Song of Songs

Song of Songs:
How many arguments there are; arguments regarding whether Song of Solomon can or cannot be interpreted. Funny how such a simple, small book of the Bible causes such confusion and controversy! Now, I cannot say that as a mere 21 year old woman still learning and growing; that I would hold more knowledge and insight on the fundamental purpose of a book in the Bible. Yet still, may I share my God inspired opinion with you? Forgive me if I accept your agreement and thank you before an answer. For like my parents, I too follow their traits of having opinions and boldly sharing them!
What do I believe the purpose of Song of Songs holds? I believe it has many. But, a full encounter with this book can only come by being open to its obvious AND spiritual interpretation. I see two specific extremes in people encountering this book: 1. People who acknowledge it as a simple love letter. And receive no other purpose or meaning through it than just that. 2. People who open the book and close it in shame of its content; unsure of how to approach a book such as this all together. May I admit that in the beginning I too was the latter of the examples just given.
My journey of exploration in this book came recently when I asked the Lord what he would have me read for study. To my surprise, he spoke and said: “Song of Songs”. I scoffed at the thought. I said to myself: “Surely that was just my insane imagination tricking me”. It is apparent my mindset of this scripture had not yet changed. Why would God want me to read such a book? There’s nothing in the book that is beneficial. Or, so I thought! For why; if it’s in the Bible [which is God breathe and ordained as ALL agree], would it not hold value, and treasures of revelation for the saints like any other book? I knew I was wrong. And after minutes of trying to divert God’s voice to me through other scripture, I knew I needed to obey. And so, I opened it!
Now, come back with me to that moment. That moment when I reluctantly and fearfully opened this book with one eye open, and one eye shut. Open along with me this book, and imagine a light exuding from the pages. This light resembling a sudden stream of sweet revelation the Lord gave me, which he desires to give to you. Let’s now, with excitement, dive in!
As we this book, a story begins to unfold; almost as a fairy tale or romantic novel. But, before we get any further, let me share this “story’s” history: The title in the Hebrew text is: “Solomon’s Song of Songs,” meaning a song by, for, or about Solomon. The phrase “Song of Songs” means the greatest of songs. It is likely that the book was actually written by Solomon. The perspective of this book is written as if through the eyes of a woman. It’s a woman’s voice penned on the pages. So, now, let’s begin this woman’s journey.
Song of Songs 1
Solomon’s Song of Songs: Beloved-2. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth- for your love is more delightful than wine.3. Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes; your name is like perfume poured out. No wonder the maidens love you! 4. Take me away with you- let us hurry! Let the king bring me into his chambers.
Friends-We rejoice and delight in you; we will praise your love more than wine.
Beloved-How right they are to adore you! 5. Dark I am, yet lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, dark like the tents of Kedar, like the tent curtains of Solomon. 6. Do not stare at me because I am dark, because I am darkened by the sun. My mother’s sons were angry with me and made me take care of the vineyards; my own vineyard I have neglected. 7. Tell me, you whom I love, where you graze your flock and where you rest your sheep at midday. Why should I be like a veiled woman beside the flock of your friends?
Friends-8. If you do not know, most beautiful of women, follow the tracks of the sheep and graze your young goats by the tents of the shepherds.
Lover-9. I liken you, my darling, to a mare harnessed to one of the chariots of Pharaoh. 10. Your cheeks are beautiful with earrings, your neck with strings of jewels. 11. We will make you earrings of gold, studded with silver.
Beloved-12. While the king was at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance. 13. My lover is to me a sachet of Myrrh resting between my breasts. 14. My lover is to me a cluster of Henna blossoms from the vineyards of En Gedi.
Lover-15. How beautiful you are, my darling! Your eyes are doves.
Beloved-16. How handsome you are, my lover! Oh, how charming! And our bed is verdant.
Lover-17. The beams of our house are cedars; our rafters are firs.
….Now how are we supposed to feel about such a chapter? And what are we to glean? Let’s digest this chapter verse, by verse. Obviously, Beloved in this book would be the woman speaking. So, verses 1-4: This woman is speaking of her ardent love for the man in her life. “Your love is more delightful than wine”, is an expression of a deep enjoyment in her relationship with him. “Your name is like perfume poured out”, is another way to say you’re highly esteemed among people, and you’ve earned great respect with man. “No wonder the maidens love you”, she’s in love with a man of high caliber. The maidens were most likely women serving, or dwelling within the court. This would insinuate that he was a man who was very respectful and pleasant towards them, and thus, desirable to them.
So, in a nutshell you could word the Beloved as saying this: “My lover is welcome to me anytime. I desire his presence greatly. He is blessed and highly favored by men.
