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.

Part 3: Challenging Modern Victorian Ethics

Song of Songs 5:1 (NET)

1 I have entered my garden, O my sister, my bride;

I have gathered my myrrh with my balsam spice.

I have eaten my honeycomb and my honey;

I have drunk my wine and my milk!

The Poet to the Couple:

Eat, friends, and drink!

Drink freely, O lovers!

The Song of Solomon’s portrayal of nudity and sexuality before marriage is a challenge to modern Victorian ethics and societal norms. The book’s explicit language and erotic imagery have led many to allegorize and spiritualize its meaning, avoiding its obvious implications about human relationships and intimacy.

However, a closer reading of the text reveals a nuanced and beautiful portrayal of love and desire, one that challenges traditional views of courtship and marriage. The Song of Solomon presents a picture of two lovers who are comfortable with each other’s bodies, who enjoy each other’s company, and who are intimate with each other before they are married.

This portrayal is a challenge to modern Victorian ethics, which emphasize the importance of waiting until marriage before engaging in physical intimacy. The Song of Solomon suggests that physical and emotional intimacy are essential components of a healthy and fulfilling relationship, and that they should not be delayed until after marriage.

In Song 1:2-4, the beloved says, “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth, for your love is better than wine. Because of the fragrance of your good ointments, your name is like purified oil; therefore the maidens love you. Draw me after you; let us run! The king has brought me into his chambers” . This passage implies a level of physical intimacy between the lovers, where they are comfortable with each other’s bodies and are able to express their desire for each other.

The Song of Solomon also challenges modern Victorian ethics by presenting a picture of a healthy and mutually respectful relationship between two people. The lovers are depicted as being equal and respectful of each other, with a deep emotional connection and a strong physical attraction.

In Song 4:1-7, the lover says, “Behold, you are beautiful, my love; behold, you are beautiful; your eyes are doves behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats that have descended from Gilead. Your teeth are like a flock of shorn ewes that have come up from the washing, all of which have twins, and not one of them has lost its young. Your lips are like a scarlet thread, and your mouth is lovely. Your cheeks are like a bed of spice, like sweet-smelling perfume. Your neck is like the tower of David, built in layers, on which a thousand shields are hung, all the quivers of the warriors” . This passage implies a level of mutual respect and admiration between the lovers, where they are able to appreciate each other’s beauty and enjoy each other’s company.

The Song of Solomon’s portrayal of nudity and sexuality before marriage is also a challenge to modern societal norms around sex and relationships. The book presents a picture of two lovers who are comfortable with each other’s bodies, who enjoy each other’s company, and who are intimate with each other before they are married.

In Song 7:1-10, the lover says, “How beautiful are your feet in sandals, O noble one! The curves of your thighs are like jewels, the work of the hands of a skilled craftsman. Your navel is a round bowl, that never lacks mixed wine. Your belly is a heap of wheat, surrounded by lilies. Your two breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle. Your neck is like an ivory tower. Your eyes are like the pools of Heshbon, by the gate of Bath Rabbim. Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon, that looks toward Damascus” . This passage implies a level of physical intimacy between the lovers, where they are comfortable with each other’s bodies and are able to describe their desire for each other.

In conclusion, the Song of Solomon’s portrayal of nudity and sexuality before marriage is a challenge to modern Victorian ethics and societal norms. The book presents a picture of two lovers who are comfortable with each other’s bodies, who enjoy each other’s company, and who are intimate with each other before they are married. This portrayal is a challenge to traditional views of courtship and marriage, and suggests that physical and emotional intimacy are essential components of a healthy and fulfilling relationship.

Part 2: Exploring the Sexual Metaphors of Song of Solomon

Song of Songs 1:12-14 (NET)

12 While the king was at his banqueting table,

my nard gave forth its fragrance.

13 My beloved is like a fragrant pouch of myrrh

spending the night between my breasts.

14 My beloved is like a cluster of henna blossoms

in the vineyards of En-Gedi.

