I think all who love yeshua will enjoy this story...
Song of Solomon 3
6What is this coming up from the wilderness
Like columns of smoke,
Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense,
With all scented powders of the merchant?
7 "Behold, it is the traveling couch of Solomon;
Sixty mighty men around it,
Of the mighty men of Israel.
8 "All of them are wielders of the sword,
Expert in war;
Each man has his sword R82 at his side,
Guarding against the terrors of the night.
9 "King Solomon has made for himself a sedan chair
From the timber of Lebanon.
10 "He made its posts of silver,
Its back of gold
And its seat of purple fabric,
With its interior lovingly fitted out
By the daughters of Jerusalem.
The King and the Desert Rose
Before I saw Him I beheld the dust swirling in clouds and columns of smoke as His caravan moved across the desert. I wondered at these columns of smoke and how they were made. The closer He came the enchanting fragrances wafting from the columns brought the realization they were perfumed with incense, myrrh, frankincense and all scented powders of the merchant. These were special fragrances the King had selected which always went before Him wherever He went. The Kings scent, His subjects would say. The incense was prepared lovingly by those who knew well the preferences of His Majesty.
In the next moment my senses were invaded by the sight and sound of the approaching guards, each holding banners of purple, red, with the King's coat of arms, a golden lion at the center, flashing in the sunlight. The men on horseback, armed with spears and swords, were also dressed in the same colors of the banners they displayed proudly. Awestricken, I gazed opened mouthed. The Kings entourage was approaching, beautiful and terrible, beyond anything I had ever dreamed. I knew the half of what I had heard about His power and wealth had never been told. Falling to my knees, my heart in my throat, I dared a glance at the palanquin of the King. Edged with crimson and covered with gilded gold, mirroring the sun, the sight nearly blinded me. Shielding my eyes I bowed yet lower wondering why the King would ever visit my poor part of the desert. Perhaps He was in search of a new oasis. That thought barely past my mind when I realized the royal caravan had stopped right in front of me! I was but a poor maid of the desert and I knew the strong warrior guardsmen could slice me in half with one stroke of their curved blades. The King need only command and the task would be done without a second thought. At that moment, greater than my fear was my desire to see Him. Word had spread throughout the land and within our desert community how handsome He was. I had always dreamed of seeing Him and like many young maidens I too wished with all my heart I could marry Him.
A foolish dream of an even more foolish girl, I impetuously raised my eyes to try and see the face of the King. And I saw Him. I saw Him partially through the lattice, in profile. Ah, what an exquisite vision! I could see a hint of His black locks and beard framing His sun bronzed face, His head swathed in a purple and golden turban. Suddenly He turned and looked at me. His large dark eyes seemed to burn away the lattice. I stopped my mouth with my hand. To gaze upon the King meant certain death. I quickly pressed my face to the earth. I heard the rustling sound of garments, armor clanking and footsteps approaching and I could see the dust rising around the sandaled feet of two guards. There was no time to plea for my life for swiftly their strong hands caused me to stand upright, yes, upright but trembling.
Do not be afraid! called a voice from within the carriage. The Kings voice, strong and resonant, crafted an unseen protective arm around me. You have nothing to fear. A little while later He added almost with a chuckle, Come to me.
Come to Him? Impossible! How could an unworthy poor maid approach royalty? Yet the guards had let go of their hold of me and the carriage door opened in welcome. Surprising myself, I moved towards the palanquin glad that I had not tossed aside the desert rose I had picked moments before the Kings caravan had come. I was glad I now had a gift for the King, my beautiful desert rose.
His jeweled hand stretched out to assist me up two steps and into the carriage. I entered like a person in a dream. Fragrant incense and hues of dark red, purple, imperial blue and green swam around me. Tooled leather, gold platted paneling, intricate carvings of flowers and palm trees upon the wooden arch way and window frame adorned the plush interior. The vivid colors, I discovered, were pillows propped up on the divan the King sat upon and a tapestry beneath His feet. Ah but the king Himself
.these things paled in comparison to Him. I wanted to drink in the vision of Him half reclining on the couch, draped in a white and gold robe, His feet exposed to the hot breath of the desert. However, I quickly knelt averting my eyes but His smile had already became emblazoned on my memory. I knew I would never forget Him.
