Part 5 of 7 of the theme 'Lessons from Song of Songs' by Gijs van den Brink
The emphasis in Song of Songs is on the desire of two lovers. It is not the sexual relationship that is most important, but the love desire for each other. And the pain felt when distance has come. All of this is about waiting, seeking and finding.
Song of Songs describes a husband-wife relationship that is not determined by family rules nor by power and money. Nor is this marriage determined by the authority of fathers and brothers. The woman in the Song of Songs is not married off by her father nor is she owned by her husband. But it goes even further. Two things stand out. First, that the bride in Song of Songs has much more to say than the bridegroom. And second, that in the vast majority of cases, the woman takes the initiative.
The book describes a marriage relationship reminiscent of Paradise before the Fall. Here we see a husband and wife who complement each other. Song of Songs shows us a marital love that shows something of God's grace in the midst of earthly sinful reality.
Therefore, what we read about marriage in Song of Songs is similar to what Paul says in Eph. 5. It is about a love that reflects the love between Jesus and the church.
Polygamy, which already began with Cain (Gen. 4:23), is a skewing of God's original intention for marriage. This skewing is criticized and corrected in the book of Song of Songs.
In the midst of our broken world, God shows something of his grace in the pure love relationships between man and woman. This also points to the future when evil will be overcome.
Next time: Part 6 of the series 'Lessons from Song of Songs' is entitled 'True love waits for the right time'
See also: Part 4 of 7 from the theme 'Lessons from Song of Songs' 'The wedding night and marrying for love‘
Author: Gijs van den Brink
From: Study Bible Magazine
This is part 5 of 7 from the theme "Lessons from Song of Songs" Some of which we will be posting online in the near future. We hope this will help you understand the Bible better!
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