The Song of Solomon is a book that is rich in sexual metaphors and imagery. The lovers use a variety of poetic and symbolic language to describe their desire for each other and their intimate experiences. In this section, we will explore some of the key passages that describe the lovers’ physical relationship, including their desire for each other, their intimate encounters, and their mutual pleasure.

One of the most explicit passages in the Song of Solomon is Song 5:4-7, where the lover says, “My beloved put his hand through the peephole, and my feelings for him were aroused. I arose to open to my beloved, but my beloved had turned and gone away. My beloved took away my garments, he took away my veil, he took away my clothes, and he left me naked” . This passage is often interpreted as a description of the beloved’s desire for physical intimacy with her lover, and the lover’s willingness to satisfy her desires.

Another passage that describes the lovers’ physical relationship is Song 7:1-10, where the lover says, “How beautiful are your feet in sandals, O noble one! The curves of your thighs are like jewels, the work of the hands of a skilled craftsman. Your navel is a round bowl, that never lacks mixed wine. Your belly is a heap of wheat, surrounded by lilies. Your two breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle. Your neck is like an ivory tower. Your eyes are like the pools of Heshbon, by the gate of Bath Rabbim. Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon, that looks toward Damascus” . This passage is often seen as a description of the beloved’s physical beauty, and the lover’s desire to admire and appreciate her body.

The Song of Solomon also describes the lovers’ intimate encounters in detail. In Song 1:13-14, the beloved says, “My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh, resting between my breasts. My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms from the vineyards of En Gedi.” This passage implies a level of physical intimacy between the lovers, where they are comfortable with each other’s bodies and are able to describe their desires and feelings for each other.

In Song 4:16-5:1, the lover says, “Awake, O north wind, and come, O south wind! Blow upon my garden, that its spices may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and let him eat the choicest fruits.” This passage is often interpreted as a description of the lovers’ intimate encounter, where they are able to enjoy each other’s company and satisfy their desires.

The Song of Solomon’s descriptions of the lovers’ physical relationship are not limited to their intimate encounters. The book also describes their desire for each other, their mutual pleasure, and their emotional connection. In Song 2:3-7, the beloved says, “As the apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men. I delight to sit in his shadow, and his fruit is sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love. Sustain me with raisins, refresh me with apples, for I am sick with love” . This passage implies a level of emotional connection between the lovers, where they are able to express their desires and feelings for each other.

In conclusion, the Song of Solomon is a book that is rich in sexual metaphors and imagery. The lovers use a variety of poetic and symbolic language to describe their desire for each other, their intimate encounters, and their mutual pleasure. By exploring these passages, we can gain a deeper understanding of the book’s portrayal of human relationships and intimacy, and challenge traditional views of courtship and marriage. In the next part of this series, we will explore the implications of the Song of Solomon’s portrayal of nudity and sexuality before marriage, and what this means for our understanding of human relationships and intimacy.

Introduction:

The Song of Solomon is a book of the Bible that has been misunderstood and misinterpreted for centuries. Its explicit language and erotic imagery have led many to allegorize and spiritualize its meaning, avoiding its obvious implications about human relationships and intimacy. However, a closer reading of the text reveals a nuanced and beautiful portrayal of love and desire, one that challenges traditional views of courtship and marriage. In this series, we will explore the Song of Solomon’s implications about nudity and sexuality before marriage, using the NET Bible 1st edition as our base text.

Part 1: The Unnecessary Allegorization of Song of Solomon

Song of Songs 1:1-4 (NET)

“1 Solomonʼs Most Excellent Love Song.

The Beloved to Her Lover:

2 Oh, how I wish you would kiss me passionately!

For your lovemaking is more delightful than wine.

3 The fragrance of your colognes is delightful;

your name is like the finest perfume.

No wonder the young women adore you!

4 Draw me after you; let us hurry!

May the kingbring me into his bedroom chambers!

The Maidens to the Lover:

We will rejoice and delight in you;

we will praise your love more than wine.

The Beloved to Her Lover:

How rightly the young women adore you!”

