Christ in Song of Solomon: Our Beloved

Much has been written about the last poetic book of the Bible, Song of Solomon, and much controversy surrounds it.  For centuries theologians have questioned its meaning and whether it is allegorical, metaphorical, or literal.  I will certainly not settle any of those debates here, nor will I attempt to.  I will, however, as simply as possible, and in as few words as possible, tell you what I hear God saying to me through this beautiful, passionate piece of ancient literature.

In short, I believe that this song is all three – literal because Solomon wrote the book as a beautiful tribute from a loving husband to his wife; metaphorical because Solomon was writing about the love relationship between himself and his bride as a tribute to her, not to tantalize or scintillate the reader; and allegorical because the natural, pure, Godly marriage relationship was created by God to be a picture of Christ’s relationship with his bride, the church.  The first two forms of writing are fairly clear and easy to understand. Even if we don’t understand some of the metaphors used (for instance, comparing the woman’s eyes to doves and her hair to goats – chapter 4, verse 1), and even if the change in voice (from Solomon to the Shulamite - which means "wife of Solomon") is sometimes confusing, we can still hear what their hearts were saying, “How beautiful you are, my love; how perfect you are!” (SOS 4:7).  But to understand the allegory, to find Christ in Song of Solomon, consider the following:

·   The Shulamite longed for a relationship with Solomon, just as every human ever created has a need for an intimate relationship with God.

Your lips cover me with kisses; your love is better than wine. There is a fragrance about you; the sound of your name recalls it. No woman could keep from loving you. Take me with you, and we'll run away; be my king and take me to your room. We will be happy together, drink deep, and lose ourselves in love. No wonder all women love you! (SOS 1:2-4)

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer! In despair and far from home I call to you! Take me to a safe refuge, for you are my protector, my strong defense against my enemies. Let me live in your sanctuary all my life; let me find safety under your wings. (Psalm 61:1-4)

All of creation waits with eager longing for God to reveal his children. (Romans 8:19)

·   The Shulamite recognized her own unworthiness.  She was weary, and her skin was damaged from hard work in the sun.  In the same way, we must recognize our own sinful nature and understand that we cannot work to gain a relationship with God.

Don't look down on me because of my color, because the sun has tanned me. My brothers were angry with me and made me work in the vineyard. I had no time to care for myself. (SOS 1:6)

Everyone has sinned and is far away from God's saving presence. (Romans 3:23)

For we conclude that a person is put right with God only through faith, and not by doing what the Law commands. (Romans 3:28)

·   Just as Solomon longed for a relationship with the Shulamite, Christ longs for a relationship with us.

I have entered my garden, my sweetheart, my bride. I am gathering my spices and myrrh; I am eating my honey and honeycomb; I am drinking my wine and milk. . . While I slept, my heart was awake. I dreamed my lover knocked at the door. (SOS 5:1a, 2)

Listen! I stand at the door and knock; if any hear my voice and open the door, I will come into their house and eat with them, and they will eat with me. (Revelation 3:20)

·    As in any human relationship, there must have been ups and downs between Solomon and the Shulamite.  She not only slept, but made excuses for not allowing him into the bedchamber.  She was still his wife, but their relationship was not as deep and fulfilling as it could have been.  When Christ pursues a relationship with us, sometimes it seems any excuse will do.  Even those of us who have accepted His free gift of salvation sometimes forfeit a deeper, richer relationship with Him because we make excuses, not allowing Him to have His will in every area of our lives.

I have already undressed; why should I get dressed again? I have washed my feet; why should I get them dirty again? (SOS 5:3)

Other people are like the seeds sown among the thorn bushes. These are the ones who hear the message, but the worries about this life, the love for riches, and all other kinds of desires crowd in and choke the message, and they don't bear fruit. (Mark 4:18-19)

But this is what I have against you: you do not love me now as you did at first. (Revelation 2:4)

·   Just as the bridegroom tired of knocking and left, Jesus will not knock on the door of one’s heart forever.  He is a Gentleman and will not force down the door. Oh, the sorrow some will face on the Day of Judgment when they realize that they should have answered that knock on the door, but then it will be too late!

I opened the door for my lover, but he had already gone. How I wanted to hear his voice! I looked for him, but couldn't find him; I called to him, but heard no answer.  (SOS 5:6)

Turn to the Lord and pray to him, now that he is near. (Isaiah 55:6)

Listen! This is the hour to receive God's favor; today is the day to be saved! (2 Corinthians 6:2b)

·    And finally, as the woman repents and returns to her lover, when we repent and make Jesus Christ Lord of every area of our lives, we are able to bear much fruit.  We are to not only rely on what he has done for us in the past (old treasure), but we are to continue bearing fruit for as long as we live (new treasure).

I belong to my lover, and he desires me. . . You can smell the scent of mandrakes, and all the pleasant fruits are near our door. Darling, I have kept for you the old delights and the new. (SOS 7:10, 13)

You will know them by what they do. Thorn bushes do not bear grapes, and briers do not bear figs. A healthy tree bears good fruit, but a poor tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a poor tree cannot bear good fruit. (Matthew 7:16-18)

Then he said to them, “Therefore, every legal expert who has been trained as a disciple for the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings old and new things out of their treasure chest.” (Matthew 13:52)

My prayer for you and for me this week is taken from Song of Solomon 2:14 and 16 (King James Version):

“Let me hear Thy voice (Dear Jesus); for sweet is Thy voice.   My Beloved is mine, and I am His!”

Unless otherwise noted, all scripture is from Good News Translation.