We’re halfway through This Is the Old Testament, our thematic overview of the Old Testament. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture. This week, we’ll finish our look at the books of Wisdom Literature and begin the last sections of the Old Testament, the Major and Minor Prophets.
The Book of Songs of Songs: Song of Songs is a collection of poetry written by King Solomon, or someone writing from his point of view, that celebrates the goodness and beauty of human love and intimacy.
How Song of Songs Fits Into the Story: Songs of Songs inspires a pursuit of the love it so beautifully describes: one of intimacy and desire. The book illustrates respect, integrity, and security; devotion through bleak seasons of winter; and renewal in new seasons of spring. It reflects God’s desire to form pure and devoted love within us. It also shows there is potential bliss in married love, reflective of the greater love the Church experiences as the bride of Christ. Song of Songs helps us anticipate the fullness of our relationship with Christ when He returns for His bride.
Reflection Questions:
1. What does the delight the man and woman express for one another in Song of Songs teach you about God’s affection for His people?
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.
Leave a Reply
76 thoughts on "Song of Songs"
I think it also teaches us that even though our bodies are imperfect and temporary, God allows us to have physical pleasures through marital intimacy and it is GOOD!
❤️
How does it shape my understanding of redemption?
That I am and we the Church are wanted and desired by the Lord!
❤️
Reflection Questions:
1. What does the delight the man and woman express for one another in Song of Songs teach you about God’s affection for His people?
That he loves every bit of us. We are made in His image, so I think He would want us to love each other as well. From the garden until now He has expressed His love and affection for us and in doing so, He has taught us to reflect that love onto each other in many ways as neighbors/ acquaintances, in friendships, and as lovers.
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption? That in every in of the bible there are lessons to be learned that either I’ve forgotten or didn’t know. Today’s lesson was good. We are wanted by our Lord to be better people not only as individuals but also to each other so that we can see how good we are in His image.
Reflection Questions:
1. What does the delight the man and woman express for one another in Song of Songs teach you about God’s affection for His people? “Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame” (Song of Solomon 8:6). I love this verse so much. Let’s unpack.
.
“Set me as a seal upon thine heart”, a seal in the ancient world was a mark of ownership, identity, and authority, pressed into wax or clay to authenticate documents and possessions. God says to Zerubbabel, “I will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee” (Haggai 2:23), and in Ephesian 1:13: “When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit”, God’s marking on us. To ask to be placed on the heart was to ask for the deepest, most interior place of love. The heart was the place of will, emotion, and devotion, not just feeling, but commitment.
.
“As a seal upon thine arm”, the arm represented strength, action, and public life in Scripture. Deuteronomy 6:8, God commanded Israel to bind his words “upon thine hand”, a visible, active reminder of devotion. Isaiah 40:10, “His arm shall rule for him”, the arm was where power was displayed. So the beloved is asking, love me privately in your heart, and love me publicly in your actions. This is total, integrated love, interior and exterior, hidden and seen.
.
“For love is strong as death”, death is the one force no human can resist or overcome. This is ancient Hebrew poetry where comparisons are used to match the intensity of one thing to another (parallelism). Death is the inescapable reality for human. Death does not make exceptions, and it conquers every human eventually. But saying love is as strong, the poem is saying love has that same absolute, unstoppable power. John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”, Jesus himself defines love’s greatest expression as walking through death willingly.
.
“Jealousy is cruel as the grave” the Hebrew word for jealousy is qin’ah ( zealous passion or fierce devotion, envy). This is not petty envy, but the burning intensity of a love that cannot share, and an intense desire to protect that which you have a rightful claim to, or a painful longing for. In Exodus 20:5 God himself declares “I the Lord thy God am a jealous God”. This is divine jealousy over His protective, covenant love. 2 Corinthians 11:2, apostle Paul writes, “I am jealous over you with godly jealousy”, a fierce, guarding love for the church. And in James 4:5 “The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy”, even the Holy Spirit is described as jealously longing for full devotion. The grave (Sheol) does not release what it holds. Neither does this kind of love. This represents God’s relentless, covenantal love for humanity. It is a love that pursues, protects, and ultimately survives beyond physical death.
