Here is the last piece to the puzzle that is the Song of Songs:
The Old Testament has “types” of a Bridegroom; the New Testament tells of the coming of the Bridegroom.
If you get this, then you will get Song of Songs. Yes, dear reader, in the fullness of time the Bridegroom comes to rescue God’s people from the chains of this world, setting her free from captivity to sin, death and the ways of men.
But then you already knew that.
So why the confusion about the Song of Songs? Why would some say that it isn’t quite suitable for church, you know, because of all of that nasty sex that isn’t even there? Why the studies saying that it portrays the ideal Christian marriage, when the characters are not, and cannot be married? Why the scholars who argue about whether it is literal or figurative, when the medium itself isn’t literal?
I don’t know for sure… maybe I’m just nuts.
Rather than being confused, we should be marveling at the fact that there were men like Solomon, David, Moses and Abraham who saw part, or maybe even all of what was to come in Christ, more than 200 years before Isaiah would pen Messianic prophecy. Maybe we should sit back in amazement at the way God’s people often yearned to be in His presence, when that presence wasn’t available to them as it would be when Jesus, the Bridegroom came. Yes, dear reader, let us gaze at this story in awe and wonder at what God has done for us, and rise up in unison to sing His praise with thanksgiving in our hearts!
If I didn’t know better, I’d think that we have traditionally allowed the presence of erotic imagery throw us off the path to understanding. Did not Jesus say that the Old Testament Scriptures (the Law and the Prophets) spoke of Him? In these Scriptures that speak of Jesus, in the Bible that is God’s revelation of Himself to Mankind, we must not allow ourselves to be thrown off track by the idea that there might be an erotic image used to illustrate the fervent desire of God’s people to have an intimate relationship with our God, who has created us for just such a relationship.
No, we will not be thrown off track, for we seek His presence above all things, do we not?
All right, that’s about enough ranting for one day. In the next post, let’s take a short look at erotic imagery and how it could relate to our relationship with God: See you there!
Life Project Blog 
sometimes imagery is just that. I had a professor talk about Ezekiel, He said, you have just seen God, now find words to describe it! An incredible challenge human language has no words adequate for the task. All of Scripture points to Christ. Well done brother!
Thanks! Yep that Prof is right on the mark. Imagine trying to describe an airliner to George Washington!
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Ahhh…I love your conclusion! Your analogies shed a light in the confusion and eerieness of a complicated book. Thank you for letting God speak through you!
Thank you so much!
You were asking why Solomon got “in the way” of a union between He and She, I think this is answered in the overall history of Israel. Solomon was a King of Israel; prior to the Kings, there was a relationship between God and his people, through the Prophets and Judges, that was broken when Israel demanded a King, That relationship was only restored when Israel had a King who was also a Prophet, returning Israel to her God and King,
Nicely done; thanks!
Goood point! And Samuel 1:8 is something I can relate to more easily.
It is strange. Ecclesiastes is one of my favorites, but I once had it backwards and upside down, Proverbs is packed full of little puzzles.
Song of Solomon appears to have even more people confused. It makes Revelation look easy to understand. When people debate Revelation, they debate they debate the order of events. When people debate Song of Solomon, they debate the purpose of the book.
If when I reach heaven, I find King Solomon actually did write Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, and Song of Solomon, I don’t think I will be one of those is surprised.
Well put Tome
What saddens me is the number of preachers that get it wrong, regardless of the denomination. Far too many look only at the surface of the text, without doing in depth study into the surrounding texts, and the related sections in the Old and New Testament. I am fortunate, in my parish, to have a priest who does do serious study before he preaches, possibly because he also teaches in the seminary.
I think you’re right, too many follow the crowd so to speak, and don’t look as closely as they should. Maybe we all fall prey to that sometimes…
Oh, without a doubt, we are all guilty, especially those who snippet text to make a point, ignoring the text around it. But, I think we expect, and should, more of those who teach from it.
I should say so!
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