Day 156 - The Depths of Love: Exploring Song of Songs (Song of Songs 1-8) - Year 2

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TODAY'S READING:

Song of Songs 1-8

WORD OF THE DAY:

Love

Today, we're diving into the rich and poetic waters of Song of Songs 1-8, a collection of Hebrew love poems that many believe were written by Solomon. This beautiful book takes us through the journey of love, from courtship to marriage, with conversations between a shepherdess, her entourage, the shepherd, and King Solomon.

The Song of Songs is essentially a dialogue about romantic and intimate relationships. While marriage and sexual relationships are central themes, it's important to remember that the Bible also honors celibacy. As Paul states in 1 Corinthians 7:7-9, each person has their own calling, whether to marry or to remain single.

According to the Enduring Word Bible Commentary:

“The best way to see this book is as a literal, powerful description of the romantic and sensual love between a man and a woman, observing both their courtship and their marriage.”

Why include such a poetic book in the Bible? Because God created love, marriage, and sex. As Christians, we should engage in healthy conversations about these topics, ensuring they are grounded in biblical truth rather than worldly distortions.

In the Song of Songs, three Hebrew words describe different facets of love:

1. Raya (Friendship): This term refers to a companion or soulmate, highlighting that our special person should be our best friend (Song of Songs 4:7).
2. Ahavah (Deep Affection and Commitment): This word signifies a deep, committed love that goes beyond fleeting romantic feelings. It's the kind of love that sustains a marriage and involves making a lifelong decision to be with another person (Song of Songs 8:7).
3. Dod (Passion): Dod represents the physical, sexual aspect of love, emphasizing passion and romantic feelings (Song of Songs 1:2).

In our culture, people often start with Dod (passion), then move to Raya (friendship), and finally to Ahavah (commitment). In other cultures, such as those with arranged marriages, the sequence often starts with Ahavah (commitment), followed by Dod (passion), and hopefully leads to Raya (friendship).

Initially, I often skimmed through this book of the Bible, but deeper study and discussion revealed its profound themes of love and commitment. It emphasizes that love is an ongoing journey, always deepening as time goes on. This is true in romantic relationships, with our children, and with God.

Song of Songs directs us to the essence of love between a man and a woman, but it also points us to God's perfect love. This book highlights that God knew what He was doing when He created sex, and it underscores the need to reclaim the true meaning of love from a world that has cheapened it.

God designed love with many layers—friendship, commitment, and passion. Each layer is interconnected and reflects the complexity of human emotions, a testament to divine design.

Love, in all its forms, is patient and kind. It protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Whether we look at love through the lens of friendship, commitment, or passion, these verses apply.

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