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption? Love is the foundation for redemption. God is Love. “Love is strong as death” which brings us to the Cross (love entering death and winning). This is greatest love story humans will ever know, if only they know, if only they dig deep, they wouldn’t go and trade this love for anything the world can offer. How blessed we are to be loved like this by God. The parable of the hidden treasure and the pearl comes to mind, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man/ a woman [fill in your Name here] found it, she hid it again, and then in her joy went and sold all she had and bought that field”. Let that be us, fully devoted to the love of God.
.
Be blessed dear sisters.
So good, thank you, sister ❤️
♥️
awesome ❤️ thank you
Beautiful. Thank you.
Thank you❤️
Absolutely wonderful thank you so much for posting this
Thank you for this Mercy. I never really understand the jealousy reference until now.❤️
Wow this was so wonderful to read. Thank you!
to:Foster Mama,
I cannot reply to you either.
In our church, if your tell a pastor what a certain ministry is needed, they will invite you to start one. If the Spirit is leading you to start ministering to married couples that are older, pray about leading.
Yes, so true!!
LoL @MARIE…I feel unfit but will definitely pray about it ❤️
oh Foster Mama..we all feel unfit, but remember that’s who Jesus uses…people that say yes, and take the step in faith!
I was so nervous..but now I LOVE leading groups! :) We have 2 or 3 marriage groups. I have tried to get my hubby to “want” to sign up with no luck.
Remember they all have videos and books, that you are just the facilitator. But yeah, I guess..you would need your hubby too. lol Would he want to do?
Praying for all
God delights in us and we are His! There is more in store for us! And it is a perfect love! I know our earthly marriages aren’t perfect but rooted in God, we can push through trials and problems with God’s help!
Makes me think of our walk with Jesus here! We are perfect but we keep praying, worshipping and staying in His word even at times when we don’t feel it. But in the end we reap that perfect love!
(for some reason, it won’t let me Reply to RHONDA J)
**
I love what you wrote, with a few “Amen” escaping my lips. Marriage (even if your spouse is a pretty good person) is hard work!! Sadly, it sometimes needs to end for very good reasons…but I am not talking about these!
*
Recently, I have heard of a few marriages (around the 25+/- year mark) where one spouse TRULY “out of the blue” ends EVERYTHING, leaving the other person in utter shock… and the timing / MANNER in which they end it is also beyond justification….even most teenagers know not to break up over a text message!!!
*
Just last night, I was speaking with dear friends (one of whom is a clergy member) about the importance of having ministries not only for those married 0-10 years but those married much longer, as the nature of the challenges change. We reminded one another to “continue dating” our spouses and working at it whatever it takes.
*
RHONDA J, I loved your reminder (I need to hear it often) about lukewarmness…I wanted to share a perspective I heard about the rest of that verse. I used to always think “cold” meant far from God but this pastor shared that “hot” has its purpose (in warming us, drinking tea, cooking, etc…) and the “cold” is wonderful for refreshment …when you are looking for the relief from a cold glass of water, drink and find it is lukewarm, you spit it out! — water lacks usefulness if it neither hot enough to cook with or cold enough to refresh (especially in those days)!!
*
I think in addition to the interpretation you suggested (which I continue to also embrace), I like that this one encourages me towards clear purpose, rather than wishy-washy “just enough” faith and pursuit of holiness.
*
I love you all!! I haven’t had it in me to write like this for a while (and also was away for quite a while)…but I owe you all a Praise Report….I hope soon.
*
Lots of emotional stuff to accomplish today and tomorrow; please keep me in prayer ❤️
Always good to see you Foster Mama! I love the clarification of Cold!
I’m also reminded that it is stated..I can’t remember if with the “luke warm’ verse but .. IF we have heard of Jesus and know his amazing sacrifice for us and mercy and grace, but then don’t do anything with that it is not only sad but condemnable. Here: From Google
The exact wording you are thinking of regarding it being “better” comes from 2 Peter 2:21:“For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.”Bible. com What it means: Having a clear understanding of the truth, yet choosing to reject it, ignore it, or walk away from it, places a person in a much worse spiritual position than someone who never heard the truth in the first place.
