This is not complete, but hopefully gives a beginning on Song of Songs and God’s love in Scripture.

John 14:15,23-24,31; 15:10 – To love God, we must obey His commands.

What does He command of us?

  • Matthew 22:37-40 – He commands us to:
  1. Love Him with ALL our heart, soul, and mind.
  2. Love others as we love ourselves.

How do we fulfill His greatest command?

  • 1 John 4:19 – God loves us first, then we are able to love.  He makes the first move, so to speak.  The more we understand of God’s love, the more we will be able to love Him and love others.
  • Galatians 5:22 – The fruit of the Spirit begins with love.  As God’s Spirit/Life grows in us, our love should also grow.

How do we understand God’s love?

  • Ephesians 3:19 – “to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge,” – It CANNOT be understood by an intellectual knowledge, but it is possible to “know.”  Only by revelation can we understand more of God’s love.  Paul, who was shown so much of Christ, recognized that this understanding could only come to the Ephesians through prayer for revelation.

SONG OF SONGS – An Introduction

Author:  This book was written by King Solomon (see Song of Songs 1:1). 

Theme:  It is a love song between the king and his bride.  The word, “love,” is used 15 times.

Importance:  It is “THE” song of Solomon, not “A” song (see 1:1).  Solomon wrote 1,005 songs (see 1 Kings 4:32).  Out of every song he wrote, only one was “THE” song.

Interpreting Song of Songs:

  • Ephesians 5:22-33 – A Template –
  • Adam and Eve
  • 5:31 – Quotes Genesis 2:24, referring to Adam and Eve’s historical experience of joining in marriage.
  • 5:32 – Interprets this experience in light of a deeper (“spiritual”) meaning: Christ joining with his bride.
  • The story of Adam and Eve is not allegory.  It was history.  Yet, it pointed to something more eternal.  The history is not negated, but the spiritual significance of the history cannot be negated either.  It doesn’t have to be “either/or” (i.e. Either it is history or it is spiritually interpreted).  Rather, it is “both/and” (i.e. It is both historical and spiritually interpreted).
  • Husband and Wife
  • Ephesians 5:22a,23a,24b,25a,28-29a,33 – speak specifically of the responsibilities of a husband towards his wife and vice-versa.
  • Ephesians 5:22b,23b-24a,25b-27,29b-32 – speak of the relationship between Christ (i.e. “The Husband”) and his church (i.e. “The bride”)
  • Ephesians 5:33 – “Nevertheless let each one of you…” – This verse clarifies Paul’s mentality.  In the verse preceding, he spoke of Christ’s relationship with his church.  Now, to clarify, Paul reminds them that they also have responsibilities as a husband.  It is true that the “deeper” meaning of marriage testifies to Christ’s relationship with his church, but it doesn’t mean that the physical responsibilities between a man and woman are not necessary and important.  In fact, they are all the more important because they represent something far more eternal.
  • Conclusion: Ephesians 5:22-33 testifies of the human relationship between a man and a woman while ALSO testifying of the relationship between Christ and his church.
  • God’s relationship to His people is consistently compared to a Groom/bride and Husband/wife relationship: Isaiah 54:5-6; 62:4-5; Jeremiah 31:32; Ezekiel 16:32; Hosea 1-2; Matthew 22:1-14; 25:1-13; John 3:27-30; Romans 7:1-6; Ephesians 5:23; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 7:4; 19:7; 21:2; 22:17
  • 1 Peter 1:22-25 – God’s word is eternal and will endure forever
  • Matthew 22:30 – Human marriage is not eternal.  It takes place on earth and lasts a set amount of time.
  • Revelation 21:2,9-21 – The marriage between God’s church and His Son is eternal, set in heaven.
  • Conclusion: Though Song of Songs certainly instructs men and women in their human marriages, it is part of God’s eternal word, and ultimately points to the eternal relationship between Christ and His Church.
  • CONCLUSION ON SONG OF SONGS INTERPRETATION: As Ephesians 5:22-33 describes both the relationship between a man and woman as well as the relationship between Christ and his church, so does Song of Songs give a dual description.  It teaches how men and women can love each other deeper, but it also teaches us about the love between the Lord and his people.
  • Solomon is a type for Christ.
  • Matthew 12:42; Luke 11:31 – Christ = “One greater than Solomon”
  • Solomon was king who brought peace to Israel (1 Chronicles 22:9), but Christ is King of Kings (Revelation 17:14; 19:16) who brought a peace beyond what the world can give (John 14:27), even a peace between a holy God and sinful humans (Romans 5:1).
  • Solomon wrote Song of Songs as a love song between himself and his bride, but God (the ultimate Author of all Scripture, [2 Timothy 3:16]) is speaking in these words a love song between Himself and his church (who is his bride, [2 Corinthians 11:2]).

