UNDERSTANDING SONG OF SOLOMON | OVERVIEW

0. Introduction

a) The Bible Book Introductions are divided into 4 parts (Overview, Vital Statistics, Blueprint, Mega-themes) for easy-to-understand.

1. Overview

a) Saturated with stories of sexual escapades, secret rendezvous, and extramarital affairs, today's media preach that immorality means freedom, perversion is natural, and commitment is old-fashioned. Sex, created by God and pronounced good in Eden, has been twisted, exploited, and turned into an urgent, illicit, casual, and self-gratifying activity. Love has turned to lust, giving into getting, and lasting commitment into "no strings attached."

b) In reality, the physical and emotional union of male and female, should be a holy means of celebrating love, producing children, and experiencing pleasure, protected by the commitment of marriage.

c) God thinks sex is important, and Scripture contains numerous guidelines for its use and warnings about its misuse. And sex is always mentioned in the context of loving relationship between husband and wife. Perhaps the highlight of this is Song of Solomon, the intimate story of a man and woman, their love, courtship, and marriage. Solomon probably wrote this "song" in his youth, before being overtaken by his own obsession with women, sex and pleasure.

d) A moving story, drama, and poem, Song of Solomon features the love dialogue between a simple Jewish maiden (the Shulamite woman) and her lover (Solomon, the king). They describe the intimate detail their feelings for each other and their longings to be together. Throughout the dialogue, sex and marriage are put in their proper, God-given perspective.

e) There has been much debate over the meaning of this song. Some say it is an allegory of God's love for Israel and/or for the church. Others say it is a literal story about married love. But in reality, it is both - a historical story with two layers of meaning. On one level we learn about love, marriage, and sex; and on the other level we see God's overwhelming love for his people. As you read Song of Solomon, remember that you are loved by God, and commit yourself to seeing life, sex, and marriage from his point of view. 

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