Praying for your situation. I am always amazed that you foster and care for these littles knowing you will have to give them up.
YES!! This is a great BURDEN on my heart!! Less so those who are in such remote places (if they still exist) that they haven’t heard the Word …I know my Jesus loves them even more than me and knows what to do with them.
*
My heart aches for those in my life who, knowingly or unknowingly are the ones DOING the spitting on the Living God…Who are aware of the sacrifice of Jesus and choose to walk the other way OR…
… embrace Jesus as “part” of a wider “more accepting” form of spirituality
OR
who went to church / Christian school but had Christian friends who said the boyfriend was not gonna help her on her spiritual journey…so she left the friends, the church, most everything….and married the boyfriend …
OR, when the devil does a great job creating division in a church, the flock is dispersed and forget to take Jesus with them,…
OR…
*
✝️ Oh my Jesus, I have never in my life renounced You, but how often has my own lukewarmness, convenience, laziness, desire to get the laugh, cowardice, ….excuses,…made me equal to those who saw the King and spat / beat upon Him…or simply turned away. Forgive me my Merciful Jesus…and remember me when You come into Your kingdom ✝️
Praying sister that you have the strength and emotional capacity to overcome by partnering with GOD. He gives burden to lead us to solve the pain points. “Just do it”, as per Nike (a simple empowering call to action) :)
❤️Thank you❤️…will push on in His strength!!
Well that was spicy!
It’s sad today that tv shows so much in “love scenes) that it’s basically soft porn. The things I see when watching shows with them and they are not even blushing or jumping to fast forward is shocking. I have watched shows that are popular and like think..omg..people are watching this. They slowly normalized it and watching people (unmarried usually) have random sex is common in movies and shows. I think back to “Friends” and then watching it with my teenager…and now wonder why I’m surprised that living together before marriage is okay. Because it was popularized. Anyway..I going to far off on a tangent. But culture has popularized sex and now porn has skyrocketed as most people surveyed say yes they watch it Occasionally to regularly!! Whoa. Even people in the church!
What used to be cherished (marriage) is often today the last…after babies and living together. Divorce is still 50 percent, even in the church.
Sad.
I love marriage. I love that my husband loves me so much and tells me daily and wants to spend time with me. He loves to hug, work puzzles together, and do chores for me. I was with 3 Christian friends and when I asked a word they would use to describe their marriage it was heartbreaking to hear negative words. I answered “Awesome!” Is my marriage perfect -no…it takes work. Just like our relationship with the Lord. Disciplines. Spending time together. Working through problems. Resisting the devil that loves to split. God has to be in the middle.
We are the bride of Jesus. He loves us as a husband should love his wife. He pursues us, enjoys us, and grows us. Just like a long marriage we see a steadfast, reliance, partnership, and LOVE.
The fruits of the love overflow. If we don’t have patience, kindness, joy, peace, slow to anger, gentleness…we need to assess what is the problem. What is hindering the fruit bearing. Are we connected to the vine? Are we being watered with living water? Are we getting are daily nutrients…our manna..from above? Or are we filling out diet with junk? Empty calories? Where we spend our time is what is important to us.
If we spend no time with our spouse in real conversation- goals, dreams, problems- you hear the phrase “we just grew apart”…! It seems it “just” happens..but it is because we are not diligent and actively pursuing relationship. Righting wrongs? Tackling any issues that arise together!
Our relationship with the Lord grows luke-warm as well if we are not as diligent. He will spit us out. He had rather us be cold and not know him at all then let our hot, on fire for him…passion fades. It is up to us. I want to eagerly meet with God and know him. I want the Spirit to be my guide and shape me. Him first. Flesh removed. His desires, my desires. Oh the glory it brings! Thank you Jesus!
I love sitting by and hearing your conversation :) its so relatable and sweet.
So good! Great insight and reminders for those of us who are married!
