The Song of Songs is unique in the Bible. There is no interest in Law or Covenant, but instead it celebrates sexual love- the voice of two lovers, praising each other and yearning for each other. Apparently, it was accepted to be included in the Bible by Solomon himself, based on an allegorical reading, where the subject matter was taken, not as sexual desire, but as God’s love for Israel. Whatever, I can see how God uses this book for teaching us; not only in our close relationships, but in revealing to us how much He loves the Church.
Chapter 7 expresses the poetry of love and beauty. The maiden has Solomon “captive.” They have a strong desire for each other.
So, let’s compare these two ideas:
7:1-9 is about Solomon describing his bride; the love he has for her and how he delights in conversation with her.
In v.10-13, the maiden expresses great delight in Solomon and her desire to be with him.
In the context of God and His Church (us), we can learn how deep God’s love is for us and His desire to spend time with us. He yearns to have a close relationship with us where He understands everything about us. God loves His Church! He delights in us meeting together to worship Him and spend time with Him. He delights in us being alone with Him. Conversation with God is important. Your love for God should be as exciting as His love for you!
The Church as the bride: Ephesians 5:25 and 27 “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loves the Church….(and) present yourselves as a radiant Church….holy and blameless.”
God’s love for us: 1 John 3:1 “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God.”
Our love and desire for God: 1 John 5:18 and 19 “There is no fear in love. Perfect love drives out all fear….We love because He first loved us.”
Chapter 8 describes the power of love. In verses 6-7, there is a strong link to 1 Corinthians chapter 13:
Love is as strong as death -Love cannot be killed by time or disaster-Love is priceless and cannot be bought-Love is a gift from God-The love of our spouse is a gift from God. We are called to make this love a reflection of God’s perfect love.
The rest of the chapter reveals that the love between Solomon and the maiden (now his bride) does not diminish. They continue to rely on each other. Devotion and commitment are the keys to their relationship.
In Ephesians 5:22-33, Paul shows us how marriage represents Christ’s relationship to His Church. Spend a few moments reading these verses.
So, whether you believe Song of Songs is an allegory showing Christ’s love for us or not, it still makes sense to say that it is a love poem about a real human love relationship and that all loving, committed relationships are reflections of God’s love.
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Loving God, we cannot express in words the love that you have for us. Teach us to learn more of You through your amazing love, so that we may love others as You do. Help us to remember that Jesus is the picture of perfect love. Amen.