The Song of Solomon has been the subject of much allegorization and spiritualization throughout history. Many interpreters have seen the book as a metaphor for God’s love for humanity, or Christ’s love for the Church. However, this approach ignores the book’s obvious meaning and context. The Song of Solomon is a love poem, written in a poetic and symbolic language, but its meaning is not obscure or hidden.

In Song 1:2-4, the beloved says, “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth, for your love is better than wine. Because of the fragrance of your good ointments, your name is like purified oil; therefore the maidens love you. Draw me after you; let us run! The king has brought me into his chambers” . This passage is often allegorized as a description of God’s love for humanity, but its obvious meaning is a description of the beloved’s desire for physical intimacy with her lover.

Similarly, in Song 4:1-7, the lover describes the beloved’s body in great detail, saying “Behold, you are beautiful, my love; behold, you are beautiful; your eyes are doves behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats that have descended from Gilead. Your teeth are like a flock of shorn ewes that have come up from the washing, all of which have twins, and not one of them has lost its young. Your lips are like a scarlet thread, and your mouth is lovely. Your cheeks are like a bed of spice, like sweet-smelling perfume. Your neck is like the tower of David, built in layers, on which a thousand shields are hung, all the quivers of the warriors” . This passage is often seen as a metaphor for the beauty of God or the Church, but its obvious meaning is a description of the beloved’s physical beauty and the lover’s desire for her.

The unnecessary allegorization of the Song of Solomon has led to a lack of understanding and appreciation for the book’s original meaning and context. By ignoring the book’s obvious implications about human relationships and intimacy, we miss the opportunity to learn from its nuanced and beautiful portrayal of love and desire. In the next part of this series, we will explore the Song of Solomon’s implications about nudity and sexuality before marriage, using the NET Bible 1st edition as our base text.

Many times we hear people say that the Lord revealed something to them directly, or that the only thing you need is your Bible and the Holy Spirit will teach you directly. Often there are those online who claims to be Apostles or prophets today that give us a word from God. But is that true?

John 16:12-15 (ESV)

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.“

This promise from Jesus was directly to the Apostles, and assures us that they got all the truth Jesus intended to pass down to us. If it doesn’t date back to what they left us, the New Testament, then it is not truth Jesus wants us to have. This was further reinforced in 

Jude 1:3 (ESV):

“Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.”

The truth was delivered once for all. There is no further additional revelation. Notice the way the Hebrew writer put it at the beginning of his letter:

Hebrews 1:1-2 (ESV)

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

Notice he “has spoken”, not “is speaking”. The revelation is complete in Jesus. That is why the Word is not still being confirmed by signs and wonders.

Hebrews 2:4 (ESV)

while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

Again, notice the past tense without allowance for continuing action.

So what does this mean?

1.  God spoke through jesus, and by extension his apostles. He is not continuing to speak outside of his Word today. We have the apostle’s doctrine in the New Testament. (Acts 2:47; Luke 10:16)
2. Elders and teachers are needed in the church today, precisely because the promise of Spirit guidance into all truth was for the Apostles, not every single believer. The Spirit teaches through the Word. (2 Tim 3:15-17)
3. If a teaching is extra biblical, it is not for us today. If it’s new, it is t true. If it’s true, it isn’t new. We have all we need in the New Testament. Period. If you want a word from God, then open the Word of God!
4. Like the Bereans in Acts 17:11, we must search the Scriptures to see if something is true rather than just praying and asking the Lord to tell us if a teaching (or teacher) is true or not.
5. There are no prophets or apostles today. Their foundational ministries are completed.
6. The Word is already confirmed, so we have no further need for signs and wonders to do so. (Hebrews 2:4)

Introduction:

In our fast-paced world, finding meaningful connections and a sense of spiritual fulfillment can be challenging. One enriching practice that has stood the test of time is “lectio divina,” a contemplative form of Bible study that encourages deep engagement with sacred texts. In this blog post, we will delve into the practice of lectio divina, explore its steps, and highlight the numerous benefits this practice offers to individuals seeking a more profound connection with their faith.

