Tag Archives: Song of Solomon

Daily Bible Study

July 20, 2023 Bible Study — Lessons in Human Sexuality

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Song of Solomon 1-8.

Some people read the Song of Solomon as an allegory for Christ’s love for the Church.  Personally, that has never worked for me because I find the sexual inuendo too explicit for that.  I think that part of the reason people look for the Song of Solomon to be some kind of allegory is because the sensuality it describes makes them uncomfortable.  However, it seems to me that we should take the Song of Solomon at face value, as a love song between a man and a woman.  They appear to be deeply in love with each other, and they have strong sexual attraction for each other.  The Song of Solomon also contains some lessons about human sexuality to which we should pay heed.  As I said, the two lovers in this poem are besotted of each other, and they want to be with each other sexually.  The poem tells us that that relationship is exclusive.  The woman says ate one point, “My beloved is mine and I am his.”   The Song of Solomon also teaches that we should be patient.  We should wait to become sexually active until we find that one with whom we will spend the rest of our lives.  That has two parts, first you should want and desire to spend the rest of your life with them, but they must also want and desire to spend the rest of their life with you, and only with you.

We should not be embarrassed or uncomfortable with the sexuality expressed in the Song of Solomon. And we should pay attention to the guardrails it lays out for expressing our sexuality.

I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Daily Bible Study

July 20, 2022 Bible Study — Do Not Awaken Sexuality Before Its Time

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Song of Solomon 1-8.

The Song of Solomon teaches us a few lessons about God’s intentions for sexual love.  First and foremost it teaches us that sexual love is not, in and of itself, a sin.  The writer also emphasizes the importance of waiting for sexual love until the right time.  We learn from this passage that we should not seek out sexual relations before the time which God has ordained for us.  Which reminds me of the debate going on in our society today over what, when, and by whom children should be taught about human sexuality.  This passage addresses the issue of when, and its answer is that it will be different for each person and we should not attempt to encourage a child’s sexual nature before that time which is unique to them.  There is one last point I see in this passage which I want to write about.  In this passage, both the male and female protagonists consider their lover to be uniquely beautiful.  In like manner, we should wait until we find a sexual partner whom we find uniquely beautiful and attractive, a lover whom, for us, no other can ever match.

I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Daily Bible Study

July 20, 2021 Bible Study — Do Not Awaken Love Until It Is Ready

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Song of Solomon 1-8.

Many people take the Song of Solomon as an allegory for our relationship with Christ.  That has never worked for me, although I can see it when someone else makes the connections.  Others take it as a tale describing the love of a particular couple.  That seems closer to the motivation for writing it.  However, I think it represents an allegory about what we should seek in a romantic relationship.  In fact, the central lesson I think we should take from it is this “Do not awaken love until is so desires,” or as other translation render it, “Do not awaken love until it is ready.”  The love being referred to here is erotic love, not the love which God commands us to have for our neighbor.  While the love we are commanded to have for our neighbor should be part of what we feel when we awaken erotic love, there is a physical part of the love being talked about here that is not part of that love.  The Song of Solomon makes clear that erotic love is not ready to be awakened until both parties feel it.  These two lovers were irresistibly attracted to one another.

I use the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Daily Bible Study

July 20, 2020 Bible Study Dedicate Yourself To Someone Who Will Dedicate Themselves To You

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Song of Solomon 1-8.

Usually I struggle with writing my post on the Song of Solomon, primarily because much of the imagery used in it does not resonate with me.  However, it provides an excellent guide on building a relationship.  The two lovers in this passage have a strong sexual attraction to the other.  It is not one-sided, both of the lovers desire the other above all others.  Dedicate yourself to someone who will dedicate themselves to you.  Further, it advises against becoming sexually active too soon, too young.  Wait until you are old enough to understand what you want in life.

Daily Bible Study

July 20, 2019 Bible Study — Sexual Love Is A Beautiful Gift From God

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Song of Solomon 1-8.

I never quite understand how the “story” in the beginning of the Song of Solomon fits in with the “story” of the rest of the Book.  I understand that the entire thing is a love song between a young man and a young woman, but I do not quite understand how the young woman’s inability to care for herself at the beginning connects with her beauty as described later.  I know that at least part of that is a result of cultural differences between myself and the author.  That being said the Song does a great job of conveying the progression of loving relationship between a man and a woman.

