The dilemma presented by the Song of Songs has been around for a very long time. That it has been considered to be part of the Scriptures since many centuries before Christ is clear enough, and its controversial aspects since early times is also more than clear. There are ancient references to its having been read aloud in what we might call taverns since antiquity would lead us to understand that there was the same problems with it in ancient times as we have today. Around the time of Christ, there was controversy about the book as many Jewish leaders sought to strike it from the Scriptures. In the early church, we have manuscripts that suggest that the same problems were present, with many asserting its allegorical understanding and others asserting a literal understanding, and still others who wished it to simply go away. If nothing else, the Song of Songs gives scholars something to write literary criticisms about.
From our point of view as followers of Jesus Christ today, we might just wish we didn’t have the Song of Songs to deal with, and quite frankly, most of us simply pass it by. I have never come across a Sunday School curriculum based on it, for example; certainly not one that is for young people. I have come across a young preacher who wanted to preach a sermon series on it to teach “old people” about physical intimacy, because they “don’t have a clue,” but as I recall he was persuaded to preach about something else instead. I must admit that I got a chuckle out of that incident!
On an academic level, I have seen quite a few articles, essays and books of criticism and analysis, and I have also seen a few books on Christian marriage that quote it freely, but all of these are cases of specialized approaches to the book, as opposed to a general attempt at finding application to Christian life to a general audience. I’m sure such pieces have been written, I know that it is covered in commentary sets that comment of all 66 books, and I have gotten the impression once or twice that the authors of these breathed a sigh of relief when the Song of Songs sections were completed.
With all of that said, here I am at my keyboard setting out to try to do what few commentators or Christian teachers with; for the record, I’ve also been known to stay out in the rain.
I propose to approach the Song of Songs like I would approach any other book in the Bible and let the chips fall where they may. I’m not sitting at a desk piled high with commentaries and scholarly volumes, ripping off everyone else’s ideas and basing y conclusions on another person’s thinking; what would be the point of that? Instead, I’m going to simply comment on the text, in context, beginning with the overall context of the Word of God. When all is written, you dear reader are welcome as always to hang on to whatever you find useful, and to leave the rest behind. Seems fair enough to me…
So, let’s begin with overall Bible context. What is the Bible?
What we call “The Bible” is the collected works of Scripture, which are the written record of God’s revelation of Himself to Mankind. Often, we refer to this as the Word of God, but in doing so, we must bear in mind that the Word of God is not a bunch of collected writings on paper; it is a Person, the Person of Jesus Christ as revealed in John chapter 1. The Word of God cannot be separated from the Person of Jesus Christ: they are One. Second, the Bible is not a scientific manual or a self-help book, it is God’s revelation of Himself. In revealing Himself to Man, God reveals a little science, some rules for living, and ways in which He worked out His purposes among people in history. In fact, He has revealed Himself to us in many and various ways, but His whole purpose in inspiring the Scriptures is to reveal Himself to us. This is my first, and most important presupposition.
In doing so, God didn’t make mistakes; He got His facts straight. He also did not contradict Himself by teaching one thing in one place, and another thing in another place; He is consistent and in harmony. Thus, if we in our interpretation of His Word find ourselves having a hard time because of an apparent contradiction, it is our understanding and not His Word that is the problem: Time to start over. Finally, God has revealed Himself for a purpose, and has a purpose in all that He does; He has a purpose for each of us. Therefore, it seems highly unlikely to me that He would inspire Solomon to write down a divine sex manual or guide to happy and jolly romance.
Thus, in light of the fact that marriage relationships are used in Scripture as a metaphor for the relationship between Man and God in other places, I must conclude that this is most likely the intention of Song of Songs. In fact, I see this as being in some ways parallel to Ephesians 5:22-33, which I will discuss in the next post. After that, I might drop in a thought or two on how this could be the case in an Old Testament book.
Life Project Blog 
Waassup Don? The lettering isn’t visible….!? is it my PC or a problem with the post…
Very strange, but it should be OK now…
I love Song of Songs. Not sure why it’s a problem with some people. From what I am aware of, the ancient Hebrews were a people who understood and accepted all aspects of life. Marriage is a blessing. It is holy and unblemished and very much a part of who God made us. Why wouldn’t this be in the manual for our life?!
Fair question. I think we are a little more circumspect in certain areas than the ancients were…
We hide from things they considered natural. LOL.
For sure!
Since the Bible is open and honest in dealing with all topics, I’ve never understood the hesitancy with the book! The Bible has far more embarrassing things in it!
I would guess that the embarrassment says more about the one embarrassed than it does about the Bible 🙂
Many years ago I heard a Baptist preacher preach the entire Song as a ‘how to’ lesson on courting and marriage. Made a lot of sense to me. Wish I had a copy, but Alas it’s long gone.
I can see how a guy could use it for that… context aside of course. I’ll bet it was a great lesson.
Well, it sure wasn’t an all male audience. It was designed to be for both male and female. Will look forward to your take on it.
Glad to have you along for the fun!
Hey Don, this reference to Eph 5 is a timely one for me. Our “young minister” has me assigned me to the communion meditation for the worship services next Sunday, and it has been rolling around in my head for the last few weeks that Eph 5:25-30 should be a part of that meditation! I hope I can do it with good relevance and make it reasonably “pithy.”
Oh? Do you know that “young Minister” too? 🙂
I’m looking forward to your remarks!
Hi Don,
I had that “couldn’t see lettering” thing happening too in the beginning, but yes it’s fixed now.
I’m fascinated to see this study reel out. I love this Book, and teach from it from time to time, but more in a small class setting rather than congregational… and that for what may be an unusual reason.
