". . .your name is ointment poured forth" Song of Solomon 1:3b
I remember some years ago coming home from an exhausting day of work. As I opened the door to my bedroom I was greeted –- or more accurately, accosted -- by a strong smell. The fragrance so permeated every molecule of the room, it literally overwhelmed me. I looked on the dresser and ,noticed that the bottle of extremely expensive perfume I had recently purchased was half emptied. My mother, who I was caring for at the time, had decided to use my cologne as air freshener. The scent lingered for days.
That memory came to mind as I reread Song of Songs 1:3. Our young maiden compares the name of her beloved to perfume that has been poured out. Something about his very name had the same effect on her as that perfume my mother had “poured forth” in my room had had on me; it was powerful enough to truly overwhelm her.
In the Shakespearean play Romeo and Juliet, Juliet asks “What’s in a name?” She goes on to say that it really doesn’t matter what you call a thing; its very nature or essence remains the same. But the Bible tells us that a name is more than a word by which we call something or someone. Within the name lies the very essence of the person. Know the name; know the person; for the name reveals the person’s character, destiny and purpose.
That is why as we read through scripture each time the LORD reveals His Name to the children of Israel, He is saying to them (and to us) "This is My character; this is Who I AM! My Name is not just a title by which you may call Me; it reveals My essence,My power, My heart!” All that He is is wrapped up in His Name: Provider, Healer, Peace, Captain of the Host, Shepherd, Righteousness, Holy, Savior and so much more. And in all of these revelations rest the greatest revelation of all --- God is Love!
All that Yahweh is, all He revealed Himself to be, is manifested in One person, One Name, the Name above all names, Jesus. The greatest revelation of the Father's love for us is found in Jesus!
Your Name is perfume poured forth!!
Many of the ingredients used in the making of perfumes in the Israel had to be imported, making the oils and perfumes very costly. (we read that the ol Mary used to anoint Jesus was worth a year's salary). These expensive oils were often kept in boxes or vials, and in order for the oil to be poured forth, the seal of the box or vial had to be broken. Breaking open the box to pour forth the oil represents true and total commitment. It was all or nothing.
The Lord Jesus, the King of kings has broken open the alabaster box of His life for me and for you. In love He willingly poured forth all that He is in order to bring us back to the Father’s heart; in order to bring us into relationship with Him. I love Him so much and I thank Him for loving me with a self-sacrificing love. His name, Jesus, is ointment poured forth, and it is a sweet-smelling savor in my nostrils.
I believe the only response to such a love is for us to pour out our lives to Him, recognizing that it is all or nothing. Today let us break open the alabaster box of our very lives. May our lives be a sweet-smelling savor unto Him. Amen.
