Whenever anyone reads Song of Solomon's there are different responses which come up (no pun intended). This book is one of the most controversially interpreted books in Scripture and yet it is one of the most unaddressed books in Scripture. Some view it narratively, typologically, allegorically, symbolically, and literally.
Because of plain logic, careful study, and the counsel of such erudite scholars as John Piper or Mark McGinniss I have come to the conclusion that it is a literal book, and nothing more than literal. One cannot add to it, as many do with the varied interpretations. Neither must one subtract from it, as they do by not addressing it. God has given us the entire counsel of His word to study and to share. That includes Song of Solomon's.
Song of Solomon's is not about Christ. It's not even about Love. Nor is it about Sex. Nope, those are not the themes dominating the book. Sex may infiltrate the book and Love certainly does influence it, but they do not dominate. No, the dominating theme is desire. That's right, desire. Song of Solomon's is a celebration of desire.
This morning I was reading a poem by Pablo Neruda. The poem's translated title is If You Forget Me and in it Neruda confesses to the fickleness of Eros. But that's not the point. At least not now, not for me. Another confession made in the same poem is to the wonderful ecstasy that can be found in Eros. The erotic love is not a switch that must be turned on and off, it must be, between a man and a woman as husband and wife, a continuous experience.
Desire must dominate in a marriage. A desire for the beloved must be dominant. In the absence of the presence of the loved one desire for their presence is vital. In the presence of the loved one desire is still present and equally vital. Desire for one another must be dominant. It is a natural thing. The desire for Beauty is satisfied in the beloved. The desire for Affection - and by this I mean much more than snuggling - is satisfied in the beloved. The desire for Intimacy - particularly conversationally - is satisfied in the beloved. The desire for Romance is satisfied in the beloved. The desire for Sexuality is satisfied in the beloved. The desire for Love is satisfied in the beloved.
That is the way God made the book. That is the way God made marriage. God put His stamp of approval on it and acknowledges it with His blessing. In fact, I dare say He smiles just as a man and a woman smile while they enjoy the gift God gave them. We enjoy desire (not just sex) as a gift of God and we return - through the happiness of appropriately satisfied desire (not just sex) - an act of holy worship to God.
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