It's In The Bible

Song of Solomon 1-8

Song of Solomon... What are we to do with it?

Today is not the first time I have questioned this day's reading in the OYCB. What spiritual thing is there to learn from Song of Solomon? Surely there must be something?

Here is my take on it today (this is unfiltered so, if you are easily offended about the topic of sex, please stop reading now): 

Song of Solomon is about a sexually explicit relationship between a man and woman. Comparisons of each other's body parts to highly desirable fruit, spices and aromas is erotically charged and arousing. These references speak accurately of the sensory excitation associated with physique. Unfiltered references to the young woman's breasts and unmistakable references to her vagina ("Your thighs shelter a paradise...") and his penis ("I sit in his delightful shade and taste his delicious fruit") are included in this book of the Bible. Repeated use of the word "taste" leaves little doubt to the suggestion of cunnilingus (oral sex on the woman) and fellatio (oral sex on the man).

It is impossible to legitimately interpret the young man's attention to, and explicit description of, the young woman's body as allegorical to her character. She has allowed and utilized her physical resources to successfully arouse him and have sex with him. Likewise, his physical appearance has succeeded in securing her sexual attraction.

The young man singles out his young woman lover with a phrase that very much highlights the fact that he has compared her to others:

Like a lily among thistles is my darling among young women. [Song of Solomon 2.2]

Sexual attraction is a reality whether a person loves God or not. The fact that God, in His infinite wisdom and ultimate control, allows Song of Solomon to be part of the Bible should indicate to us that we all need to just deal with it - sex is a reality of being alive.

In its unashamed presentation of sex, it is noteworthy that there is nothing in the Song of Solomon that suggests (and therefore permits) anything outside a heterosexual relationship between a man and his wife (or queens, concubines, and countless young women as is found in the text).

So, if I were to spiritualize Song of Solomon, I would say that sex is important enough in marriage to give particular attention to the physical and visual aspects of it. More specifically, it is not wrong, but rather encouraged, that a man and wife should attempt to "tend the garden" of their respective bodies to both physically and verbally attract each other even to the intimacy of "tasting" each other. To expel this aspect of exciting physical and verbal attraction from a marriage in some misinformed move toward holiness is a devastating assault on marriage leaving both man and wife frustrated and vulnerable.

After all, it's in the Bible.

Speaking of intimacy...

Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! [Psalm 34.8]

Father, I know Christian couples have struggled with this topic and I know for certain I have. May my observations of Song of Solomon here today provide a window into the gift and design of the sexual relationship You have provided. May Your people understand that You designed the human mind and sexual attraction and so, may they truly "taste and see" that You are good in their relationship with one another. So be it.