One theme which runs throughout much of the Song is the repeated warning not to awaken love before its time.  Since I first noticed this in the Song I have taken it to be warning to keep the sexual aspect of the relationship in check until the relationship truly blooms.  The Song tells us that sexuality between a man and a woman is beautiful and good, but this phrase, repeated multiple times, reminds us that sex must be kept to its appropriate place in marriage between a man and a woman.  The Song also reminds us that sexual love should be a private thing between a husband and wife, something not shared with others.

Daily Bible Study

July 20, 2018 Bible Study — The Beauty of Sexual Love

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Song of Solomon 1-8.

    I always struggle to find spiritual lessons in the Song of Solomon, but there are certainly lessons in it for us. Those lessons involve choosing a spouse. The Song of Solomon teaches us that we should not seek to marry until we find someone to whom we find ourselves irresistibly attracted. And yet, we should not give in to that attraction until the time is right. Build a relationship before allowing oneself to become sexually involved. Once you have met that person and formed a relationship with them, keep them to yourself. Your spouse should be your private garden. I know men who desire their wives to dress provocatively so as to attract the attention of other men so that they can show off their “manliness”. There are women who desire the same from their husbands. But the Song of Solomon advises, wisely, against such things. Better to keep the physical features which attracted you to your spouse a secret to be shared between just the two of you.
    I intended to write about how this passage inspires me to think of my wife and thank God for the desire He has given me for her (and her for me), but the words did not flow in that direction.

Daily Bible Study

July 20, 2016 Bible Study — Sex and Marriage

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

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Today, I am reading and commenting on Song of Solomon 1-8.

    Where to go with this. I know that much of what I get out of the Song of Solomon comes from my own experiences, but I believe that the writer would agree with my conclusions (feel free to tell me I am wrong). The first point is noncontroversial. This book reminds us that God made us sexual beings and the attraction between a man and a woman being consummated in the marriage bed is not a bad thing. In fact it is something to be celebrated.

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    From my personal experience I learned that when one is looking for a wife, if the sexual attraction you feel for the woman you are dating does not make it next to impossible for you to remain chaste when the two of you are in private together, move on. Perhaps I m reading too much into this passage and my own experience, but I believe that is part of what the Song of Solomon teaches us. Clearly, the two lovers portrayed here are such lovers. I want to point out that such attraction is not sufficient, but I believe that it is necessary. I know that I dated women to whom I did not feel that level of attraction and those relationships just kind of faded out. I, also, know that I chose not to date several women for whom I felt that level of attraction because I did not want to end up married to them (looking back, I am convinced that I chose wisely in most, if not all, of those cases). However, my wife was a woman for whom I felt that level of attraction and THAT choice turned out to be one of the best of my life.

Daily Bible Study

September 7, 2013 Bible Study — God Loves a Cheerful Giver

     I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them.

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Song of Solomon 5-8:14

     I am not sure of my understanding of today’s passage. I may be misreading what is intended. However, it appears to me that the young woman is portrayed as playing hard to get. When she does this, the young man turns away. She realizes her mistake and pursues him. This gets her into trouble. She asks her friends to tell her lover that she wants him back. They both express their continued love for one another. The young woman wishes that she did not have to be mindful of the rules of propriety. Once more the young woman tells other women to wait until the time is right to allow sexual elements into a relationship. Finally, we have a young woman’s brothers vowing to what is in their power to protect their sister from being used by other men.

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2 Corinthians 9:1-15

     Paul tells the Corinthians that he does not really think he needed to write to remind them to give to this ministry, since it was their idea in the first place. As a matter of fact, it was Paul telling them about the Corinthian’s enthusiasm for giving to this ministry that inspired the Macedonian believers to give. However, Paul wanted to make sure that the Corinthians were aware that he had been telling others about what they were doing so that they were prepared when these others came to Corinth.
     Paul continues by telling them that any gift they give should be just that, a gift. They should only give that which they are willing to give and should not give anything out of a feeling of compulsion. Each individual should decide for themselves how much to give. They should only give that which they can give without reluctance and no one should make anyone feel compelled to give. If we share freely with those in need out of our surplus, God will see to it that we always have sufficient surplus to give to those in need. Paul tells us that two good things result when we give from our surplus to those in need. The first is that those in need have their needs met, but just as importantly, others will praise God because of our generosity.

