True & Beautiful Things About the Bible--Old TestamentNäide

Song of Solomon: A Song You Can Dance To

Everyone loves a love story. Even the crabbiest of hearts gets pulled in by true love. It’s how we are made—a loving God created us to respond to love. At its core, our salvation in Jesus Christ is a love affair. We love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). A beautiful story unfolds in multiple dimensions.

We should say from the start that the Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon) reads like a story, but really it’s a collection of four love songs. Some are shocked to read the intimate conversations between “the beloved” and her man which makes us wonder how sex made it into the Bible.

Well, sex was God’s idea. So was marriage. He designed men and women to be satisfied by devoted, tender, passionate intimacy. This Song of Solomon could be considered an inspired marriage manual and that only with God can marriage work out with joy.

Some skirt the intimacy issue by saying the book is an allegory for God speaking in poetic songs to His people, Israel. That’s not new of course; the prophets often mention God’s husband-like love for His people. This Song pictures that love inside a happy marriage.

Others say this Song reveals Christ’s love for the church. God uses human affection to stir up our souls to His great love.Only a personal relationship with Jesus Christ will kindle a holy passion in us—for Him and for His people. Those who know the love of God should themselves be the best lovers, loving others in all contexts better than anyone. Loving Jesus makes loving others possible.

Originally, this Song was written about the love of two people. Under God’s inspired direction just like every other book in the Bible, it also applies to our relationship with Him. It models how love is the strongest force in life (8:6-7). We will do for love what we won’t do for any other reason. Love is also one of the greatest gifts we can give another.

What we learn from each other ultimately is reflected in God’s love for us. He initiates love, reaching out to us with intention and protection. We then express our love back by yielding to Him and trusting Him.

Only with God will we understand what true love really is—a beautiful song we can dance to.

Next: A glimpse of glory.