SONG OF SONGS – An Overview

Taken from Watchman Nee’s, The Song of Songs

PART ONE: 1:2 – 2:7 INITIAL LOVE

*  Gives pattern for rest of book

*  First experiences are not deep enough…

*  1:8-11 – KING’S REPLY

*  1:12-14 – MAIDEN SPEAKS

*  1:16-2:1 – MAIDEN’S REPLY

*  2:3-6 – MAIDEN’S PRAISE

*  2:7 – KING’S CHARGE

* Summary of first section: “CHRIST FOR ME”  1) sees value of Cross, but not full reality of resurrection life; 2) danger is being overindulgent in form of inward communion which leaves her exhausted; 3) submission to Cross and true meaning of dedication is still unknown to her; 4) She only realizes how precious Lord has been to her (she’s only been on receiving end)

PART TWO: 2:8 – 3:5 FALTERING LOVE

*  2:8–2:15 – CALL TO ESCAPE FROM SELF

*  4 THINGS BROUGHT TO ATTENTION OF BRIDE

1) POWER OF RESURRECTION LIFE:

2) BOUNTIFULNESS OF RESURRECTION LIFE

3) CALL OF THE CROSS

4) REMOVAL OF HINDERANCES

*  2:16-3:5 – FAILURE AND RESTORATION

PART THREE: 3:6 – 5:1 GROWING LOVE

*  3:6-4:6 – THE NEW CREATION

*  4:7-15 – CALL TO HEAVENLIES

*  4:10-15 – INNER RELATIONSHIP

*  4:16-5:1 – LIFE OF LOVE

PART FOUR: 5:2-7:13 TRANSFORMING LOVE

*  5:2-6:3 – FURTHER CHALLENGE OF CROSS

*  6:4-13 – LIFE WITHIN THE VEIL

*  7:1-9a – THE WORKMANSHIP OF GOD

*  7:9b-13 – CO-WORKER WITH THE LORD

PART FIVE: 8:1-14 MATURE LOVE

*  8:1-4 – GROANING FOR BODILY RELEASE (like Romans 8:22-23)

*  8:5-14 – PREPARATION FOR SECOND COMING

Song of Songs – Chapter 1

1:1

  • The song of 1,005 songs (1 Kings 4:32)
  • Songs are related to joy (James 5:13; Matt. 11:17)
  • “Solomon’s” – It belongs to Solomon and is first of all for him.

1:2

  • “kisses of his mouth” – can only kiss one person at a time
  • Solomon’s song begins with his bride’s longings and speaking about him
  • “him kiss…his mouth” – He must kiss her for her to kiss back (1 Jn. 4:19)
  • “Your love” – Goes from talking about Solomon to talking directly to him.  She can’t resist turning her gaze and attention to him.
  • “better than wine” – wine is produced from cursed earth; provides temporary joy.  But his touch and kisses are better (Eph. 5:18)

1:3

  • “Because of the fragrance…” – relates to his person
  • You must be near someone to best smell their fragrance
  • Christ’s fragrance smells of the cross (see “aroma” in Levitical sacrifices; Eph. 5:1-2)
  • 2 Cor. 2:14-16 – Christ’s fragrance only appeals to those with God’s life
  • The more time you spend near someone, the more you will smell like them.
  • “Your name is ointment” – Name of “Jesus” means Jehovah-saves (see Matt. 1:21)
  • A person’s name speaks of their reputation and honor
  • “the virgins love you” – virgins = pure ones; the ones who follow the Lord (see Rev. 14:4)
  • They love because of the fragrance and name (which both testify to the cross).  Christ’s work on the Cross is the reason they are pure and they can remain pure, and their understanding of that work causes them to love Him.