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     This passage points out that we should give to help those in need out of recognition of the fact that all that we have is a gift from God. It is ours to do with as we will, but God gave it to us so that we can bring glory to His name. In addition, Paul’s teaching here reminds us of Jesus’ parable of the talents. There Jesus told that each of us has been given resources from God that we are to put to use for God’s gain. Those who make the best use of those resources will be given more. This is true of those who serve God with their resources and those who do not. The main difference being that those who serve God with their resources have a different idea about what is best…and about what is more. Mother Theresa (there are probably better examples than Mother Theresa, but since they were so successful, no one has ever heard of them) would have said that she had more than Bill Gates.
     There is another point I want to make about this passage. From time to time, someone will argue that Christians should favor government programs that help the poor, based on various passages which tell us that we are to help the poor. However, this passage makes it clear that each individual is to decide for themselves how much they are called to give to the poor and that no one is to feel compelled to give any more than that amount. There are many arguments against government aid for the poor, but I am only going to make one here. Government aid for the poor is never voluntary. It always requires a certain amount from each person according to what someone else believes is that person’s surplus, not according to what that person believes is their surplus. That runs directly contrary to what Paul is teaching here. I am not being charitable when I spend your money to help the poor (although I may be being charitable by spending my time doing so).

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Psalm 51:1-19

     I love this psalm. It contains so many points of the Gospel message.

  • I am a sinner. I have sinned time and again.
  • Only God can cleanse me from my sin. There is nothing I can do myself to make my sins right. It is only by accepting God’s cleansing that my sin can be forgiven.
  • It is only by recognizing that without God I am broken that I can be healed.
  • Any true joy that I will experience is a gift from God.
  • Once God has cleansed me and healed me, I have an obligation to teach others about His grace. This is not to show them how much better than them I am (because I’m not), but to show them how they too can be cleansed and healed.
  • There is nothing I can give God that He needs, what He wants from me is for me to recognize how much I need His grace.

The only way that I can please God is by surrendering control over my life unto Him. I have failed God repeatedly. I ask Him to fill me with His Spirit and take control of my life so that I may serve His will. I strive time and again to give God control. I ask that He take that control and use me to bring glory to His name.

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Proverbs 22:24-25

     It is dangerous to hang out with those who do not control their temper because we may learn to behave in the same way.

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Daily Bible Study

September 6, 2013 Bible Study — Accountability in Handling Church Funds

     I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them.

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Song of Solomon 1-4:16

     The Song of Solomon represents a beautiful exchange between two people in love. The young man says that she is the most beautiful among women. The young woman says that her lover is pleasing beyond words. There is a lot of veiled sexual imagery in this passage, however, the young woman reminds other young women not to awaken love until it is time, to wait until marriage before becoming sexually active.
     The young woman says of the young man that he belongs to her and she belongs to him. The young man says that she has captured his heart and is his treasure. It is wonderful to be in such a relationship. I love my wife and this passage reflects my feelings towards her. I am hers and she is mine. She has captured my heart and is my treasure.

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2 Corinthians 8:16-24

     Paul tells the Corinthians that when he suggested to Titus that Titus return to Corinth, Titus enthusiastically embraced the idea. In addition, Paul was sending two other believers with Titus. One was a man praised by all of the churches in Macedonia for his service to the Gospel and chosen by them to accompany Paul in taking their offerings to the believers in Jerusalem. The second man is someone whom Paul has chosen for his enthusiasm in serving the Lord. Paul tells the church in Corinth to tell those who wonder whether Titus can be trusted that he has been a partner with Paul in his ministry.

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     In this passage Paul gives us a model to follow when gathering money for a charitable cause. When the money has been gathered, Paul is sending it accompanied by two men from the local churches. They have been chosen because they are known and trusted by the people who had given the money. Paul is careful to take every effort to make sure that everyone can be confident that he (and Titus) are handling the money according to the wishes of those who gave it.
     In the same way, we today should manage the financial affairs of our congregations and other organizations striving to do God’s work so that everyone can have confidence that we are spending the money in the manner and for the purposes which we claim.

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Psalm 50:1-23

     The psalmist tells us that God will summon all of humanity before Him and at that time He will pass judgment on those who have entered into a covenant with Him. He does not need our material possessions and giving them to Him is not going to appease His anger. He wants us to be thankful to Him and to fulfill His will in all of our actions. Those who join in with thieves and adulterers will gain nothing from reciting God’s words or promising to enter into a covenant with Him. The only path to salvation from God’s judgment is to accept His free gift and to thankfully honor Him in all that we do.

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Proverbs 22:22-23

     Just because the law will allow you to exploit the poor and prevent the needy to have recourse to the courts to stop your taking advantage of them does not mean that you will be home free. The courts may not defend the poor and needy, but God will. We will all answer to Him for how we treat our fellow man.