Roses and Lilies

When we read in the Bible that my Beloved is like the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley, one gets a beautiful mental impression. But what flower was actually referred to as a rose?

America's favorite flower is called a rose, but did you know those sweet and perfect flowers bought in a thousand florists are not found anywhere but are the product of a thousand crossings, spores, hybrids, and cuttings until it has become a far posy from its original wild rose, or roses, for the wild roses differ greatly in different lands and climates.

Actually it is thought the flowers referred to in the Bible as Rose of Sharon is found on the upper slopes of Lebanon and is of the crocus or daffodil family as is also the Lily of the Valley, but the latter is of a variety found in shaded cool valleys rather than mountain heights.

One wonders why the Lord doesn't allow things to be more sure and specific. How many measures there are like the cubit that no one is sure of the exact measurement, and likewise homer, talent, minah, et al.

The answer is that the Lord has called the O.T. law imperfect, while the N.T. is spiritual.The letter killeth but the Spirit giveth life."

We should see the beauty of Jesus rather than some specific flower or set or church regulation. His presence can be felt to any sorrowing or needy person whether in the valley or on the heights.

We find in New Jersey a patch of wild flowers called Lily of the Valley. Not every state has them. They are tiny, exquisite as a gem, its fragrance too, very delicate, unlike some of the flowers bought in the florists.

Jesus at times is exquisite and delicate. On another occasion and different situation, He can be like an army with banners. The poetic Biblical use of the fragrant flowers have produced God's purpose through the ages, and we can sing our hymns about Jesus, Rose of Sharon, blood with in my heart, and He is thee Lily of the Valley, fairest of ten thousand to my soul.

Talking about cross-breeding flowers reminds me of the work on cattle also. My grandfather had one of those great ranches in Montana. He was a pioneer that went out before Montana was ever a state. Their first cattle were mostly Texas Long-horns, lean, fast, and dangerous. They could run as fast as a horse so that it took an expert rider on a good horse to keep out of the reach of those ten-foot horns, and many a good horse was gored right under his rider.

But after many years of selecting and breeding, they would produce an animal to order. What part of the animal produces the most expensive steaks? Which part is the least desirable?Now what do you have? A deep-bodied bull with legs so short it almost drags when going over a furrow. Dangerous? He can hardly walk, let alone run. Rather he waddles. He seems of a different species than the old lean Long-horns.

Perhaps the U.S. has grown rich and fat, decadent as Babylon. Is it the same America as those Puritans and Pilgrims who braved the awesome wilderness in order to avoid the decadence of European society in their time?