The sun is high and the heat is nearly unbearable. I thrilled to the sound of His masculine voice protective and inviting.
I perceived by fragrance and sound wine being pored into a goblet.
I mean to cure you of your thirst. Allow me
He coaxed laughing gently.
How could I accept the Kings goblet? I suddenly felt small and insignificant ashamed of my poor, frayed appearance. I was no palace beauty. My black hair was tied loosely behind a veil. I felt my sun darkened cheeks crimson as I fingered the desert rose which seemed hardly grand enough to give Him. The rose was all I had to offer. Somehow I managed to offer Him my rose while remaining with my face nearly pressing the floor. I hoped He would at least receive the rose and not scorn me by casting me out of the palanquin away from His face.
A beautiful rose, a rarity found in the desert. The King said and I could breathe again. He had taken the rose from my hand.
I would not look at Him but I dared speak, The rose must have blossomed just for you my King. Indeed such a flower is a rare find.
Indeed, said the King. How is it that passing this way often on my journeys I have never cast my eyes on such a fair rose in this arid land?
The gesture came suddenly. I hadnt expected the gesture of a blessing on my head and then His lifting of my chin. He was leaning towards me, His face only a hands width away from mine. My fears quieted beneath His gaze. I saw in His eyes total and genuine acceptance. It seemed the most natural thing in the world to then take His hand without hesitation and the place He offered beside Him on the divan. While sitting on the couch I gratefully drank the wine He had presented savoring the taste of ripened grapes before swallowing. Desert wine was usually purchased cheaply. I was accustomed to the somewhat sour taste but this left a sweetness on my tongue.
When I had drank my fill He placed the jeweled chalice on a low circular table in front of us. You are satisfied? He asked gently.
I smiled with appreciation. My eyes asked the question, What can I give you in return, my Lord?
His forehead creased as He sighed deeply. His eyelids became heavy as though it were a burdensome question. He found my gaze and I read in His eyes something that seemed to say, Are you asking me to answer as King or do you honestly want to know what I would like? He looked away wiping His perspiring brow. For a moment His hands fell clasped together between His knees and His head and shoulders slumped. I guessed He was thinking what could a poor desert maiden do for a King?
Encouraged by the kindness He had expressed by not casting me from His presence I reached for His turban. Truthfully I was surprised by my hasty response. The thought of what could happen to me I quickly put aside and touched His turban.
May I, your Majesty? I asked softly.
The king looked up startled but then his lips turned up in a slight smile. If you so desire, please
Slowly I began unwinding the gold and purple silken layers. The more I unwrapped the more relieved he seemed. A King must keep up appearances. He said, his voice a secret charm, And here you are disarming me and setting me free.
The last layer removed, His thick black locks tumbled down including the hair He had kept entwined on top of His head beneath His head dress. I reached my hand behind His neck and unfastened the leather band. His hair cascaded soft and fragrant over my fingers. Next I quickly found a long necked golden pitcher and a cloth with which to drench and this I applied gently to the Kings forehead, face and neck. All the while He closed His eyes delighting in the coolness and my careful touch. While I reveled in both His gracious manner and appearance, He bowed His head in submission and at long last, as though we had always been close companions, He leaned against me laying His face on my shoulder. I felt it not strange or odd but I thought we were always meant to be like that, close to one another, more like friends and lovers instead of King and subject. Remembering that I was indeed His subject I quickly moved to take my place again at his feet. Foolish to think that way, I chastised myself. I must remember who I am and who he is.
No. No. He said. Please dont.
He held my hand a long while and continued to rest his head on my shoulder. His breathing was slow and steady. I assumed He had fallen asleep but I heard Him say, Do you not see? You yourself said it. Seldom does a rose bloom so beautifully in the desert. And I found you, my rose. You are meant to be here with me, my precious desert rose.
The end
