Year 2, Day 345: Song of Songs 3

The Passion Of The Bride

The first section of Song of Songs 3 shows passion in a proper form.  Here the bride awakes in the middle of the night.  She desires her husband.  This is inherently a good thing.  She wants to be with him.

In fact, we can see that at first she tries to resolve her desire patiently in her own room.  She waits for her husband, but on this particular night waiting is just not enough.  The lesson here in life and in marriage is that in order to find true satisfaction we must engage our passion.  Of course we don’t want to be reckless, but on the other hand a good marriage is worth pursuing with passion.

The bride goes out into the city.  Of course, there are no doubt plenty of distractions occurring in the city.  She puts herself at great risk.  Many people who have read this passage have commented on the foolishness of this act.  Many people have read these verses and spoken about her impulsiveness.  I can certainly see that point, but I can also see that she does not discard her safety.  She goes to the watchmen who are there to protect.  She is able to pursue her passion, but she is able to do it in a way that the marriage bond is not spoiled by distractions.

As I read through this passage, I couldn’t help but contrast this particular passage with Proverbs 7.  In that chapter we have the story of a young man who goes out into the city looking to satisfy his emotions.  But the young man is not wise.  He doesn’t protect himself.  He doesn’t stick to the watchmen.  In fact, he goes out unsure of that for which he is looking.  His passion is undirected.  He ends up falling into a foolish sexual distraction. 

The difference between these stories is the dedication of the bride.  Yes, both the bride in Song of Songs 3 and the foolish young man in Proverbs 7 both go out into the city late at night.  But the bride goes out knowing what will satisfy her.  She doesn’t settle for just anything, she settles for her husband.

Notice again as we end the first section that we have the repeated verse encouraging the young women of Jerusalem to not awaken their passion until it can be truly pleasing?  How appropriate it is to find such a verse after a testimony of the bride who searches the whole city for the husband – the one thing that will satisfy?  Had the bride gone out into the city unprepared, her awakened passion could have led her astray into a dark and sinful act.  Because she was careful with her passion, her love and marriage is secure.

The Splendor Of The Wedding Day

The second half of this chapter speaks about the splendor of the wedding day.  We hear about the beauty of the procession, the splendor of the king’s crown, the regal nature of the carriage, and the might of the people that surround him.  It is indeed a splendid scene that is painted before us.

There is a part of me that rebels against the regal nature of such a day.  After all, is a wedding any more beautiful or meaningful if it is done modestly than if it done sparing no expense?  Is the humble couple that comes alone before the minister any less married before the eyes of God than the bride who comes amidst the fanfare of a loud organ and with hundreds of adoring people looking over her?  Of course the answer is no.  God honors that which is genuinely within our hearts.

But, then I need to also think back to my wedding day.  My wife and I came into our wedding service with a traditional Jewish wedding processional.  My grandmother was first in the processional.  Then came my parents.  Then came my groomsmen.  Then came my best man.  Then I came.  I was followed by my wife’s grandmother.  Then came my mother-in-law.  Then came the bridesmaids.  They were followed by the matron of honor.  Finally, after the whole of the procession had come to the front of the sanctuary, came my bride.  She was beautiful.  I remember crying as she came forward.  It was such an incredible and beautiful moment.  There is something to be said for the making of such moments.

There is absolutely no reason to go into debt sparing no expense for the perfect wedding.  But on the other hand, there is no reason to not make the day as memorable as possible, either.  There is something to be said about splendor and elegance.  I’ve never forgotten how I felt watching my bride walk down the aisle, escorted by her grandfather.  The procession, the regal nature, the elegant dress, the festive music … all those things came together in one very magical moment.  I have no doubt this is how the bride of Solomon feels as she looks upon the litter of Solomon being drawn towards her.

<><