And what are the friends’ responses to her? JOY! They are ecstatic about the love their friend has and is experiencing. For them to see their love unfold brings them great joy.
Again the beloved speaks in verses 5-7. “Dark I am, yet lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, dark like the tents of Kedar, like the tent curtains of Solomon.” Why was there need for such a comment? Dark skin in that culture was not desirable. She’s telling the maidens within the court, that despite her appearance, contrary to the world’s opinion, she is still beautiful. Also, the tent curtains were woven from black goat’s hair. “Do not stare at me because I am dark, because I am darkened by the sun. My mother’s sons were angry with me and made me take care of the vineyards; my own vineyards I have neglected.” Her she is giving the reason for her complexion. She’s doing man’s work! Women in those days weren’t commonly found working vineyards as a main occupation. Here’s an interesting note! Her first reference to vineyard is meant to be taken literally. But when she says, “My own vineyard I have neglected”; she speaks not of a literal vineyard, but instead of her complexion. The following verses: “Tell me, you whom I love, where you graze your flock and where you rest your sheep at midday. Why should I be like a veiled woman beside the flocks of your friends?” She’s portraying her lover poetically as a shepherd, and herself as a shepherdess. At midday in those times, it was considered a time for rest. And a “veiled woman”, is another term for a prostitute. What she is saying is, she doesn’t want to search for her lover and look like a prostitute to the other people.
Her friends call her the MOST BEAUTIFUL of women! What a complement to be paid by a friend. Then they continue by instructing her to simply continue her work among the shepherds, and there she’d learn where he was.
Now, the Lover speaks! “I liken you, my darling, to a mare harnessed to one of the chariots of Pharaoh. Your cheeks are beautiful with earrings, your neck with strings of jewels. We will make you earrings of gold, studded with silver.” What a disgusting comment to make to a woman, yes? NO! Not in that time! To be likened to a mare in that time was the equivalent to Theocritus’s praise of the beautiful Helen of Troy. And when he speaks of her being harnessed to one of Pharaoh’s chariots, he’s telling her that she’s stunning, and draws peoples’ attention; she catches peoples’ eye in passing. He proceeds to voice his plans to dote over her, and bless her through gifts. His love for her was deep, and extravagant!
If we continue to read through the chapter, it’s simply the unfolding conversation between the Beloved, and her Lover. We see the ardent love between them both, and the blessing they have in their relationship together. It’s easy to interpret their intentions from here out in this chapter.
So, now, with clearer understanding to what’s actually going on. What can we glean for ourselves in this chapter? Let’s close the book. Close our eyes. And now, let’s imagine ourselves the young woman in this book! [For the men potentially reading this book, I fervently recommend you imagine from the perspective of the Lover! Lol]
Here we are, women of God. We’re serving the church, working full-time jobs, mothering, or in my case, literally doing a man’s work! Wherever we are in life, whatever season, this is the vineyard of our “mother’s sons”. We may not be “beautiful” by worldly standards. But, our characters shine; our hearts glow, and are faces reflect the glory of God, WE ARE BEAUTIFUL. And what godly man of excellence wouldn’t fall ardently in love with such a woman? When God brings us such a love here on earth, we can read example of what to expect, and what it will be like. There will be blessing, desire, deep love and affection. And our friends will rise and call us “blessed.” For those already married: Enjoy your blessing! For those single [myself included], as the woman did, so should we. Continue to labor and serve. God’s called us as a”shepherdess”, to guide and to serve the sheep. Let’s be others-minded, and serve the body of Christ with faithfulness. There is no need to go out and search for our future mate, “prostituting” ourselves in the eyes of those around us. Later in Song of Songs the Beloved states over, and over: “I urge you, daughters of Jerusalem, not to awaken, or arouse love until it so desires.” In other words: Wait for God’s timing! Let him bring it about. Another note:We are the Beloved- the cherished, the sought after, the desired. And the man is the Lover- the one seeking after, loving, desiring,the othe to pursue.
What a promise that’s hidden in this chapter to us women! How exciting it is to know that we are cherished above ALL WOMEN, and more beautiful to boot. If you’ve had low opinion of yourself, look and see what God says about us. Not only was this chapter meant to be taken at its literal translation. It’s allegorical to Christ’s love for us and its nature. We have an unimaginable, intimate love with God also. He seeks, he desires, and he’s totally enamored with us! To such an extent that he sent his only son to die for us. What response should such a reality draw out from within us?
And now to the men: Look and see what God is preparing for you. And the good things he has in-store for you. Seek him first. And then, set your priorities according to Christ’s priorities. Don’t settle for the worlds’ idea of a beautiful woman. Because then, you settle for NOTHING. You miss out on the blessing.