You’ve discussed beautifully the general reticence around this text in various Christian settings. As for me, I’ve not seen it highlighted… but I really haven’t seen it avoided either. Not much “toe swirling-down looking-blushing-stammer” to it… just other things taking precedence. Most of those I’ve been blessed to work with are/were so passionately in love with Scripture, they didn’t see any part inferior to the rest.
But I know that you are right about this reticence, and perhaps there are a few different reasons around it. I think people, particularly dedicated Christians, struggle around the issue of “passion” or “intense desire”. Particularly when that involves “adrenalin” and physical sensation. This Greek word, ἐπιθυμία (epithumia), is often translated “lust” and associated with wrong doing, but is also sometimes used just to indicate extreme intensity of a desire… used even by Jesus Himself to describe His yearning to share the Last Supper with His own.
Sometimes I wonder if in our conservative determination to avoid the negative aspects of such passion, we throw out the baby with the bath water, refusing so to commit our hearts to anything at all and engage in such passion… thereby missing out on intense dimensions of relationship with Light, the Word, God Himself.
Sometimes, I think we deify and elevate “self-control” and stoicism to such an extent that we never dare truly surrender to that God who is “consuming fire”.
“Passion” can be a frightening word.
“Intimacy” can be just as frightening a word.
Transparency, nakedness before an other, to be bereft of our masks, our suits, our self-woven coverings… makes us so very vulnerable to hurt and harm at the hands of another. It just seems “safer”, more “socially comfortable”, never truly to allow for intimacy except in the most deeply vowed and covenanted of relationships.
“Boundaries” is a much more comfortable word. “Sacred Space” a much more comfortable concept.
For me, the beauty of Song of Songs is that through the intense poetry of our very humanity, this Book addresses passion, intimacy, transparency, and sacred space. Does it refer to God and Israel? Yes. Does it refer to Christ and the Church? Yes. But does it also refer to the Father and Son? (Who are, meta genderal, in that man was created in the image of God and “male and female, created He them”. Does it also refer to Jesus and us, individually, reflecting “you in Me and I in you and together we in the Father?”
These are all mysteries, yes. But here is this extraordinary Book, this extraordinary lens into a mystery that is itself beyond expression.
If, as so many of us repeat so often, the nature of the Christian mystery is not “information”, but “relationship”… then where better to explore the nature of our relationship with God… infinite passion, infinite intimacy, infinite transparency and vulnerability… than here in Scripture.
The Bible could not be the Bible… could not be complete and inerrant… without the Song of Songs.
I look forward to lighting up this dimension of our walk with Him, and following your leadership… like we get to trek behind Indiana Jones, as we enter this space and light up all the nooks and crannies seeking the treasures we know are here.
I’m right behind you, Indy!
Grace — LM
Hey there Little Monk!
I’ll look forward to taking this little journey together
I’m thinking that this adventure is one of those in which the relationship between the Truth of God and the attitudes of culture will stir up a fair amount of passion in those who like to shy away from passion… and that should make this an splendid little adventure. Thanks as always for your insights; chime in any time along the way!
Don
Buckled up and sitting comfortably 🙂
Techie talk? Your font appears on my tablet as more Times New Roman-esque than the usual Arial-esque. The comments, however, are the usual Arial style.
Yeah there’s a gremlin at work in this one… It’s has changed colors twice too, can’t see why on my end
I’m really looking forward to your conclusion on this study.
Growing up in a Baptist church I remember the youth leaders doing some sort of “encouragement in abstinence” kind of study where they turned Song of Songs into a love story of Solomon having to wait for his bride. I kind of wish I could remember how they were trying to do this, but either way I feel it was an incorrect interpretation of the book itself with the way it was being done.
Of course as I got older and read the Bible for myself I was disappointed to learn just how many wives he actually had.
Will be interested in reading your future posts!
I’m hearing that quite a bit! I could be wrong of course, but the book looks a little different in context 🙂
Just finished reading Song of Solomon about a week ago. Now maybe you can shed some more light on it for me. Looking forward to what you will be finding and sharing.
We’ll have a hoot!
I had not thought of the connection with Ephesians 5:22-33, but now that you mentioned it, I wonder how I missed it.
When I drive, I like to listen to J. Vernon McGee’s five-year program, Through The Bible. I don’t always agree with him, but I give him credit for doing his best to go through the entire Bible. As you said, it is all God’s Word.
Looking forward to your future posts. Thanks.
Thanks Tom!
Nothing I’d appearing in text. Just a blank page. I’m looking at it on my android phone. Will try again in the morning on my laptop.
Sorry Elaine, there’s something odd going on here!
Uh oh! Can’t see words!?!?
That’s not good; there’s a bunch of them that should be there 🙂
For a really thoughts read Solomon on Sex by Joseph Dillow. God is the only writer who can use the real things -being fully real life–as an illustration as well. It’s allegorical yes, but it’s THE priceless guide and model for marital intimacy which includes the physical, the emotional and the spiritual.
Thanks for the tip!
Sorry…didn’t proofread after I edited…”For some really good thoughts…”
Back in my student days I heard a debate between Hugh Hefner and Harvey Cox, a well known theologian in the 60’s. Hefner came off as having a lot of hang ups sexually and Cox’s attitude seemed wholesome and balanced. I preached a sermon many years ago on sex as God’s gift. An elderly widow had tears in her eyes at the door. “Oh, if I’d only heard that sermon years ago!”
But I’m so glad you are using Ephesians 5 as the basis of your interpretation. Now, come to think of it, since Christ’s bride is his church, might it apply more to Christians collectively than to our individual relationship with the Lord?
The answer to that question is a resounding YES
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