Shame, The Darkened Skin

 Don't stare at me because I am dark -- the sun has darkened my skin.  My brothers were angry with me; they forced me to care for their vineyards, so I couldn't care for myself -- my own vineyard. (Song of Solomon 1: 6 NLV)


The words come from the young woman, who represents those beloved by Jesus,  in the Song of Solomon.  This poor lover comes to her beloved, Jesus, ashamed because she dark and ugly, exhausted by work in the vineyards.  She's worked in the vineyards of those who've manipulated her in their anger to care for their vineyards. She's worked so hard there has been no time, no energy to care for herself -- her own vineyard.    Work worn and ugly she comes to her lover feeling spent and shamed.  She's worked in the vineyard to keep her angry brothers from being angry with her.  The angry brothers cannot love her leaving her feeling ugly and ashamed, afraid the lover will stare at her in disgust for giving herself to those who would abuse her for profit instead of pursuing her lover.  He understands her need for love.

The lover proceeds to tell her, his lover, how lovely she is.  It doesn't matter that she's become a shabby field hand of angry brothers. Instead, he leads her into secret gardens to speak of how lovely she is.  Responding, relaxing from her shame, she begins to enjoy his gaze rather than fear his stare and to speak of his strength and of his rugged handsome face. Worship.  The two lovers are enthralled with the presence of the other.

He speaks to her again: My Dove is hiding behind the rocks, behind an outcrop on the cliff.  Let me see your face; let me hear your voice.  For your voice is pleasant, and your face is lovely. Catch all the little foxes, before they ruin the vineyard of love, for the grapevines are blossoming.  (Song of Solomon 2: 14-15 NLV)   Again she hides in shame in the rocks; her wasted darkened body is disgusting only to her, not to the lover.  Instead, the lover longs for that face; he longs for that voice.  She asks him to catch all the little foxes that would ruin the vineyard of their love, before they ruin the love as it produces fruit.   The foxes will eat the grapes destroying this vineyard.  Instinctively she know she cannot keep herself from selling herself again to angry brothers or keep herself from hiding in the rocks.  I want to believe you love me, my face, and my voice; Lover defend our love she asks.

My lover is mine, and I am his. He browses among the lilies. (Song of Solomon 2:16)