Exploring a captivating garden within –
reading in Song of Songs chapter 4
Imagine a beautiful garden: A garden filled with life and colour; A little stream, chirping birds, big beautiful trees in bloom and bridges that cross the rushing waters; a fresh breeze and the dancing of the rays of sunlight between the leaves. Or a beautiful open space with fresh green grass and flowers in every splendour and colour, mighty oak trees and bees humming in the spring sun. Can you see it?
Whatever garden you can imagine, how much more glorious must that first garden “Eden” have been. A garden planted by the chief gardener, God himself. A garden filled with life and wonder – a place of communion, fellowship and refreshment.
“Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters.” – Genesis 2:8-10
As I browse through scripture, I notice the reoccurring theme of trees and gardens as God speaks of our spiritual growth and his rest (Jeremiah 17:8; Ezekiel 47:12). Songs of pastures he promises to lead us to and refresh us (Psalms 23:2). The garden, a place Jesus retreats to pray and spend time with his heavenly father (John 18:1).
Gardens are sacred and captivating places of beauty and life. In them we can be refreshed, uplifted, and find rest for our soul and mind.
Now, what if there was a garden within? What if, there was a spring of life and rest within?
It was when I read Song of Songs (Solomon’s famous poetry on love) that I was captivated by this imagery of a garden within:
“You are a garden locked up, my sister, my bride; you are a spring enclosed, a sealed fountain. Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates […] You area garden fountain, a well of flowing water streaming down from Lebanon. Awake, north wind, and come, south wind! Blow on my garden, that its fragrance may spread everywhere. Let my beloved come into his garden and taste its choice fruits.” – Song of Songs 4:12-16
Read it again.
In these verses Solomon describes this garden within his love (an unknown woman he pursues), that seems to be everything we ascribe to such a wonderous place. What’s more, its mere fragrance is alluring and spreads forth from within. So, what if gardens are not just bound to geographical locations, but a beautiful expression and metaphor for the places within us? What if the gardens we read about, such as “Eden” reveal not only God’s glorious display of beauty but a desire for a beauty and “Eden” within? A place of fellowship with our creator, a place that bears witness to his works in our life and his spring of life.
I have been captivated by this imagery, as it seemed to resound with my heart and stir a joy deep within. And so, I began to seek the garden within, asking myself:
- What does my garden look like? Is it in full bloom and full of life?
- Is it a source of refreshment and peace? What fragrance spreads forth from this garden?
- Who is in the garden?
Allow me to share some thoughts…
What does my garden look like? Is it in full bloom and full of life?
Is it a source of refreshment and peace? What fragrance spread forth from this garden?
When it comes to the condition of our hearts or spirit, Jesus often referred to the fruits on a tree. With this he would emphasize that the inward condition of a person could be seen by the fruits (actions, attitudes, etc.) the person displayed on the outside.
“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” – Luke 6:43-45
- So, when we look at our actions, the words we speak – what trees can we find? Do we find the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) or are there patches of messy wilderness?
- King Solomon emphasizes the urgency to check our heart’s condition when writing: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:23). And as we read in scripture, we can see this truth emphasised in Gods care for what is within rather than what appears on the outside: “The Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1. Samuel 16:7)
- And what fragrance spreads forth from within you? Fragrance can attract and captivate. A fragrance can be pleasing. So, what fragrance does God desire us to spread forth?
“For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” (2. Corinthians 2:15) Are people drawn to Christ through us or is there a different fragrance we share with those around us?
A garden left unchecked and unattended can grow into a messy wilderness – at times even impassable for anyone. Its true beauty is revealed when a master gardener is at work…
Who is this in this garden?
As I meditated on this garden within, I got a deep sense of God’s work in my life. Every fruit and tree that bears witness to Him and all the patches yet to be redeemed by his work. But not only can I see his tender care but His deep longing to share in fellowship with me in this garden.
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” – Revelation 21:3-4
From the first book (Genesis) with “Eden” to the last book of the Bible (Revelation), scripture captures a God who desires to dwell among his people. A Jesus who was in the garden with his disciples and spent intimate moments with them. He is not only the gardener and source of life and any good fruit; He is the one who desires to dwell within this garden.
In this entry I focused on a garden within in relation to the creator himself. However, it’s interesting to also consider the garden in a romantic context between two lovers. Within this the question concerning the sacredness arises: Is the garden sealed, only open to the one love?
May these thoughts inspire you to dig deeper into God’s word; inspire a desire to invite God into your heart and reflect on what is within. That you may grow in knowledge of the truth and insight through His Holy Spirit.
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