Song of Solomon 8:12

(12) My own vineyard is before me. You, O Solomon, may have a thousand, and those who tend its fruit two hundred.

As we come to the end of the Song of Solomon, there is a reality in the heart of the bride that has been developed in her journey with the Bridegroom. The reality is this...that she has pleased Him. She has been able to give Him all He expects from her. In essence she is saying, "I have said YES in every area that You've required of me in all these years, and I have the assurance that I've given myself wholly to You." There is an indescribable joy that comes from living a life of obedience to Him. I am not talking about perfection, but heart obedience. This joy comes from knowing that your life has been relevant, or significant to Him. We are human and will always make mistakes, but He always looks at the condition of our heart towards Him, even when we stumble and fall.

The bride is acknowledging that she has a vineyard, or a particular sphere of responsibility that the Bridegroom has given her. At the beginning of their journey, her vineyard was not kept (Song of Solomon 1:6). Now as a mature bride, she can step into the responsibility of that vineyard with no hesitation or fear, knowing she will bring forth much fruit for her Bridegroom's honor.

Her acknowledgment that Solomon may have his thousand (referred to in verse 11) is her assurance that He will have His full reward. 'Those who tend its fruit two hundred' is a reference to those who have helped her along the way; those God joined to her to help her on the journey. They will also receive a reward for helping her in the assignments the Bridegroom has given her.

Next week as we begin to wrap up the Song of Solomon, we will look at the Bridegroom's final commission to His Bride, which is extremely important; and the following and final week, the bride's final response to her Bridegroom, which is also just as important. These last two verses are ones that will resonate and have a direct bearing on the rest of our lives as His bride!