Understanding Lectio Divina:

Lectio divina, which means “divine reading” in Latin, is an ancient Christian method of prayerful reflection on Scripture. The purpose of lectio divina is not to analyze or dissect the text but rather to foster a personal encounter with the Word of God. It is an intentional and meditative approach that encourages a deep, transformative engagement with the sacred text.

The Steps of Lectio Divina:

1. Lectio (Read): Begin by selecting a passage of Scripture. Quietly read the chosen passage, absorbing the words and allowing them to penetrate your heart and mind. Read slowly and attentively, focusing on understanding the literal meaning of the text. Ideally read it mentally, then again out loud. Follow with a third reading where you note and/or underline words and phrases that jump out to you in the text.

2. Meditatio (Meditate): Take a moment to reflect on the words that resonated with you during the reading. Ponder their significance and consider how they might apply to your life today. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts and prompt deeper insights.

3. Oratio (Pray): Engage in a heartfelt conversation with God, expressing your thoughts, emotions, and concerns raised by the passage. Share your gratitude, seek guidance, or ask for wisdom and understanding. Be open and receptive to the promptings of the Spirit during this prayerful exchange.

4. Contemplatio (Contemplate): Enter into a silent, contemplative state. Release the need for analysis or interpretation and simply be present in the stillness. Allow the words of the passage to settle within you, inviting God’s presence to speak to your heart in a more profound way.

5. Actio (Act): Finally, consider how the insights gained from the lectio divina practice can be integrated into your daily life. Identify specific actions or changes you can make based on the transformative encounter with God’s Word. Embrace a commitment to live out the lessons learned from the scriptural passage.

Benefits of Lectio Divina:

1. Deepens spiritual connection: Lectio divina cultivates a sense of intimacy with God by fostering a personal and contemplative reading of Scripture.

2. Enhances understanding and interpretation: The practice allows for a deeper understanding of the sacred text by moving beyond mere intellectual knowledge and embracing spiritual insights.

3. Promotes personal reflection and self-awareness: Lectio divina encourages self-reflection as individuals explore how the Scriptures intersect with their own lives, emotions, and experiences.

4. Provides solace and comfort: Through lectio divina, individuals can find solace, peace, and comfort in the words of Scripture, helping them navigate through life’s challenges and uncertainties.

5. Encourages transformative growth: The practice offers an opportunity for personal growth by inspiring individuals to live out the values and teachings found in the Bible.

Conclusion:

Lectio divina is more than a mere study of Scripture; it is an immersive and transformative practice that invites individuals to encounter God’s Word in a deeply personal way. By incorporating the steps of lectio divina into your regular Bible study routine, you can cultivate a profound spiritual connection, gain valuable insights, and embrace the transformative power of God’s living Word. Give yourself the gift of this ancient practice and open your heart to a more meaningful and fulfilling journey of faith.

When I was online (okay, Facebook) the other day, we were discussing methods of Bible study. The person said that they just pray, read the verse, and God tells them what it means. My response was tentative, because she was wrong on so many levels that I didn’t know where to start without offending her with my reaction. Is “read once and pray” your method of studying the Word? Let me encourage you to reconsider.
To be clear, I have no objection whatsoever to praying before Bible study. In fact, you can and should pray before just about everything! Where the problem arises is when we pray and expect to have the interpretation supernaturally handed to us on a silver platter. Don’t get me wrong, there are times when I have been reading and a verse seems to jump off of the page, or suddenly becomes clear. But those times are more a product of study and the pieces finally coming together than an epiphany of some sort. The Word of God is not a pond where the truth rises to the top and is effortlessly scooped off the surface. It is a rich gold mine that has priceless riches that we are to dig deeply into to discover what God has placed there for us.
God has promised to “reward those who diligently seek Him”, and we aren’t doing that when we refuse to put in the work to dig in and discover the depths of the truth. Failure to do the necessary work involved in mining the Word will lead to a life of milk diets at best, and deception at worst. Not every voice you think you hear is from God, but you will never be able to recognize truth without doing the work to let the Word transform and renew your mind. Jesus said to “keep on seeking, keep on knocking, and keep on asking” and that is not a one time experience.
There is also a misperception that it is more spiritual to just pray and ask for illumination than it is to do the work of studying in-depth for yourself. In fact it is less spiritual, because the read and wait method means disobedience to the command of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount to keep asking, keep seeking and keep knocking. It also means that we don’t believe that God rewards those who “diligently seek Him.” What are you expecting Him to reveal that is not already there? Have you exhausted the text and discovered everything it has to offer? Then why do we go to it and expect new revelation when we have not mastered the truth that He has already revealed?
So do the work and dig into the Word. There is only one way to God, but there are also no shortcuts to studying His revealed will in the Word. Don’t be lazy about your studies. The gold and gems are there, but we must dig them out if we are to appreciate the treasure for what it is. God has promised that you will not come up empty! Doing otherwise doesn’t mean you won’t have any opinions about what the Bible says; it just means you will have a lot of wrong ones.