1:4

  • “Daughters of Jerusalem” – they speak to others about how great they will love him, but never speak to Him or show their love to Him (see Matt. 21:28-32; 26:35)
  • Bride says, “Draw me away!”  She has no power to draw near on her own, but is ENTIRELY dependent on His strength to draw her near to Him
  • “Chambers” – the first place she goes is into the place of intimacy and privacy with Him
  • “Rightly do they love you” – regardless of their knowledge and experience with His love, their affection is still placed toward the right source (see Phil. 1:18)

1:5

  • “I am dark” – when she is brought near to Him – “The Light” – she immediately recognizes her own darkness.
  • Job 40:4-5;42:3-6
  • Isaiah 6:1-5
  • Luke 5:1-11
  • The people who have truly drawn near to God and truly have seen Him are acquainted with their own darkness (at least on some level)
  • Luke 7:40-47 – Loving God begins with seeing our darkness and how great a debt we owe
  • “but lovely” – Our loveliness and our ability to draw near to God rests entirely on His sacrifice and covering over us (Gen. 3:21; Eph. 2:13; Col. 1:20-23; 1 Jn. 1:7).
  • “O daughters…” – she speaks this to the others.  It is unnecessary for her to speak this to her lover, since he was the one who first showed her this.  Since she testifies of this to the others, it must have been received in her heart and believed (Psalm 116:10; Matt. 12:34; 2 Cor. 4:13).
  • “tents of Kedar” – Kedar is descendant of Ishmael (Gen. 25:13)
  • Ps. 120:5 – Kedar associated with “woe”
  • “Kedar” = dark-colored, ashy, dusky
  • “tents” = our flesh (2 Cor. 5:1-4; 2 Pet. 1:13)
  • tents of Kedar speaks of the darkness of our flesh
  • “curtains of Solomon” – housed the glorious king (Matt. 6:29)
  • Similar to curtains covering tabernacle (see Ex. 26)

1:6

  • “Do not look upon me” – After seeing the greatness of His light, and realizing her own darkness, she had no desire that people would look at her or follow/seek after her (Gal. 1:8)
  • “because I am dark” – she reaffirms her darkness.  The people who have truly seen God lack confidence/trust/esteem of their flesh (see Rom. 7:8; Phil. 3:3). 
  • She can only repeatedly affirm that she is dark.
  • “the sun tanned me” – she had no shelter from the world and no rest.  Working is a result of sin (see Gen. 3:19), and the antithesis of resting in God’s work (see Gen. 2:1-3). 
  • “mother’s sons” – those on her mother’s side, not her father’s side (see Gen. 20:12).
  • they’re not called, “brothers,” because their relationship is not like her relationship(s) in this new family (see S. of S. 4:9).
  • “angry with me” – those of the world, whose father is Satan, do not love.  Instead they operate out of hate and anger, like their father.
  • “my own…I have not kept.” – the world thinks only of itself, asking you to serve them, not worrying or concerned about your own needs
  • She had discernment about her own failings when she saw His light.
  • She used to please men, but it made her dark (see Gal. 1:10)

1:7

  • “You whom I love” – she turns now to Him, her true family
  • First she talked about his love (1:2), now she speaks to Him about her love.  All ability to love God begins with seeing His love first.
  • “Where you feed your flock” – she wants to be in his provision, where He works and she receives
  • The food of God = His word (Matt. 4:4), His will (John 4), and His life (John 6)
  • “Where you make it rest” – where there is shade from trials and rest from her own labors
  • “at noon” – when the sun is the most intense, symbolically, when the trials are harshest and it is easiest to be darkened
  • “why should I” – she understands her position, and realizes that it is wrong for her to rely on her own abilities and power when she is joined to another
  • “veils herself” – she used to try to fight off darkness and trials on her own, but had no true relief.  Now she wants to know His shade and deliverance
  • “by the flocks of your companions”
  • flocks – other believers (Lk. 15:4; Jn. 10:2; Heb. 13:20)
  • companions – Elders who shepherd God’s sheep (1 Pet. 5:2)
  • She appeals to her lover, the Chief Shepherd (Heb. 13:20) for true rest and purity (i.e. shade), knowing how powerless her own efforts are.
  • Anyone who has seen the Lord and truly knows Him realizes how worthless their own works apart from His life truly are (Phil. 3:3).