Thursday, October 2, 2008

A (very brief) Reading of the Song of Solomon

Some time ago I did a preliminary diagram on the Song. I haven't read it since! But I have thought the words and quoted them many times. This post arises from a shared post here. Sounds to me from all the host of comments that there is a need to get more out of this book. But you know, the book and the mind won't help. Love is not a matter of logic but a matter of embrace.

What can I say about this marvel to a teacher of so many generations?

The intent of the Song for 'a conservative reading' is not that we are married to the Law - though those who love Torah may hear the words of this Holy of Holies (as R. Akiva called it - see old note here) and know without knowing the knowledge of their Beloved.

But for one who is in Christ, the reading of the Song should confirm that we have died to the Law that we might be married to another, even him who was raised from the dead. If in such a one, we are one Spirit (as Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 6) in our mortal bodies (Romans 8), then surely the life that he, the Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, gives, will be real - thought such a taste may expose us to great danger. Let not such a one fall away for fear of real apostasy. (See Hebrews 6:4-5 and note the five positive things that most miss).

Love

1 comment:

J. K. Gayle said...

Love is not a matter of logic but a matter of embrace.

Amen but amen! Even though you tell us to regard your formatting of the poem as preliminary, the embrace comes through! (I think the LXX translators were as astute.) Thanks for this!