I don’t think I have ever read anything from
Song of Songs unless it was a part of an SRT study, so I read the whole book today. Loved the imagery of gardens, flowers, and fruits. Anyway, I feel like these words were good reminders for how I should think about my husband. He is a gift from God, not that I always think so, and I should appreciate and desire our time together and love for each other. We should keep pursuing each other as the man and woman in this book do. And I need to remember that marital sex is also a gift from God…and I struggle with this as a mom who is often exhausted by the end of the day. That’s the last thing I want to do. I’ve been praying a lot about this, which might seem strange, but it has helped me immensely! Anyway, that’s what I got I out of reading the entire book! I was left a little confused by the tidbits from the actual study like many of you have reported. Have a blessed day!
Good reminder about husbands. Marriage is better when I pray for my husband than when I complain about him.
Kim H. – I really appreciate this comment because I find myself similarly grateful for the reminder that we are called to continue pursing one another in marriage, and I too struggle with the exhausted mom “last thing I want to do” feeling. I have found myself praying about this recently as well – and it felt strange at first for me too! But, I am grateful that we have the Song of Songs to remind us that marital intimacy is something the Lord has gifted us with, and that there is no thing outside His purview.
I pray that as well. And as a fitness coach for 30 years to many, many women..that is the general concenses. So yes, it takes effort. A funny thing I used to tell them…is “It’s like a workout, you just gotta do it, and then you’re glad you did afterwards!” Same as our spiritual life..we have to make time to read the word, and it is never wasted.
❤️ :) ❤️
Amen Kira. What a subtle point you pointed out, but so crucial. Marriages need our prayers, our guarding, and watering, weeding, and nurturing the closeness, intimacy. Excellent reminder! Love it.
I definitely relate to what you wrote as a fellow exhausted mom and have been praying about this as well! ❤️
I am also with you. My kids are grown and out of the house now but I’m in menopause. Definitely not the first thing in my mind but certainly #1 on my husband’s.
Praying about intimacy certainly shows that you know Who has offered it to us as a beautiful gift in marriage!! God bless, Ladies❤️
God’s affection for his people is not distant or dutiful but fiercely passionate and intimate and joyful. It is exclusive and committed.
I love that!
❤️
So true ❤️❤️
Like others have stated, Song of Songs is not the go to book. I have not studied it and find it confusing. That being said, I do understand it paints a picture of deep intimate love and ultimately that is what God has for us and wants with us. And so I think I will say I’m just so humbly grateful for the faithful, extravagant lovd God has for us and seek to love others in the asme way. ❤️
A number of times over the last couple weeks including yesterday my comments have gone to moderation and when I go back to check they aren’t there at all Anyone else having that issue?
Blessings on your dsy SRT sisters.
Just as the bridegroom knows his bride intimately, God knows each one of His own with that same intimacy. He knows us in a way that one can only be known by having an intimate relationship.
.
One day the Bridegroom will come to claim His bride. We will meet Him adorned in our wedding garments, pure and spotless – only made possible through the shed blood of Christ. It will be a more magnificent wedding than anyone could imagine, followed by the wedding feast. That day is coming, lets be the prepared bride – ready and waiting for that meeting in the air!
.
Today’s reading reminded me of an old hymn – Meeting In The Air. Here is one verse and the chorus…
.
Verse 3
There the doubters will be missing altogether,
All the skeptics will be absent on that day;
There will be no grumblers present to disturb us,
And the Achans will be busy far away.
There the saints will have His “Seal upon their foreheads”,
Dressed in raiment none but ransomed ones can wear;
All who have the wedding garments will be present
At the meeting in the air.
Chorus
There is going to be a meeting in the air,
In the sweet, sweet by and by;
I am going to meet you, meet you there
In that home beyond the sky,
Such singing you will hear, never heard by mortal ear
‘Twill be glorious, I do declare!
And God’s own Son will be the leading One
At the meeting in the air.
—
Off today on our way to NH, a little get-a-way for our anniversary.
.
Have a wonderful Thursday! Keep your eyes on the skies, Jesus is coming!!
Happy Anniversary!! How many years?
