Song of Solomon 1:14

The bundle of myrrh is hidden from the eye in the breast, but the cluster of camphire is an object for the eye, and carried openly in the hand. Myrrh is the living juice of the tree, which flows in drops through broken parts of the bark, something like blood from the veins, or tears from the eye.

But further, the bride likens the Bridegroom to the beauty of a cluster of henna-flowers in the vineyards of Engedi. She would delight in her beloved in the secret of her affections, but she would also enjoy him as the object of her enraptured gaze. So too we need Christ not only dwelling in the heart by faith, but also as the attractive Object of our souls. Then, gazing on Him with unveiled face, we may behold the glory of the Lord and be changed into the same image, from glory to glory.

How different are the thoughts stirred by a tree in full blossom, and by one that is wounded and bruised, with its life-juice flowing from its veins! The one is the symbol of death, the other the power of life. The tender bud that finds its way through the hard bark of winter is always a striking picture of resurrection. The blossoms and the fruit show the power of life, and the rich blessings that come to man.

In the vineyard of Engedi there is the henna. There are at least twelve different elements of fragrance in Scripture, and henna is understood by some to be an emblem of the resurrection of Christ.

Wherever you walk — field or garden, valley or mountain — or in your usual round of daily duty, every second thought may be of the "well-beloved" absent One. The bleeding myrrh and the blooming camphire may well recall the cross and the glory to your mind. They may lead you to think of Him "who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification."

The vineyards of Engedi, we are told, were famous for their rich fruits and expensive spices. These places are famous, too, as a hiding place for David and his men when Saul was persecuting them. The fruitful valleys below and the strongholds in the mountains around gave shelter, food, and refreshment to God's anointed king, and to those who had cast in their lot with him.

Verse 13 speaks of the place Christ should have in the affections of His own during this present time of night, because He who came as the light of the world was rejected and has returned on high. In verse 14 we get Christ presented in His coming glory, displayed in Israel before a wondering world. No one is sure which plant the Hebrew word translated "camphire" means here. Some have translated it "henna-flower" — a sweet, showy, fragrant flower that grows in the vineyards of Palestine. If so, it would be a beautiful picture of Christ in His coming reign over Israel. He would no longer be hidden from the eyes of the world. All the display of His glory and beauty would be seen in Israel.

It is only a question of her affection. Nothing here would seem unsuitable if it were simply a matter of a real, settled relationship. But the relationship is not yet settled. It has not yet come. What we have is the expression of her perfect delight in one who loves her.