Song of Solomon 5:3
I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern homes typically had simple sleeping arrangements. Removing outer garments and washing feet (dusty from sandals) were standard preparations for sleep. The bride's excuses reflect genuine inconvenience—but also reveal misplaced priorities. Early church fathers saw this as the soul's tragic reluctance to respond immediately to Christ's call—making excuses (too comfortable, too tired, too settled) when He invites deeper fellowship. This pattern appears throughout Scripture: Felix saying "Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee" (Acts 24:25)—convenience never came. The Reformers warned against presuming on grace—responding "later" to spiritual conviction often means never responding. The Puritans emphasized immediate obedience to the Spirit's promptings—delayed obedience is disobedience.
Questions for Reflection
- What comfortable routines or convenient excuses keep you from immediate response when Christ knocks, inviting deeper fellowship or obedience?
- How does the bride's soon-coming regret (verse 6) warn you about the cost of delayed or half-hearted response to spiritual invitations?
- What practices help you maintain spiritual alertness and readiness to respond immediately to Christ, even when inconvenient?
Analysis & Commentary
I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them? (pashatni et kutanti eykhah elbashena rachatsti et raglai eykhah atanaphem, פָּשַׁטְתִּי אֶת־כֻּתָּנְתִּי אֵיכָכָה אֶלְבָּשֶׁנָּה רָחַצְתִּי אֶת־רַגְלַי אֵיכָכָה אֲטַנְּפֵם)—this verse depicts the bride's reluctant hesitation when her beloved knocks (verse 2). She's prepared for sleep, undressed, feet washed. Her excuses reveal comfortable complacency: "how shall I...?" questions express unwillingness to inconvenience herself.
This poignant moment captures spiritual danger: responding to Christ's call with "not now" because of comfort, tiredness, or settled routine. The excuses seem reasonable—she has legitimate nighttime preparations—yet they reveal priority problems. Convenience trumps devotion. This teaches that comfortable Christianity resists disruption, even when the Beloved knocks. The bride will soon regret her hesitation (verse 6). This moment warns against complacency that delays response to Christ's immediate invitations.