Dove Love

(Song of Solomon 2:14 KJV) O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely. 

This has to be one of the tenderest scriptures in the entire Bible. When reading this scripture one actually feels as if they are eavesdropping on a very private conversation between two lovers. I also find it interesting that Solomon referred to his lover as a dove. For Solomon, the term dove was as much of an endearing term as the word darling would be to someone else.

The Lord often teaches me as He did with His disciples...by using natural examples. It was not until a few years ago while dove hunting that the Lord began giving me revelation on why Solomon used the term dove.

I had enjoyed dove hunting for many years when the Lord chose this one particular time to reveal our text to me in a way that I would never forget. It was through that experience that I began using the term dove-love

Even though I had never heard the term dove-love before, when I experienced it I knew exactly what it meant—as well as why Solomon referred to his darling as a dove. I realize that the term dove-love in not in the Bible nor probably anywhere else for that matter, but when you experience it you know it is real.

At this particular time I owned a small ranch in South Texas that had some of the best dove hunting in the state. One day while hunting I shot a dove, and when I reached down to pick it up I discovered it was not dead but only wounded. As I picked up the wounded dove it turned its head toward me and gave me the most yielding look one could imagine.

It was at that point, while looking into the eyes of the dove that I began to understand why Solomon referred to his lover as a dove. There is no look like the look of love, and there was no better way for Solomon to express his deep feeling for his lover than by using the term “dove.”

There is a gentleness in the term dove and there is a gentleness in the term dove-love that is very descriptive of a deeper type of love. I am sure there are no natural examples of love that could come close to describing the Jesus type of love, but maybe Solomon’s description comes a little closer.

How does one describe the impossible? Trying to describe love will certainly fall into the category of the impossible, particularly when it comes to describing Jesus’ love for us. Even though I enjoy Solomon’s attempt in describing love (or should I say dove-love), it still falls short.

Perhaps what the Lord was trying to teach me that day while dove hunting was the mystery of love. Solomon may have already understood the principle that the Lord was trying to teach me.

After dove hunting that day I am not sure that I left with any more answers than when I started, but I am sure I left a lot wiser.

Father,

I thank You that Your love for us is truly indescribable. I also thank You Father for the example of Solomon as he referred to his lover as a dove. His wonderful term is a term of tenderness which is what You feel for each of us.

Amen