Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field; let us lodge in the villages. Let us get up early to the vineyards; Let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, And the pomegranates bud forth: There will I give thee my loves.

• Song of Songs 7:11-12 (KJV)

In the busyness of Solomon’s royal court, with its endless responsibilities and late-night duties, his bride recognised something crucial: their relationship needed intentional time and space to flourish. Her invitation wasn’t born from dissatisfaction, but from wisdom - she understood that love requires more than proximity to thrive.

Notice the repeated phrase “let us” throughout this passage. This isn’t a demand or complaint, but a loving invitation of togetherness. She wasn’t asking to escape from Solomon, but to escape with him — away from the distractions, the court obligations, and the constant interruptions that city life brought.

How often do we find ourselves in similar situations? Work demands pull us in one direction, household responsibilities in another. We come home exhausted, minds still racing with the day’s challenges. We may share the same house, even the same bed, but are we truly present with each other?

The bride’s wisdom speaks to modern marriages caught in the same trap. Sometimes love needs room to breathe, space to kindle, and freedom from the well-meaning but constant presence of others - even children! There’s nothing selfish about a couple stepping away together; it’s essential maintenance for the relationship that forms the foundation of the home.

But notice something deeper here: this passage isn’t just about marriage advice. It reflects God’s desire for intimacy with us. Just as the bride invited Solomon to “come away,” God invites us into quiet places where we can be fully present with Him. Not rushed morning prayers squeezed between coffee and commute, not distracted evening devotions with notifications pinging in the background, but intentional time where we can truly be together.

When was the last time you accepted God’s invitation to “come away”? When did you last put aside the devices, quiet the noise, and simply abide in His presence? Like the bride who understood that love grows in intimacy, we must learn that our relationship with God deepens not in the rush of activity, but in the stillness of communion.

Application

For Marriage: Plan an intentional getaway with your spouse even if it’s just a few hours away from home. Create space where you can focus entirely on each other without the usual distractions.

For Faith: Schedule regular time for undistracted communion with God. Find your field and villages - places and times where you can meet with Him without interruption.

For Today: Put away the phone during dinner. Close the laptop during devotions. Practice being fully present in your most important relationships.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your constant invitation to come away with You. Help me to recognise the importance of intentional intimacy—both in my marriage and in my walk with You. Give me wisdom to create space for love to flourish, and the discipline to be fully present when I’m with those I love most. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

What ways have you found to nurture intimacy in your important relationships?