Not Quite

“My beloved extended his hand through the opening, and my feelings were aroused for him.” Songs of Songs 5:4 NASB Through the opening – There’s a reason why Song of Songs is treated as allegory by both the Christian and Jewish worlds. That reason could be summarized in this verse; a verse that quite literally…

Sins of the City (2)

You have despised My holy things and profaned My sabbaths.  Slanderous men have been in you for the purpose of shedding blood, and in you they have eaten at the mountain shrines. In your midst they have committed acts of lewdness.In you they have uncovered their fathers’ nakedness; in you they have humbled her who…

Agape Again

Let all that you do be done in love.  1 Corinthians 16:14  NASB Love – An overworked word loses its meaning.  An overlooked word has no meaning at all.  Such is the case with the Greek noun, agape.  We may realize that agape is connected to the Hebrew ‘ahav, but did we know this? Love…

Fast and Furious

Now flee youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22 NASB Youthful lusts – Movies of passion, speed and (most of the time) illegal behavior. Perhaps that’s why the Vin Diesel classics appeal. We would all like to think that…

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (Reconsidered)

“So bathe, anoint yourself, dress up, and go down to the threshing floor.  But do not disclose yourself to the man until he has finished eating and drinking.”  Ruth 3:3 JPS Disclose – Your mother-in-law suggests that you prepare yourself for an evening seduction.  She gives you specific instructions that remind you of the kind…

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…

Allegorical Absurdity

My lover is to me a sachet of myrrh lodging between my breasts.  Song of Songs 1:13  (Tremper Longman III in NICOT) Breasts – But, of course, it can’t mean mammary glands!  The Bible would never actually say anything about a man putting his head between the breasts of a woman, especially a woman who…

The Erotic God

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth, for your love is better than wine.  Song of Songs 1:2 (translation, Tremper Longman III) Love – Song of Songs presents the religious world of Judaism and Christianity with a real challenge.  The sexual innuendo, imagery and behavior of the actors in this poem would…

Overwhelming Passion

Draw me after you:  let’s run!  The king has brought me into his bedroom.  Song of Songs 1:4 (translated by Tremper Longman III) Draw me – Is the woman of the Song of Songs just out-of-control?  Does her passionate desire simply overcome proper decorum?  Is she so intent on love-making that nothing will stand in…

Rewriting the Story

By faith Sarah herself received the power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.  Hebrews 11:11  ESV Power to conceive – The inclusion of Sarah in the heroes of the faith hall of fame has always seemed a bit strange.  When we read the story…