Attention all readers of today's passage: You did not accidentally pick up a Danielle Steele novel with a Fabio look-a-like on the cover. This is not a poem by William Shakespeare. I promise--Song of Solomon is actually part of the Bible.
Or perhaps today's passage didn't sound romantic to you? I'm a pretty sentimental chick myself, but I wouldn't exactly swoon over a guy who compared me to a well-groomed mare, who likened my chest to mountains (um...it's definitely not at sea level, but I'm no Dolly Parton either!) or compared my hair to a flock of goats. Times were different for the writer of Song of Solomon, I guess. :)
I'm joking a little, but this book of the Bible is different. It may seem odd to you after all, there's little mention of God. This is a passionate story of romantic love and it may seem a little steamy for Scripture, right?
However, it's important to remember that God is love. He created men and women to love Him as God, but He also created men and women to love each other...and to love each other as husbands and wives. Although Song of Solomon may appear strange to some, it's a poetic illustration of people who love each other and enjoy life to its fullest (similar to what I wrote about yesterday).
There's a lot in these chapters about physical love and desire, but it was also interesting for me to read about the pride these two lovers had in each other. Here's one quote from the woman:
"Everything about him delights me,
thrills me through and through!
That's my lover, that's my man..."
And one from her guy:
"There's no one like her on earth,
never has been, never will be.
She's a woman beyond compare..."
These two people are unabashedly crazy about each other. While their love is passionate, I think it's interesting that Song of Solomon also portrays their friendship. I thought these Scriptures were absolutely beautiful:
"...You've captured my heart, dear friend.
You looked at me, and I fell in love.
One look my way and I was hopelessly in love!
How beautiful your love, dear, dear friend..."
Most human beings have a desire to be loved this way--we want someone to think we are "beautiful from head to toe" or the handsome guy who "stands above the young men in town." All of us want to experience the deep love of a friend. But finding a true friend who will love you for life as your spouse? That is a miracle. Thankfully, I believe in a God who makes miracles happen every single day. :)
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