What Song of Solomon
Can Teach Us About Marriage
Introduction. II Timothy 3:13-17 In the study of the Bible
there are sometimes certain scriptures that are avoided because of
the challenge that they present to us in either interpreting them
or applying them in our service to God. In the NT this is often true
of the book of Revelation. In the Old Testament it is often true
of books of the Law (few sermons use Leviticus as their
primary text), or highly figurative books of prophecy such as Ezekiel.
The one book in the Bible which we often avoid “like the plague” is the Song of Solomon (also known as the “Song
of Songs”). The strong emphasis upon the intimate
relationship between a man and wife sometimes makes us uncomfortable. It is said that in some Orthodox Jewish sects this was seen in the
fact that a person was restricted from reading the book until they
reached a certain age. However, if we really believe the text
we read at the beginning from II Timothy we must accept that
the Holy Spirit inspired this text just as He has all others. As a
result there are truths that God would have us to learn and apply from
it as much as from any other text.
This evening for a few minutes I’d like for us to try
and meet this challenge and look together at what the Song of
Solomon can teach us about marriage.
I. Context and Application of the Book.
- This is a book written under the Mosaic dispensation. As a result, there are certain aspects of marriage that God
tolerated that are not acceptable under the Law of Christ.
- Multiple wives were not uncommon under Mosaic Law.
(Exodus 21:2-11).
- There was a relationship short of marriage that
still involved “betrothal” known as the “concubine.”
(Leviticus 19:20).
- Under Christ God teaches one man, one wife for life.
(Matthew 19:4-6).
- Solomon displeased the Lord in his marriages to
pagan wives. (I Kings 11:1-13).
- Song of Solomon does not describe such a union but
one that is innocent, tender and under the sanction of God.
- Book is arranged almost theatrically or musically
with dialogues exchanged between the “Shulamite”
(Solomon’s wife); the Daughters of Jerusalem (friends of the
woman) or her brothers and the Beloved (Solomon).
II. Lessons About Marriage.
- A wife should speak well of her husband.
- To Him directly. (Song of Solomon 1:2b; 2:3; 2:9).
- To Others. (Song of Solomon 5:10-16). How
many problems come from talking bad about our mate
to others.
- A husband should speak well of his wife.
- To her directly. (Song of Solomon 1:15; 2:2
4:1-4; 4:9,10; 6:4; 7:2b).
- Not simply in the hopes of intimacy. (Note:
Often husbands do this only in the hopes of intimacy. Song
of Solomon pictures a relationship in which it is simply
a natural aspect of a man’s love for his wife. I
will guarantee that while it should not be the purpose
of such praise -- it will create an atmosphere in
which such intimacy comes much more naturally).
- To Others. E.g. Possibly (Song of Solomon 1:8-11)
- The Intimacy of Marriage is an important and beautiful
part of God's plan for marriage. (Song of Solomon 7:6-8
figure of grape clusters).
- We must never think that God's people are not
sexual people. (I Corinthians 7:1-5).
- This is the place that such is honorable. (Heb.13:4).
- The desire for such intimacy must be focused upon
each other. (Song of Solomon 2:16; 7:10a).
- The Responsibility for satisfying the desire for such
intimacy must fulfilled. Note: Song of Solomon 7:1-9 is
a request for intimacy - 7:9b-12 is the response to that
request.