(from yesterday's Quiet Time)
Song of Solomon, Chapters 4-6, Honeymoon and Newlyweds
Here are the basic thoughts I had about these chapters:
The honeymoon starts with the husband praising his wife's beauty. Shortly after, she rebuffs him for some reason or other, panics, drama ensues by way of a dream, then they make up. He forgives her, and uses the same praises that he did during the honeymoon to describe her.
I have never been married, but I think I can see where a marriage might turn sour. Reality sets in, there are misunderstandings, and one or both party wants out. The lesson to be learned here (I think), is that the person you marry may seem to change from who(m?) you fell in love with, but as long as you can forgive that person, and remember why you fell in love with them in the first place, then any problem can be overcome. It is beneficial when both parties are Christians, hence the argument to be similarly yoked* (II Corinthians 6:14), because when one has deep knowledge of how much s/he has been forgiven through Christ, it is much easier to forgive others (Matthew 6:14, Matthew 18:21-22). It's important to note that the bride does feel bad for rebuffing her husband, and therefore exhibits a contrite heart. So both parties are intimately involved in this (in a way as a single woman, I just can't comprehend, but can certainly practice when faced with conflict!).
* I've noticed when the term 'yoke' comes into play in the Bible, it's usually depicted as a heavy burden, or sin. Brings to mind a picture of two sinners burdened by their sinful ways, together. Not so romantic, huh? Makes me think of the book, When Sinners Say "I Do" which I haven't read, but the title says it all.
Also, another thought I had while reading these chapters - of all the people to take marital counsel from... Solomon!? At the writing of this poem, he had 140 wives! (Song of Solomon 6:8), and later had at least 1000 wives and concubines (I Kings 11:3). I think this just goes to show how the Bible uses unexpected people as sources of wisdom. Yes, God uses sinners to teach us in the Bible, He has to, because we all have sinned and fallen short! (Romans 3:23). So you see, He really has no alternative in the matter.
Song of Solomon, Chapters 4-6, Honeymoon and Newlyweds
Here are the basic thoughts I had about these chapters:
The honeymoon starts with the husband praising his wife's beauty. Shortly after, she rebuffs him for some reason or other, panics, drama ensues by way of a dream, then they make up. He forgives her, and uses the same praises that he did during the honeymoon to describe her.
I have never been married, but I think I can see where a marriage might turn sour. Reality sets in, there are misunderstandings, and one or both party wants out. The lesson to be learned here (I think), is that the person you marry may seem to change from who(m?) you fell in love with, but as long as you can forgive that person, and remember why you fell in love with them in the first place, then any problem can be overcome. It is beneficial when both parties are Christians, hence the argument to be similarly yoked* (II Corinthians 6:14), because when one has deep knowledge of how much s/he has been forgiven through Christ, it is much easier to forgive others (Matthew 6:14, Matthew 18:21-22). It's important to note that the bride does feel bad for rebuffing her husband, and therefore exhibits a contrite heart. So both parties are intimately involved in this (in a way as a single woman, I just can't comprehend, but can certainly practice when faced with conflict!).
* I've noticed when the term 'yoke' comes into play in the Bible, it's usually depicted as a heavy burden, or sin. Brings to mind a picture of two sinners burdened by their sinful ways, together. Not so romantic, huh? Makes me think of the book, When Sinners Say "I Do" which I haven't read, but the title says it all.
Also, another thought I had while reading these chapters - of all the people to take marital counsel from... Solomon!? At the writing of this poem, he had 140 wives! (Song of Solomon 6:8), and later had at least 1000 wives and concubines (I Kings 11:3). I think this just goes to show how the Bible uses unexpected people as sources of wisdom. Yes, God uses sinners to teach us in the Bible, He has to, because we all have sinned and fallen short! (Romans 3:23). So you see, He really has no alternative in the matter.
+++++
I gotta admit, I was tempted to read my ESV Study Bible's notes on this, and I may still - the imagery is just wild!
I gotta admit, I was tempted to read my ESV Study Bible's notes on this, and I may still - the imagery is just wild!
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