Song of Solomon 3:6-5:1
John S. scanned me Search the Scripture’s introduction to Song of Solomon. Their focus is one that Carol also looked at a few years back, “She”, the Beloved in love with a shepherd and a king seeking her affections. It’s a compelling argument, quite distinct from the one which I have taken, “He” being God and “She” being me/us. Our last study in this Book is an STS “Revision”. I think that I will take that opportunity to re-read the Book using the triangular Beloved, shepherd, king analysis.
So, for today, again, “She”, the Beloved as me/us… First the king’s procession in chapter 3, then the king proclaiming the Beloved’s beauty in nearly the whole of chapter 4, then her reply at the end of that chapter and his reply at the beginning of chapter 5. What to make of it?
The Beloved’s beauty (my/our beauty) is captured from her top down in chapter 4, mostly reflecting the beauty of nature – its animals in the first five verses of the chapter, then comparisons to fruits and spices in the later verses. So, “He” (God) speaking all those descriptors – animals, fruits, spices – He formed me from my mother’s womb (see Psalm 22:10 and 139:13) and knows me fully, better than I know myself! If He can describe all of who I am so completely, then I need to be asking Him for guidance in my life, not just going forth on my own reasoning.
Moving from love poetry to real life applications – that’s quite a leap! Not my strength! It would be great if others would chime in!
Blessings!
Fred