After such a heavy Ecclesiastes, it’s refreshing to go to the Song of Solomon. Except comes the question, how do we approach this sensual text?
Is it about Solomon and his lover?
Is it about a woman caught between choosing a king or her shepherd lover?
Is it an allegory between us and God?
I’ve heard much of my life that it is just Solomon and his Shulamite lover. I can see that but can also see that there also seems a shepherd lover in here.
I’ve heard from friends later in life that the point is the allegory and they’ve studied a lot in this. But then there’s the possibility that S.S ch 5:3-6 is a description of sexual intimacies and not just about a door. And then there’s the thing where when we are uncomfortable with something we want to make it an allegory which is sometimes appropriate but not always.
So how do we approach this?
I’m actually inclined (sorry friends), to believe that this isn’t an allegory. I don’t see any reason why or any textual indications that we should take it as such. In fact, in some places it would just be creepy and a stretch to do so.
Yes, the Lord’s love is intimate with us. But there are other Scriptures that are better suited. Why can’t it simply be a celebration of intimacy between two lovers? It may make us uncomfortable, but I don’t see how this needs to become an allegory simply because it’s in the Bible.
