February 4, 2024
“This is Solomon’s song of songs, more wonderful than any other. Kiss me and kiss me again, for your love is sweeter than wine.” Song of Songs 1:1-2 (NLT)
“My lover is mine, and I am his. He browses among the lilies.” Song of Songs 2:16 (NLT)
“Catch all the foxes, those little foxes, before they ruin the vineyard of love, for the grapevines are blossoming!” Song of Songs 2:15 (NLT)
When was the last time you wrote your husband or wife a love letter expressing your affection through the poetry of your heartfelt love?
The month of February is often referred to as the “Love Month” mainly due to the celebration of Valentine’s Day, which falls on February 14th. Although Valentine’s Day is not an actual Christian holiday, its history is a fascinating blend of ancient Roman traditions, Christian influences, and more modern commercialization dedicated to expressing love and affection between partners, family members, and friends. While its origins are rooted in history and tradition, it has evolved into a celebration of love in many forms associated with the exchange of cards, flowers, chocolates, and romantic gestures.
I thought it was befitting this month to take a look at one of the books of the Bible that I have not heard hardly any sermons preached from – the book, Song of Solomon, often referred to as the Song of Songs. It is a beautiful love story, and who does not like a good love story? Like any love story, Song of Solomon is extremely personal, passionate, deeply intimate, and descriptive! It has been described as one of the greatest love letters ever written! There is only one love poem celebrating the intimacy of human love that has been completely inspired by the Holy Spirit.
This book is classified by some theologians as spiritual and allegorical seeing it as an expression of
the love between God and Israel or between Christ and the Church. In this interpretation, the beauty of love takes on a spiritual dimension, representing the profound love and unity between God and His people. I tend to see it as a beautiful and allegorical depiction of love between a bride and her bridegroom King Solomon, and simply that. Song of Solomon presents a love so rich and so full that it seems natural to think about the love of Christ for his church and many have done that, however, I believe that we stay true to what is penned as the primary intent – a poetic work, praising romantic love as a gift from God to be received with gratitude and celebration.
The majority of evangelical scholars and Jewish tradition both assign this book to King Solomon as the author. There is no date as to when this book was written, however, it is believed that he wrote it relatively early in life when his love was warm and innocent beautiful and unmarred. Although there are many theological overtones to this book, the major theme is the excitement and enjoyment of God’s gifts of love, sex, and marriage.
You might ask, why would this type of literature be included in Scripture? Possibly because of sin, people can easily forget what genuine love looks like! Song of Solomon takes us back to the ideal love as God intended it to be. It creates the romance of Solomon and his young bride, and the beautiful expressions shown by both in their union! It is an intimate story that extols the beauty of human love. We must remember that God created male and female and originally as the first couple was naked and were not ashamed – sex was God’s idea, as noted in Genesis chapter 2. It was not until after Adam and Eve’s disobedience that sexuality was tainted by shame and the potential for abuse.
After a careful review of the book, there are 4 possible titles for each week this month:
♥ The Beauty or Fragrance of Love
♥ The Pursuit of Love
♥ The Dance of Love
♥ The Garden of Love
The Beauty or Fragrance of Love!
In the opening chapter, we find a record of Solomon’s courtship with his bride-to-be, the beloved was the first to speak and the words were full of affection and passion for her husband-to-be. This section of the song is filled with symbolic pictures and images of beauty, grace, loveliness charm, and elegance. As we read these words allow yourselves to be swept into the current of the romance and love that is expressed. These are not words to be analyzed so much as they are to be appreciated. Allow yourself to imagine the love and romance shared between a newly married man and a woman who looked forward to a life of imagery with each other. The Song of Solomon takes us back to the beauty of ideal love as God intended. It celebrates the romance of King Solomon and his young bride!
How is Your Love Expressed to Your Spouse that you say God Gave to You?
Let’s Reflect on the Beauty of Love as Depicted in the Text.
Love is portrayed as a passionate and deeply felt emotion. The opening verses are filled with vivid descriptions of the lovers’ desires for each other, symbolizing the intensity of their feelings. “Kiss me and kiss me again, for your love is sweeter than wine. How fragrant your cologne is; your name is like its spreading fragrance. No wonder all the young women love you!” Song of Solomon 1:2-3 (NLT) This passionate longing and desire for one another highlight the depth of love’s emotional richness.
There is romantic imagery with lush and sensuous imagery, including descriptions of the beloved’s physical attributes, such as their eyes, hair, and lips. These descriptions are not just about physical beauty but are metaphors for the all-encompassing beauty of love itself. They emphasize the idea that love encompasses not just the physical but also the spiritual and emotional. Song of Solomon portrays love as a relationship of mutual respect and admiration. The lovers hold each other in high regard and celebrate each other’s qualities. This highlights the importance of mutual admiration and respect as key components of a healthy and beautiful love.
The use of metaphors of nature to describe the lovers’ feelings. The beauty of nature, such as the blossoming of flowers and the imagery of gardens, is used to symbolize the flourishing of love. You are so handsome, my love, pleasing beyond words! The soft grass is our bed; Song of Songs 1:16 (NLT) This connection between love and nature underscores the idea that love is a natural and fundamental aspect of human existence.
The beauty of love is timeless and enduring emphasizing the idea that love is not bound by time or circumstance but can transcend the challenges and trials of life. This portrayal of love’s endurance and constancy is a source of hope and inspiration for those seeking lasting love.
The beauty of love as depicted in the Song of Solomon lies in its vivid and evocative descriptions. It is passionate and enduring with the ability to encompass the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of human relationships. It celebrates love as a profound and transcendent force that enriches the human experience and serves as a source of inspiration and joy.
HEART 
CHALLENGE: Song of Songs 2:3-6 “Like the finest apple tree in the orchard is my lover among other young men. I sit in his delightful shade and taste his delicious fruit. He escorts me to the banquet hall; it’s obvious how much he loves me. Strengthen me with
raisin cakes, refresh me with apples, for I am weak with love. His left arm is under my head, and his right arm embraces me.” (NLT)
Our love for our spouse should be clear to everyone who sees us everything we do in our marriage relationship should be motivated by love and expressed lovingly!
Reading this passage reminded me of my husband before he passed away. I was reminded of how I felt covered and protected by him, the intimacy we shared, and the displays and expressions of love from him. These are crucial factors that enable a woman to develop a sense of security and the enjoyment of a stable marriage.
A PASSIONATE 
HEART: The beauty and fragrance of love as portrayed in this book lies in its intense and evocative descriptions. Solomon displays a love that is passionate and enduring in nature and can encompass the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of human relationships. It celebrates the beauty of love as a profound and divine force that enriches the human experience and serves as a source of inspiration and joy. The Christian life is a love affair because of the love of Christ. He loved us enough to give Himself to us!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for Your Word that provides us with clear instructions on how to love and be loved. Help us to reflect on the beauty of intimate and creative love with a deeper awareness of how You expect us to show love, in the Precious, Powerful, and Preeminent Name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, Amen
What is your interpretative analysis of this book, Song of Solomon? 