“The Locked Garden vs. the Shut-Up Well and Sealed Fountain”

 

“The Locked Garden vs. the Shut-Up Well and Sealed Fountain”

Song of Solomon 4:12-13: "My sister and my bride are a locked garden, a closed well, a sealed spring; the sprout you planted has become a garden of pomegranates, bearing beautiful fruit..."

Aspect	Locked Garden	Shut-Up Well & Sealed Fountain
Meaning	The believer wholly separated and reserved for Christ, not open to the public; spiritual beauty is for Christ alone.	Well = the Spirit as life supply; fountain = God as the source. Being shut/ sealed means these experiences are exclusively for Christ.
Symbolism	A garden for beauty and enjoyment, not a public park. Symbolizes a life seeking Christ’s pleasure, not man’s applause.	The well and fountain represent the inner supply and source of life. Their being closed shows a hidden, intimate enjoyment with Christ.
Reason	A deep spiritual life requires inward separation, not openness to worldly influence; avoiding defilement (Num. 19:15).	If the well/fountain is public, the inner supply is misused. True delight and satisfaction must be preserved for Christ’s private enjoyment.
Distinction	Emphasizes the “whole living” being locked for Christ.	Emphasizes the “inner source and supply” being shut and sealed.
Explanation	The garden is private; the believer’s beauty, fruit, and fragrance are not for display.	The fountain (God as the source) and the well (Spirit’s supply) are deep inward experiences kept private for Christ.
Examples	• A life not showing off spirituality. • Private fellowship with Christ not displayed to others.	• Deep enjoyment of God in prayer without publicizing it. • Spiritual experiences first being reserved for the Lord.
Application	• Practice hiddenness and quietness. • Serve without seeking praise or outward attention.	• Do not display spiritual experiences. • Keep inward enjoyment for the Lord; avoid using them to attract people.
Inner Relationship	The locked garden is the believer’s outward living being sealed.	The shut-up well and sealed fountain are the inner source being sealed. → Together they form a complete “hidden and deep” spiritual life.
Burden (Ministry)	The church lacks deep, hidden living; believers are often too exposed. Need deeper rooting and inner dealings.	The Lord desires believers who reserve their deepest enjoyment for Him alone.
Prophetic Speaking Guidance	• Encourage exclusive living unto Christ. • Speak on separation and inward purity.	• Emphasize Christ as the fountain and source. • Encourage more secret, personal fellowship with the Lord.
Conclusion	Represents a believer wholly for Christ—hidden, deep, exclusive.	Represents the inner life-supply and enjoyment exclusively for Christ; brings satisfaction and rest to the Lord.
Expanded Scriptures	Numbers 19:15: "Every open vessel, without a lid, is unclean." Song of Solomon 1:16b: "We have made green grass our couch." (Foreshadowing the Lord and His beloved enjoying each other's company and rest.)	Revelation 22:1: "He showed me a river of living water, clear as crystal, flowing out of the throne of God and of the Lamb." (The Spring)  John 4:14: "The water I will give you...will become in him a spring of water..." (The Well) Matthew 6:6: The Father who is in darkness will repay (hidden life).

  

Key Points Summary:

1.         Locked Garden = the believer wholly reserved for Christ; a hidden, separated, inward life.

2.         Shut-Up Well / Sealed Fountain = deep spiritual source and enjoyment reserved only for Christ.

3.         True spiritual beauty is for Christ alone, not for display.

4.         Inner supply and spiritual satisfaction must remain hidden for Christ’s enjoyment.

5.         Deep spiritual life requires inward sealing, separation, and avoidance of outward display.

6.         Christ finds rest and satisfaction in such believers.

 

*Please refer to the May 2025 International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training: General Topic: Matthew Chapters 5-7 - Extremely Important Aspects - Week 5: The Kingdom's People Have Personal Prayer Experiences, Contacting Their Heavenly Father in Secret, and Experiencing the Secret Enjoyment of the Father.