Mahanaim

Song of Songs 6:13

Return, return, O Shulamite; Return, return, that we may gaze at you.

Why should you gaze at the Shulamite, As upon the dance of two camps?

"Two camps" in Hebrew means "mahanaim." Jacob, after he met the angels of God, divided his wives, children and the rest of his possessions into two camps, or "two armies" (Gen. 32:1-10). On the one hand, Jacob was so afraid of his brother Esau that he made two camps, as a cleverly defensive tactic in case he was attached. It shows his helplessness, weakness and dependence on God who can only protect him. Yet on the other hand, having two camps signifies being a testimony; dancing between the two camps being more than conquerors in the Body life.

As I studied this verse, with the help of the notes in the Recovery Version, the Lord enlightened me of two things. 

Firstly, I am weak in myself. I can do nothing and even if I were to do something, it will be all out of fear and helplessness. So my only refuge is the Lord Himself who is my Protector and Strength. In fact, all the days of my life, I must take this position, recognizing my weakness and always depending on God for everything. Only by this utter dependence on God, can I become one with God to be His army to fight against His enemy unto victory. 

Secondly, though I am weak, I am a member of the Body, I am not alone, I am among the two camps of women and children, the feeble ones trusting the Lord. And also a part of the two camps, I am a part of the testimony of God. I not only conquer, but am more than conqueror in the Body life with the other saints.

As days go by, the deeper I realize the practicality of this verse. Often I groan in my weaknesses depending on the Lord, and often I rejoices in the strength of the Lord. Though weak, I am strong. At times, I too make my camps as a defensive tool, yet amidts the camps I dance in victory rejoicing! On the one hand, I am weak and need the Lord, and yet I am one with Lord and am victorious in Christ the Victor! Like the Shulamite, As upon the dance of two camps, gaze at me Lord!