Category: Song of Solomon/Songs

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

The illustration of the little foxes in the vineyard is about fornication as something to be detested – you have to picture the little foxes poking up into the greenery to eat the grapes. The contrast is with the joys and good pleasures of the marriage relationship using very explicit images from nature – both animal and plant.

SJA Notes

“I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.”

This is the second time we read this exhortation from the lovely wife.

And whether we are married, single, widowed or divorced – This wisdom is for all of us.

As God calls us to be singular in our devotion to Him, He calls us to be chaste and faithful in our relationships with others (particularly here in Songs in terms of romantic love).

Because married folk need to be reminded not to stir up or awaken love in the wrong places. So do single never-married folk, as well as those who have previously been married.

Romantic love is a beautiful God-honouring thing – In His order.

* Faithful God,

Thank You for the wonderful bounty of relationships we can have through our lives.

Thank You for romance, for the love we read here in the Song of Solomon.

Please help us to be faithful, singular in our devotion – To You and to the situation You have placed us in, whether that be singleness or marriage.

Mark us as a holy people, set apart, different because we walk obediently under Your will.

Amen.

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

In New Testament times, you had to be over 18 years of age before you were allowed to read this book. This meant that you were most likely married too. God never wrote a marriage manual for us, but He did cause to be written this love poem. It celebrates the joys of marriage and of sex within marriage. To understand the poetic metaphors used, you must SEE or PICTURE the various scenes or illustrations. This book is meant for couples to read out loud to each other the appropriate parts.

SJA Notes

“Behold, you are beautiful, my love; behold, you are beautiful; your eyes are doves.”

Song of Solomon is a book that can sometimes feel difficult to apply in life.

In one way it is an exclusive piece of content, specifically for marriage.

But this is God’s word, which means it is beneficial for all of God’s people across all of life (single, married, widowed).

And in this reality the book points us to Jesus. God’s word tells us that He is the groom and the church is the bride.

As with our earthly marriages, so with Jesus.

Our love is to be of exultation and rejoicing!

When at times it is hard to “feel”, we can find comfort and strength in faithfulness.

“Behold, you are beautiful, my love; behold, you are beautiful; your eyes are doves.”

Over time, little by little, layer upon layer, year after year – Taking the time to remember, to grow day by day – This is protection and sustenance in God’s good order.

Protection of marriage made under God, covenanted together with Him, a three-fold cord. Our thoughts being more and more brought into line with His, towards what true active love really is in God’s design.

And sustenance for our marriages, because we all grow tired each day, and being reminded to remember and actively call out the beauty of our beloved is beneficial and important and gives nourishment!

* Gracious Father,

Thank You for marriage.

Thank You for Jesus, the head of the church, the bridegroom.

Thank You for Your people, the bride.

Thank You that we look forward to that day when,

“… For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure …”

We long for Your return – Come Lord Jesus, Come!

Amen.