SONG OF SOLOMON 8

LONGING FOR HER BELOVED

The couple is separated again and the woman longs for her beloved. For the third and final time, she advises others to not awaken love early. In verse six, she claims that love is as strong as death and jealousy as fierce as the grave. Although the author would not have known this, this wording points to Jesus, whose love was stronger than death and who overcame the grave. 

The poem ends rather abruptly with the man calling out to the woman, and the woman responding, “make haste, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices” (v 14).

At first glance, this book can appear confusing or odd, but it speaks to the beauty and importance of knowing and being fully known. God knows us fully and He blesses His people with His Word, allowing us to know Him better and discover more about His character. Although God is only briefly mentioned in this book (8:6), His creation and goodness are abundant throughout.