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Day 111: The Dove and the Cleft (SoS 2:14a)

 “O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, In the secret places of the cliff, Let me see your face, Let me hear your voice; For your voice is sweet, And your face is lovely. (Song of Songs 2:14)

The Song of Songs uses a dove to refer to the Bride. It is however not the same Hebrew word translated as turtledove in chapter 2 verse 12. The meaning of the root word translated dove is the same word for wine which also means to effervesce. We saw in SoS 2:5 that the Bride was indeed consumed by love for her Beloved like doves are.

As stated in Lesson 105, doves are symbols of purity, humility, dedication, loyalty, grace, etc. The mention here is more about her position than her character.

Because doves are gentle and defenseless against predators they often take refuge in high rock crevices. These places according to Jeremiah 49:16 and Obadiah 3 are impenetrable refuges. In Judges 15:8 it was stated that Samson dwelt in the cleft of Etam, a cliff in Israel. This is because cliffs give an excellent vantage point: you can see the enemy coming on time.

In the spiritual context the most significant mention of the cleft of the rock is in Exodus 33, where Moses asked to see God's glory. God told Moses no one could see His face and live. So God said He would pass in front of Moses but put him in the cleft of the rock and cover him as He walked by so Moses may see His back and not His face. Basically, this illustrates the protection of God and the location where we can find revelation and fellowship with Him.

Clefts are places of concealment and retreat. Protection and communion. Refuge and revelation.

In many Psalms, God is described as a refuge, fortress, rock, and hiding place. David in Psalm 32:7 said concerning God:

You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance.

If the Bride is described as a dove in the cleft, let's find out what our cleft as livers of God is.

1 Corinthians 10:4 states that Christ was the Rock that followed Israel in the wilderness. He was struck for them and from that strike came water to satisfy their thirst. Jesus was struck for us on the cross. So that all who come to Him may drink freely of living water.

Just like the hole in a rock, our Rock has a cleft too. In John 19:34, Jesus' side was pierced on the cross. So Jesus has become our hiding place. Our place of refuge and revelation.

Paul in his letters used the words in Christ, in Him, and in whom many times to describe the position of the new creation. An example is 2 Corinthians 5:17:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Our position in Christ gives us access to God's knowledge and fellowship with Him. + Colossians 2:2-3 Paul spoke of the church:

...attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

To be in our Rock is to be with Him. So Paul says concerning our protection and new life in Colossians 3:3:

For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

In Christ is the best location in the world. It's better than any luxury resort in the world. Once we accept Christ, we live rent-free and our boarding comes with unquantifiable benefits. Every believer should have a good understanding of their position in Christ. It is essential to live a victorious life.

PRAY WITH ME:

My Beloved Jesus, thank You for the privilege to be in You. Today, I confess that You are my refuge and hiding place. My heart is open to more revelation knowledge as I commune with You and the Father in You. Amen.

REFLECT & ACT:

  • Find in the Pauline epistles the phrases: in Christ, in Him, and in whom. Write down every benefit associated with them and confess them.

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