If one were to take this as an allegory, then the study of Song of Solomon would have limitless allegorical interpretations of the love of God and man. But since I’m not yet convinced of this, it was actually much more challenging. In fact, the most challenging of all the books to date.
There are definitely some themes that run throughout:
1) Don’t awaken love until it so desires, love is as powerful as death
2) Enjoy the beauty of one another
3) Romantic love is to be enjoyed and is of God
These things really do speak to our culture and day and time.
1) Right now there is a push for sexual love to be explored as early as kindergarten.
One of my friends posted on Facebook how hard it is to raise children in this day and time. She said at school her grade school daughter is being mocked and laughed at to know whether she is straight, trans, bi, pan, etc… How is this even a discussion at this age? To awaken sexual knowledge and desire at such a young age is dangerous. Truly romantic love is as powerful as death.
2) Enjoy each other’s beauty
The Shulamite woman in Song of Solomon was not perfect in beauty. She had a farmer’s tan and that caused her insecurity. But the man did not focus on that. He focused on what made her beautiful in every other way, and that made a difference.
No one is perfect beauty. Every single person has flaws. We magnify in others and in ourselves what we focus upon.
3) Romantic love is to be enjoyed by God.
The truth is that much romantic tension and love comes from remaining abstinent until married. Watch a young man in love fight the urge to honor his love with purity while at the same time being head over heels in love with her and you will see the foundation of romance. It’s not so common anymore in the degree that it could be because couples are much more quick to compromise.
Also having said that, romantic love is often mocked and put down. “Infatuation,” others say. But it is a process of love to be enjoyed. Yes, it will mature from that, but it’s Ok to enjoy and revel in the stage where feelings are strong.