Contemplative Bible Reading

Song of Solomon 1:16 (New International Version)

How handsome you are, my lover!
Oh, how charming!
And our bed is verdant.

Verdant. People don’t use words like “verdant” anymore. I had to learn what this meant.

Some definitions:

Lacking experience or sophistication

Naïve

Unripe in knowledge or judgment

Unsophisticated

Raw

Green

As a verdant youth

Who wants to be “verdant?” Who wants to be naïve, unsophisticated, and – oh my gosh – unripe?

Well, none of those things describe me…and that is probably a bad thing. I wouldn’t mind being “raw and green as a verdant youth.” There is some appeal for me to be young, unknowing, and with so much to learn in front of me.

Then there is:

Luke 18:16-17 (American Standard Version)

But Jesus called them unto him, saying, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall in no wise enter therein.

The appeal of verdant continues to grow.