Through the Bible with Poetry: Song of Songs
Jon’s thoughts: It seems odd, but my introduction to this short poem from the Song Of Solomon is considerably longer than the poem itself.
Allegory is defined by the Oxford dictionary “as a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.” Here is the thing about allegory: at its best it works in both directions. As the narrative points to something of value that we wish to hold before us, the thing we wish to value points backwards and makes much of and gives value to the original narrative or object.
The Song Of Solomon is beautiful not just because it points us to the love Christ has for his bride and his invitation to enjoy the choicest fruits of that relationship but because it works backwards and shows us how beautiful is the love of the bride and bridegroom for each other.
Christ’s redemptive work doesn’t just work in the present and future but backwards. It adds meaning and depth to his work of setting ALL of creation right.
Song of Solomon
Behold. You are Beautiful!
Beautiful Are You! Behold.
Let my beloved come to this garden, and eat its choicest fruits.
Let my beloved come.
Jon Bannon
Photo by Roksolana Zasiadko
© Jon Bannon 2021