For the life of me, I cannot think of a short comment to introduce today’s reading. At least, I can’t think of one that I want to put in print…
I’m not sure what lessons I am going to take from Song of Solomon, but here we go…. I think I will just comment on what stood out to me.
First, it’s called “Solomon’s Song” but I am hearing more from a beautiful young lady that I am from Solomon, and am guessing that Solomon is the “young man”.
There’s no question that this is sexual foreplay in print. The two lovers are completing a “dance”, a mating ritual in print. Their desire for one another is obvious. It seems that their love-making took place in several different locations, a mother’s bed and outdoors. It’s interesting, I don’t hear any mention of a wedding, although there must have been one. This book isn’t a historical account, it’s not meant to tell a complete story, it just records emotions and strong feelings from the moment. It doesn’t seem to be about one encounter, but about a courtship, and some of it seems clandestine. Why would Solomon, married to a beautiful young woman need to keep his amorous advances quiet?
The phrase “don’t awaken love until the time is right” appears several times. Clearly the young woman wanted others to know that you shouldn’t pursue sexual relations, or “fall in love” or spend time googling boys until you are ready to make a long term commitment. Don’t wake up desire before your body is ready to handle it physically, emotionally and socially. Waiting for anything is the hardest thing we have to do.
Our culture needs to hear the plea “don’t awaken love until the time is right”. Our young teens (and sometimes our pre-teens) are engaging in sexual activities. I think this premature use of energy and emotion causes harm to the body, and dulls us to the complete experience later in life. The two lovers here are extravagant with their compliments and their descriptions. They are grasping for words to describe the wonderful way that they feel about each other, and about how their love for another makes them feel. This isn’t possible if you wake it up too early.
There are probably lots of snarky comments to be made about the descriptive terms they use, or the fact that the Bible is describing what women look like naked, but I guess I will let them pass today..
Oh, one other thing that really grabbed me: Chapter 5.
The woman in Chapter 5 has prepared herself for a night of lovemaking. She is washed and perfumed, and lying on her bed awaiting her lover. It’s a pretty erotic picture. But the first line says “I slept..” I think she fell asleep waiting for her lover to arrive. She is awakened by the sound of his knocking on the door, and his pleas to be allowed in. He even tries to open the door, but it’s locked from the inside.
For some reason, perhaps because she is still half asleep, the young woman hesitates to get out of bed. It’s going to take some effort to go and open the door….she will have to get dressed, and then because the floor is dirty, her feet will be dirty…and she just took a bath.
She comes to her senses, but not before the young man has left. She runs outside looking for him, only to be abused by the other evil men in the area. She waited too long, and missed her opportunity.
Is this a picture of the Christian that doesn’t respond to Jesus? Is the woman washed and prepared for intimacy a Christian, awaiting the arrival of the Bridegroom? Such language used to describe me is foreign and I confess makes me uncomfortable….but, is it true? Is it possible for one who has prepared, and is awaiting to miss their opportunity because they didn’t respond and open the door when they should have?
This passage puts me in mind of the parable of the 10 virgins, 5 of whom ran out of oil for their lamps, and ended up missing the bridegroom.
Is it possible that you and I are the “young woman” in the narrative?
Is this the way God feels about us? Not attracted sexually, but does He have these deep feelings of love for us, like a righteous husband has for his beautiful, faithful wife?
How interesting.
Faithfully,
PR