There is nothing like a good fish story, especially when you hear it the second time and remember how big the fish was the first time you heard it. There is a fish story in the Bible that happens to be true! And I believe it has some application to those of us today as well. You will see what I mean in a minute.

I am sure that most of us have had the misfortune of working with someone who had a bad attitude. They hate what they are doing and make sure everyone else regrets being there as well. It is a mystery of the universe how such folks ever accomplish anything at all in life. But, as with all things, what is impossible with man is possible with God.

The prophet Jonah was just such a man. He was a prophet of God, and he received a commission to go and preach. Seems like that would be a simple task. But Jonah was blinded by his racism, hatred and overall meanness to the point of direct disobedience to the command of God. Here was his simple job description:

Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of A-mittaī, saying, “Arise, go to Nine-veh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.” (Jonah 1:1, 2 NKJV)

Sounds pretty simple, right? But from the beginning, you can almost hear the wheels turning in Jonah’s mind. He hated the people of Nineveh with a passion. The last thing he wanted was for them to repent. “If I flee in the other direction, then the will not get the message, will not repent, and will be destroyed!”
So Jonah heads to the sea port of Joppa and gets passage clear to the other side of the Mediterranean at Tarshish, which was around Gibraltar.

Well, to make a long story short, the people of Nineveh end up being preached at by the worst possible candidate for a preacher. He is racist and hates them, he doesn’t want to be there, he doesn’t want them to accept his message, and he makes the message as short and blunt as he can. Sounds like a recipe for a failure. But God uses the message to turn the hearts if the people and they repent. The city is spared, and Jonah does not get to watch them being judged with fire from heaven.

Jesus, when talking to the Pharisees, alludes to the people of Nineveh.

The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here. (Matthew 12:41 NIV)

The hardness of their hearts caused them to reject the message from the perfect messenger, the One who is the very Word of God. They will stand condemned by those who repented at the preaching of the most flawed of prophets. But what does that have to do with us today?

There has never been more access to the Bible in our language as there is today. Free resources abound with access to multiple translations of the text. In addition, study helps are easier than ever to obtain that can aid us in understanding what we are reading. We have access to audio, video and printed teaching (paper and electronic) that our forefathers could not even dream about. But can we truly say we know our Bibles as well as those of a generation ago? Many of them grew up in homes with one family Bible and didn’t get their own copy until they were grown. But they studied it and committed it to memory. We, on the other hand, are so distracted by what the world flashes in front of us that we have little time for plumbing the depths of the Word of God.

Those who struggled to obtain the Scriptures in the past, along with those in countries where the Bible is forbidden and must be read in secret, will rise to condemn those of us in countries where most Christians have multiple Bibles and study helps galore, yet do not take full advantage of such. We would be foolish to assume that our access to the Word will always be unfettered.

When I was headed over for Desert Storm, we stopped in the Philippines. I spoke to some missionaries there who spoke of soldiers who would memorize sections of the Bible, just in case they were ever captured. What would happen to us if the Bible was suddenly classified as “hate speech” and banned? What if we were imprisoned for our faith? Would we know enough Bible to live on spiritually?

May the ease with which we can become familiar with the Bible never become a cause for contempt, or a reason to take His Word for granted.