10 My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.
11 For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;
12 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;
13 The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.
The bride is called kindly by name. His thoughts are thoughts of peace (Jer.29:11) and he speaks peace unto his people (Ps. 85:8). Do not dwell on your winter of coldness or barrenness or past offences which were gloomy, dark cheerless and uncomfortable, look away from thyself to the quickening rays of the returning sunshine from the Sun of righteousness. Signs of spring are here, beauty, joy and fruitfulness. My dear bride it is to your distinct advantage to follow me! Arise may well allude to repentance (Isaiah 52:1-2 and Luke 15:18).
