Five Song of Songs Poem Five (6: 4 – 8: 1 – 4)
Following on from the Fourth Poem we can now consider what the Fifth Poem contains and how once again that might be important in maintaining our covenant love to God and embracing both human and divine love to each other for the benefit of all the communities we live in.
The song of Solomon with flowers Thanks renuga stockadobe.com
At this point it might be helpful for you to read the Fifth Poem as found in Chapter 6:4 – Chapter 8: 1 – 14. Your understanding will vary according to what version of the Bible you may use!
Backstory
In Dr Scofield’s Bible it says that “Nowhere in Scripture does the unspiritual mind tread upon ground so mysterious and incomprehensible as in the Song of Solomon. It is a source of pure and exquisite delight”. (Lapsed Love Restored Eric Hutchinson page 83)
Characters
Who are the central characters in this Song? We have the bride, her household and her beloved shepherd. There seems to be an entrance from King Solomon, but there is a definite contribution from the daughters of Jerusalem.
Dialogue – Beautiful Human and Divine Love
Chapter 6 – 4 – 9 – Him to Her
The maiden returns to her garden to share it with the shepherd who had been feeding his flocks in her garden. The shepherd affirms his love for her in old tones and new descriptions. “You are the same as ever but new and lovely” and his love for her is greater than ever.
The maiden is described as desirable and lovely just like Tirzah, once a Canaanite town when captured by Joshua, during the northern kingdom of Israel. She is also as lovely as Jerusalem the capital of Judah in the southern kingdom. Both cities are set on a hill and known for their beauty.
The beauty of the maiden is very vivid and presented in dramatic Eastern words. The maiden’s hair is like a flock of goats from Gilead that represents a place of victory. Her teeth reflect the beauty of her sweet speech and times of silence.
A piece of pomegranate is likened to the temple on a person’s head that pulsates the flow of blood from the heart proving that a person is alive.
Interestingly the top of Solomon’s temple pillars include an outline of a pomegranate (1 Kings 7 v 20). They may depict how worship can bring both physical and spiritual refreshment to a person. Even the blossom of a pomegranate, when stewed, becomes like an astringent, a medicinal lotion that helps stop any bleeding in the body.
In comparison to sixty queens, eighty concubines and virgins without number, the maiden is like a dove undefiled. Solomon had countless love interests but the maiden is one that stands out exclusively for him! So the maiden is the centre of attention as everyone is praising her beauty and form.
Chapter 6 – 10 – Chapter 7: 5 – The Ladies Ask!
“Who is she” who looksas fair as the moon, clear as the sun and awesome like an army with visible and victorious banners.
The maiden replies, as she enters the nut orchard and the beautiful valley full of vines that have flourished and pomegranates that have budded. Seemingly the maiden is unaware that she has entered the palace that was full of the King’s retinue.
The Ladies to the Maiden
The ladies of Jerusalem ask the maiden to return to them so as to continue outlining their appreciation of her beauty from her feet to her head.
Thank you Light in the Darkness
Her feet are beautiful and her thighs are like jewels. Her navel is a reminder that she has derived from her mother who gave birth to her. Her belly is like a heap of wheat set with lilies. Her breasts are likened to two roe deer’s that are twins.
As an important aside one of the names of God is El Shaddai (Genesis 17 v 1). It literally means: I am God who provides you as my child with a breast to lean on and from which to feed. I am your sufficiency in your suffering, in your helplessness.
So Shaddai in Hebrew means breast or bosom. It can remind us of ta well know hymn. “Jesus lover of my soul let me to thy bosom fly”.
The maiden’s neck is like a tower of ivory. When ivory is compared to other jewels, it is the only one that is gained from the loss of a living animal. Her description continues with her eyes likened to fish pools as found in Heshori near Jordon. Her nose is like the tower of Lebanon that looks towards Damascus. Her head is likened to Carmel that represents fruitfulness and excellence. Her hair is purple that is associated with royalty, dignity and privilege which captivates people.
In these very explicit verses we find that every part of the human body is considered special and beautiful. However, in our modern world we tend to see our bodies in two ways! Over sexualised or not appreciated at all!
For me I think The Song is trying to help us recognise the beauty of any individual’s body, mind and spirit and in its purest form being free from any elements of corruption.
Chapter 7: 6 – 9 – The King to the Maiden
The king making his last attempt to win over the maiden, proclaims that her character is fair and pleasant just like a palm tree that is very strong and upright. It sheds and renews it branches throughout all seasons.
Her breasts are compared to a cluster of grapes and their purpose is to provide food and nourishment for any new born.
The scent of her breath represents a closeness any couple experience when they are in love and together. Their kisses are like Wine that is consumed for refreshment as well as a form of antiseptic and antibiotic.
Chapter 7: 10 – 13 – Together
Finally in verse 10 the couple affirm their love for each other in the words, “I am my beloved and his desire is towards me”. They agree an action plan: “Come let us go together to the field to gather the best fruits and see if the pomegranates are ready for juice“. Together they pledge their love as exhibited in Mandrakes which are considered love apples/plants that omit delightful fragrances to clean and offer a calming effect.
Mandrakes Thank you Metropolitan Museum of Art
Chapter 8: 1 – 4 – Discreet Embrace
Within their cultural setting a couple kissing in public was considered disrespectful. However, it was acceptable for a family member such as a sister and brother to show such affection in public.
The couple choose to go to the mother’s home where the shepherd was accepted which strengthened their love.
An example of a loving action is when a left hand is positioned to steady the head and the right hand is used to represent a loving embrace. As previously shared the daughters of Jerusalem are warned not to stir or awaken love until it pleases.
Takeaway
In the Song we read many words and note lots of actions that affirm and declare human love. A popular book by Dr Gary Chapman describes how there are 5 Love Languages. They include Words of Affirmation, Quality Time. Shared Physical Touch. Acts of service and The Receiving of Gifts.
Our love for each other and the Lord should be pulsing strongly just like the flow of blood in a person’s temple in our heads. The couple showed loving affection that brought them happiness that had been compared to the sound of victorious army chariots.
Our love for each other and the Lord should pulsate strongly, just like the flow of blood in a person’s temple in their head. The couple showed loving affection that brought them happiness, compared to the sound of victorious army chariots.
Our human bodies are very special and serve different purposes at diffident times. The eyes represent a window of the soul and what we see will affect how we think and act. The neck when compared to a tall ivory tower may grant us foresight and wisdom as how to navigate relationships and avoid trouble and danger.
May we continue to fully appreciate every aspect of God’s human creation and to use our bodies, minds and spirits to bring honour and glory to the Lord and not to abuse them or others during our journeys of life?
Selah: (Pause to think calmly on what has just been read) and check out A Time to Worship and Motivational Moments
Graham
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