Intro:
1. Charles Stanley, “Does God have anything to say to us about love; sex; and intimacy? For many people the words “romance” and “Bible” conjure up a long list of religious “Thou shall nots.” But, God never intended for us to view love, in a negative way. He created us in love, and for love, and for that reason, the Bible has a great deal to say about romantic love. In fact, it often uses pictures of human love to help us understand God’s love for us.”
2. I have avoided preaching through this book for years, but I have finally decided its time to take a stab at it.
3. Introduction to the Song of Solomon.
I. First, the Author of the book.
The song of songs, which is Solomon – Ryrie, “Verse 1 asserts, that Solomon wrote this song [among the 1,005 which he wrote, 1 Ki.4:32], although this verse may be translated, “The Song of Songs which is about or concerning Solomon. The content of the book, agree with all that we know about the abilities and wisdom of Solomon, and there is no compelling reason not to regard him as the author.”
1:1,5; 3:7,9,11; 8:11-12
He authored the Book of Proverbs, a book of Sayings; the book of Ecclesiastes, a book about Searching; and now the Song of Solomon, a book about Sharing.
Jewish tradition says that he wrote Proverbs in the prime of his life; Ecclesiastes toward the end of his life; and the Song of Solomon as a young man, dedicating it to his first wife, before getting entangled in polygamy and concubinage.
II. Next, the Appellation [title] of the book.
Song of songs – is a title used by many, reflecting the first words of the Hebrew text. Also called “The Song of Solomon” because Solomon is the author. It is also called Canticles from the Latin.
Song of songs – is a Hebrew idiom meaning the most exquisite song, the most elegant or beautiful song. The Jewish Midrash calls it “the most praiseworthy, most excellent, most highly treasured among the songs. Solomon wrote many songs, but this one was a smash hit!
III. Thirdly, the Approximate date. 965 BC
We cannot be absolutely sure, but sometime during his 40 year reign from 971-931 BC.
IV. Fourthly, the Aim of the book.
A. Historically – it is a romantic love story between King Solomon and a Shulamite woman. It describes their Courtship, Marriage, Consummation and Continuation after marriage.
McGee, “The elder daughter of a poor Shulamite family is sort of a Cinderella type, who is forced to keep a vineyard. Apparently this family lived in the hill country of Ephraim, where they were tenant farmers, share croppers.
She is an outdoor girl, a hard worker, who not only takes care of the vineyard but also her brother’s sheep (1:8). The place where she labors is close to a caravan route, where she can see caravans that passed by, going from Jerusalem to Damascus – she could see the beautiful ladies of the court; smell the frankincense and myrrh, as they passed by.
One day while the girl was tending her sheep, a handsome shepherd appears. He immediately is enraptured with her, and she gives her heart to him. He is a strange shepherd, in that; he doesn’t appear to have any sheep (1:7). As the romance strengthens, he announces that he is going away but will one day return.
The days pass by as she patiently waits; soon family and friends begin to ridicule her. But she remains determined in her devotion and trust in his promise, even dreaming of him often. One night as she lays restlessly upon her bed, she notices his fragrance in the room, and runs to the door – but he is not there.
The day comes when she is in the vineyard; all of a sudden a pillar of smoke arises down the road. The cry is heard, “Behold, King Solomon is approaching!” But she is busy and besides she does not know Solomon. Then someone excitedly says to her, “King Solomon is asking for you!” She is brought into the King’s presence – low and behold it is her beloved Shepherd!”
V. Fifthly, an Acceptable outline.
From the Daily Walk Bible:
Focus………..Fostering of Love………….Faithfulness of Love
Topics….Courtship…..Consummation…..Conflict…..Cultivation
1:1---3:5 3:6--------5:1 5:2—7:9 7:10---8:14
Place…..Israel in the Country and the Palace
Time….. Perhaps 1 year
VI. Finally, Another song of love.
J. Sidlow Baxter in his Explore the Book makes this comment:
“Accepting it as a Biblical exegesis that scripture is to be explained by scripture, we believe that the key to the Song of Solomon is Psa. 45, in which the title of that psalm is “A Song of Loves.” Psalm 45 is in fact a royal marriage hymn; and it refers to Solomon.
Psalms 45:1-17 (NKJV)
1 To the Chief Musician. Set to 'The Lilies.' A Contemplation of the sons of Korah. A song of Love. My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
2 You are fairer than the sons of men; Grace is poured upon Your lips; Therefore God has blessed You forever.
3 Gird Your sword upon Your thigh, O Mighty One, With Your glory and Your majesty.
4 And in Your majesty ride prosperously because of truth, humility, and righteousness; And Your right hand shall teach You awesome things.
5 Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the King's enemies; The peoples fall under You.
6 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
7 You love righteousness and hate wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.
8 All Your garments are scented with myrrh and aloes and cassia, Out of the ivory palaces, by which they have made You glad.
9 Kings' daughters are among Your honorable women; At Your right hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir.
10 Listen, O daughter, Consider and incline your ear; Forget your own people also, and your father's house;
11 So the King will greatly desire your beauty; Because He is your Lord, worship Him.
12 And the daughter of Tyre will come with a gift; The rich among the people will seek your favor.
13 The royal daughter is all glorious within the palace; Her clothing is woven with gold.
14 She shall be brought to the King in robes of many colors; The virgins, her companions who follow her, shall be brought to You.
15 With gladness and rejoicing they shall be brought; They shall enter the King's palace.
16 Instead of Your fathers shall be Your sons, Whom You shall make princes in all the earth.
17 I will make Your name to be remembered in all generations; Therefore the people shall praise You forever and ever.
Con:
1. I thought the words of John Phillips was significant, “To turn from Ecclesiastes to the Song of Solomon is like stepping out of the wilderness into the Promised Land. It is like the bright shinning of the sun after the rain.”
2. Finally, a quote from How to read the Bible for all it’s worth:
“God created human beings with a large number of brain cells devoted to love and sex. This is a fact of our humanity, and it is part of His design in creation that He declares “good” (Gen. 1:31). But unfortunately, any good thing can be corrupted by ungodly choices…So it is with love and sex.
But these things need not be. Sex – including romance – can be employed for God’s glory in accordance with His original design, if the right choices are made. That is what the Song of Songs is about…
We must try to appreciate the overall ethical context of the Song of Songs. Monogamous [having only one married partner], heterosexual [a man and a woman] marriage was the proper context for sexual activity, according to God’s revelation in the OT, and God-fearing Israelites would regard the Song in that light. The attitude of the Song itself is the very antithesis of unfaithfulness, either before or after marriage. This is not just love of any kind, but attraction in marriage.”
Johnny Palmer Jr
www.strugglingthruscriptures.ning.com
www.blogtalkradio.com/strugglingthruscriptures
