Following on from the First Poem we can now consider what the Second Poem contains and how that might be important in maintaining our covenant love to God. As a result it will enable us to embrace both human and divine love to each other and to God that benefits 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 Second Poem as found in Chapter 2 and Chapter 3: 1- 5 NIV and your understanding will vary according to what version of the Bible you may use!
Back Story
At this point I think it might be helpful to understand how The Song has been accepted into the Hebrew Scriptures and then used in seasonal Jewish festivals. In the first Insight we considered how the book might be read and interpreted, with two main angles to think about.
Firstly that the writings are allegorical (that conveys a hidden meaning in a different form) and act as a metaphor for God’s covenant love as the bridegroom and Israel as a bride. Secondly, as an anthology (a book of different works with a common theme).
The Song is traditionally attributed to King Solomon. In 1 Kings 4: 32 we are told that he wrote 1005 songs which gave weight to The Song being written by Solomon. However, the consensus amongst Jewish scholars was that the book did contain important spiritual truths when it was read from an allegorical lens. Therefore, it has been considered to be very helpful in maintaining a loving relationship to God.
Aspects of the book are seen as erotic but in reality they just reflect a human’s physical and loving relationship that can also be interpreted in a spiritual sense. However, if The Song was accepted allegorically, it would neutralize its erotic nature somewhat.
The Song within Jewish leadership has been seen not only as ‘holy’ but like ‘The Holy of Holies’. The Song has been accepted into the First Five Festival Scrolls (Megillot) and was regularly recited in synagogues during Passover reflecting God’s love for his nation Israel.
Thank you shutterstock.com
Characters
Within this Second Poem we have reference to the bride who is expressing her loyalty and commitment to her bridegroom and we read of his conversation with her. We then hear about her real or imaginary contact with the City Police who help her in trying to find her lost Bridegroom. We then note the presence of the foxes and a visit to the bride’s mother’s safe home. In conclusion we have similar words of wisdom, to the daughters of Jerusalem, about the importance of not rushing into love and any desired marital relationship.
Dialogue
The Beloved’s Visit: Chapter 2: 8- 17
Verses 8 – 9
Here we move from the environment of the palace to that of the country home. The young Shulamite woman is on her own and is missing her loved one. Poetry expresses human feelings in a different form and can be gathered together and used in an anthological sense to convey very powerful and meaningful thoughts within an overall theme.
As the bride is speaking, we hear the voice of her loved one. It might be real or presented in an imagery form, with the shepherd rushing to the window to greet his beloved and is very excited to see her.
The shepherd leaps with joy having a solid footing, just like a gazelle or a young stag. Eventually he finds his love and they are reunited. It reminds us of the excitement of young love when one cannot wait to be in the presence of another. In the context of our Christian faith we abound in love and want to be in the presence of God because of his love to us. We our thankful and appreciate the love and sacrifice of Jesus who through his death, enables us to be forgiven of all our transgressions.
Verse 10 – 15
The season of spring is when the couple are reunited. It is recognised as a time of renewal and vitality. The sleep of winter has subsided and new life and growth in nature begins to show itself. Spring is like youth that is full of joy and love, excited to see beautiful faces and hear sweet voices ready to run with a sense of new life and love.
At this point we hear twice the expression ‘Arise my love, my fair one and come away’, (in verses 10 and 13). We hear about the entrance of the turtledove, a migratory bird whose presence indicates the arrival of spring, alongside a whole host of other birds celebrating the new season.
The woman describes how she was a keeper of a vineyard and sings a vineyard song. Her intent is that anything that might spoil their love, just like foxes in a vineyard, must be caught and eradicated. Love is best when it is pure and undisturbed. There is no place for lust, adultery, fornication and cheap sentimentality.
Thank you FriedeDia pixabay.com
Verses 16 – 17
The woman senses danger and asks her love to depart until the evening. We know that shadows may represent danger and flee when the sunsets. It will be like that when Christ returns in the evening of world history. The Church will see Jesus as the heavenly bridegroom ready to be reunited with his bride.
Chapter 3: 1-5
In a dream or reality, the women expresses her anxiety concerning the absence of her beloved. In her desperation she describes the experience of visiting a public square. In the pursuit of her love she meets the city police. She finds her love and they intimately embrace in the joy of reunion. Together they reside in her mother’s respectable home, safe and secure so representing a relationship without deceit.
The daughters of Jerusalem as in Chapter 2: 7 are warned ‘not to awaken love until it please’. We have to be wise in asking for wishes and desires to be fulfilled, for they can easily become nightmares and tragedies.
Takeaway
Hudson Taylor, who was a great missionary of faith and action said: “Fewer portions of the Word will move the devout student more in pursuit of God than the Song of Solomon”. Yet it is one of the least read and most misunderstood books in the whole of the Bible, particularly in our modern era.
There has been many commentators expounding their own particular views in respect to The Songs purpose and meaning. It is important for each one of us to recognise how it may enhance human relationships and our connection to a loving and caring God who sees and hears us.
As Christians we have that great hope as found in 1 John 3:2, that “when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is”. Then in John 10: 27 Jesus says “My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me”.
We all experience different relationships in life and learn to find, receive and share love. Also we face rejection and loss and have to learn how to cope and work with them. In reality and in times of anxiety and confusion, we may run to those in authority and influence and ask them to right a wrong and help us find our lost loved one. Then we have to try and find a way back into trusting people and God again.
Two turtle doves together. Thank you klubboks pexels.com
So seasons come and go but as in this Second Poem we can say goodbye to the winter of sleep and loss. We can embrace in a new and fresh way, with a swagger and strength, renewed hope as observed in nature, animals, plants and flowers in that new and delightful season.
Enjoy this beautiful worship song by Martin Smith The Song of Solomon
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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