Are You Kidding?
Wake up, north wind, and come, south wind! Blow on my garden and let its spices flow forth. Let my lover come into his garden and eat its choice fruit. Song of Songs 4:16. (translation by Tremper Longman III)
Come into his garden – The Bible and good sex? Are you kidding? Most of us are not only squeamish about the subject to begin with, but any suggestion that the Scriptures extol sexuality is almost unimaginable. Almost every story in the Bible that deals with sexual encounters has a negative connotation if not explicit prohibition. No wonder preachers treat Song of Songs as an allegory.
But look at this verse (and the following one). Who is the speaker in this verse? Why is this important? What directive does the speaker give? Do you find it brazen and suggestive? What does the speaker invite the man to do? What subtle innuendoes are involved here? Here is a sacred poem in the canonized text that describes the woman’s invitation to partake of her sexual pleasures. In fact, in ancient poetry, the image of “garden” is highly erotic, referring to a woman’s most private part. The verbs are quite explicit. “Come into” and “eat” in any other context would be provocative, but in Scripture it is outrageous! Nevertheless, here it is.
In order to soften the blow, many commentators suggest that if this is not allegory (always the first choice), then it is really about sexual encounter in marriage! But there is almost nothing in the poem to suggest this. In fact, the first innuendo of sexual intimacy occurs in the fourth verse of the first chapter. There isn’t time to get married in this passion for each other. Of course, cultures differ and so do cultural mores. As a whole, the Bible has carefully defined boundaries. But in this poem about erotic passion, some of those boundaries seem to be quite elastic.
There is little doubt that the man in the poem does what most men would do with this invitation. Read the next verse, unfortunately separated by someone’s decision to create a new chapter. Song of Songs 5:1 tells us that the man not only enters the garden but ravishes in its delights, satiating himself with its pleasures. And the chorus of women celebrates his rapture. Do you suppose, given the right circumstances and relationship, that this is one of the objectives of biblical sexual intimacy?
The Song of Songs could be a poem Havvah proclaimed in those days before the encounter with the serpent. What must it have been like to be in the Garden with her man, unfettered by hidden agendas, naked and not ashamed? Rapture is a word that comes to mind. Exuberant, exhilarated, animated, euphoric, invigorated, entranced, enchanted – simply “crazy about you” in every way. What do we learn from this “embarrassing” poem? God likes intimacy, including sexual intimacy. It is another expression of delight in His creation. It is bending my yetzer ha’ra to His yetzer ha’tov and finding joy in the process.
Topical Index: garden, pardes, sex, Song of Songs 4:16
Ah yes but there is more also; is it not the bride of Messiah and the bridegroom about whom it ultimately speaks? Certainly we are given to one another in marriage as Adam and Eve but it is for us to understand a far, far greater pleasure and reality which is laid up for the faithful who walk in righteousness with their garments of white unstained by the world. For us who have sinned, praise Ha Shem we have an advocate, if we confess our sin He is faithful and just to not only forgive us but also to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. When we see we have failed to walk in His paths, and turn once again we can put the wedding garments He provides (righteous acts of the saints) back on so that we will be ready, waiting expectantly, for our beloved Groom. Praise to HA SHEM, what a saviour we have and what a glory awaits us. Thank you Father for your mercy and grace, for you Chesed and truth. Amein.
This may be true, as you suggest. But the exegetical issue remains. Would anyone in the tenth century BC (or even in the 5th Century BC) understand this poem in the way you suggest? The answer must be “NO.” Your interpretation requires a reading that depends on imagery from the New Testament and subsequent Christian interpretation. Are we to assume that no one really understood this poetry for 1000 years while we waited for the Christian explanation?
In addition, converting the poetry into allegory (which is what you do when you covert it to “bride of the Messiah” imagery) creates virtually impossible exegetical problems for other verses in the poem. All the early Church fathers struggled with this in their attempts to make the poem say something other than sexual. That tradition has been part of the Christian interoperation of the poem ever since.
But we must always ask, “What would it mean to the audience that first heard it?”
Hi Skip, I am not disagreeing with you at all brother. I agree absoulutely but what I am saying is that there is much more and it is given to us for a wonderful understanding of our eternal relationship with Ha Shem.
Yes, only no one who read this poem for more than 1000 years would have ever drawn those conclusions. WE added the “more” to the text. That doesn’t mean it isn’t good, as you suggest. It just means that it is OUR idea, not the idea of the author.
Are we to assume that no one really understood this poetry for 1000 years while we waited for the Christian explanation?
Maybe those dang sages put it in the cannon just to mess with us all!
😀
But the sages didn’t add Song of Songs to the Jewish canon until after 400AD
Right I stand corrected. Rabbi trails getting us off track.
I am sure that the decision to make this book about allegory was Greek in nature, maybe Gnostic at its roots? God created them, male and female and made them to fit together in a marvelous way! Why would God create humans in this way and yet sex is something somewhat dirty to be kept quiet about and treated as a shameful act? Great sex between a husband and wife is a blessing indeed and meant to be that way. We are sexual beings, God made us that way.
The enemy exploits this which is why I believe we see so many negative commandments regarding sex. God knows.
There is no way I have ever been comfortable reading this as Christ and His church. Now that makes me uncomfortable and is just down right creepy. It is what it is-a book about great sex from the Creator Himself!
I couldn’t agree more. But, of course, that doesn’t preclude readers from finding other things in the text. I believe Song of Songs is there to remind us that in the Garden things were absolutely delightful. How we long for a return!
AMEN! Can you imagine Adam and Eve’s ecstasy? No sin, no preconceived notions, no distractions, no pressure, no ugly history of sexual violence, no porn, no sickness and pain, no lack of libido from medication and/or disease… just pure, passionate touching and enjoying each other.
That’s God’s plan for us in marriage! Oh, if only!
Heck, yeah, let’s get back to the Garden!
Gracious God that He is, He’s left us innumerable clues as to
how great it was. And will be. All of them alluring and wonderful.
Great sex in marriage is just one perfect example. And one
worth writing about!
And as great as we may think that is, we ain’t seen nothin’ yet!
We all know the Way back. So I look forward to seeing you all there!
BTW great post. 🙂
Amen, we’re with you, Skip. Of course, it’s easier to do when you’re married to the most beautiful gal in the world, as I am.