Song of Solomon or Song of Songs as some of us know it, is an Old Testament book of the Bible. This book added to Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther makes up the Megillot. The Megillot is the five scrolls that are read during festivals.
The Song of Solomon is read always on the week of Passover. It is marvelous to think that some of these poems have been kept from the Davidic era, 10th Century BC.
The book itself is a collection of poems and writings, love letters as it were between a man and a woman, and the Christian interpretation would say that this can be used to interpret the covenantal love between Christ and the Church.
Other interpretations would suggest it is simply a book of love letters between a male and female.
What Is the Context of Song of Solomon 2:4?
The verse we will look at deeper today however is found in Song of Solomon chapter 2 verse 4, which reads: “He brought me to the banqueting house, And his banner over me was love.”
Now if you are a 90’s Christian, you may know the catchy wee tune by the Veggie Tales that goes… “He brought me to His banqueting table his banner over me is love, His banner, over me, is love…”
Because of catchy wee tunes like this, even my kids know this verse, but what does it mean? What is this banner and why does it matter?
We have all seen or know what banners are, simply put they are fabric or plastic, and on them is a declarative or informative piece of information for the reader to be aware of.
Occasionally we will place banners out for events and include dates, times, or locations.
But I live in Northern Ireland, and we often see banners made as a celebration of birthdays, a big anniversary, or a welcome home.
Sometimes old sheets or cloth, big pieces of card are taken and painted onto them can be, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY…” or “Welcome Home.” Often banners are used to convey a message.
Banners are also mentioned in Scripture. In Exodus 17, we read the story of the Israelites in battle with the Amalekites at Rephidim.
As long as Moses' arms are raised, they win, and in a way of remembrance, Moses calls the place Jehovah Nissi: “The Lord is my banner, this was a sign of victory” (Exodus 17:15), but we also see places in Isaiah where a banner was to attract attention and to serve as a hope for Gods people.
Simply put, banners were to be seen, they are unmissable.
With all of that in mind, I believe in this passage the same is true.
The pulpit commentary tells us that the banner here comes from the root word “to cover.” The wording used here is to explain the outward sign of her lover’s feelings for her.
Those feelings are steeped in the love that he feels. She is saying that this banner he displays means that he is not hiding away his feelings for her. He is not telling her of his love in secret but contradicting that love in public places.
Knowing this love that he feels is displayed so publicly, the female of this narrative can know that not only is her beloved hers, but she is his. She belongs to him, and their love is mutual.
What Does This Banner Represent?
This narrative is believed to be an interpretation of Christ's love for the church and so we must ask ourselves what is the connection to us?
1 John 4:8 tells us that God is love: “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
So, already we can see before we consider any other factors or pieces of information that God loves us, simply because love is who He is. It is a character trait of God and thankfully one that never changes.
Even the worst sinner is loved by God. Some of us find that hard to believe, but John 3:16 tells us that “God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son, that whosoever would believe in Him shall not perish but obtain everlasting life!”
Jesus saved us while we were sinners, and God does not grade sin. Sin is sin, from the smallest of lies to the greatest of murders. The Bible tells us that all have fallen short (Romans 3), and we are all born in sin (Psalm 51:5).
So, as you read these words today know that no matter how highly or lowly you think of yourself you are loved by Almighty God and his love for you is eternal (Psalm 136). You can rest in that and receive it.
God's love is present and available for us to receive and is possible for us to receive through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
He came and died on the cross so that we may be able to find redemption in Him, He died a death so that we would not have to. The one true mediator between man and God.
And so, from this, we can see that if Jesus were to hold a banner over us that banner would read love. Love is His victorious cry and the catalyst that spurred God to send His Son so that we could be saved from an eternity far from God.
Once we have accepted Jesus as our Savior we can know peace like no other, a love that guides us, a love that meets all of our needs and helps us to navigate all of life’s great battles and trials.
The banner that Jesus lifts high over us is one of protection, guidance, safety, security, and abundance. His banner covers us with joy and hope and a future that will be more than we can imagine, living for eternity with himself.
This banner affords us the blessing of fellowship with God even now. We can pray and hear from Him. We can learn from His Word because the Holy Spirit prompts us and nudges us at times.
Friend, if you know Jesus today you are a member of His holy Church, you are an heir in the kingdom of God, a brother or sister of Christ, and you will one day be a conqueror also in the final battle of Armageddon.
You are Holy and chosen, purposed, and planned by God to do amazing things with him.
What Does This Mean?
Lastly, this banner reminds us that Jesus is not only love, but He is victorious. He has conquered death, and because He rose from the grave we will also. Death will not have the final say because Jesus is Lord and King, Savior, and Friend.
Death is but a moment in the middle when we can say we will see each other again. This Banner of Love reminds us that no matter what we face in life Jesus is over all and conquered all and He will, as Romans 8 declares make all things work for good and His glory!
Rest in that love today friend. You who are reading these words whether intentionally or accidentally are loved!
For further reading:
How Does the Lord Love with an Everlasting Love?
Does God Really Love Everyone?
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