“He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love” (Song of Sol 2:4)
In the love story between the Beloved and his Shulamite bride, the bride says that her Beloved has placed a flag (or banner, standard, ensign) over her and that flag was love. Reference to a banner reminds us of when armies went to war they flew a standard as a rallying point before proceeding to battle. It served as a guide throughout the battle. It identified which country the soldiers belonged to, its beliefs, resources and hopes and the committed soldiers would never depart from that allegiance. The banner displayed a motto, slogan or emblem representing that country, whether it be, for example a bear, tiger, lion, unicorn or eagle, or even the name of the general in charge.
In this case, the banner over the bride was marked with love. Jesus won the battle for us against sin and when He was lifted up on the cross, His love became the banner that would draw all His soldiers around Him. He conquered sin through love (John 3:14-18; 12:32) and when we are drawn to the banner and its message, we find safety and comfort in our new identity. We are covered by the love of God, now and eternally, for God is pure love (I John 4:8).
All of our rubbish has been exchanged for all of His goodness and we have become clothed in pure love as one of His soldiers. Under the banner of Jesus we are saved, we are redefined, we are protected, secure and cared for, we are completely one with Him.
“You have set up a banner for those who fear You [with awe-inspired reverence and submissive wonder – a banner to shield them from attack], a banner that may be displayed because of the truth. That Your beloved ones may be rescued. Save with Your right hand and answer us”( Psalm 60:4-5 Amp Bib).
Just like the pillars of fire and cloud guided the Israelites through the desert during the Exodus from Egypt, we have the banner of love guiding us and providing safety and comfort, the promised Holy Spirit. "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever...He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest (to cause to shine, make visible) Myself to him” (John 14:16, 21).
Knowing that we can shelter under that banner of love gives us the security to live every day of our lives without regrets or fear. Our banner of love speaks for us about who we are and guarantees where we are heading for eternity as we are led to where our Beloved is waiting for us (John 14; Eph 1:13-14).