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Song of Songs 1:1 – 2:15 Overwhelmed by Love

by fol CHURCH on June 01, 2020

The Song of Songs or Song of Solomon has caused as much controversy as the book of Revelation.  The book is part of the Meggillot or 5 scrolls: Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes and Esther.

Historically the song has been described as a series of poems narrating the story of courtship between a king (Solomon) and a young woman called Shulamite. If it is only considered as a literal description of the romantic and sensual love between a man and a woman, then as beautiful as the expressive words of love and passion are, it would only be another love poem.  I believe Song of Songs is a simple yet deeply complex poem. The song uses the marriage union as an allegory to express the relationship of God with His people. In the Old Testament God is referred to as Husband to His people Israel. Isaiah 54: 5. In the New Testament Jesus is referred to as Bridegroom and the church as His bride. Ephesians 5: 31-32. Interestingly Jesus is called the Bridegroom not husband. The word “bridegroom” brings to mind a love that is fresh, passionate and exciting. In John’s testimony about Jesus, John 3: 28-29 “you yourselves can testify that I said I am not Christ but am sent ahead of Him. The bride belongs to the Bridegroom. The friend who attends the Bridegroom waits and listens to Him and is full of Joy when he hears the Bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine and is now complete.”

I am reading the Passion translation of this song and for me the author of this translation has used the very best words in the English language to describe this first love.

In our modern culture we may feel that this song has no relevance in our lives today. What stands out for me in these first two chapters is the description of the couples’ first love.  In Revelation 2:4 Jesus tells the church in Ephesus to go back to their first love.  They were doing so many good things, Revelation 2: 2-3 but their “first love” relationship with God was slipping.

Think back to when you first said “yes” to Jesus.  How much did you want to talk about Him, what was your prayer life like? How much did you enjoy dipping into the bible and finding words jumping out of the page giving you words of wisdom or fresh revelations? Have our priorities got so re arranged that our first passion has been replaced by duty.

 

 

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He has made everything beautiful in its time. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

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