Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth (Song 1:2)

There was a time when I had severe doubts about interpretations of the Song of Solomon that saw in it a picture of Christ and His bride. I no longer have such doubts. Certainly, if you insist on an overly logical/literal interpretation, then you are bound to have problems. The point is of course, that first and foremost, the song of Solomon was written as a love poem to Solomon’s Shulamite bride. But if we throw out allegory, mystery, prophetic symbolism and the like, then we will certainly have an impoverished understanding of God’s revelation, of how He communicates with us!

Western culture does this in spades, scientific knowledge is often regarded as the only reasonable means of knowing. But to take this view, is to dismiss the evidential power of beauty, music, the arts and even the reality of love!

This is not to say that logic is thrown out of the window, but needs to take its proper place. In particular divine logic, is greater than man’s logic. The Scripture itself teaches this. For example the wisdom of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing (1 Corinthians 2:?). With regard to the issue at hand, Paul essentially tells us that marriage is a picture of Christ and the church, His bride. And he tells us, lest we should indeed tend to be overly logical/literal, that this is a great mystery (Ephesians 5:32).

But what does this mean practically? I think we have to go back to the beginning, to even begin to understand the depth of what is being revealed here. In particular we need to realize that marriage in the 21st-century is tainted. But in the beginning it was not so. When the Scripture says that Adam and Eve were naked, and they were not ashamed (Genesis 2:25), it is talking not only about physical nakedness, but also about openness and vulnerability and a deep intimacy, that while it includes the physical, far exceeds it.

What I am saying, is that the best possible picture that we are intended to have of our relationship with God, is that of a perfect marriage. And I believe that Song of Solomon is intended to provoke us to move deeper into the amazingly intimate relationship that God intends for us to have with Him.

Father, I confess I am only just beginning to understand what intimacy with You is all about. In many ways I am still a little boy, not yet ready for the marriage to the Lamb. But Lord it’s not over yet, in fact it’s only just begun. Continue to draw me ever deeper into Your embrace, and I will give You all the honour and glory and praise in Jesus name amen.