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- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
SoS. 5-8
I keep thinking of the four questions noted above while reading this book. I have trouble answering them. I’ve gotta say, I still struggle to see the importance of this book and the reason for its inclusion in the Bible story. All I come up with are vague connections. I do believe, however, that love is the foundational reason for our existence. Obviously, the fellowship of God’s perfect love is broken, and I suppose I can sense a longing for its restoration in this strange poem.
I also believe that marriage, that special love between a man and a woman, is a metaphor of sorts of our relationship with God through Christ. Thus, Jesus is the restoration that we long for. Furthermore, I think it’s fair to say that He longs for our restoration perhaps even more than we do. When I look at today’s reading with all of that in mind, I see a few verses that especially strike that chord. So to answer those four questions the best I can in all of this, I offer the following:
SoS. 5
“I was sleeping, but my heart was awake.” (SoS 5:2a). How many times did Jesus tell us to stay awake and be alert? I love how this short statement depicts that. When we abide in Christ, even when we sleep our hearts still seek Him. We will jump at His voice, even His mere presence, no matter what else we have going on. That’s what I call being ready!
SoS. 6
“I am my love’s and my love is mine.” (SoS 6:3a). This is the desire that God expressed for His people throughout the Old Testament. “I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people” (Lev. 26:12). God’s love was never intended to be a one-way street in either direction.
SoS. 7
“I am my love’s and his desire is for me.” (SoS 7:10). This is in line with the verse from chapter 6. I have really been learning the importance lately of understanding just how much God does desire us. He doesn’t just want obedient little subjects running around. If that was what He was after, there were far better ways for Him to get it. That’s why the Bible stresses so much that God wants our hearts. He wants our undivided love, desire, and passion. He wants it because He desires to give us His. As Jesus said in Luke 12:32, “Don’t be afraid, little flock, because our Father delights to give you the kingdom.”
Another statement I saw in this chapter is when the woman, when speaking of various delicacies, says, “I have treasured them up for you, my love.” (SoS 7:13b). That, of course, makes me think of storing up treasures in heaven. How very much like love to want to save the best of the best to share with the object of its desire!
SoS. 8
“Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning on the one she loves?” (SoS 8:5). Doesn’t that sound just like our walk with Jesus through this life!? We lean on Him, the One we love and the One who loves us, as He guides us through and eventually out of this wilderness into true and abundant love and life.