Song of Songs 8 - Seek My Beloved

We have come to the conclusion of Solomon's Song of Songs. It is a very good morning! It is finished! I am very relieved to not to have to try to figure out what this love poem has to do with Christ and the Church for another day. It is indeed a beautiful love poem. But, even reading Matthew Henry's Commentary and The Lutheran Study Bible (Concordia Publishing House) notes and study guides on it each morning, it has been very difficult for me to read it as anything but a love poem between a man and a woman or love-struck teens. I hope that you have done better at that than I have.

I would remind you as we prepare to move on to Isaiah tomorrow, that the LORD is our love, our spouse. We have been united with Him in union unlike any union other that can transpire on earth. He wants to hear your voice and all who love Him desire to hear His and to be with Him, always. When one is in love, it simply will not do to stay anywhere but beside our beloved. Our hearts will constantly yearn to walk beside our beloved in that most beautiful garden.

Today, will be a beautiful day! I will seek my beloved in all whom I encounter. I will be visiting shut-ins...

God's Peace - Pr. J

Song of Songs 4 - Receive Great Passion

My first reaction to chapter 4 of Solomon's Song is that it is about his desire (lust) and her invitation to come and eat of the fruit of his desire.  It is indeed a beautiful love poem, full of vivid description. It is so full of vivid imagery that it is difficult to see it as an allegory for the Christ and the church - the Bride and the Bridegroom.

Since we're way into imagery this morning. Imagine the LORD as the he in this poem and the female as the whole church - everyone in it. The LORD calls us to love Him and reminds us that God love us with such a great passion that He was willing to give His very life for us. And, in return, we the bride open our arms to receive his love, even as He, with great passion, opened his arms in love on the cross for us. So, do we open our arms and our hearts and all that we are that Christ may abide with and in us more fully? Do we welcome His love? Are we willing to receive the love that He gives so freely? This love poem is about the adoration and passion between a man and a woman in love. How great is your adoration and passion for the LORD? Do you love Him enough to worship Him today? Will your love and your passion for Him be evident in your words and actions today and tomorrow and every day after?

I'm trying to put a good construction to this Love Song of Solomon and I'm not sure how successful I can be at that. There are quite a few chapters left to go through. But, I will try. May God help me.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Solomon's Song of Songs 1 - God Is Sweeter Than Wine, More Fragrant Than Perfume

Song of Songs is a poem about love. It is a lot about the passion and love between a man and a woman. It's verses cycle from courtship through wedding to consummation. When I first read it so many years ago, it came across to me as a little racy. I wondered why it would even be included in the Holy Scriptures. The explanation I received was that it is an allegory of the love between God and His people, Christ and the Church, the Bride and the Bridegroom. It's been awhile since I've read it, so I will see what understanding I get from this reading.

It begins: "Solomon’s Song of Songs." (vs 1) The Song of Songs is attributed to Solomon and continues with the female oration:

"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—
for your love is more delightful than wine.
Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes;
your name is like perfume poured out.
No wonder the young women love you!
Take me away with you—let us hurry! Let the king bring me into his chambers." (Song of Songs 1:2-4 NIV)

Is this woman truly in love or is she merely desiring something or someone that other women love, just because he is desired by others. Is it merely a case of what others have, I want? I'm afraid, to me, this sounds more like a young woman or girl lusting rather than in love. Or, maybe that is what is just a part of the dance of love. Are desire and love the same thing? Maybe, it is that they are just so totally intertwined that you cannot have one without the other. It is up to the individual to be able to know the difference between pure lust and genuine love.

On the other hand if we look at it from the view that this is an allegory of Bride and the Bridegroom (Christ and the Church) would it not be wonderful if we could all be so excited about being loved by God? For me, this ends up being a very weak allegory. The love of God is way more pleasing than any wine or the fragrance of perfume!  It is difficult, for me, to equate the joy that comes with being in relationship with God to that of pursuing a man. Let us see, what the rest of the book has to say. Keep reading... See you tomorrow.

May the peace of the LORD be with you now and through all your tomorrows. Pr. J