There are recurring themes in the way the bride and the groom speak to each other in the Song of Solomon. I wonder if this repetition tells us something about God's design for romance between man and wife.
Solomon repeatedly tells his bride how beautiful she is to him. Does not this speak to a woman's deep desire to hear and know approval, to know she is found beautiful?
His bride repeatedly asks Solomon to touch her, to take her away, to sweep her off her feet, to be "active." Does not this speak to a husband's desire for sexual eagerness in his wife?
In both of their refrains is constant verbalized approval of each other, something so important for a marriage that wants to be gospel-centered. But in the nature of each of their refrains is something particular to the heart of their beloved.
Married folks, let's learn something from this.
6 comments:
The use of the word "grace" in the title intrigues me. Not being a married guy myself (never dated) I am used to grace meaning unmerited favor and yet the lovers in Song of Songs seem to have all kinds of actual reasons to commend each other whether for physical beauty or quality of character. So in what sense, when speaking of the revelation of Christ in all the scriptures, do we see Christ and grace in this collection of songs?
Speaking approval of each other obviously applies not merely amongst spouses but among friends and among family beyond the marital bond.
It is always grace to approve of our spouse b/c there are always reasons to disapprove of them.
I'm saying these are specific graces b/c some men may struggle with consistently finding their wives attractive and some women typically struggle with sexual availability. But these things are deep-seated desires for spouses, so to intentionally meet those needs is grace.
Kind of related, kind of not...
This summer I went to a conference where I heard this sermon (http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=830101315253) on the Song of Solomon from Iain Campbell. It may have been the best sermon I've ever heard. As such, I highly recommend checking it out.
Say, is that a complete link? I'm having trouble downloading the sermon
If it's "The Song of David's Son" then never mind. I just discovered that Campbell sermon is available to download over at monergism.com. For those who can't get the earlier link to work monergism's link should work.
Have you heard the one about the Swedish husband who loved his wife so much he almost told her?
Some people have a problem expressing themselves in words but instead do good deeds for their loved one.
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