Happy anniversary dear Sharon! “Keep your eyes on the skies” ❤️
Like Tina, this is not a book that I willingly seek out for encouragement, knowledge, etc., but God inspired Solomon to write it and by God’s sovereignty it is part of His Word. I need to get past the embarrassmebt and see what this book says about God.
✨
SONG SHARE:
Passion, Kristian Stanfill – One Thing Remains (Lyrics And Chords/Live)
Partial lyrics:
Your love never fails, never gives up
Never runs out on me
Your love
In death, in life
In death, in life, and I’m confident
Covered by the power of your great love
My debt is paid, there’s nothing that can
Separate my heart from your great love
✨
Love, hugs, and prayers! ❤
Update on friend of friend: If all has gone well since yesterday, she will be discharged today. Still a very serious situation requiring more advanced options thsn locally offered. This lady’s husband passed away last month also. Thanks for your prayers! ❤
Praying for your friend and her situation. ❤️
❤ thank you, Mercy!
The reading in I Corinthians 13 has brought tears to my eyes this morning. I was blessed to have a husband who loved me in that way. Was Gene perfect, no, but he loved me deeply even in the last days with dementia. At night he would look at me and tell me he loved me! Way back in his college days he wrote to me saying he would spend the rest of his days showing me how he loved me. He absolutely kept that promise! Thank you Lord for an earthly love who reflected Your love!❤
You have been on my mind so I am so glad to see you here! I am glad you had that blessing; it’s a very special gift! Thank you for sharing your heart and love story today! ❤
Continued prayers! ❤
What a blessing! I hope you are getting by in these weeks following his passing. It must be hard, glad to see you here.
Thank you for sharing this ❤️
May God comfort and continue to bless your heart.
Someone recently said to be “Grief can be a luxury, reflecting the depth of the love we experienced”…
When I think of my Jesus loving me as deeply as those I love(d) and lost, it is so humbling….and indeed the idea that His Love continues to pursue us!!
Yes! A beautiful example of how God wants us to live!! Thank you, Linda in NC!
Amen
Lisa Harper just released a study on this book.
I want to do it.
Sometimes we forget we have a feeling God. God is love and
He loves. God is an emotional spirit and we image bearers are also. This made me stop and thik God delights in me and not because of anything I have done.
As far as martial relationship,God purchased us with the blood of Jesus; his bride. Just like He wed Israel at Mt Sinai; God is wedded to us.
Amen Tanya. God has powerful and holy emotions and we neglect His emotions and sometimes treat Him like a prayer answering machine. Lord forgive us.
Amen❤️
God created us uniquely and intentionally. He appreciates our differences & is proud of His creation.
God’s affection for His people as reflected in today’s reading shows me that one day I will be a part of that spotless bride He is preparing for His Son.
.
Today’s reading shapes my understanding of the story of redemption by reminding me that God’s perfect love is a love that persues us, wanting to be with us ♥️
.
TERESA COOPER DONLEY – praying your knee is healing up well and you are feeling better
.
TRICIA C – hope you had a nice birthday yesterday
.
TRACI GENDRON – praying for your family as you go through this month and the 1 year anniversaries of your FIL’s and BIL’s deaths
.
Praying for those looking for work, may the Lord provide for your needs.
Praying
God delights in us. He enjoys His children. We are not a burden to Him. He wants us to delight in Him in return – take pleasure in being with Him, in glorifying Him.
Father God, I pray that today I will delight and enjoy my relationship with You. Thank You that what Jesus did on the cross has made this incredible relationship I have with You possible.
Sisters, have a blessed and joy-filled day today.
Did God have menopausal women in mind with these scriptures? lol Just saying… I’m going to take a stab at the questions. #1 If this is a picture of the relationship between Christ and the church (us), this shows me how much God loves us. He desires us, pursues us, and wants to be in intimate relationship with us, as close as a husband and wife. But to be honest, I’m not sure I fully understand that and why these scriptures are so overtly sexual in nature.
#2 – No matter how we are, young, old, perky, saggy, wrinkled, in our prime or faded beauty, it doesn’t matter to God. He loves us no matter what and continues to pursue us. He desires a relationship with us even if we don’t feel desirable.
