Song of Songs: The Song of Intimacy
  English 1302, CTC, Spring 2001 | Informative Essay
Disclaimer: this was written long before I had outgrown my evangelical fundamentalism


     The Song of Songs is regarded today as probably one of the most difficult books in the Bible to understand. Throughout the centuries, however, it has also been one of the most cherished books of all. Many have searched its sacred verses of scriptures to find comfort, assurance, and courage to endure their struggles in life. Although its authorship and date of origin has come under fire in recent centuries, most Biblical scholars continue to agree with the Jewish tradition that it was written by King Solomon near the year of 950 B.C. The cohesiveness and continuity of subject throughout the Song of Songs is demonstrated through the recurrence of various expressions, such as “his left arm is under my head, and his right arm embraces me” (Songs. 2:6, 8:3), “daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you” (Songs. 2:7, 3:5, 8:4), and “my lover is mine and I am his.” (Songs. 2:16, 6:3) King Solomon wrote over a thousand songs during his life, but the Song of Songs is, as the name implies, the greatest of them all. (1 Kings 4:32) The Song of Songs has historically been read from a number of perspectives. The three primary interpretations of the story involve the straightforward reading of an erotic love story between two lovers, God’s love towards the Jewish people, and the intimacy shared between Christ and His Church.

     When read literally, the Song of Songs is a beautiful love story of a bridegroom and his bride. It is told in the format of a play with King Solomon, a young country maiden named Shunem, and a Chorus of palace ladies called the “Daughters of Jerusalem” being the primary characters. The plot does not follow a chronological order, but is more of a series of snapshots located in a single photo album. The chronological order would include the following progression: King Solomon visits his royal vineyards upon Mount Lebanon on the northwest boundary of Palestine and stumbles across a fair maiden. Startled, she runs away from the royal company, but not before her charm found favor in the eyes of the king. Solomon, at a later date, returns and visits her in the disguise of a Shepard. He woos her and wins her love but later leaves her with the promise that he would return again for her.

     Solomon, however, was absent for a long time and the maiden grows restless as she awaits his return. One day the electrifying word is shouted along the way that King Solomon is coming by, but she shows no interest until word is brought to her that the King wants to see her. She doesn’t understand why the King is summoning her until she is brought into his presence where she recognizes him as her shepherd lover. Solomon then takes her to his palace in Jerusalem where most of the song takes place. Throughout the story, Solomon and his bride take turns poetically describing their love and passion for one another in various figurative expressions.

     Here, the bride describes her bridegroom: "My lover is radiant and ruddy, outstanding among ten thousand. His head is the purest gold; his hair is wavy, and black as a raven. His eyes are like doves by the water streams, washed in milk, mounted like jewels. His cheeks are like beds of spices yielding perfume. His lips are lilies, dripping with myrrh. His arms are rods of gold, set with jewels. His body is like polished ivory decorated with sapphires. His legs are pillars of marble, set on bases of pure gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, choice as its cedars. His speech is most sweet; he is altogether lovely. This is my lover; this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem." (Songs. 5: 10-16)

      Similarly, the bridegroom describes his bride: "You are beautiful, my darling, as Tirzah, lovely as Jerusalem, Majestic as troops with banners. Turn away your eyes from me, for they overwhelm me. Your hair is like a flock of goats, descending. Your teeth are like a flock of sheep coming up from the washing. Each has its twin, not one of them is alone." (Songs. 6: 4-6) These figurative expressions are often hard for modern readers to understand. It often helps to think of how the expressions would make a person feel emotionally. This is true when the bridegroom tells the bride that her “two breasts are like two fawns” (Songs. 4:5) Here, He is describing the emotional effect that they have on him when he gazes upon them, not that they really look like two baby deer. These poetic expressions bring great depth of beauty to this erotic story of love between two lovers.

     When read from a Jewish perspective, the Song of Songs is often interpreted allegorically to demonstrate God’s relationship with the nation of Israel. Ancient and modern Jewish expositors view the story spiritually. It is read at Passover because God entered into a marriage covenant with Israel at Mount Sinai during their Exodus from Egypt (Jer. 31:32, Isa. 54:5). God gave the children of Israel abundant proofs of his love to them, but Israel often went astray following other gods. Since idolatry was often spoken of as spiritual adultery, it is believed that this Song was written to demonstrate how Israel should yearn for her God rather than be complacent in her walk before Him. This love story is an example for the Jewish people to be faithful to Jehovah while waiting for their promised Messiah.

    Following the Jewish tradition, many Christians allegorically interpret the Song of Songs to be about Christ’s love for the Church. The Church is the bride of Christ and earthly husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the Church (Eph. 5: 25-23). Jesus proclaimed that the greatest commandment is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all our soul, and with all your mind.” (Matt. 22:37) The bride of Christ is to long and yearn after her beloved bridegroom just as Solomon’s bride had done. The entire story draws out many practical examples of God’s relationship to the corporate body of Christ and with individual believers. There are times when Christ seems as intimately close as the nearest breath, (Songs. 1: 2-4) yet there are often times in which He seems so far away that you must go out into the city at night to search for Him. (Songs. 3:2) While searching for the one that her heart loves, the bride is often attacked by people who misunderstand her zeal for the heavenly Bridegroom. (Songs. 5: 6-8)

So it is that those who are lovesick towards Jesus often find themselves misunderstood by those whom are supposed to be there for their protection. The intimacy that Christ desires from His bride can best be summed up through the following exhortation: "Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. Its burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away…" (Songs 8:6-7) Indeed, even the grip of death cannot come between Christ and His bride. Here’s a picture of what God will fulfill in the hearts and lives of those whom love Him. Look at what the Bridegroom promises His bride: "See! The winter is past, the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my love, my beautiful one, come with me." (Songs. 2:13)

A season of springtime is promised to the Church. It doesn't lie in the past, but in the future. One day this whole world will once again experience the springtime. Christ will return to claim his waiting bride in a manner very similar to what is written in the Song of Songs. When this springtime comes, there will be a season of singing as the earth blossoms and the curse is lifted from the land. This symbolizes what can take place in the heart of one who falls in love with Christ and enters into His peace. The cold winter of loneliness, misery, and selfishness fades away into the past as the warmth of Christ’s love engulfs His beloved bride at the wedding supper of the Lamb. (Rev. 19:6-9)

     In conclusion, the Song of Songs is truly a sacred book of literature. It’s poetic style and erotic passages give the heart a language by which it can express itself. It’s the only book in the Scriptures where love is the sole theme. It has something to offer everyone no matter whether they are lovers, Jewish, or Christian. Its divine inspiration transcends all of time and communicates to all generations God’s divine purpose for Marriage. 

Bibliography

International Bible Society. Holy Bible, NIV Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1984.
 Song of Solomon: A Love Song and a Hymn by Ray C. Stedman [Online]
The Song of Solomon  by A. R. Fausett [Online]
An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Song of Solomon  by Matthew Henry [Online]