A Challenge to Allegorizers:

Song of Songs 8:8-9 (NET)

The Belovedʼs Brothers:

8 We have a little sister,

and as yet she has no breasts.

What shall we do for our sister

on the day when she is spoken for?

9 If she is a wall,

we will build on her a battlement of silver;

but if she is a door,

we will barricade her with boards of cedar.

To those who allegorize the Song of Solomon, we issue a friendly challenge: what is the allegory of the younger sister in the last chapter ? The passage reads, “We have a little sister, and she has no breasts. What shall we do for our sister on the day she is spoken for? If she is a wall, we will build on her a battlement of silver; but if she is a door, we will enclose her with boards of cedar.”

If the Song of Solomon is an allegory, what does the younger sister represent? Is she a symbol of the Church, or of the individual soul? What does the fact that she has no breasts signify? And what is the meaning of the battlement of silver and the boards of cedar?

We challenge those who allegorize the Song to provide a clear and convincing interpretation of this passage, one that is consistent with the rest of the book and with the historical and cultural context in which it was written.

Thought-Provoking Questions:

As we reflect on the Song of Solomon, we are also led to ask some deeper, more thought-provoking questions. Why would God, who is holy and pure, inspire a book of erotica and include it in the canon of Scripture? What does this say about God’s view of human relationships and intimacy? Is it possible that God values the beauty and complexity of human relationships, including the physical and emotional aspects, and wants us to approach these relationships with honesty, vulnerability, and mutual respect?

What does the inclusion of the Song of Solomon in the Bible reveal about the nature of God’s revelation? Does it suggest that God is more concerned with the hearts and intentions of humanity than with their physical actions? Or does it imply that God values the physical and emotional aspects of human relationships, and wants us to approach these relationships with reverence and respect?

How does the Song of Solomon challenge or affirm our cultural and societal norms around sex and relationships? What does it say about the importance of mutual consent, respect, and communication in intimate relationships? And how can we, as followers of God, approach these relationships in a way that honors God and respects the dignity and worth of all individuals involved?

Conclusion:

The Song of Solomon is a book that deserves to be read and understood in its historical and cultural context. Its portrayal of love and desire is nuanced and beautiful, and challenges traditional views of courtship and marriage. As we reflect on the Song of Solomon, we are led to ask deeper, more thought-provoking questions about the nature of God’s revelation, the value of human relationships, and the importance of approaching intimacy with honesty, vulnerability, and mutual respect. We hope that this series has provided a helpful and thought-provoking exploration of the Song of Solomon, and that it will inspire readers to think more deeply about the nature of human relationships and intimacy.

Song of Songs 8:14 (NET)

14 Make haste, my beloved!

Be like a gazelle or a young stag

on the mountains of spices.