Song of Solomon 5

The Explanation

Song of Solomon is a book of love songs. A bridegroom and a bride sing to each other. They tell how much they love each other. In chapter 5 something strange and sad happens in the middle of all that love.

The chapter begins beautifully. The bridegroom says he has come into his garden. He talks about myrrh (a sweet-smelling gum), honey, wine and milk. It is a feast. He even invites his friends: "Eat, friends! Drink, yes, drink abundantly, beloved."

But then the mood changes. The bride is lying in bed. She is half asleep. Suddenly she hears knocking. It is her beloved. He stands outside in the cold, dewy night and asks her to open the door. And what does she do? She hesitates. "I have taken off my robe. Must I put it on again? I have washed my feet. Must I get them dirty again?" She is too comfortable to get up.

Then he reaches his hand through the opening of the door. Her heart starts pounding. She jumps up to open, her hands wet with myrrh. But when she opens the door, he is gone. She looks. She calls. No answer.

She runs into the city to search for him. The night watchmen find her and treat her roughly. They beat her and take her cloak. Still she keeps searching. She asks the other women of Jerusalem: if you find him, tell him I am sick with love.

The women ask: what is so special about your beloved? And then she starts describing him. His head is like gold. His eyes are like doves. His lips smell of myrrh. His whole appearance is strong and beautiful, like the tall cedar trees of Lebanon. She ends with: "he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend."

What Does This Mean?

This chapter shows something honest about love. Love is not always simply beautiful. Sometimes you hesitate at the wrong moment. Sometimes you miss each other. Sometimes you have to search for a long time.

The bride made a small mistake. Her beloved stood at the door and she did not want to get up right away. When she finally opened, he was gone. That must have hurt terribly. But look what she does then: she does not stay in bed feeling sorry. She gets up and searches. Even when the watchmen hurt her, she keeps going.

And notice how she talks about him. She does not say: "He left me alone, he is not so great." No. She sings a whole song about how wonderful he is. She calls him her beloved and her friend.

The Common Thread

Many Christians through the ages have read this book and thought about God and His people. About Jesus and those who love Him. That is not the only way to read it, but it fits.

Think about this: in the Bible, Jesus also stands at a door and knocks. He says to people: open up, let me in. Sometimes we are like this bride. We are comfortable. We do not feel like getting up. We wait too long. And then it feels as if God is far away and we have to look for Him again.

But the good news is: seeking is allowed. Even when it hurts, even when you feel bruised inside, you may keep looking. And when someone asks you "why is your God so special?", you may answer, just like the bride does about her beloved: He is altogether lovely. He is my friend.

For You

Have you ever heard God knock softly? Maybe during a Bible story that suddenly touched you. Maybe when someone said something that made you think. Maybe when you felt inside: I should say sorry, or I should help.

And then you thought: not now. Later. I am comfortable.

That happens to everyone. The good news of this chapter is that even then, you do not have to give up. You may get up and go looking again. God does not run away for good.

And when someone asks you what is so special about Jesus, you do not need to know a smart answer. You may simply say what you know about Him yourself.

Talk About It

Have you ever felt like God was far away? What did you do then?

If someone asked you: what makes Jesus so special? What would you say?

Praying Together

Lord Jesus, sometimes I do not hear You knocking. Sometimes I am too comfortable. Help me to get up and open the door. And when I am searching for You, please let me find You. Thank You that You are my friend. Amen.