Love Sick

“I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick of love.” Song of Solomon 5:8

The scripture found in the Song of Solomon book of poetry is filled with illustrations of how love affects the emotions and lives of husbands and wives. It also is a work of poetry that can reflect how our relationship with our “bridegroom” Jesus affects us emotionally, spiritually and physically.   

In this passage, Solomon’s wife had rejected his visit in the evening. Repentant she calls out for her love but he had already withdrawn from her dwelling. She quickly dresses and goes out into the night; seeking after him. She was mistaken by the night-watchmen as a woman of ill-repute and was shamed by having her vail removed and was physically abused by these men.   

It was at this point we find these words, “if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick of love.” She did not cry out for relief from her oppressor or for her reputation as queen restored, rather her message to her husband was “I love you”.

In this passage, we can see how, when we reject Jesus, we are exposed to danger without our “King” walking with us in the darkness of the world. When we walk alone in the darkness of this sin-filled world, we are powerless in our own strength to protect ourselves from the “night watchmen.”

Followers of Jesus are not just at risk from the powers of darkness but are at risk at the hands of the religious leaders who act as “night watchmen.” Jesus spoke more about the religious leaders than He did about Satan and his minions.

Jesus said:“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.” (Mat 23:27) about the Pharisees who had appointed themselves as the administrators and adjudicators of God’s law.

Religious leaders often establish barriers between you and our Lord Jesus. The Apostle Peter warns us about false teachers and self-appointed religious leaders with these words:

“… And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you…” (2 Pe 2:1-3)

The way to Jesus is filled with religious “watchmen” who will abuse you with false doctrines. Cults litter the landscape of Christianity with “feigned words” trying to confuse your way to Jesus. When you are not walking in Jesus and allowing His Holy Spirit to:

“teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:26)

If you are wandering the “streets” without Jesus and have been “abused” by the religious “watchmen” what should you do? The Queen who was with her Lord said to the ones who could help her, “if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick of love.”

God’s word gives us this advice -- if we have strayed from the protection of Jesus:

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (Jas 5:16)

The intent of this verse is not to confess your sin for forgiveness but rather that we may be healed. Healed from sickness, emotional distress and most important reconciliation to the Saviour. When you seek fellow followers of Jesus what should you ask them to pray?

Solomon’s Queen’s cry to “the Daughters of Jerusalem” is a good place to start, ask your brothers and sisters in Christ when they pray to tell Jesus for you, “I am sick of love.” It is not bad to pray for God’s grace and mercy when you have walked alone without Jesus but it is far better to tell Jesus how much you love and miss His fellowship.