Before I Knew It (Songs 6:12)

 


Saturday, January 11, 2025


Psalms 28; 29

Songs 6:4-12

John 6:1-15


Before I Knew It (Songs 6:12)


All the great love stories have a happy ending (I am not a fan of post-modern nihilism), and the greatest love story is no different.


Our lectionary readings have skipped a few sections of the Song of Songs over this past week, and you will have to finish the book on your own, as next week we move to the book of Genesis. But we have covered the most important stages of this love story. And here, we begin what is the happy ending.


The lovers have had their tiff, and the wife found her husband wandering in the garden. Instead of having an argument, or talking it through, they turn to love – love which covers all wrongs. (Proverbs 10:12) She has told the Chorus of her love for him, and having found him, he tells her of his love for her. She had gone down to the garden to find him, and to see if there was any blossoming left in the vineyard of their relationship after their troubles. Before she knew it, she was swept up in the mighty love of her prince, and he in hers.


God has, in this book, blessed the love between a husband and wife. He has painted for us a poetic picture of this most blessed relationship, the one he instituted at the creation of humankind. (Genesis 1:27, 2:24) Jesus confirmed God’s word then for us now (Matthew 19:4-76), and St Peter calls it “the grace of life”. (1 Peter 3:7) It may run into trouble, even despite our best efforts – but “love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord.” (Songs 8:6)


Marriage (in the biblical sense as we have learnt from the Song of Songs) is a “profound mystery”, and it refers to Christ and the church. (Ephesians 5:32) As Christians, there is something about the love story of the Song of Songs that teaches us about our relationship with Jesus, our Beloved, our Lord of love. What have you learned about yours?


Lord of love, set me as a seal upon your heart. Not for all the wealth of the world would I trade the love you have for me.

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