An excerpt from some cheap porn novel perhaps? Nope. Bible verses.
I have heard it said, "Do NOT teach The Song of Songs, the Book of the Bible where those verses came from, to middle school boys. LOL! That's probably good advice. The words in the book can get pretty steamy!
"How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes behind your veil are doves. Your breasts are like two fawns, like twin fawns of a gazelle that browse among the lilies."
Yikes! But the Song of Songs is not written about a romance between some ancient man and woman. It is a story, veiled to be sure, about our relationship with God. Huh? Yes, that's right. The picture at the beginning of the story is a selfie - it's an image of you and me. More importantly, it is a picture of the relationship between "the bride of Christ" (us) and God.
If you read just a little more closely you can begin to see the clues into this passionate romance.
"Who is this coming up from the wilderness like a column of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and incense made from all the spices of the merchant?" - Song of Songs 3:6
Who came out of the wilderness in the Bible? The Jewish people did. And who led them?
"By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night." - Exodus 13:21
And who was "perfumed with myrrh and incense made from all the spices of the merchant?" It was Jesus!
"On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh." - Matthew 2:11
Our relationship with God is to be like a husband and wife. Honoring, respecting, submitting. and devoted.
Do you remember your first love? How special was that relationship! The man or woman you married . . . wasn't that relationship one-of-a-kind and deeply passionate? That's the way our relationship should be with God.
When I was in college and my girlfriend would send me letter, oh, how I treasured those. I read them over and over again. I smelled them, hoping for a hint of her perfume that would remind me of our times together. I still have those letters, some 40+ years later. I love my wife. There is no one like her in my life. Never was never shall be. Isn't that how our relationship with God should be?
I encourage you to read Song of Songs sometime soon and, as you do so, think of your relationship with God. Do you have that longing for Him? Do you have that passion? I hope you do. God has that passion and love for YOU! :)
Song of Songs - Jesus Culture (with Martin Smith)
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