neck with a flowing mane?
Do you make it leap like a locust, striking terror with its proud snorting?
It paws fiercely, rejoicing in its strength, and charges into the fray.
It laughs at fear, afraid of nothing; it does not shy away from the sword.
The quiver of arrows [of its rider] rattles against its side, along with the flashing spear and lance.
In frenzied excitement it eats up the ground; it cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds
At the blast of the trumpet it snorts, ‘Aha!’ It catches the scent of battle from afar,
the shout of commanders, and the battle cry. ~Job 39:19-25
Before jumping in, I would like to refer to a study I once conducted (drawing help from others) titled: “Stories of Divinely-insigated Disorientation, Division, and Discomposure.” (I’m sure there are a few other “D” words that could fit as well) :-) Basically — it’s a list of stories in the New Testament when (1) some kind of “heated” incident happened, (2) among a group of people, and (3) as a result of some truth being spoken or lived out.
Take a look at it sometime. You may be surprised, as I was at first, that most come from the book of Acts.
I’m noticing something in my study of the Song of Songs. Translations cannot be fully trusted to give an accurate picture of all that should be conveyed. Some seem to even tamper with the meaning, watering verses down to make them less offensive. I blame religion for this, who is knowingly or unknowingly always coming up with ways to strip the Bride of her association with Christ’s offense — thus making people fit their perfect ideal of “who gets in, and who stays out.” In 1:9 for example, a few versions translate “my mare” as a “company of horses,” when the Hebrew is clearly a female horse, who is among Pharaoh’s horses. But of course this would be a challenge for the ancient mind. Often, and for a variety of suggestive details, a comparison of a woman to a mare or filly in poetic literature was a provocative one. In addition to that, horses in general were often associated with a pagan, extravagant lifestyle as well.
But it may be that the controversy of this “mare” actually lies more with who she is among. Pharaoh’s chariots — particularly Egyptian ones — were known to be drawn not by a pair of mares, but by stallions!
Solomon was a king with an unprecedented taste for everything equine, especially from Egypt. He even amassed 1,400 chariots, many of which he kept in so-called “chariot cities.” (2 Chronicles 1:14) Perhaps the reason Solomon used the horse metaphor that he did, was to hint that the Shulamite rendezvous with him at a shepherd camp outside one of these nearby “chariot cities.” By likening her to a mare among Pharaoh’s chariots, he would not only be giving the woman another hint for where he was located, but also COURAGE for the journey.
But there’s more!
A famous war was also known at that time, inscribed on an Egyptian tomb wall of the Pharaoh Thutmosis III at Qadesh. It featured a story about a military strategy of releasing a mare in heat, straight into the midst of a cavalry of chariots. I don’t think we need to expound the visual of yoked stallions catching her scent, and the ensuing chaos and confusion! Even whips and reigns would be useless to quickly bring these chariots back under control.
Does this story shed more light into all those “heated incidents” in the book of Acts? When young, the followers of Christ were in the unbridled passion of “first love,” and their heart had not grown cold by religious mixture and the cares of this world. They emanated a spiritual scent – and this scent caused a strong reaction in the powers that wanted to be in control. When Peter and John stood on trial, for example, it was observed by the religious leaders that, “they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13) Do you get the point? The Kingdom of God is an intimate one. All other kingdoms fear it, hate it, or both.
For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is competent for such a task? ~ 2 Corinthians 2:15-16
Coming to a head, we are left with an important truth: It definitely takes courage to be under the reign of “first love,” and obediently follow the Spirit wherever He leads. This courage is ours by faith – not trusting in our own strength – but by trusting the One who knows and loves us.
We will be protected in the fray … but we won’t know it as truth … until we are in it.
✦ A WORD FOR THOSE WITH “MARE EARS” TO HEAR: ✦
My Bride, in coming out of the wilderness to advance the Kingdom with Me — have courage!
Directed by the reigns of My indwelling Spirit, you bring on your shoulders:
Truth into the midst of lies, Love into the midst of fear, and Freedom into the midst of bondage.
Be not be alarmed at the confused, tumultuous uprisings to your presence.
The enemy is chained and limited. The battle is Mine, and the victory is sure.
See what I see! See what I see from My vantage point of having your back!
For what I see — is My reality – and it is your reality too, if you believe it.
O My darling companion, I truly see you as My Mare. Do you?