You made me laugh. Thank you TAMI ..hehe.
Our love for each other pales in comparison to God’s love for us. Our human acts of love may attempt to follow 1 Corinthians ch 13, but fail in some regard in every relationship.
But God, His love NEVER fails.
.
TRACI GENDRON ❤️ ““what is the point of it all?”
It shows us that the things from God are what’s worth keeping our focus on. It truly makes sense.” ❤️
INDIANA ELAINE ❤️ praying for your aunt, for peace in her remaining days, quick healing for your granddaughter ❤️
MERCY ❤️ discerning between a goad and a weapon ✨ critical in recognizing the evil one’s snares, and valuable many types of relationships and situations. Thank you! And love your advice re: SOAP to Caroline
HEIDI ❤️ “Every time we demonstrate ….” So good! Thanks
B ❤️
LANIE H praying for wisdom
MELM praying for you and children
CEE GEE ❤️
Thank you, Searching!❤️
This passage demonstrates the dedicated intimate relationship God designed for man and woman within the committed covenant of marriage. This relationship reflects the relationship that Christ has with us as His church, and highlights the great love with which He loved us—demonstrated most clearly by his saving sacrifice on the cross, providing a path back to relationship with Him. Praise God for His unfailing love for us!
Amen,❤️
Amen. Well stated, Kayla. Yes, praise Him for His love and demonstrating that love to us.
God loves His creation. He made us in His image. I need to learn to more than appreciate my body because I am His creation. There’s beauty in realizing God gave the gift of intimacy in marriage just like other beautiful gifts from Him.
“Love bears all things, believes all things” 1 Corinthians 13. God has so many ways of reminding us of this as we walk with Him❤️
A book of the bible that has me ‘in waiting’
.
If I were honest, Song of Songs is not a book I consult or even read on occasion. I’m sorry to say, I have only ever seriously read it, I think, when She reads truth has used it as a study!
.
Worldly ‘man and woman’ love eludes me, and I have been in serious relationships 3 times, two of those marriages!
Still none the wiser!
.
BUT GOD..
.
I absolutely and categorically understand His love for me!
My earthly father was a beautiful, kind, wonderful father, I don’t doubt that if he had to, he would have died for me! He was protective, caring, present, so loving, easy to talk to, approachable, gracious..
I was blessed to have had Daddy for my earthly father. Through this blessing, I got to understand God’s love, which is a zillion times more than daddies.
When you have the blessing of a ‘mere’ mans, warts and all love, receiving the greatest love of all, is not difficult, I was never deprived, so understanding GODS love just meant my opening up more to the possibilities that were offered through the Holy Spirit.
.
Having been in an abusive marriage, I am careful now, to the point of, if I’m honest, fear, so I don’t put myself out there. Oftentimes, as you know, it is my desire to find someone to grow old with, but, alas, I guess I can’t have it all, a fantastic earthly father whose character may have been my benchmark, and a fine man who sees ME and love me anyway!
.
BUT GOD..
He loves me without judgement, He sees me, all of me, warts, ‘bingo arms, wandering heart and all, He holds me in my times of trouble, sadness, brokenness, confusion, He listens to my rants, my cries, my stories, my heart. He is gracious, merciful and forgiving.. His arms forever opened..
.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 has to be the ultimate hopefilled, truth covered, patient and kind, compassionate, always present love!
.
Still hope-filled.
.
BUT GOD..
.
AMEN.
.
.
A mish-mash of thoughts, but hopefully they make sense!
.
Happy Thursday you beauties! Sparkle today knowing you are love beyond beyond!
Hugs love and prayers, ❤️
❤️ “BUT GOD.. His arms forever opened..” ❤️
I’m reminded of the poem: “Grow old along with me. The best is yet to be.” God certainly desires that we gtow old with Him trusting/believing that the best is yet to be! ❤
❤️
Gods love for me is something I can’t fathom but it is a love that is deeper than a truly devoted married couple❤️❤️
If we do not have love, we have nothing.