March 27, 2011

Song of Songs 1
The Song of Songs has had four different approaches to its interpretation throughout the millennia.
1. Allegorical. Some approach it as a non-literal narrative that looks beyond the relationship between the lovers to a spiritual meaning of the relationship between Jehovah and Israel , and for the church between God and the church.
2. Typical. Some view the Song as a type of the love between Christ, the Bridegroom, and the church, His bride.
3. Literal. Some view the book as a portrayal of love songs or poems that are designed to extol human love.
4. Dramatic. Some view the book as a drama. The Shulamite, who has already given her heart to her shepherd, is taken by Solomon to be part of his harem. It concerns her resisting Solomon to remain pure to her true lover, the shepherd.
I tend toward a dramatic interpretation with a typical application. For the purposes of this Meditation on the Glory, this is the route I will take. I am not dogmatic upon this. Who knows, maybe next year I will take a different approach. But for right now, this is the one with which I am comfortable. Indeed, maybe when I am done with these eight chapters then I will say, “Nah, that just doesn’t fit.” On the other hand, I might be more convinced that it is the proper route to take. Besides if the literal approach is the proper one then I have little to say for eight chapters other than, “Love between married partners is good. Jesus invented it. For that, we should give him glory!!!
Using the dramatic/typical approach, the Shulamite is a beautiful young maiden having older brothers and whose father is deceased. As such she has been keeping a vineyard as part of her household responsibilities (v.5). In the process she has met a shepherd to whom she has pledged her love. Her opening statement (v.2) is a statement of longing to be with him again, but she has been abducted by the king to be part of his harem (v.4). She dreams out loud to go and find her shepherd lover (v.7) The court ladies are tired of her complaint and would be glad for one less rival, so they bid her go (v.8). King Solomon seeks to have her stay by promising her jewels like those with which he adorns his horses (v. 9-11). (Can you imagine wasting riches upon decorating horses with jewels?) The Shulamite in the banqueting room makes reference to king Solomon’s sitting in the circle of his friends. While she waits she dreams of being with her Shepherd lover (13,14). Then she recalls a love dialogue (either of the past or one desired v. 15-17).
So what is the glory of Christ in this drama? If this is a type, then looking beyond the drama, we would see Solomon as a type of the world which constantly seeks to lure the Bride of Christ away from Him. The Shulamite is the church. The shepherd would be the Shepherd of our souls, our Lord Jesus Christ. In this drama, why should the Shulamite desire a simple shepherd as a husband over being one of king Solomon’s wives? There are at least two reasons. 1) With Solomon she will always be just one of a thousand. When he tires of her, he will move on to the next pretty face that strikes his fancy. O sure, she will still be well cared for in his harem, but she will always be missing that relationship for which she longs. 2) The shepherd has an intrinsic quality that is living and vibrant. His kisses are desirable. He has learned to fragrantly perfume his ointments. His name is pleasant. (Remember that in their culture, one’s name was a window to their soul, to their character, to their personality.) The bedroom for the shepherd is the pleasantness of green grass. His house is the shade of a large cedar. His rafters are fir trees. In the poetic, idyllic thought what could be more pleasant that than this setting during perfect weather in the springtime? This is the shepherd’s house.
So what is the glory of Christ? Unlike the world which constantly seeks to seduce us and lure us into its bedroom, Christ is faithful. The world flashes promises of pleasure and prosperity, but in the end, it will only cast us aside. Jesus promises the pleasure of the sweetness of affection, his aroma, the faithfulness of His name. His house is indeed pulsing with real life. It is not made with wood, stone and metal. It is living and vibrant. It is better than the garden of Eden, which was perfect, and Adam and Eve needed no house. Recently I have met many who feel that they have been cheated or picked on by this world’s system. For them I would say one thing, “Jesus will give us what we need for His glory.” In the midst of giving us that, we can expect shelter, clothing and food for each day. We can expect the joy of His affection and the faithfulness of His name. Those things may not come in the form which we expect, but they will be there. Unlike the world, He does not use us up then throw us away. He allows us to live for His glory, and then He brings us into the glory of His home. Let us resist the seduction of the world and pursue His pleasure! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john