Song of Solomon
I have to admit I am a sucker for romance. Romance is not
just flowers and candy. Romance can be those intimate acts of love that we do
for one another that simply shout, “I love you”. On our second date November
17, 1963, Chuck Harley brought me a stuffed moose from a popular cartoon at
that time. I loved it and named it Moots
and kept that moose all through high school and into college and marriage. Then
in 1972, I baby sat a very young child who had just lost a parent. She loved
the moose and wanted to take it home so the moose left the house and I never
saw it again.
Last Christmas, 42 years later, I received a moose for
Christmas from my Beloved. It was an exact replica of the Moots I had lost so
long ago. It wasn’t candy or flowers, it was something better and it was one of
the most romantic gifts I have ever received. He had hunted down something that
was no longer sold or made and paid a high dollar for it, all for my great pleasure
and surprise. It loudly and clearly said “I love you”.
Song of Solomon is God’s great approval on romantic love. It
burst through the stoic, solemn, wrinkled brow, frowny view of romance and
sexual love in marriage and openly and joyfully applauds it. It is impossible
to read that little book, mostly poetry, without learning a few valuable
lessons.
First of all it celebrates purity until marriage. In our sex
soaked culture this is not even considered possible but God assures us it is
and it is worth waiting for.
Secondly, the couple openly expresses beautiful words of
love to one another. There is no holding
back, and they use words of beauty and yes even fun. There is no shame or
embarrassment…just pure freedom to express the love that is in their hearts.
Third, they fight (I am so glad God put that in the story)
but the person who has offended makes haste to heal the relationship and
forgiveness is quickly given.
And lastly, they put a high priority on their marriage. So
many things can take precedent over the marriage relationship but here God
encourages us to take the time to refresh and regroup and restore the passion
and intimacy.
The word moose does not appear in the Song of Solomon, but
the principle does. Go the second mile, do the work, spend the money, say the
words, make your spouse’s happiness a priority, without embarrassment holding
nothing back. And when you do you may
even hear an applause right from heaven.
After reading the Song of Solomon, answer the following
questions.
1.
Chapters 1 and 2 describe the young couple’s
courtship?
2.
In Chapter 3 how did the groom retrieve his
bride?
3.
Chapter 4 describes the honeymoon. What makes it
special?
4.
Chapter 5 describes a lover’s quarrel. Why did
they fight? Did it last long?
5.
How does the couple keep love kindled in chapter
6 and 7?
6.
How can we kindle the romance with our own beloved?
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