The Lily of the Valleys
Song of Solomon 2:1-2 and Easter Lilies
“’I am the rose of Sharon, The lily of the valleys.’
‘Like a lily among the thorns, So is my darling among the maidens.’” Song of Solomon 2:1-2
Love and a Lily of the Valleys
The Song of Solomon is a romantic poem between a bride and a groom. Some scholars say that the book is just simply that, a romantic poem given as an example of how a man and woman should love each other.
Other Scholars disagree. They say because everything about the Old Testament points to Christ, so does this book. These scholars say the poem is an example of how Christ loves His Church. Either way, the book gives a beautiful illustration of love.
If the book is about Christ loving the Church, than He sees the Church as a beautiful flower and something greatly to be desired, cherished and treasured. If it’s a romantic poem, then it gives a beautiful illustration of how a man should love a woman and a woman should love a man. Perhaps it’s both?
What do you think? Let me know in the comments below or on social media. Click here to read more of the Song of Solomon.
I think it’s a romantic poem.
Thanks Cathy. It is a pretty romantic piece of writing.
This is a romantic poem, I can picture it as I read it but everytime I read it (especially the first many times) I felt that if it was between two people then it was phoney. We are not nor ever have been ‘romantic’ nor have I seen romance in my family so I don’t know it nor what it’s supposed to look like.
Hi Joyce. Sorry to hear that you have never experienced romance in your relationship. That’s hard. Not having romance in one’s own life would definitely make one prone to thinking that the romance in this book is phony. The good thing about this book, is that it does reveal what romance is supposed to look like for those who may not have experienced it or don’t know what it looks like. The Bible speaks to almost every aspect of life, even romance because God cares for us.
I believe God even romances us Himself. Here’s a blog post I wrote a few years ago about God romancing us. https://visualverse.thecreationspeaks.com/romanced-by-nature/
I heard from a pastor that the whole Book of Song of Solomon is about Jesus(the groom) and His church
(the bride). I like what you said, “He sees the church as a beautiful flower and something greatly to be desired, cherished, and treasured”. You are right, it is an example of how Christ loves His church. It is a beautiful illustration of love.
Hi Laurie! Thanks so much for your comments. May God help us all to love like Christ.
It certainly is a romantic poem, but I believe it is also a type and shadow of the rapture of the church (the bride) when our beloved (Jesus) comes to gather us to Him. “For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit, and the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away!” (Song of Solomon 2:11–13).
The last fig tree generation (Israel) has ripened and the harvest is about to be gathered. We fly away soon! Maranatha!!
Thanks Deborah! There is no reason it cannot be both a romantic poem and a illustration of how Christ loves the church. He certainly loves us and will gather His Church to Himself.
I have a hard time reconciling the eros love of Song of Solomon with the agape God has for us.
Hi Kelli! You’re not alone in that thinking. Many see it the way you do. It could simply be instructions on what God wants romantic love to look like. God puts high priority on marriage and family. It would make sense that He would tell His people how they should love each other as husband and wife.
Song of Solomon, sometimes called Song of Songs was required reading at Jewish festivals in Jerusalem where women were also present. It’s instruction in romantic gushing between sweethearts and nothing more. There is not one reference to our relationship with God or salvation. It is an unwarranted stretch to make this writing about Jesus Christ.
Thanks Archer. Good insight! Many see it the way you do. It could simply be God’s instructions on what He wants romantic love between a husband and wife to look like. God puts high priority on marriage and family. It would make sense that He would tell His people how they should love each other as husband and wife, and that they would celebrate it.