Song Of Solomon Series

June 19, 2021

As we noted last week, Jewish Scholars believe that Solomon wrote “The Song” during his early life and marriage to his Egyptian Princess. For a long period of time, she was his only wife. It was an exclusive relationship.

But why is this depth of intimacy found in Scripture? Even Jewish rabbis, who had a healthy and robust view of sexuality, had great difficulty seeing how this secular love song could be found in holy scripture.

Which brings us to My Favorite Thing about SONG of SOLOMON = It reveals the intimate relationship God desires to have with us.

I believe what we have in Song of Solomon is an and/both rather than an either/or situation.

In a world that has devalued sex and intimacy to a purely, “what’s in it for me” endeavor, Song of Solomon shows us there is beauty in the exclusive, other focused, relationship between a husband and wife. It is a tribute to the joys of wedded life – only they can satisfy the desire they have for each other - and it deserves a place in Scripture because intimacy within marriage was ordained by God.

AND

It gives us a divine perspective on the kind of relationship God would like to have with us – a deep intimacy and knowledge of the other:

• Song of Solomon 6:3 - I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine, He who pastures his flock among the lilies.

• Isaiah 62:5 - …. And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so your God will rejoice over you.

• Jeremiah 31:3 - The LORD appeared to him from afar, saying, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have drawn you with lovingkindness.

• Hosea 2:19-20 - And I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice, in lovingkindness and in compassion, 20 And I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. Then you will know the LORD.

Adam and Eve left a human-shaped hole in the heart of God when they chose to believe the lies of Satan. But God’s love for the human race is so deep, His longing for relationship so intense, that He went looking for us:

• Genesis 3:8-9 - And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 Then the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, "Where are you?"

• Song of Solomon 3:1-4 - All night long on my bed I looked for the one my heart loves; I looked for him but did not find him. 2 I will get up now and go about the city, through its streets and squares; I will search for the one my heart loves. So I looked for him but did not find him. 3 The watchmen found me as they made their rounds in the city. "Have you seen the one my heart loves?" 4 Scarcely had I passed them when I found the one my heart loves. I held him and would not let him go till I had brought him to my mother's house, to the room of the one who conceived me.

He created a way to get as close to us as possible:

• Exodus 25:8 - And let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them.

• Ezekiel 37:26-27 - And I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will place them and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in their midst forever. 27 My dwelling place also will be with them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people.

His heart broke when Israel committed spiritual adultery by chasing after other gods:

• Hosea 11:1-4, 7-8 - When Israel was a youth I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son. 2 The more they called them, the more they went from them; They kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning incense to idols. 3 Yet it is I who taught Ephraim to walk, I took them in My arms; but they did not know that I healed them. 4 I led them with cords of a man, with bonds of love, and I became to them as one who lifts the yoke from their jaws; and I bent down and fed them….. 7 So My people are bent on turning from Me. Though they call them to the One on high, none at all exalts Him. 8 How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I surrender you, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned over within Me, all My compassions are kindled.