By Travis Biller
Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Elizabethton
Focal Passage: Song of Solomon 2:15-3:5
The greatest force that exists in the universe is not the strong nuclear force (the force that holds atoms together), but the love that binds two hearts together.
The term “lovesick” has been used to describe people desperately in love but who are prevented from being together. It is expressed by Juliet, longing for her lover Romeo, when she says, “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” and “Parting is such sweet sorrow” and other famous lines.
Solomon was known not only for his great wisdom, but for his keen insight into the human heart. In our text, Solomon pens an ode to the heart as moving as anything from Shakespeare’s pen. But unlike Shakespeare, Solomon’s writing is guided by the Holy Spirit of God (II Timothy 3:16).
The Song of Solomon reveals the depth, strength, and power of love between a man and woman who are united together for life.
In the book of Ephesians, Paul reveals that the love between man and wife is a reflection of the love Christ has for His Church (Ephesians 5:31-32). The closest we can come to experiencing His love for the church is to experience the love described by Solomon between a husband and wife.
Solomon describes two lovers who desperately long to be in each other’s arms, enjoying the intimacy of the marriage bed. While separated, they are lovesick. As such, their love cannot be fully expressed in their impassioned pleas, but only in their embrace. Our text reveals the depth of their desire. The woman cries out, “By night on my bed I sought the one I love; I sought him, but did not find him” (Song of Solomon 3:1).
Your average Baptist might find such language embarrassing. Certainly, these are not the words found in public discourse. But they should be found in the heart of every married man and woman.
God created this powerful force and wants His children to enjoy the intimacies of marriage. Indeed, to be married is to be “one flesh.” The Bible says, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24).
The spiritual union of a man and woman in marriage is experienced in the one flesh relationship. To neglect this passion in one’s marriage is to miss what it means to be “one flesh.” Unfortunately, many marriages, while good, forsake this God given passion. But Solomon is not only describing the love between a man and a woman, he is ultimately revealing the passion God has for His people. To pursue such passion in one’s marriage is to pursue the intimacy of God’s love.
Such thoughts may make someone uncomfortable. But the existence of this book in the Bible demonstrates God’s desire for His people to both understand and experience this love. God did not have to create marriage. But He did so that we can begin to understand His love. While love (agape) is often described as an action verb, Solomon reveals that it is also a passion (between a husband and wife) that should be pursued and celebrated.
Do you want to better understand God’s love? Then pursue your spouse and let passion define your love and let your intimacy bind your hearts together.
Searching for her lover, the Shulamite woman said, “Have you seen the one I love? Scarcely had I passed by them when I found the one I love. I held him and would not let him go” (Song of Solomon 3:3-4).
