His Banner of Love

He has taken me to the banqueting hall,

and his banner over me is love.

  -- Song of Songs 2:4

So many vibrant images in this single verse - we see  the "not so special" Shulamite girl who gave her heart to the young shepherd. When he returns for her she realizes that he is King Solomon, and he takes her back to the palace, into the banqueting hall, and she sits under his banner.

We also imagine great celebrations throughout history when the conquering armies sat in castles, enjoying feasts of victory, with their colorful banners posted all around them.

And on battles fields, banners flying high over the hastily erected tents and barracks of the invading and defending armies.

Sometimes the banners bore family crests, or special symbols of power and feats of valor - like St. George and the Dragon.

We picture great armies going into battle with their banners waving proudly above them.

(Has an army ever marched without its own banner?)

Maybe we see soldiers hoisting the flag at Iwo Jima,
or the dusty, shell-scorched dawn sky over Ft. McHenry when Francis Scott Key waited anxiously to see if "that star-spangled banner" still waved "o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave."

Ever notice in Texas how often you see the "Lone Star" displayed, not only on flag poles but in frames on walls and on license plates and fences and barns and buildings...even painted by pedicurists on my sister's big toe nail?

Is there anyone in the whole world who does not recognize the symbol of the Lone Star State? (I mean, who even knows what the flags other states look like?)

In earlier times, an army's banner was its symbol of conquest.  In 1865, the Confederate flag was lowered in Richmond, Virginia, and the Union US flag hoisted in its place.

The banner is also a symbol of protection. A tourist or ex-patriot in a foreign land looks to the US Embassy and its American flag for help and protection. The US embassy is supposed to be a refuge for Americans, and often for others who need a place of safety.

And the flag is also the emblem of enlistment, flying proudly over the place where volunteers can join the army. 

That "banner of love" the Shulamite girl sat under at King Solomon's banqueting table is floating over us today.

It is still a symbol of conquest. Christ has won us in a great battle for our souls. We now belong to Him.

     For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this
       is the victory that has overcome the world -- our faith. Who is
       he that overcomes the world but he who believes that Jesus
       is the Son of God.
                      -- 1 John 5:4-5

It is still a symbol of protection. "My sheep listen to My voice," Jesus said.

     I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life and   
      they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My
      My Father's hand.
               -- John 10:27-28

And it is still the emblem of enlistment.  God's army
is a volunteer regiment. Banners are not hidden - they are waved proudly!

     I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your
       bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God --
       this is your spiritual act of worship.
                    -- Romans 12:1

What's on His banner? A simple cross - the cross of love.

"His banner over me is love."

And the banqueting hall? It's in our future.

     Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage feast of  
       the Lamb....Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
       Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the
       wedding of the Lamb has come and His bride has made
       herself ready.....
                -- Revelation 19

I opened my invitation and sent in my RSVP -- I will be there at the marriage feast under His banner of love -- will I see you there?