Song of Solomon 7

“(The Beloved Speaking)…The fragrance of your breath like apples.  And the roof of your mouth like the best wine.”  (The Shulamite Speaking) “The wine goes down smoothly for my beloved, moving gently past the lips of sleepers. I am my beloved’s, and his desire is toward me.” Song of Solomon 7:8b-10 (NKJV)

As we are approaching third base, here in chapter 7 of Solomon’s song, before our minds drift toward the next batter (a huge slugger named Isaiah), perhaps, we should pause and recall how this relationship between the Shulamite and her Beloved has grown from dating to marriage.  Because we are almost at the end of this book, and I am over halfway thru yet another decade of marriage, I cannot help but identify (in this passage) with the hope of a strong marriage that lasts a lifetime.  Who, when they stand before the preacher and respond, “For better or worse, richer-or-poorer,” doesn’t assume (or at least hope for) their marriage would be passionately devoted for a lifetime?  Yet so few stand the test of even seven years time. Could it be that these two lovebirds have found the secret?  That their love song could be atop God’s “best of all time” playlist, on eternal repeat as “Song of Songs”?  Well, God does and separated it from the Psalms.

While Song of Solomon is poetic, it is written from the perspective of historical-literal (observation of two actual people).  That is of utmost importance because it tells us that the relationship we read about here is not just theoretical, only replicated in a laboratory under strictly controlled conditions.  No, it is OBTAINABLE for any marriage!  Imagine overhearing an older couple talking to each other in this manner; the "wine" of their love getting better with age.  I want that.  Who doesn’t?  Well, then, go for it!  Marital love is supposed to be a forever thing.  It is only distorted when the world entices us with hollow advertisements promising the thrill of a perverted and unfaithful alternative.  Consider this: What do your kids think about marriage by watching yours?  Obtainable faithful love is available for anyone who wants to receive it and reciprocate.  Of course, it is displayed best by Jesus, our “Bridegroom.”

“This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” Ephesians 5:32-33 (NKJV)