Tag: Song of Songs 1-8
A Love connection!
Scripture reading for July 16th: Song of Songs 1-8
I first met my wife-to-be at a state science fair in Iowa. Two years later, we both enrolled at Iowa State University. We had classes in the chemistry building and seemed to run into each other frequently there. (I am sure she plotted it that way!) The summer before we got married, I went to basic training at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. Being apart was hard but her letters, sometimes laced with perfume, kept love growing! We have been married for 46 years!
The Song of Songs is a love poem said to be the greatest of many songs that Solomon composed. “Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes; your name is like perfume poured out.” (Song of Songs 1:3) Perfumes have a fragrance that can bring pleasant sensations and arouse passions. “While the king was at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance. My lover is to me a sachet of myrrh resting between my breasts.” (Song of Songs 1:12) The beloved wife used her perfume to entice her husband at dinner. Her vision of him was one of pleasant and close intimacy! “He has taken me into His banquet hall, and His banner over me is love.” (Song of Songs 2:)4
“I slept but my heart was awake. Listen! My lover is knocking: Open to me, my sister, my darling, my dove, my flawless one.” (Song of Songs 5:2a) The beloved wife had failed to respond to the knock and call for intimacy. She heard the call, but her own comfort was more important. She delayed responding until she smelled the fragrance of myrrh on the door latch. “I opened for my lover, but my lover had left. He was gone. My heart sank at his departure. I looked for him but did not find him. I called him but he did not answer.” (Song of Songs 5:6)
The love story ends with a call to intimacy. “Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away.” (Song of Songs 8:6-7) “Let me hear your voice”. . . “Come away, my lover. . .” (Song of Songs 8:13-14) Listen closely, Jesus is calling!
Love Story
Scripture reading for July 16th: Song of Songs 1-8
Solomon was a poet and song writer. It is recorded that he wrote 3000 proverbs and 1005 songs! (1st Kings 4:32) This song is recorded as the best of all his songs! It is a love story or play written with a small cast of characters. There is the “lover” who is Solomon and the “beloved” who is his Shulammite bride. There are the “friends” that are friends of the bride. They are part of the bridal company awaiting the arrival of the bridegroom. This song gives insight into the powerful pull of love on the hearts of two who are to be married and describes details of their thought life as they anticipate being intimately together.
“Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth–for your love is more delightful than wine. Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes; your name is like perfume poured out. No wonder the maidens love you! Take me away with you–let us hurry! Let the king bring me into his chambers.” (Song of Songs 1:2-4) The beloved speaks of her desire for her man, the king. She is intoxicated with love for him and desires to be taken away and alone with him. Even his name brings her sensory pleasure like a sweet-smelling perfume poured out!
“My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hiding places on the mountainside, show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.” (Song of Songs 2:14) The king speaks tenderly to his bride. He desires to see her face and hear her voice. She is special to him and while they are apart, thoughts of her beauty and sweet voice arouse desire to be close.
“Where has your lover gone, most beautiful of women? Which way did you lover turn, that we may look for him with you?” (Song of Songs 6:1) The friends encouraged the bride as she pursued her lover who had slipped away. These friends are part of the bridal company of virgins awaiting the coming of the bridegroom. As we look at these verses of this ancient song, we remember that Jesus Christ is our heavenly bridegroom and His church is the bride. We, the Church, await His return and prepare for a face to face meeting that will last for eternity! Are you ready?
Eternal Love Story!
Scripture reading for July 16th: Song of Songs 1-8
Everyone loves a good love story. I first met my wife-to-be at a state science fair in Iowa. Mary had a project right next to mine, but I had another girlfriend at the time. We enjoyed talking for the two days of the science fair. Two years later, we both enrolled at Iowa State University. We had classes in the chemistry building and seemed to run into each other frequently there. (I am sure she plotted it that way!) We began to do lots of things together and found ourselves in love! The summer before we got married, I had to go away for basic training at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. Mary wrote often and I loved getting the letters. Being apart was hard but the letters, sometimes laced with perfume, brought fond memories and kept love growing! We have been married for 41 years and still love each other!
The Song of Songs is a love poem or play, the greatest of many songs that Solomon composed. It tells the story of his courtship and marriage to one of his many wives. It details the interaction and passion between the two of them. I have always enjoyed reading this book and have a few favorite passages. “Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes; your name is like perfume poured out.” Song of Songs 1:3 Perfumes have a fragrance that can bring pleasant sensations and arouse passions. How lovers say each others names or even give each other “pet” names can be a special form of communication that is pleasant to the ear and heart! “While the king was at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance. My lover is to me a sachet of myrrh resting between my breasts.” Song of Songs 1:12 The beloved wife used her perfume to entice her husband at dinner. Her vision of him was one of pleasant and close intimacy! “He has taken me into His banquet hall, and His banner over me is love.” Song of Songs 2:4 The beloved is invited into the banqueting hall and enjoys the covering of his love!
“I slept but my heart was awake. Listen! My lover is knocking: Open to me, my sister, my darling, my dove, my flawless one.” Song of Songs 5:2a Often time when sleeping, we are still aware of our lover even when they are not there . Our heart is awake with love. This time, the beloved wife fails to respond to the knock and call for intimacy. She hears the call, but her own comfort is more important. She delays responding until she realizes as she awakes that the fragrance of myrrh is on the door latch arousing her desire for him. “I opened for my lover, but my lover had left. He was gone. My heart sank at his departure. I looked for him but did not find him. I called him but he did not answer.” Song of Songs 5:6 Love drove her to action to restore the intimacy!
The love story ends with a call to intimacy and permanence. “Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away.” (Song of Songs 8:6-7) “Let me hear your voice”. . . “Come away, my lover. . .” Song of Songs 8:13-14 Listen closely, Jesus is calling!