Dear Family,
Today is Tuesday, April 19, 2022. This is Day 3 of Week 1 in our count to Pentecost.
Traditionally, the Jewish community has read the Song of Songs during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This small book of the Old Testament never mentions God, but many have read this beautiful love story about a king and a Shulamite woman and concluded that it is some type of allegory or parable about the love of God for His people, and Christ’s love for the Church.
Most of this book contains the sensuous words of the Shulamite, the bride to be, and the words of love from the bridegroom for his bride. Interspersed among the lovers’ dialogue are short narratives that support the main theme. The book opens with passionate words.
Song of Songs 1:1-4 (1) The song of songs, which is Solomon’s. (2) Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. (3) Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee. (4) Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.
It is possible that this book does indeed provide a glimpse for us of the depth and magnitude of the love Christ has for His Body, the Church of God. The book ends with an impassioned plea for the beloved bridegroom to make haste. Perhaps this entreaty is an earnest request for the soon return of our Savior to claim His bride.
Song of Songs 8:14 Make haste, my beloved, and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices.
All in all, this little book of eight short chapters continues to be a great mystery… one which God has surely preserved for His Church as part of inspired Holy Scripture, and worthy to be read and studied just as all other parts of God’s Word (Matthew 4:4, 2 Timothy 3:16, and 2 Peter 1:21). Reading this book may become very profitable for God’s Church in our near future, as He continues to reveal His mysteries to the Church, and as we wait expectantly and yearn for the return of our Savior, Messiah, and Beloved Bridegroom.
God certainly has had this unusual book remain as a part of His inspired Holy Scriptures. And, God always has purpose for what He does. The tradition of reading this book during this season of Unleavened Bread may be one of the best traditions from God’s Old Covenant people that we can acknowledge and assume for ourselves.
Ben Faulkner, Pastor
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