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.

God’s Provision for Singles: Self-Stimulation as a Noble Practice

For individuals who are single and desiring to honor God with their bodies, self-stimulation, also known as masturbation, can be seen as a provision from God to manage their sexual desires while maintaining chastity before marriage.

While the Bible does not explicitly mention masturbation, it offers guidance on matters related to self-control, purity, and the management of sexual desires.

– Honoring the Body as the Temple of the Holy Spirit: Christians are called to view their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). This perspective encourages individuals to treat their bodies with respect and to exercise self-control over their sexual desires.

– Managing Sexual Urges with Self-Control: The Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of self-control in 1 Corinthians 7:9, acknowledging that it is better to marry than to burn with passion. However, for those who are not married or in a betrothal, self-stimulation can provide a way to manage sexual urges in a manner that maintains chastity and avoids sexual immorality.

– Avoiding Lustful Thoughts: It is crucial for single Christians engaging in self-stimulation to guard against lustful thoughts or fantasies that objectify others. By lustful, I mean those thoughts which would generate a desire to actually seek out and act out sexually with the other person. Ai images, which provide stimulation without being pictures of an actual human, can help with that. Instead, the focus should be on managing and releasing sexual tensions in a healthy and mindful way, without dishonoring oneself or others. But using images designed for sexual stimulation for the purpose they were created isn’t objectifying anyone.

It is important to note that while the act of self-stimulation can be a practical means of sexual release for singles, moderation, self-discipline, and maintaining a godly perspective are essential aspects of engaging in this practice. It should be approached with a clear conscience and a desire to honor God by developing self-control and purity of heart.

While opinions on this topic may vary among Christians, it is crucial for individuals to personally seek God’s guidance through prayer, studying scripture, seeking counsel from trusted mentors, and aligning their actions with their conscience and conviction. (See Romans 14)

Remember, each individual should prayerfully discern what is ethically right for them, considering their own beliefs, values, and personal relationship with God.

Note that this short post focuses on the understanding of sexuality in the Christian context and guidelines for single Christians. If you have further specific questions or would like to explore related subtopics, feel free to let me know and I will be glad to assist you.