PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Song 1-4 (of Solomon)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“It is Solomon’s carriage, escorted by sixty warriors…” (Song 3:7)
Some see this book as an allegory, about how God loves his people.
Some see it as a God-inspired celebration of the gift of marriage and sex.
Personally, I am not sure how I see this story, and I rarely look at it.
I can’t see it as celebrating marriage (Solomon had 300 wives, 700 concubines).
He was a king in Jesus’ family tree, so that does connect him to Jesus.
But not as an example of a good king, or a good and loving husband.
I see in this story the tension between love and lust, good and evil.
We see a glimpse of the gift of love, but still far from how it ought to be.
Is this not what we see in our own lives, both goodness and brokenness?
In this way I can sense God’s gracious love beyond this tainted love story.
We can lament the brokenness of love as we know it, yet hope for better.
We see Jesus, son of Solomon, not riding in a carriage, but on a donkey.
Not pompously riding in to add another mistress to his harem.
But a humble king, willing to die to set the sin and sex slaves free!
PRAYER
Lord, thank You that You are not like Solomon. And thank You that I may love You for setting me free from the bondage of sin and sex-messed love.
I can get caught up in the infatuation that this couple has for each other – to see beauty in each other as well in creation. God has created us as sexual and emotional beings with desire. I’m thankful for that – even when it gets distorted and becomes something much less. The Bible pictures Jesus the bridegroom coming for the bride – the church of those who follow him – who have that same infatuation. Am I that infatuated as these 2 lovers are? That total self giving desire to be with Jesus? Lord, what am I without you? May I grow in infatuation!
Lord You are the priority in my life. You are the One I desire to spend all my days with You. Help me to love You and honour You in all I say and do. Help me to be faithful.
1 I am my Beloved’s and He is mine—
His banner over me is love,
I am my Beloved’s and He is mine—
His banner over me is love;
I am my Beloved’s and He is mine—
His banner over me is love,
His banner over me is love.
2 He brought me to His banqueting table—
His banner over me is love,
He brought me to His banqueting table—
His banner over me is love;
He brought me to His banqueting table—
His banner over me is love,
His banner over me is love.
3 He’s fairest of ten thousand to my soul—
His banner over me is love,
He’s fairest of ten thousand to my soul—
His banner over me is love;
He’s fairest of ten thousand to my soul—
His banner over me is love,
His banner over me is love.